Movies About Kentucky

From Barbara Kopple, starring John L. Lewis, Carl Horn, Norman Yarborough, Logan Patterson
Rated PG

Harlan County U.S.A. is a 1976 documentary film directed by Barbara Kopple about a coal miners' strike in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1973. The film follows the lives of the miners, their families, and their union, the United Mine Workers of America, as they struggle to secure better wages and safer working conditions. Typical of the struggles faced by labor unions in the late 1960s and 70s, the miners are met with violent resistance from the coal company, leading to several dramatic confrontations. The film also covers the role of the union in the local community and the broader political issues around the strike. Ultimately, the miners are successful, and the documentary is a powerful testament to the spirit and courage of the miners and their families.

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

The Insider is a 1999 biographical drama directed by Michael Mann. The film centers on Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a former executive at Brown & Williamson who becomes a whistle-blower for a 60 Minutes exposé on the tobacco industry. After learning of the health risks involved with the industry, Wigand goes against his employers and speaks out about what he has discovered. Despite his best efforts, Wigand is faced with a barrage of legal threats and intimidation tactics from the tobacco company, leading to a dramatic climax between CBS News and the tobacco company. The film sheds light on the lengths that corporate giants will go to in order to protect their interests.

From Guy Hamilton, starring Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton
Rated PG

Goldfinger is a 1964 British spy film starring Sean Connery as James Bond. The film follows Bond as he investigates the gold smuggling activities of Auric Goldfinger, played by Gert Frobe. With the assistance of CIA agent Felix Leiter and Bond girl Jill Masterson, Bond discovers that Goldfinger is planning to contaminate the US gold reserves at Fort Knox. Bond must prevent Goldfinger's plan before it is put into action. Along the way, Bond meets the mysterious Pussy Galore and encounters a number of other dangerous criminals. The film culminates with a thrilling showdown between Bond and Goldfinger at the villain's Kentucky farm. With the help of the US government, Bond is able to thwart Goldfinger's scheme and win the day.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine
Rated R

Kingsman: The Secret Service is a 2014 action spy comedy film directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, a young delinquent from a poor background, as he is taken in by Harry Hart, a senior member of a top-secret spy organization known as the Kingsman. After being trained in the ways of espionage, Eggsy must help thwart a global terror plot masterminded by Richmond Valentine, a wealthy megalomaniac. Along the way, Eggsy learns the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and service to others. With explosive action sequences, hilarious one-liners, and powerful performances from its cast, Kingsman: The Secret Service is an entertaining and thrilling ride.

From Alex Gibney, starring Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp, Joe Cairo, David Carlo
Rated R

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008) is a documentary film directed by Alex Gibney and based on the life and work of the late American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. The film follows Thompson's life, beginning with his beginnings as a struggling journalist and leading up to his death in 2005. It delves into Thompson's unique approach to writing, his drug use, his relationships with friends and family, and the impact his work had on American culture. Through interviews with a range of people close to Thompson, including his son Juan Thompson, the film provides an intimate look at the man and his work, exploring his unique and often rebellious spirit.

From Michael Apted, starring Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Levon Helm, Phyllis Boyens
Rated PG

Coal Miner's Daughter is a 1980 biographical drama film directed by Michael Apted, portraying the life of legendary country singer Loretta Lynn. The film stars Sissy Spacek in the lead role, Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D'Angelo, and Levon Helm. The film follows Loretta Lynn's life from her childhood in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, to the time she became a successful country music artist. It follows her rise from poverty, her marriage to Oliver Lynn, and her struggles as a young mother with four children. The film also highlights her career in country music, with highlights from her early hits such as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "You Ain't Woman Enough." The film was critically acclaimed and won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for Sissy Spacek, making her the first woman to win an Academy Award for a lead role in a musical. It also won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and four Golden Globe Awards. The film is widely considered to be one of the finest biographical films ever made.

From Jay Roach, starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis C.K.
Rated R

From Dan O'Bannon, starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews
Rated R

From Milos Forman, starring Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton, Brett Harrelson
Rated R

From Randall Wallace, starring Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Margo Martindale, Nelsan Ellis
Rated PG

From Eric Schaeffer, starring Michael Welch, Michelle Hendley, Alexandra Turshen, Michael Galante
Rated R

From John Gatins, starring Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Oded Fehr, Kris Kristofferson
Rated PG

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Channing Tatum
Rated R

From Stuart Baird, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Wesley Snipes, Robert Downey Jr., Joe Pantoliano
Rated PG-13

From Cameron Crowe, starring Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin
Rated PG-13

From Burt Lancaster, starring Burt Lancaster, Diana Lynn, Dianne Foster, Walter Matthau
Rated Passed

From John Irvin, starring Patrick Swayze, Liam Neeson, Adam Baldwin, Helen Hunt
Rated R

From Phillip Noyce, starring Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Sophie Lowe, Johnny Knoxville
Rated R

From Frederik Du Chau, starring Frankie Muniz, David Spade, Snoop Dogg, Bruce Greenwood
Rated PG

From Félix Enríquez Alcalá, starring Steven Seagal, Kris Kristofferson, Marg Helgenberger, Stephen Lang
Rated R

From Matthew Warchus, starring Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone, Catherine Keener
Rated R