Happy Birthday to Focus Features!

As one of the most studios focused on storytelling, Focus Features celebrated its two decades of existence this month with a commemorative reel.

As part of its celebration, AMC Theatres highlights some of the studio’s greatest films as “Focus 20” week in select theaters nationwide beginning April 29.

The titles include Downton Abbey, Brokeback Mountain, Burn After Reading, Darkest Hour, Atonement, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Harriett.

For more information on Focus 20, visit https://www.amctheatres.com/events/focus-20.

“Cinema holds great power. That is the belief that has guided us since we asked you to join us on a journey of discovery that began twenty years ago,” stated Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski in a statement. “ It has been a voyage motivated by the boundless joy that comes from experiencing the world anew when seeing it through the eyes of others, and it has been steered by the conviction that sharing that experience in a theater with friends, family strangers not only delight us, but brings us close to our love ones, our community, and the world at large.”

Check out the commemorative reel and let us know of your favorite films.

In the spirit of Focus Features 20^th celebration, LRM Online lists out its favorite twenty films from the Focus Features library. All of them are good, and forgive us if we missed a few of your favorites on the list.

Here we go in no particular order:

Last Night in Soho – Another Edgar Wright movie, but way different in tone and storytelling from his previous movies. As a mystery thriller, many in the audience will not see this ending.

Half Brothers – Charming Spanish and English comedy that takes two estranged brothers on a road trip that helped them grow together on a journey.

Come Play – One of the few horror films from Focus Features, this is one scary tale with a frightening monster that you wish you will never encounter in the shadows.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always – With Roe v. Wade on the brink of being reversed, this teen abortion story is surprisingly touching as audiences can feel what a young woman must go through in seeking medical help.

The Mustang – This is a reformative prison story that is quite touching as jailed convicts get a second chance by bonding with horses.

BlackKklansman – The KKK is no laughing matter, except this is an unbelievable true story directed by Spike Lee. It is very impossible to believe a black officer managed to infiltrate a white supremacist group this way.

Darkest Hour – One of the best performances by Gary Oldman that made him unrecognizable as Winston Churchill. Thanks to this movie, it was long overdue for Olman to earn that Academy Award.

Victoria & Abdul – A delightful true story that many people are unaware that the British Queen Victoria had a South Indian in the court and as her best friend.

Atomic Blonde – An answer to the John Wick movies with a female protagonist. Yes, Charlize Theron is a great action star.

The Zookeeper’s Wife – Jessica Chastain and zoo animals. Nuff’ said.

The World’s End – This is the ultimate pub crawl that I wished I’d done in my lifetime.

One Day – Love her. Hate her. Anne Hathaway is great in this romantic tale with Jim Sturgess. The ending leaves a gasp that you’ll definitely talk about once the credit starts rolling.

The Eagle – I’ll admit it, I only knew Channing Tatum in the Step Up films and perhaps a forgettable G.I. Joe movie. This gritty Roman Empire film has great battle scenes that drum up fans of Gladiator.

Hot Fuzz – This police comedy film is remarkably funny with overzealous cops and off-the-wall villains at every moment. The mystery unravels with extreme nonsense that you can’t stop laughing.

Shaun of the Dead – My first introduction to Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost. These three would go on for more collaborations that keep us laughing. Not to mention, this zombie apocalypse take took the fear out of horror into the comedy realm.

Lost in Translation – It was one of the finest dramatic films starring Bill Murray as a lonely man in Tokyo. And, it also opened our eyes to the young actress Scarlett Johansson at the time that proved her endurance later in the Marvel movies. Plus, it cemented Sofia Coppola out of the shadows of her father, Francis Ford Coppola, with her own directorial vision.

Mallrats – This 1995 film is my first Focus Features film. As a child of the 80s, indoor malls were the ultimate gathering spot that is a dying reminder of ancient constructs today. Also, it was Kevin Smith’s sophomore feature narrative film following the indie black and white Clerks.

To join in the celebration, the films are available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple, and other digital retailers. The films are also available at www.focusfeatures20.com.

Source: Focus Features