Movies About Columbus Day

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is the 1974 Academy Award-winning sequel to the 1972 classic, The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this crime film follows the life of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he takes over the family business after the death of his father Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). The film also includes flashbacks to Vito's life in his native Sicily, showing his early rise to power as he builds a crime syndicate in America. Michael attempts to expand the family business, while also dealing with the fallout of his father's actions. Meanwhile, Michael's enemies are plotting against him in a quest for revenge. The film culminates in a tense confrontation between the rival gangs, with Michael emerging triumphant. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels ever made, earning 11 Academy Award nominations and winning six, including Best Picture.

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

Forrest Gump is a 1994 film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as the titular character, a man with an IQ of 75 who, despite his mental disability, leads an extraordinary life. The film follows Forrest as he witnesses and participates in some of the most memorable events of the 20th century, from the Vietnam War to the Watergate scandal. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters, falls in love with his childhood friend Jenny, and discovers the true meaning of friendship and family. Forrest's story is told through a series of flashbacks while he sits on a bench and waits for the bus. Despite a troubled past, the film's optimistic message of hope and resilience resonates with audiences, making Forrest Gump a timeless classic.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a 2011 period drama film directed by Tate Taylor and written by Kathryn Stockett based on her 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s, the film follows a young white woman, Skeeter Phelan, as she creates a book chronicling the African-American domestic workers of the area. The film stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film follows Skeeter, who after graduating from college, returns to her hometown and begins working on a book to tell the stories of the African-American women who work as domestic servants in white households. Skeeter befriends Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, two African-American maids employed by her friends and neighbors. As the story progresses, Skeeter and the maids confront racism, sexism and class issues within the segregated society of Jackson. The Help ultimately celebrates the power of friendship, courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy starring Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. He soon finds himself stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. As the days pass, Phil becomes increasingly desperate to break the spell, even attempting suicide. Eventually, he comes to accept his predicament and begins to use it to his advantage, slowly becoming a better person by learning to appreciate life and helping others. In the end, he finds that true happiness comes from within.

From Tim Miller, starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Ed Skrein
Rated R

Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Tim Miller and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the film stars Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, a former Special Forces operative who is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing abilities. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man responsible for his transformation while also protecting a young mutant (Julian Dennison) from the villainous Ajax (Ed Skrein). The film is filled with graphic violence, dark humor, and plenty of visual gags. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $782 million against a budget of $58 million.

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

JFK is a 1991 American political thriller film directed by Oliver Stone. The film follows New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) as he investigates the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and uncovers a possible conspiracy involving the CIA, FBI and the military-industrial complex. The film also takes a closer look at the series of events leading up to Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. Through a series of interviews and dramatizations, the film examines the different theories surrounding Kennedy's death, which cast suspicion on the government, powerful figures in the military-industrial complex and organized crime. The film's narrative is framed by the investigation and eventual trial of Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones), who was accused of being part of the conspiracy.

From Theodore Melfi, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner
Rated PG

Hidden Figures is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi, based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae as three African-American women who worked at NASA during the Space Race of the 1960s. Despite dealing with racial and gender prejudice, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson all made invaluable contributions to the successful launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The film follows their inspiring story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness.

From Spike Lee, starring Maxine McNair, Walter Cronkite, Chris McNair, Fred Lee Shuttlesworth
Rated TV-14

4 Little Girls is a 1997 documentary film directed by Spike Lee that chronicles the lives and memories of the four African American girls (Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley) who were victims of the 1963 bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The film focuses on the backdrop of racism and injustice of the civil rights era that led to the bombing, as well as the personal stories of the four girls and their surviving family members. The film features interviews with the family members, clergy, historians, and civil rights leaders. It also includes footage from the funerals and from newsreels of the civil rights movement. 4 Little Girls serves as a powerful tribute to the girls and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights for African Americans.

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

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American mystery thriller film directed by Alan Parker, about the real-life investigation into the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi. The film follows FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) as they investigate the disappearance of the three civil rights workers, who were working to register African-American voters in Mississippi. The agents are met with hostility and even violence from the local population, as they try to uncover the truth behind the murders. The film also features Frances McDormand as the wife of one of the victims, and Brad Dourif as a local Ku Klux Klan leader. Mississippi Burning portrays the intense and difficult investigation, as well as the violence and bigotry of the time, as the agents push forward with their investigation in spite of the local resistance.

From Rob Reiner, starring Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
Rated R

When Harry Met Sally... is a romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The story follows Harry and Sally, two college graduates who meet on a road trip from Chicago to New York. Over the course of their journey, the two become friends and explore the complexities of relationships. Throughout their lives, Harry and Sally both struggle to find true love, and ultimately must decide if friendship or romance will be the path to finding it. Along the way, they learn that communication, trust, and honesty are key components of a healthy relationship.

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee
Rated PG-13

Malcolm X is a 1992 biographical drama film directed by Spike Lee about the African-American leader of the same name. Denzel Washington stars as Malcolm X, a civil rights leader who is determined to bring about radical change in race relations by championing the cause of black separation from white America. The film chronicles Malcolm X's journey from a street hustler and criminal to the voice of a revolutionary movement. In the process, he confronts racism, takes an active role in the civil rights movement, and discovers his true identity. The film is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was written by Alex Haley and Malcolm X. It also features an array of supporting performances from Angela Bassett and Mario Van Peebles.

From Ron Howard, starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell
Rated R

Frost/Nixon is a 2008 historical drama directed by Ron Howard and based on the play of the same name by Peter Morgan. The film follows the events of the famous 1977 television interviews between British talk show host David Frost and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. As Frost prepares to interview Nixon on a variety of topics, including Watergate and Vietnam, a behind-the-scenes battle of wills ensues between the two men. Nixon attempts to maintain his innocence while Frost attempts to provoke Nixon into admissions of guilt. Ultimately, the interviews lead to a climactic showdown between the two men that will change the course of history.

From Directors: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook, starring Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer
Rated G

Mulan (1998) is an animated musical adventure directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook. The film follows a brave young girl named Mulan who disguises herself as a man and joins the army to protect her ailing father. She is aided by her lucky dragon sidekick Mushu, and together they battle the villainous Huns and their ruthless leader, Shan Yu. Along the way, Mulan learns how to be strong and independent and gains the respect of her comrades-in-arms. With the help of her newfound courage and a healthy dose of luck, Mulan ultimately triumphs and is hailed as a national hero.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. It tells the story of two wealthy brothers from Philadelphia, Randolph and Mortimer Duke, who make a bet over whether a street hustler, Billy Ray Valentine (played by Murphy), can become as successful as their spoilt nephew, Louis Winthorpe III (Aykroyd). With the aid of a prostitute, Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), the brothers switch the lives of the two men, making their bet come true. Along the way, the characters learn valuable lessons about the true sources of success and happiness.

From Ava DuVernay, starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

Selma is a 2014 biographical drama film by director Ava DuVernay based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and Martin Luther King, Jr. The film follows the story of how African-Americans were denied the right to vote due to unjust laws and racism. The film stars David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr., Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King, and Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson. The film follows MLK and the activists as they organize the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, culminating in the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Along the way, they are met with violent resistance from white supremacists and face obstacles from the federal government. Despite the obstacles, the march succeeds in bringing attention to the issue of racial injustice, leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker
Rated PG-13

The Great Debaters is a 2007 American drama film directed by and starring Denzel Washington. It is based on an article about the Wiley College debate team written by Tony Scherman for the Spring 1997 issue of American Legacy magazine. The film revolves around the Wiley College debate team, which was led by Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington). Set in 1935, they were one of the best debate teams in the country, even though they were made up of African-American students from the small, segregated school. The team prepares to compete against Harvard, which is seen as the greatest debate team in the country. Despite the odds, Wiley College competes against Harvard and wins the debate. The team is celebrated across the country, and the students learn important lessons about courage, dedication, and the power of knowledge.

From Ryan Coogler, starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng
Rated PG-13

From Richard Pearce, starring Sissy Spacek, Whoopi Goldberg, Dwight Schultz, Ving Rhames
Rated PG

From Steven Spielberg, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Rated PG-13

From Lee Daniels, starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda
Rated PG-13

From Gina Prince-Bythewood, starring Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys
Rated PG-13

From Louis Leterrier, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Hopkins, starring Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Goree, Shanice Banton
Rated PG-13

From Justin Chadwick, starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto, Robert Hobbs
Rated PG-13