Newton Thomas Sigel

Three Kings (1999)

Three Kings (1999) is a war comedy-drama directed by David O. Russell, following a group of American soldiers—played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze—at the end of the Gulf War as they attempt to steal a hidden cache of gold stolen by Saddam Hussein’s forces. What begins as a selfish heist turns into a moral crisis when they encounter Iraqi civilians suffering under the regime, forcing them to choose between personal gain and doing the right thing. Blending action, satire, and social commentary, the film offers a unique and sharp critique of war and American intervention.

The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects (1995)

“The Usual Suspects” “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist,” says con man Kint (Kevin Spacey), drawing a comparison to the most enigmatic criminal of all time, Keyser Soze. Kint attempts to convince the feds that the mythic crime lord not only exists but is also responsible for drawing Kint and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro Harbor – leaving few survivors.