Money Monster (2016)

So I was generally in the same vicinity as George Clooney when I was at Cannes, but I couldn't get in to the premiere screening and I didn't see him but I know he was somewhere there! The movie has a promising premise. A man threatens to kill George Clooney, a Jim Cramer-type character, on live TV after a stock pick he makes collapses. And they slowly, too slowly for a thriller, unravel a conspiracy. I didn't really like the resolution of the film. It was almost satisfying but ultimately the ending was disappointing after the whole buildup.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Widely considered to be the first horror film to win the Oscar for best picture,  this film epitomizes the thriller genre.   Anthony Hopkins is so delectably creepy as the legendary Hannibal Lecter.  Although Hopkins steals the show,  Jodie Foster holds her own and develops her own juicy character of Clarice Starling.  Hannibal is a psychopathic mentalist who analyzes people,  using his skills to mess with people.   But Clarice sees through it and it is revealed that Hannibal can be useful in solving her case.  The two form a bond of sorts that is difficult to describe.    As with all horror movies,  the cinematography is very important.   It keeps you at the edge of your seat in anticipation,  whether it's through the lenses of night vision goggles or watching the elevator descend. Unlike many horror movies today,  the writing is superb.  It's so smart and Hannibal's dialogue is so creepy that it stays with you.