Movies

As a movie critic, I often find myself marveling at the artistry that emerges when low-budget films cleverly cast less-acknowledged talents alongside ambitious directors. These combinations can lead to truly breathtaking outcomes. Interestingly, several of the films on this list belong to the horror genre, and this choice is not accidental. The use of relatively unknown actors lends an authenticity to the story that might be lost with A-list stars. It’s as if their unfamiliar faces blend seamlessly into the eerie settings and unsettling narratives, creating a sense of realism that is simply captivating.

Individuals who haven’t yet experienced director Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed gangster film, “Goodfellas,” can discover why Ray Liotta’s character, Henry Hill, yearned to be a gangster when this movie becomes available on Paramount+ starting Friday, November 1. With a stellar cast led by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, the film has earned an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Additionally, the late, esteemed movie critic, Roger Ebert, awarded the film a perfect four-star rating. In his captivating review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Ebert wrote that “Goodfellas” left an indelible impression on him long after he watched it. As quoted on RogerEbert.com, Ebert stated:

After approximately two decades, Wallace, a clumsy inventor with a fondness for cheese, and his loyal dog Gromit, created by Nick Park, make their return. Their endearing claymation characters, initially presented to us in the 1989 short film “A Grand Day Out,” which was nominated for an Oscar, appear again since the 2008 short “A Matter of Loaf and Death.” This marks their second full-length feature film, following the 2005 Oscar-winning movie “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

For several months, headlines have featured P. Diddy due to a series of events following the FBI’s raid on his residence in March 2024. This incident led to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering against him. Since then, various allegations such as explicit videos with ex-partner Cassie Ventura, reports of drug use, nudity, and sexual activity at his high-profile parties have been shared. To add to the controversy, over a thousand bottles of lubricant were discovered in his home. Given Diddy’s extensive network, numerous prominent celebrities, including his protege Justin Bieber and ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, have found themselves in the limelight recently, whether they wanted it or not.

Sometimes your first work is your best. It might sound insulting — it shouldn’t, though, and doesn’t mean each subsequent project isn’t worthwhile. Many great musicians, authors, and filmmakers explode right out of the gate, having captured lightning in a bottle; it happens most often with bands, but it can also happen with actors. I’d argue that this is the case with Jason Statham, and quickly follow that assertion with the caveat that the actor has had many great movies and performances since then. But something special happened at the end of the 20th century with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.