- The Godfather
- Michael Corleone’s Baptism: Michael becomes the godfather of his sister’s child, symbolizing his complete transformation.
- Simultaneous Assassinations: As the baptism proceeds, Michael’s men execute a series of hits on the heads of the rival families.
- Confrontation and Resolution: Michael settles scores with Carlo, his brother-in-law, revealing his ruthless consolidation of power.
- Inception
- Final Dream Layer: The team enters the deepest dream layer, where Cobb confronts his guilt over Mal.
- Planting the Idea: Fischer reconciles with the memory of his father, accepting the inception.
- Ambiguous Ending: Cobb returns home, but the fate of his reality remains uncertain as the spinning top wobbles.
- The Shawshank Redemption
- Andy’s Escape: Andy escapes through a tunnel he has been digging for years.
- Revenge on the Warden: Andy exposes the warden’s corruption, leading to the warden’s downfall.
- Reunion: Red is paroled and reunites with Andy in Mexico, fulfilling their dreams of freedom.
- Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- Battle of Minas Tirith: The epic battle between the forces of good and evil.
- Frodo’s Journey to Mount Doom: Frodo and Sam reach Mount Doom, where Gollum’s intervention ensures the Ring’s destruction.
- Return to the Shire and Departure: The Hobbits return home, and Frodo leaves for the Undying Lands.
- Breaking Bad
- Final Confrontation: Walter confronts Jack’s gang and rescues Jesse.
- Resolution of Personal Conflicts: Walter admits his motives to Skyler and sees his family one last time.
- Death and Redemption: Walter dies, having secured his legacy and provided for his family.
- The Dark Knight
- Joker’s Plan Unfolds: The Joker pits Gotham’s citizens against each other with the ferry dilemma.
- Harvey Dent’s Downfall: Dent becomes Two-Face, seeking vengeance.
- Batman’s Sacrifice: Batman takes the fall for Dent’s crimes to preserve his legacy as a hero.
- Casablanca
- Rick’s Plan: Rick arranges for Ilsa and Victor’s escape.
- Confrontation with Renault: Rick confronts Captain Renault, revealing his true intentions.
- Final Goodbye: Rick and Ilsa part ways, with Rick deciding to join the fight against the Nazis.
- The Wizard of Oz
- Defeat of the Wicked Witch: Dorothy and her friends defeat the Wicked Witch and return to the Wizard.
- Revelation: The Wizard is revealed to be a fraud but still helps the characters realize their potential.
- Return Home: Dorothy returns to Kansas, realizing there’s no place like home.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Battle of Hogwarts: The final battle between Harry and Voldemort’s forces.
- Voldemort’s Defeat: Harry confronts and defeats Voldemort.
- Epilogue: The future of the characters is revealed, showing their lives post-war.
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
- Rescue of Han Solo: The mission to save Han from Jabba the Hutt.
- Battle of Endor: The final battle against the Empire, including the destruction of the second Death Star.
- Vader’s Redemption: Vader sacrifices himself to save Luke and defeat the Emperor.
- Avengers: Endgame
- Time Heist: The Avengers travel back in time to collect the Infinity Stones.
- Final Battle: The epic showdown against Thanos and his army.
- Iron Man’s Sacrifice: Tony Stark uses the Infinity Gauntlet to defeat Thanos, sacrificing himself in the process.
- The Matrix
- Neo’s Awakening: Neo realizes he is the One and confronts Agent Smith.
- Final Battle: Neo fights and defeats Agent Smith, demonstrating his newfound powers.
- Resolution: Neo promises to free more minds, signaling the continuation of the struggle against the machines.
- Fight Club
- Revelation: The narrator realizes he and Tyler Durden are the same person.
- Final Confrontation: The narrator fights Tyler to regain control.
- Resolution: The narrator watches the city’s destruction with Marla, symbolizing a new beginning.
- The Sixth Sense
- Revelation: Malcolm realizes he is dead and that he has been helping Cole from beyond the grave.
Resolution: Cole helps Malcolm communicate with his wife, bringing peace to both characters.
- Schindler’s List
- Saving Lives: Schindler bribes Nazi officials to save his Jewish workers.
- End of the War: Schindler’s workers are liberated, and he flees.
- Epilogue: The real-life survivors and their descendants honor Schindler’s memory.
- Citizen Kane
- Revelation: The meaning of “Rosebud” is revealed to be a sled from Kane’s childhood.
- Resolution: The reporters reflect on the complexity of Kane’s life and legacy.
- Goodfellas
- Henry’s Downfall: Henry’s life spirals out of control due to drugs and paranoia.
- Witness Protection: Henry turns informant and enters witness protection.
- Resolution: Henry reflects on his life in crime and the consequences of his actions.
- Titanic
- Sinking of the Ship: The dramatic and tragic sinking of the Titanic.
- Survival and Loss: Rose survives, but Jack perishes.
- Resolution: An elderly Rose drops the Heart of the Ocean into the sea, symbolizing closure.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- Escape and Pursuit: E.T. and Elliott flee from government agents.
- Farewell: E.T. bids an emotional goodbye to Elliott and his friends.
- Departure: E.T. returns to his spaceship, leaving Elliott with the promise of future connection.
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Trial’s Conclusion: The trial of Tom Robinson ends with a guilty verdict despite the evidence.
- Boo Radley’s Intervention: Boo saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack.
- Reflection: Scout reflects on her father’s teachings and Boo’s true nature.
Film
- Gone with the Wind (1939) – “After all, tomorrow is another day.” – Scarlett O’Hara’s hopeful determination despite her losses (Shortlist).
- Casablanca (1942) – “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” – Rick’s optimistic outlook as he walks away with Renault (The Independent).
- The Dark Knight (2008) – “He’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight.” – Gordon’s narration on Batman’s sacrifice and heroism (The Independent).
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – “I’ll be right here.” – E.T.’s touching farewell to Elliott (The Independent) (Shortlist).
- Fight Club (1999) – “You met me at a very strange time in my life.” – The Narrator’s reflection as chaos unfolds around him (The Independent) (Shortlist).
- The Matrix (1999) – “Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.” – Neo’s promise of a future of possibilities (Shortlist).
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) – “I think this just might be my masterpiece.” – Aldo Raine’s satisfaction with their mission’s success (Shortlist).
- The Prestige (2006) – “You want to be fooled.” – The revelation of the ultimate magic trick and the audience’s desire to believe (The Independent).
- Chinatown (1974) – “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.” – A resigned acknowledgment of the inherent corruption and tragedy (Shortlist).
- King Kong (1933) – “It was Beauty killed the Beast.” – Carl Denham’s poignant summation of Kong’s fate (Shortlist).
TV
- The Sopranos (2007) – “Don’t stop believin’.” – The abrupt ending that leaves Tony’s fate ambiguous.
- Breaking Bad (2013) – “I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really… I was alive.” – Walter White’s final confession and self-realization.
Literature
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” – A melancholic reflection on the impossibility of recapturing the past (Flavorwire).
- 1984 by George Orwell – “He loved Big Brother.” – Winston’s ultimate, chilling surrender to the regime (Flavorwire).
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – “Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” – Holden Caulfield’s parting words of caution (Flavorwire).
- The Stranger by Albert Camus – “I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.” – Meursault’s acceptance of the absurdity of existence (Flavorwire).
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – “He turned out the light and went into Jem’s room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.” – Atticus Finch’s steadfast dedication to his children.
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – “But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.” – John the Savage’s defiant rejection of a controlled utopia.
- The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett – “I can’t go on. I’ll go on.” – A profound statement on human perseverance and existential struggle (Flavorwire).
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy – “In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.” – A glimmer of hope and continuity in a post-apocalyptic world.
