Paris Jackson 'concerned' about Michael Jackson estate payments
The 27-year-old singer has objected to a request for court approval of the estate executors' "premium payments" to three law firms in her position as a beneficiary of the Thriller hitmaker's estate.
In documents filed on 24 June and obtained by People magazine, Paris is expressed her concern over an alleged "practice of granting so-called 'premium payments' for unrecorded attorney time, much less paying one-hundred percent of any such extraordinary amounts."
The paperwork named a six-month period in 2018 when executors requested approval for $625,000 in payments for "uncaptured time" without explaining
"as to why counsel was incapable of recording unbilled time, or why such a failure should not preclude payment."
Two of the firms had received their prospective payments, in breach of the "Court's order allowing only partial payment of attorneys' fees until Court approval is obtained."
The documents added: "Even worse, these payments appear, at least in part, to consist of lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel.
"[The payments] raise serious and substantial questions about Executors' ability to effectively supervise counsel, by, at minimum, requiring that counsel record their time in a manner susceptible to at least superficial review and oversight, namely by means of task-billed time entries, and refraining from wasteful, six-figure gift-giving to themselves and their colleagues."
Paris is also said to be "concerned" about the executors' alleged "gross lack of diligence in seeking the required Court approval for extraordinary fees and costs" for the 2018 payments and lack of explanation about the delays.
Paris' attorney, Craig Peters, claimed there was "no written agreement" authorising executors to seek approval for fees in six-month increments and requested a "schedule for all of the outstanding approvals, both the accountings and the legal fees."
Lawyers for the estate insisted nothing untoward had happened.
Jonathan Steinsapir told People: "The Executors' approval of payments to attorneys have been made with the same business judgment that has earned this Estate over $3 billion.
"We are confident that the objected-to payments are appropriate as, indeed, they are fully consistent with payments made in the decade prior, all of which have been approved by the Probate Court."
Insiders explained the "premium payments" are connected to the sale of Michael's stake in EMI to Sony.
A source said: "They are objecting to relatively minor bonuses to three firms for work on the EMI catalogue sale in 2018.
"The estate, assisted by these lawyers and others, bought a 10% stake in EMI for $50,000 in 2012 due to a contractual right we had with Sony.
"In 2018, the stake sold for almost $300 million! Any business in this position would reward those who worked on that matter through the years.
"They also claim that the estate had to withhold 30 percent of all fees pending court approval. On that, they are simply mistaken and do not understand the court's orders. The estate has paid bonuses like this to attorneys for years and they've all been approved without any objections."
At the time of his death in 2009, Michael - whose sons Prince and Bigi are also beneficiaries of his estate - was over $500 million in debt to more than 65 creditors.
A hearing regarding the matter is scheduled for July 16.
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
What is the best video game of the 21st century?
If you cast your mind back to the turn of the century, playing video games used to involve blowing on a cartridge like a pan pipe to get the dust out, untangling the wired controllers, and then turning the TV to channel 3. The thought of downloading full games over dial-up was laughable, and the idea of watching someone else stream themselves playing video games would have required too much explanation and infrastructure. Things have gotten a bit better since then. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. But 2000 was a huge time for video games. The PlayStation 2 hit stores with a whopping 32MB of RAM, and was the first console to feature a new-fangled DVD drive. Games like Deus Ex, Final Fantasy IX, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Sims, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 were changing people's expectations for what video games could be. It's hard to imagine games now without Xbox, but Microsoft joined the console wars a bit later than Sony and Nintendo, with the original Xbox getting an Australian release in 2002, introducing us to games like Halo, Forza Motorsport and Gears of War. The occasion was marked with midnight launch parties at the 'Electronics Boutique' and Grace Bros, featuring ATVs, green lighting and a specially decorated Jeep to deliver the first Xbox. A few years later the, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era began, setting new benchmarks for online multiplayer gaming and how many slurs you could hear a 13-year-old American say during one game of Call of Duty. The year after that new console generation kicked off, Nintendo released the Wii, which then introduced everyone to the joy of games with motion controls. This was later followed up with the release of the Wii U, an objectively excellent console that almost no one bought. While most people generally think of Japan and the US for video game creation and production, Australia actually punches way above its weight, with Aussie developers finding particular success in the new millennium. Some notable Aussie-made games and gaming accessories include LA Noire (Sydney, 2011), the UDraw tablet (Melbourne 2010), Fruit Ninja (Brisbane 2010), Crossy Road (Melbourne 2014), Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (Canberra 2014), Untitled Goose Game (Melbourne 2019), the AFL video games (various), Unpacking (Brisbane 2021), Hollow Knight (Adelaide 2017), Cult of the Lamb (Melbourne 2022) and heaps more. Australian studios also work on Call of Duty and EA Mobile titles. Remember when the Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers footy teams bought Overwatch and League of Legends esports teams? Or when the Australian Open launched a Fortnite tournament with a $500,000 prize pool? Australia might not be the esports capital of the world, but we do know how to have fun with it. Plus, who could forget when Pauline Hanson used the unacceptable prospect of foreigners beating children from the bush at multiplayer games as an argument to improve the NBN? Drawing on that 25 years of gaming history, it's now up to you to determine the order of the 10 most impactful games and game franchises of the 21st century so far. Here is the shortlist of contenders: Minecraft It's hard to say what makes Minecraft so special, spawning film adaptations, Lego sets and campaigns to use it in education. Was it in the right place at the right time? Do the children truly yearn for the mines? Or is it simply that people love to create when given the opportunity, and Minecraft perfectly blends fun gameplay with a blank canvas. Kayleen Walters, Head of Mojang Studios told what makes the game special. 'At its core, Minecraft is a canvas not just for creativity, but for possibility,' she said. 'Every player brings their own spark, their own story, their own vision. Whether it's a simple shelter under the stars or a vast redstone-powered machine that defies belief, Minecraft gives players the tools and the freedom to build whatever they can imagine.' Grand Theft Auto Grand Theft Auto first launched in 2D in 1997. However the majority of the franchise's success occurred in the last 25 years, so it still counts. Earning the title for 'most controversial video game series in history' from the Guinness Book of World Records, GTA III was originally banned in Australia until the ability to pick up sex workers in game had been removed. GTA is also one of the most successful franchises, perhaps partially because of all that free publicity the controversies garnered, proving that a good game is more than just the sum of its grossest parts taken out of context. GTA V was released all the way back in 2013, but it still routinely tops Australia's weekly video game sales charts, with the game having sold more than 215 million copies worldwide. GTA VI was originally supposed to be released this year, but the planned release date has now officially been postponed to May 2026. Many gamers are hopeful that it will be released some time before Christmas 2027. Fortnite There have been a lot of successful free-to-play games over the years, but few have scaled the heights of success that Fortnite has enjoyed. When Fortnite was released back in 2017, the focus was the Save The World mode, building was an important aspect, and so was the storm. But it wasn't until developer Epic Games took those ingredients and put them in a battle royale that the popularity of Fortnite exploded. Suddenly, kids everywhere were doing Fortnite dances on the playgrounds in numbers that had talkback radio hosts channeling the reverend from Footloose, acting as though kids copying dances they'd seen in a game was both novel and scandalous. The game has grown even more since then, with the current popular modes including Battle Royale, Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Fortnite Creative, where anyone can make their own games that anyone else can then play. More importantly, thanks to all the collaborations on skins, it's the only game where Peter from Family Guy can hunt down Darth Vader and then dance with Batman to celebrate. But, more than all the numbers and modes and variety, it's just fun. It's the game that a generation of gamers will point to as the one that made them fall in love with video games, and it's likely that its influence will be felt for decades to come. Call of Duty In the last 25 years, there have been 22 Call of Duty games, with a further six free-to-play games. While some of its popularity has died down slightly in recent years, it's hard to articulate just how much of a cultural impact Call of Duty had in its heyday unless you were there. Matt Cox, senior vice president and general manage of Call of Duty, put it well when he told 'Call of Duty is more than a game—it's a signature piece of pop culture that continues to bring us together to create lasting memories with our friends, families and global community'. There aren't many games that can pull off conveying the seriousness of the Second World War, meditations on the nature of modern war from the perspective of a British SAS commando, and collaborations with celebrities like Nicki Minaj. And yet, somehow Call of Duty has managed to span the gamut of emotions around war and war games. While it certainly wasn't the first first-person shooter game series, it's likely the one most people think of when the genre is mentioned. Wii Sports Wii Sports is the only game on this list locked to a single, superseded console, and yet I think it's also perhaps the most universally beloved. Bundled with the Wii console, Wii Sports was designed to show off what the Wii Remote could do, introducing people to remote-based motion controls. For some people, it ended up being the only game they needed to play on Wii, becoming an instant hit for kids, university parties, family gatherings, drinking games, and old folks' homes. Even people who didn't like video games loved trying to get a strike in bowling, or absolutely destroy their friends at tennis. Other sports included boxing, golf and baseball, and the game struck the right balance of being easy enough that anyone could play, while being challenging enough that it took skill to win. Stardew Valley Stardew Valley is the most successful indie game of all time, and for many people it's their comfort game. It's cosy; all you have to do is farm, fish, mine, battle against unspeakable horrors (creatures in the mine) to please ancient spirits (Junimos), and fight against capitalism (JojaMart). Created by one man (Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone), it's gotten steady, free updates since its release in 2016, and has never had paid DLC or ads. It's currently available as part of the Apple Arcade subscription service, as well as the Xbox Game Pass service, or it's pretty cheap on basically any console. Pokémon Sure, Pokémon's popularity might be borne out of the 1990s anime and trading card game craze. But the game series also gave rise to the most iconic in-person gaming event of the last 25 years: The Pokémon Go winter of 2016. It was one of those events you had to be a part of to truly understand why it captivated so many people. The sense of community, and joy of getting to explore our towns and cities while playing a game we loved was somewhat magical. Pokémon Go is still going strong, of course, but nothing compares to the huge groups of people running through the Melbourne CBD, stampeding towards the Yarra to catch a Dratina, at a time when everyone was sharing this same experience and adventuring together. With the growing popularity of the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game, and the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Pokemon isn't going anywhere any time soon. The Sims The concept for The Sims came after developer Will Wright's house burnt down, and he wanted to create a virtual doll house so people could build their homes in game, and create characters to tell their own stories. Ever since, players from all over the world have spent thousands of hours crafting the most beautiful castles and most messed up family plot lines. The Sims is easily one of the most iconic game franchises ever. When asked why The Sims games were so popular and why people should vote for them, an unnamed member of The Sims development team told 'In The Sims, if you can dream it, you can Sim it. Whether reimagining real life or building from scratch, your creativity takes centre stage. 'You can recreate your favourite reality drama, whatever is happening in pop culture or a story purely from your imagination. Life transcends beyond the boundaries of reality. 'Every moment is an opportunity to redefine life on your own terms. You can build fantasy scenarios or explore everyday life, or an unexpected mix of both.' World of Warcraft Who among us hasn't lost a week in World of Warcraft? There had been massively multiplayer online role-playing games before World of Warcraft debuted in 2004, such as Everquest, but none quite captured people's attention or imagination like WoW did. People have met, proposed and gotten married in game. It's the kind of game where you work your regular job, and then get to go home to adventure in this massive world with friends you're closer to than anyone else, despite living on the other side of the world. Darren Williams, the Associate Technical Director of World of Warcraft (who is originally from Adelaide) said the reason why Australians should Vote One WoW is because of those connections. 'So many people have formed lifelong friendships or relationships thanks to World of Warcraft, spanning distances and other communication barriers,' he explained. 'For most of this century people have been finding like-minded folks and forming deeply important and meaningful connections through the game. 'Families who met through the game are now sharing it with their kids; the game is generational and bridges many communities. World of Warcraft is an important part of so many people's lives.' FIFA/EA Sports FC Once known as the FIFA games, now known as EA Sports FC, this soccer series really defined what serious sports games could be. Nearly every time I've interviewed an athlete about video games, no matter which code they played (NBA, AFL, tennis, soccer, hockey, etc), they all played EA Sports FC more than the games that actually featured them and the team they played for, that's how good this game is. There are people out there who own consoles only so they can play each year's iteration of the game. When asked why Australians should vote for EA Sports FC as the best game of the last 25 years, the development team told 'EA SPORTS FC sits at the intersection of sports and entertainment and continues to shape football culture in an unprecedented way. Living out your ultimate football fantasy and connecting to fans all over the world is possible because of our commitment to community and our love of football and gaming.' Honourable mentions OK, that's all 10 up for your consideration. But, because it's impossible to distill 25 years of video games into just a top ten, here are some honourable mentions which didn't make it, but still deserve a shoutout. Mario Kart All of the Mario game series are classics, but there is something extra special about blue shelling your friend metres before the finish line on Rainbow Road, or heading down to Moo Moo Meadows. The Last of Us I don't think a week has gone by since I played The Last Of Us Part 2 that I haven't thought about it. This series has been so hugely impactful in so many ways, and it spawned the best TV adaption of a video game yet. Forza Horizon This is my personal favourite game series of all time because it so perfectly balances the best of how polished and realistic a driving sim can be (the amount of detail in the cars is absurd) with the best of the freedom video games gives you (I can take that realistic car and drive it off a cliff to get points). Halo It's Halo. Guitar Hero/Rock Band These games gave a whole bunch of people a love of music and rhythm, and gave some the confidence to try picking up a real guitar. I'm one of the many people who deeply miss the days of going to a party and just having fun on the full Rock Band set up in the games room. Tony Hawk Pro-Skater This is the game that introduced a whole heap of kids to skateboarding and punk music, and for that we are all grateful. Counter Strike Counter Strike really changed the face of esports. Every single one of the thousands of people who attended the finals at the Intel Extreme Masters tournament in Melbourne this year knows how electric the energy can be at a CS:GO event.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
The eight most shattering discontinued snacks of the 21st century
It's a scorching summer's day, and you're chasing after a ball on your primary school's hot asphalt basketball court. The year is 2003. As recess winds down, you remember you have a few coins saved from your pocket money. You rummage through your backpack and realise you have enough to get a treat from the canteen. You sprint over and join the queue, patiently waiting your turn. But when you get to the counter, decision fatigue sets in. Do you get a Sunnyboy to cool down, or a packet of Lifesavers, which your mum doesn't let you have at home? To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. It's a tough call. The canteen lady gives you an expectant look. 'What'll it be, love?' she asks. The pressure mounts. Every choice is just SO good. Feeling nostalgic? Does this bring back memories of simpler times, when the biggest decision you faced was what to pick from the canteen? Well, my fellow Aussie millennial, I invite you to take a trip down memory lane as we explore the eight most iconic snacks from the past 25 years that have sadly been discontinued. As we go through them one by one, try to tap into which discontinuation still hurts the most. And then, like that little kid in the canteen, pick your favourite and vote in the poll below to have your say on the most heartbreaking discontinued snack of the last 25 years. Lifesavers Hard Candy Life Savers Five Flavour Hard Candy Rolls were a staple in Australian canteens and corner shops for generations. These boiled lollies, wrapped in colourful foil and rolled into a neat tube, featured five classic flavours: mint, pineapple, strawberry, raspberry, and lime, and each one seemed to last forever when you were a kid. The fun was in unwrapping them, trading with friends, and seeing who could make their roll last all day or keep theirs on their tongue the longest. In 2023, fans were devastated when the rolls quietly disappeared from supermarket shelves, marking the end of an era for this iconic sweet. Green Frogs Allen's Green Frogs used to be a must-have in Aussie party bags, with their lime-flavoured jelly texture and a tart kick that was an acquired taste compared to the much loved red ones. Despite their popularity in the early 2000s, Green Frogs struggled to keep up with the success of Red Frogs, eventually being outsold 10 to one. In 2014, they were discontinued, though some nostalgic demand saw them briefly return in mixed bags in 2017. However, as of now, Green Frogs are officially off the shelves, but their legacy lives on with the Green Frog fans among us, a quiet yet passionate minority. Time Out Bars The Cadbury Time Out bar was a favourite for those wanting the best of both worlds, a crispy wafer and delicious chocolate. They were the perfect after-school treat, featuring two fingers of ripple-like Flake chocolate between layers of wafer, coated in dairy milk chocolate. Time Out fans were devastated to find they had quietly disappeared from Aussie shelves in 2016, replaced by a slimmer, less indulgent version called Time Out Wafer, which never quite hit the same spot as the original. Now, the original bar has been rebranded as 'Twirl Breakaway,' which has the familiar features of the OG but with a distinctive 'Twirl' twist. Fantales Fantales were the ultimate movie snack and an Aussie icon for nearly a century, and responsible for countless Aussie kids losing their baby teeth. They had a chewy caramel centre covered in a thin layer of chocolate, and who could forget the bright yellow paper filled with trivia about famous movie stars you'd never heard of as a kid? For generations, these chocolate-covered, chewy caramels were a party essential, so their discontinuation in 2023 came as a huge shock. Not to skew your poll votes, but the sweet was so widely accepted as part of our culture that the New York Times once declared it Australia's most defining lolly. Just saying. Sunnyboys Ah, Sunnyboys, the pyramid-shaped, Tetra Pak ice block that was the ultimate canteen treat or summer holiday snack. Yes, they were a nightmare to eat unless you cut the corner just right, and they had a habit of slipping through your sticky fingers. But they came in four delicious flavours: Glug Cola, Orange Explosion, Razz Raspberry, and Zap Lime, which always got the job done. In 2016, Aussies collectively mourned the loss of the colourful ice block, and many have said that summer has never been the same since. Starburst Chews Starburst Chews were the quintessential 2000s lolly. Those bright, squishy little squares always sparked a family feud on road trips or at parties over who got the best flavour (no-brainer: it was pink). Unwrapping each individual one was quite the effort, but it was always worth it once you got a taste of those overly-sweet, fruity treats. Sadly, they were removed from shelves in 2022 due to supply chain issues and rising costs, which caused a real stir online. However, there have been rumours of 'bootleg' versions popping up in independent grocers. They're just not the same, though. *Wipes tears*. Arnott's Classic Assorted Variety Pack Arnott's Classic Assorted Family biscuits were a pantry staple in Aussie households and office tearooms, often the cornerstone of many catch-ups over a cuppa. The large white box was filled with six loved biscuit varieties: Shortbread Creams, Kingstons, Monte Carlos, Scotch Fingers, Butternut Snap, and Choc Chip, each sparking passionate debates about which was best. This box was perfect if you weren't sure what sort of bikkie you wanted, because there was something for everyone – creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, or just plain (which, in my humble opinion, were perfect for dunking). Families would argue over their favourites, and kids would always try to sneak the last Monte Carlo before anyone noticed. The disappearance of the pack in 2022, replaced by a pricier, smaller version, marked the end of an era for the classic biscuit mix-pack. Vegemite Snackabouts Snackabouts, especially the Vegemite variety, were in nearly everyone's lunch box in the early 2000s. For Vegemite lovers, these were a recess dream. While you could easily grab some crackers and spread on Vegemite, it never quite matched the joy of dunking a biscuit into the salty spread from a pre-portioned pack. This snack was always shared around, but it was at its best when you'd generously spread heaps of Vegemite and press two biscuits together to squish the spread out like worms. They were sadly discontinued in the late 2010s. Expert weighs in on the 'why' behind food If you've read through this list and felt a tug at your nostalgic heartstrings, there's good reason for that, says Advanced Sports Dietitian Alicia Edge. The dietitian (who, fun fact, is the nutrition lead for the Matildas) explains that food is closely tied to memory. 'There's so much about food that is tied to our emotions and mood, as well as aspects like celebration, connection, belonging, religion, and beliefs, which we often don't fully appreciate,' she tells 'When it comes to nostalgic snacks, it's really about that emotional safety. It's tying us back to a memory, almost like a time machine. It takes us to a time when we might have felt safer or more comfortable, or to a cherished memory, a relationship from that period, or a place we once knew.' She says that our love for nostalgic food is really because it links us to the feelings and emotions they stir up. 'With our busy, full lives and all the stress and fast pace many of us face, if we find something that transports us back to a time when we felt more relaxed or secure, or when life was quieter or slower, that's what we're really after,' Ms Edge notes. 'It's not just about the food itself, but the feelings and memories it brings up.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
This box office flop is the best film of the 21st century
Director Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 dystopian thriller Children of Men starts with a bang – literally. As the film opens, actor Clive Owen's character Theo pops down to the corner cafe to grab a cup of coffee in grimy, inner-city London. It's 2027, two decades since worldwide infertility pushed humanity to the brink of extinction. The cafe is packed, as people crowd to watch a TV announcing that the youngest person in the world – a man named Diego, who was the last known person to be born 18 years earlier – had met a violent end, stabbed by an autograph hunter in Buenos Aires. Theo takes his coffee back out to the street. And then the cafe blows up, with everyone inside. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. It's a startling opener to a film that, despite rave reviews, struggled to even make back its budget at the box office in 2006, but has emerged as one of the most prescient films of the 21st century. Based on P.D. James' 1992 novel The Children of Men, the film follows the cynical, world-weary Theo as he's commandeered by a refugee liberation group run by his old flame Julian (Julianne Moore). They need his help to get refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) to safety, because she's carrying a huge secret: She's the first woman to fall pregnant in 18 years. The film unfolds as the sort of dystopian chase movie that'll be familiar to fans of shows like The Handmaid's Tale and The Last Of Us. But the world-building in the film is something else. We're never told why humanity suddenly became infertile, we only see what damage it's caused, how nihilistic humanity has become knowing that they'll be the last generation on earth. Theo passes by scenes of devastation, violence and hopelessness throughout the film, and they don't appear to register because it's just how life is now. Danger abounds – one incredible one-take shot sees Theo and the refugee group travelling by car through the apparent safety of a forested area, all breathing a sigh of relief that they've made it out of the chaos and violence of the city. Within seconds, an armed gang emerge from the forest, ambushing them for reasons unknown. They manage to escape, but not without the shocking, violent death of one key character. It's harrowing, edge-of-your-seat viewing as the camera pans around the car to capture the action – and now considered one of the best one-shot scenes in the history of cinema. The film ends on an ambiguous note, a final scene which some viewers interpret as a 'happy ending', while others aren't so sure. Perhaps that ending, coupled with the grim tone of the film, would go some way to explaining why C hildren of Men wasn't a box office hit upon release. But word spread among those who did see it, and in recent years it's appeared on many critics lists of the best films of all time. Multiple rewatches over the past two decades have affirmed my initial impression of Children of Men: It's my favourite film released so far this century. Don't agree with me? Vote in our poll below. As part of our 25@25 series celebrating the biggest and best of the past 25 years, the entertainment team at has collated a shortlist of the 10 best movies of the 21st century, from Oscar winners to family favourites to a mind-bending romance and an iconic Aussie road movie. The Dark Knight (2008) A cinematic masterpiece that redefined the superhero genre. Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is nothing short of legendary, earning him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His performance, coupled with Christian Bale's nuanced depiction of Batman, elevates the film to a level of dramatic intensity rarely seen in superhero films. Christopher Nolan's direction, alongside Hans Zimmer's haunting score, creates a dark and immersive atmosphere that captivates audiences. Avatar (2009) A groundbreaking achievement in filmmaking, renowned for its revolutionary use of 3D technology and visual effects. The film's immersive world-building transports audiences to the lush, alien planet of Pandora, showcasing James Cameron's visionary direction. 'Avatar' became a cultural phenomenon, holding the title of the highest-grossing film of all time for nearly a decade, with a worldwide box office gross of over $2.8 billion. Children of Men (2006) A dystopian masterpiece that combines a thought-provoking narrative with stunning cinematography. The film's screenplay, based on P.D. James' novel, presents a bleak yet compelling vision of the future, where humanity faces extinction due to global infertility. Clive Owen delivers a powerful performance as Theo, a reluctant hero navigating a world on the brink of collapse. Cuarón's direction is marked by innovative long takes, particularly the intense single-shot action sequences that heighten the film's realism and urgency. Interstellar (2014) Christopher Nolan co-wrote the screenplay for his second entrant on our list - an epic science fiction film that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the survival of humanity. Matthew McConaughey's performance as Cooper, a pilot on a mission to save humanity, is both heartfelt and compelling. The film's visual effects, which earned an Academy Award, create a breathtaking depiction of space travel and distant worlds. Hans Zimmer's evocative score further enhances the film's emotional depth. Parasite (2019) A genre-defying film that masterfully blends elements of thriller, drama, and dark comedy. The film's screenplay, co-written by director Bong Joon-ho, offers a sharp social commentary on class disparity and the human condition. Bong's direction is meticulous, with each scene crafted to build tension and suspense. 'Parasite' made history as the first South Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The Departed (2006) A gripping crime thriller that showcases director Martin Scorsese's mastery of the genre. The star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson, delivers powerful performances that led to critical and commercial success. It earned four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The Social Network (2010) A compelling drama that chronicles the creation of Facebook and the ensuing legal battles. The film's screenplay, written by Aaron Sorkin, is a masterclass in dialogue, offering a sharp and insightful look into the complexities of ambition and betrayal. Jesse Eisenberg delivers a standout performance as Mark Zuckerberg, capturing the character's brilliance and social awkwardness. 'The Social Network' was both a critical and commercial success, earning three Academy Awards. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) A poignant exploration of love and memory, distinguished by its inventive storytelling and visual style. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet deliver exceptional performances, and Michel Gondry's direction, marked by creative visual effects and non-linear storytelling, enhances the film's emotional impact. 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' has received critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, solidifying its status as a modern classic. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) A high-octane action film that redefines the genre with its relentless pace and stunning visuals. 'Mad Max: Fury Road' was a critical and commercial success, earning six Academy Awards and grossing over $375 million worldwide. Its groundbreaking action sequences and visionary direction have established it as one of the greatest films of the 21st century. Finding Nemo (2003) An animated masterpiece that combines heartwarming storytelling with stunning animation. The voice performances, particularly Albert Brooks as Marlin and Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, bring humour and emotion to the film. The animation, which vividly captures the beauty of the ocean, set a new standard for visual storytelling in animation. 'Finding Nemo' was a box office sensation, grossing over $940 million worldwide, and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
