Fargo Story

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American historical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. The film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film follows Schindler as he comes to the realization that the Nazi genocide is wrong and attempts to save as many Jews as he can. The film is artfully shot and emotionally captivating, showcasing the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of the people who experienced it. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It is considered one of the most powerful and effective films ever made, and has become an essential part of Holocaust education.

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical war drama film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody as the Polish-Jewish musician Władysław Szpilman. It tells the story of Szpilman's struggles during the Holocaust, as he manages to hide from the Nazis and survive World War II in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto. The film follows Szpilman's journey as he rescues himself and his family from the Nazis, and is based on Szpilman's own memoirs of his experiences. The film also stars Frank Finlay, Maureen Lipman, Emilia Fox, and Ed Stoppard. The Pianist was well-received by critics, who praised its powerful and emotional story and Brody's performance. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Director for Polanski and Best Actor for Brody.

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a 1984 period drama film written by Peter Shaffer and directed by Miloš Forman. It is a highly fictionalized biopic of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, based on the early rumors surrounding his death, and the play of the same name by Shaffer. The film follows the court of Austrian Emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones). He is a patron of the arts and hires Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), the most popular composer of the day, as court composer. However, when Mozart (Tom Hulce) arrives, Salieri is embarrassed by the talent of the young genius and becomes jealous of his success, eventually leading to a rivalry between the two composers. The film is a mix of music, drama, comedy, and tragedy, and won eight Academy Awards in 1985, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Abraham), and Best Director (Forman). It remains a classic film and is seen as a key film in the development of period dramas.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is an Academy Award-winning film directed by Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe. The movie is based on the true story of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, John Nash. Nash was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, but was able to overcome his mental illness and continue his academic career. The film follows Nash’s life from his early days as a student at Princeton University, through his struggles with mental illness, to his eventual Nobel Prize-winning work in game theory. Throughout his journey, Nash is supported by his wife Alicia and their close friends. Together, they fight against Nash’s delusions and hallucinations, and ultimately prevail in helping him lead a normal life. The film highlights the courage and resilience of Nash and those around him. It also emphasizes the importance of support from family and friends, as well as the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle.

From Oliver Hirschbiegel, starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler
Rated R

Downfall (2004) is a German-language historical drama film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and starring Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler. The film follows the final days of Hitler's life in his Berlin bunker, as the Red Army of the Soviet Union closes in on the city. As Hitler and his inner circle—including Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Göring, and Magda Goebbels—react to the inevitable defeat, the film offers a gripping look at the dictator's mental and physical decline. Meanwhile, outside the bunker, the German people cope with the destruction of the city and the looming prospect of defeat. Ultimately, this powerful and haunting film examines the nature of evil in an attempt to understand how it can arise, as well as how it can bring about its own destruction.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who ran a firm that engaged in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The film follows Belfort's rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life and his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The Wolf of Wall Street is an exploration of the dramatic excesses of Belfort's career on Wall Street, including his relationships with his wife and mistress, his drug addiction, and the well-publicized FBI investigation that led to his downfall.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 period drama film based on an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup. Directed by Steve McQueen, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. The film follows his struggles to survive and maintain his dignity while being forced to work as a slave on a plantation in Louisiana. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters and witnesses the atrocities of slavery. Ultimately, after 12 years in captivity, he is able to secure his freedom and return home. The film provides an unflinching look at the brutality of slavery, highlighting the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

From Terry George, starring Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Xolani Mali
Rated PG-13

Hotel Rwanda is a 2004 film that tells the story of hotelier Paul Rusesabagina during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. The film follows Rusesabagina as he attempts to save over a thousand Hutu and Tutsi refugees from certain death at the hands of the Interahamwe militia. Along the way, he must confront his own personal demons, as well as his own internalized racism. The film highlights the international community's lack of response to the crisis, as well as its failure to intervene in the face of such widespread atrocities. The film is ultimately a testament to the power of one man's courage and commitment to doing the right thing in the face of extraordinary odds.

From Richard Attenborough, starring Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi, Roshan Seth
Rated PG

Gandhi is a biographical film from 1982, directed by British filmmaker Richard Attenborough. It tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of India's independence movement during the 20th century. The film follows Gandhi's life from his beginnings as a lawyer in South Africa, through his campaigns for civil rights in India, to his eventual assassination in 1948. Along the way, it depicts his teachings of non-violence, as well as his relationships with other figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Ultimately, Gandhi is a powerful story of an influential leader and his fight for freedom and justice.

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin
Rated PG

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a 1969 American western film directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the title characters. The film tells the story of two western bank/train robbers, Butch and Sundance, who become the targets of a relentless pursuit by a determined lawman. The two turn to a life of crime to survive, joining forces with a notorious gang of outlaws. As the law closes in, Butch and Sundance must utilize their wit and charm to outwit their pursuers and keep the law at bay. Ultimately, they must decide whether to surrender or risk their lives in a showdown they seem certain to lose.

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 Western drama film directed and produced by Kevin Costner. It stars Costner as Lt. John J. Dunbar, a Union Army lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a new life. Upon arriving at his assigned post, Dunbar finds it deserted and befriends a band of Sioux Indians. He gradually earns the respect and friendship of the tribe and eventually comes to be accepted as a member. He eventually falls in love with a white woman, Stands With A Fist (Mary McDonnell), who was taken in as a child by the tribe after her family was killed. The film follows Dunbar's journey as he comes to understand the culture of the Sioux, eventually leading him to battle against the U.S. Army in defense of the tribe. Along the way, he discovers a newfound respect for the native people and their ways of life. Ultimately, Dunbar chooses to stay with the tribe and forsake his white identity. Dances with Wolves was a critical and commercial success, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 Oliver Stone film that tells the story of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) and his investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. After reviewing the official version of events, Garrison discovers numerous inconsistencies and comes to the conclusion that there was a conspiracy to assassinate JFK. He then sets out to prove it by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and ultimately bringing a case to trial. The film also follows the various individuals and organizations who are involved in the conspiracy, including the CIA, FBI, Cuban exiles, and mob figures. Along the way, Garrison uncovers a wealth of information about the assassination and its aftermath which leads him to the shocking and still-controversial conclusion that a group of high-ranking government officials, most notably Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, were involved in the conspiracy.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon
Rated R

Papillon is a 1973 adventure drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière. The film stars Steve McQueen as Henri "Papillon" Charrière and Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega. The story follows the epic escape attempts by Charrière from the notorious French penal colony on Devil's Island, as well as his friendship with Dega, the counterfeiter who befriends him and helps to pay for his escape attempts. Papillon is determined to regain his freedom, and he is willing to risk his life to do so. After numerous failed escape attempts, Papillon finally succeeds and reunites with Dega in Venezuela.

From Tom Hooper, starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi
Rated R

The King's Speech is a 2010 British historical drama about the reign of King George VI, starring Colin Firth as King George, Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth, Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, and Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII. The film follows the reluctant King George VI as he attempts to overcome a debilitating speech impediment with the help of Logue, an unorthodox speech therapist. Through their sessions, the King and Logue form an unlikely friendship as George learns to tackle his impediment, and ultimately find his voice as a leader of the British people during World War II. As the King's confidence grows, so does his influence, and he eventually gives a historic speech to a nation on the brink of war. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

From Alan J. Pakula, starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam
Rated PG

All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller directed by Alan J. Pakula. Based on the 1974 non-fiction book of the same name by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the movie tells the true story of the two Washington Post reporters' investigation into the Watergate scandal that eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein, respectively, and features a supporting cast including Jack Warden, Ned Beatty, Martin Balsam, and Jason Robards. The movie follows Woodward and Bernstein as they investigate the burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. As the pair digs deeper into the scandal, they uncover a much larger conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. Despite formidable opposition from the White House, Nixon's staff, and members of Congress, Woodward and Bernstein use their journalistic skills and tenacity to uncover the truth. In the end, their articles lead to the exposure of the Watergate scandal and Nixon's resignation.

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn
Rated R

Dallas Buyers Club is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, an AIDS patient who smuggles unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into Texas in 1986, when AIDS treatments were still limited. The film follows Woodroof's battle with the Food and Drug Administration and his efforts to establish the Dallas Buyers Club, which would provide AIDS medications to those who could not otherwise obtain them. The film also stars Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, and Steve Zahn in supporting roles. Dallas Buyers Club was acclaimed by critics and was a commercial success, grossing over $50 million against a budget of $5 million. It earned numerous awards and nominations, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for McConaughey and Leto, respectively. It also received Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Movie - Drama, Best Actor - Drama for McConaughey, and Best Supporting Actor for Leto.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryô Kase
Rated R

Letters from Iwo Jima is an acclaimed war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, focusing on the Battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II. The film tells the story of the battle from the perspective of both sides, through the eyes of a group of Japanese soldiers. The story follows their struggles and sacrifices as they fight for their lives, honor, and country in the face of overwhelming odds. The film is a powerful and moving look at the human cost of war that shows the courage and resilience of the Japanese soldiers in the face of certain death.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener
Rated PG-13

Captain Phillips is a thrilling biographical drama directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks. The film follows the story of Richard Phillips, the captain of the MV Maersk Alabama, as he and his crew are hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean in 2009. Despite his best efforts to protect his crew and negotiate the release of the ship and its cargo, Phillips is taken captive by the pirates, and the U.S. Navy is required to step in and try to rescue him. The film is a tense portrayal of the real-life events that unfolded, and showcases both the complexity of the situation and the courage of the captain and crew in the face of danger.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith
Rated R

Changeling is a 2008 drama directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie. The film is based on real events that took place in Los Angeles in the 1920s. It tells the story of Christine Collins, a single mother whose young son, Walter, goes missing. She desperately searches for Walter, only to be presented with a stranger by the LAPD claiming to be her son. As Christine begins to question the boy's identity, she comes up against a corrupt police force who will stop at nothing to keep her quiet. Ultimately, she must confront a terrible truth and fight for justice for her son.

From James Mangold, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Rated PG-13

Walk the Line is a biographical drama directed by James Mangold and released in 2005. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as the legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, and Reese Witherspoon as his future wife June Carter. The film follows Cash's rise to stardom, his struggles with addiction, and his enduring love for June. It depicts his hardscrabble upbringing in Dyess, Arkansas, his early musical career, his personal relationships, and his famed concert at Folsom Prison in 1968. With a heart-wrenching soundtrack and strong performances from Phoenix and Witherspoon, Walk the Line celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.

From Edward Zwick, starring Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton
Rated R

The Last Samurai tells the story of a retired American military officer, Nathan Algren, who is recruited to train the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare. After his initial reluctance, Algren goes to Japan and is captured by Samurai warriors in battle. He is taken in by their leader, Katsumoto, and slowly begins to embrace their way of life. With newfound respect for their culture and philosophy, Algren helps the Samurai defend themselves against the oppressive forces of the Japanese government. In the process, he finds his own inner courage and a newfound respect for the Samurai's way of life. The film is a powerful and beautiful story of courage, loyalty, and honor that speaks to the timeless struggle between tradition and progress.

From Michael Mann, starring Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora
Rated R

The Insider is a 1999 American crime drama directed by Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. Based on a true story, the film follows Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe), a whistleblower who tries to expose the truth about a major tobacco company's deceptive practices. After being threatened by the company's lawyers and vilified by the media, Wigand reluctantly agrees to cooperate with the producer of a television news magazine (Pacino), who wants to run an expose about the company. However, when the media outlet refuses to air the segment, Wigand and his producer must fight for the truth to be heard. Through the power of the press and public pressure, Wigand and his producer ultimately succeed in making the story public.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 drama-mystery film directed by Alan Parker and starring Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe. The film follows two FBI agents who travel to Mississippi in 1964 to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists. As they uncover secrets and face hostility from the local residents and authorities, they uncover a conspiracy of racism and violence that has been hidden for too long. The film powerfully portrays the determination of the civil rights activists to fight for justice, and the courage of the FBI agents who risk their lives in doing so. It is an important and poignant statement on the injustices of the American South in the 1960s.

From Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise
Rated PG

Apollo 13 is a 1995 American historical docudrama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris. The film focuses on the Apollo 13 mission to the Moon, which was aborted due to a catastrophic in-flight accident that threatened the lives of the three astronauts onboard. The film follows the attempts of the mission's crew (Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise) to get back to Earth safely, as well as the efforts of ground-based NASA personnel to bring them home. Along with the harrowing true events that unfold, the film explores themes of teamwork, courage, and leadership.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers
Rated PG

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 coming-of-age drama set during World War II and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars a young Christian Bale as Jamie "Jim" Graham, a young British boy who is separated from his parents in Shanghai and is taken in by a Japanese military camp. Jim must find his own way to survive, whilst being exposed to the harsh realities of war. He is befriended and mentored by an American navy pilot (John Malkovich), who helps him to understand and come to terms with his new environment. Through his experiences, Jim comes to understand the brutality of war, the terror of being a prisoner of war, and the strength of human spirit to survive.