Movies About Biology

From Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
Rated PG-13

Jurassic Park is a 1993 science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. Set on an island off the coast of Costa Rica, the story follows a wealthy entrepreneur and a small group of visitors who become trapped in a failed dinosaur theme park. The park's creator, John Hammond, has used genetic engineering to create living dinosaurs, but when a power outage leads to a breakdown in the security systems, the dinosaurs escape and begin to terrorize the island. The visitors must find a way to survive the chaos and the dinosaurs, before it’s too late.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a biographical drama film directed by Sean Penn, based on the book of the same name written by Jon Krakauer. The film follows Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a recent college graduate who decides to abandon modern society and embark on a two-year journey across the United States in search of a meaningful, authentic existence. Along the way, Chris meets a diverse cast of characters, experiences a variety of adventures, and finds himself in some dangerous situations. In the end, his journey takes him to Alaska, where he finds himself ill-prepared for the harsh wilderness and struggles to survive. Despite the difficulties he faces, Chris ultimately finds a sense of peace in his new life and leaves a legacy that serves as an inspiration to those who follow his journey.

From Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield, starring James Earl Jones, Patrick Stewart, Anggun, Ulrich Tukur
Rated G

Earth is a 2007 British nature documentary film, directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield. The film is a compilation of stories from the BBC nature documentary television series Planet Earth, featuring voice-over narration by Patrick Stewart. Earth documents the planet's many natural habitats and the diverse animal species that live in them, from the Arctic and Antarctic regions to the jungles of the Amazon and the grasslands of the African savanna. It follows a family of polar bears as they traverse the Arctic in search of food, as well as a group of elephants and their journey across the Kalahari Desert. Along the way, the film also features stunning visuals of migrating birds, giant whales, and a variety of other wildlife. The documentary showcases the beauty of the planet and the fragility of its ecosystems, and emphasizes the importance of protecting the planet and its resources. The film ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to become involved in conservation efforts.

From Andrew Niccol, starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal
Rated PG-13

Gattaca is a sci-fi film set in a future where genetic engineering has become the norm. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born with a "faulty" gene, meaning he will never be able to rise up the ranks in the competitive world of Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. Through sheer determination and the help of a "borrowed" identity, he is able to secure a job in the company, eventually becoming its most promising astronaut. As he gets closer to his dream of space travel, however, his true identity is threatened to be revealed, and he must race against time to make his dreams come true.

From David France, starring Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, Iris Long, Bob Rafsky
Rated Not Rated

"How to Survive a Plague" is a 2012 documentary film directed by David France, which chronicles the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s and the impact it had on the LGBT community. The film follows the struggle of AIDS activists, including members of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), as they fight for more accessible treatments and greater awareness of the disease. The film focuses on leaders such as Larry Kramer, who spearhead a campaign to pressure the government and drug companies to take action. It also illustrates the courage and resourcefulness of the activists as they organized protests, developed their own drugs, and educated the public about the risks of AIDS. Through archival footage, interviews, and personal stories, the film sheds light on the human cost of the crisis and celebrates the courage, resilience, and determination of the activists who fought for their lives and the lives of countless others.

From Louie Schwartzberg, starring Brie Larson, Andrew Weil, Giuliana Furci, Paul Stamets
Rated Not Rated

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Rupert Graves, Amanda Donohoe
Rated PG-13

From Alex Garland, starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Benedict Wong
Rated R

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

From David Frankel, starring Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Steve Martin, John Cleese
Rated PG

From Stefan Ruzowitzky, starring Franka Potente, Benno Fürmann, Anna Loos, Sebastian Blomberg
Rated R

From Vincenzo Natali, starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chanéac, Brandon McGibbon
Rated R

From Alexander Payne, starring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Kristen Wiig
Rated R

From Ang Lee, starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong
Rated PG-13