Movies About Tennessee

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who teams up with a bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) to rescue his wife from a ruthless plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). Along the way, they encounter a number of colorful characters and confront a variety of obstacles as they make their way across America in search of Django's wife. The film explores the brutality of slavery and the power of friendship and loyalty in the face of adversity. With its intense action sequences, stylish cinematography, and witty dialogue, Django Unchained is one of Tarantino's most acclaimed films.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated Passed

Inherit the Wind is a 1960 American courtroom drama film adaptation of the 1955 play of the same name which tells the story of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" trial. The film stars Spencer Tracy and Fredric March as fictionalized versions of the lawyers who argued the case, and Gene Kelly as a newspaper reporter covering the trial. It follows the courtroom battle between two great legal minds as they argue the case of a science teacher accused of teaching evolution in the small town of Hillsboro. The teacher is defended by a noted agnostic lawyer and the prosecuting attorney is a fundamentalist Christian. The outcome of the trial brings attention to the need for a separation of church and state and serves as a warning against the dangers of religious zealotry.

From Mel Gibson, starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer
Rated R

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 American war drama directed by Mel Gibson, and stars Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, and Rachel Griffiths. The film tells the true story of World War II American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss (Garfield), who refused to kill, even when faced with the horror of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. Despite being ridiculed by his peers, Doss was ultimately awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly saving the lives of over 75 men during the battle. Hacksaw Ridge is a powerful war epic that chronicles Doss's inspiring journey, demonstrating the power of faith and courage under fire.

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

Walk the Line is a biographical drama about the life of singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. The story follows Johnny from his upbringing in rural Arkansas, to his rise to fame in the 1950s and 1960s as one of the most iconic figures in country music. Along the way, the film follows his relationship with his first wife Vivian Liberto, and his eventual marriage to singer June Carter. Featuring mesmerizing performances by both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line is a story of love, redemption, and the power of music.

From Robert Altman, starring Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall
Rated R

Nashville is a 1975 American satirical musical comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman. The film follows 24 characters in the music industry in Nashville, Tennessee over the course of five days leading up to a major political rally. It spotlights the culture and changing values of the country music scene, as various characters grapple with ambition and power in a place known for its music and political turmoil. The ensemble cast includes a variety of characters, including a country superstar, a naïve young runaway, and desperate would-be stars. The characters' stories intertwine, exposing the complexities of politics, relationships, and the music industry. The film earned five Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Original Song.

From John Lee Hancock, starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head
Rated PG-13

The Blind Side is a 2009 biographical sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, and Tim McGraw. Based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis, the film tells the story of Michael Oher (Aaron), a homeless African-American teenager from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. The film also features Kathy Bates, Lily Collins, and Ray McKinnon. The Blind Side was released in the United States and Canada on November 20, 2009, and went on to gross over $300 million at the worldwide box office. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and won an Oscar for Best Actress.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Masatoshi Nagase, Yûki Kudô, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Cinqué Lee
Rated R

Mystery Train is a 1989 independent film directed by Jim Jarmusch. It is a series of three stories set in the same hotel in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The first story follows a Japanese couple who are visiting Memphis and the strange events that occur during their stay. The second story focuses on a young Italian newlywed couple as they reflect on their own relationship and the significance of their stay. The third story follows a self-proclaimed "King" as he attempts to gain recognition and respect from the locals. Mystery Train is an exploration of the nuances of culture and identity, as each story is told with a distinct, humorous and often surreal tone. The film is often cited as an example of Jarmusch's signature style, which combines an offbeat humor with an eye for the peculiarities of everyday life.

From Directors: Gail Dolgin, Vicente Franco, starring Mai Thi Kim, Heidi Neville-Bub, Gerald Ford, Tom Miller
Rated PG

Daughter from Danang is a 2002 feature-length documentary directed by Gail Dolgin and Vicente Franco. It follows the story of a Vietnamese mother, Mai Thi Kim, who was forced to give up her daughter when she fled the country at the end of the Vietnam War. After 22 years, Kim is reunited with her daughter, Heidi, who was adopted by an American family. The film follows the two as they attempt to bridge their cultural differences and establish a relationship. As Kim and Heidi attempt to bridge the cultural divide, they struggle to understand each other and find a common ground. The film also reveals the struggles of other mixed-race families in post-war Vietnam. Ultimately, the film reveals how difficult it can be to build a relationship when two cultures are so different.

From Directors: Elliot Berlin, Joe Fab, starring Sandra Roberts, Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand, Tom Bosley, Casey Condra
Rated G

From Brian Gibson, starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, RaéVen Kelly, Virginia Capers
Rated R

From Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker, Jason Patric
Rated R

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

From Patrick Wang, starring Sebastian Banes, Patrick Wang, Trevor St. John, Lisa Altomare
Rated Not Rated

From Scott Teems, starring Hal Holbrook, Barlow Jacobs, Mia Wasikowska, Carrie Preston
Rated PG-13

From Phil Karlson, starring Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Hartman, Leif Garrett, Dawn Lyn
Rated R

From Craig Brewer, starring Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake, S. Epatha Merkerson
Rated R

From Spike Lee, starring Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, Richard Belzer
Rated R

From Joel Schumacher, starring Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Norah Jones, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Chad R. Davis
Rated PG-13

From Mary Harron, starring Gretchen Mol, Lili Taylor, Chris Bauer, Jared Harris
Rated R

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, Sandra Bullock
Rated PG-13

From Asia Argento, starring Asia Argento, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Jimmy Bennett
Rated R

From Shana Feste, starring Garrett Hedlund, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leighton Meester, Tim McGraw
Rated PG-13

From Ira Sachs, starring Dina Korzun, Rip Torn, Darren E. Burrows, Andrew Lawrence Henderson
Rated R

From Ron Maxwell, starring Kristy McNichol, Dennis Quaid, Mark Hamill, Sunny Johnson
Rated PG