Travis Simpkins

The Awakening (2011): Rebecca Hall and a Ghost Boy

Co-written and directed by Nick Murphy, The Awakening (2011) is an artful and suspense-filled ghost film on par with The Innocents and The Others. The story concerns a British author in the early 20th Century, specializing in exposing supernatural ghost hoaxes, who is summoned to a boarding school to investigate reports of a troublesome ghost boy on the premises. Eery and dramatic, the film is a masterful effort. Rebecca Hall superb and beautiful in the lead role. The supporting cast is great as well, including Dominic West, Imelda Staunton and Isaac Hempstead-Wright.

Rebecca Hall: The Awakening

: The Awakening

Rebecca Hall: The Awakening

: The Awakening

Rebecca Hall: The Awakening

: The Awakening

Rebecca Hall: The Awakening

"The Awakening"- movie trailer

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951): Alec Guinness, Audrey Hepburn and a Heist

Directed by Charles Crichton, The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) ranks amongst the best British comedies of the 1950's and is a stellar Caper film. The story focuses on a straight-arrow bank employee who carefully plans the perfect robbery of gold from his armored truck, and the trouble that ensues when things slip up. Alec Guinness is excellent in the lead role. Stanley Holloway is superb as his partner. The film is also notable because it marks early brief film appearances by Audrey Hepburn and Robert Shaw.

Audrey Hepburn: The Lavender Hill Mob

: The Lavender Hill Mob

"The Lavender Hill Mob"- movie trailer

The Haunting (1963): Julie Harris, Robert Wise and the Cursed Hill House

Produced and directed by Robert Wise, The Haunting (1963) remains one the simplest and most terrifying Horror films ever made. Atmospheric and chilling, shot in gritty black and white, the film relies on implication and suggestion rather than graphics or effects. The story concerns a group who plan to stay in the cursed Hill House to conduct paranormal research. The cast is great, including Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson and Russ Tamblyn.