Movies About ALS

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money-laundering operation. With the help of Red, Andy is eventually able to gain his freedom and build a new life for himself outside of prison. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler
Rated Approved

12 Angry Men is a 1957 classic courtroom drama directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda. The story follows a jury of 12 men as they consider the fate of a young man accused of murdering his father. Despite a seemingly open-and-shut case, the jurors begin their deliberations with a voting of 11-1 in favor of guilty. However, one juror (Fonda) casts a not-guilty vote and sets off a chain of events that leads to the examination of evidence and testimony in detail. As the jurors debate and clash over the facts of the case, their prejudices and preconceptions about the accused, and their own personal biases and beliefs, the juror's view of the case gradually changes. By the end of their deliberation, the men have a unanimous agreement on the outcome of the trial. 12 Angry Men is a powerful and thought-provoking story about justice, prejudice, and the power of collective decision-making.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film stars Tom Hanks as the eponymous character, a low-IQ but kind-hearted and optimistic man from Alabama who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century in the United States. Through Forrest's eyes, the audience is taken on a journey through history as he joins the army, meets President Kennedy, serves in Vietnam, meets the love of his life, Jenny, and becomes a successful entrepreneur. Forrest's mother enlightens him to see the world with an open heart and to recognize the power of love and friendship. He endures many difficult challenges with good humor and innocence, eventually finding his place in the world.

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film directed by the Wachowski Brothers. It stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers that the world he inhabits is a simulated reality created by machines to keep humans under control. With the help of a group of rebels led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Neo is able to defy the machines and bring freedom to the human race. Throughout the film, the Wachowskis explore themes of technological control, fate, and the power of love in a futuristic setting. The Matrix was a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards and inspiring a franchise of sequels and video games.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a 1998 crime drama directed by Tony Kaye and starring Edward Norton. The film follows the story of Derek Vinyard, a former neo-Nazi skinhead played by Norton, who is released from prison after serving a three-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. After his release, Derek attempts to prevent his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) from taking the same path to hate and racism. Through a series of flashbacks, Derek's troubled past is revealed. Derek and Danny's father, a fireman, was killed in the line of duty, and Derek feels that his father's death was due to the racial violence that was happening in the area. Derek takes out his anger and frustration on the local African American population, which eventually leads him to join a Neo-Nazi skinhead gang. Derek's experiences inside prison, combined with the loving guidance of a African American teacher, allow Derek to come to terms with his past and move on with his life. Through his story, the film examines themes of racism, violence, and redemption.

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen and Oliver Reed. The plot revolves around a Roman General, Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed and his family is murdered by the emperor’s son, Commodus. Maximus is sold into slavery, but rises to become a gladiator. He leads a revolt against the emperor, and eventually reclaims his honor and freedom. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture, and grossing over $457 million worldwide.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Takashi Shimura, Nobuo Kaneko, Shin'ichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka
Rated Not Rated

Ikiru is a 1952 Japanese drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film follows the story of Kanji Watanabe, a middle-aged bureaucrat who has spent the majority of his life working in an unfulfilling job. After discovering he has terminal stomach cancer, Watanabe embarks on a quest to find meaning in his life. With the help of his young co-worker, Watanabe discovers joy and purpose in his life by building a playground in the impoverished district of Tokyo. The film is a powerful exploration of mortality and the consequences of a life unfulfilled. In the end, Watanabe is able to come to terms with his own mortality, and discovers joy and meaning in the legacy he leaves behind.

From James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana
Rated PG-13

Guardians of the Galaxy is a 2014 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Directed by James Gunn, it stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, and Michael Rooker. The film follows Peter Quill (Pratt), a space adventurer who forms an unlikely alliance with a ragtag group of extraterrestrial misfits to protect the galaxy from a powerful villain. Along the way, they must overcome their differences and work together as a team in order to save the universe. The film received generally positive reviews and was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing superhero film of 2014.

From Dean DeBlois, starring Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Rated PG

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a 2014 animated action adventure film directed by Dean DeBlois. Set five years after the events of the first film, the sequel follows Hiccup and his dragon Toothless as they journey to discover the secret of the dragons. Along the way, they encounter new dragons, allies, and foes, including the powerful and evil Drago, who wants to enslave the dragons and use them to conquer the world. With help from his dragon-riding friends, his father Stoick, and another mysterious dragon rider, Hiccup and Toothless must understand the importance of their newfound bond and fight to protect their world.

From Matt Reeves, starring Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Rated PG-13

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a 2014 science fiction film directed by Matt Reeves. Ten years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel (the leader of the human survivors) are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

From Larry Charles, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell, Chester
Rated R

From Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
Rated PG-13

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour
Rated R

From Mark L. Lester, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells
Rated R

From Neil Burger, starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Eric Darnell, Simon J. Smith, starring Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Conrad Vernon
Rated PG

From Directors: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, starring Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Rated R

From Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan
Rated R

From Luc Besson, starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked
Rated R

From Luke Greenfield, starring Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev
Rated R

From Juan José Campanella, starring Gabriel Almirón, Federico Cecere, Ezequiel Cipols, Luciana Falcón
Rated PG

From Phillip Noyce, starring Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Taylor Swift
Rated PG-13

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren
Rated R

From Charles Martin Smith, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff
Rated PG

From Mark Mylod, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Emilio Rivera, Gina La Piana, Dana de Celis
Rated R