Age of The Nerd
The best movies are often based on fact over fiction, as the plots tend to be more relatable to audience members. Various films have been inspired by intriguing personal stories or real events of tragedy, success, and perseverance. If you would like to watch an unforgettable flick based on real individuals, check out the following must-watch movies.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio proved why they’re the best in business in Catch Me If You Can. The flick tells the story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who became a master of both forgery and disguise, cashing millions of dollars in fake checks. To do so, he posed as a doctor, Pan Am pilot and a legal prosecutor, to name only a few, and he mastered all this before he reached the age of 19 years old. Expect exceptional acting, plenty of action, and an enthralling story, which will make you wonder why DiCaprio never walked away with a Best Actor Academy Award for the role.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List is a movie classic, as it tells the true and heartbreaking story of Oskar Schindler, who bravely saved more than a thousand Jews from the Holocaust. Liam Neeson convincingly portrayed Schindler, a German businessman, who risked his life for others. It is not only Neeson who offers a stellar performance, as Ralph Fiennes plays a leading Nazi executioner named Amon Goeth. Unsurprisingly, the movie was awarded Best Director and Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 1993.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Aaron Sorkin earned himself a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the 2018 Academy Awards for Molly’s Game. The movie tells the real story of Molly Bloom, an accomplished Olympic-class skier, who went on to create an exclusive, high-stakes poker game club. Many of the poker players at the felt included world-famous actors, sports stars, and businesspeople.
It is a must-watch movie for those who want to immerse themselves in Hollywood glamour, familiarize themselves with various poker terms, and watch an epic portrayal by the talented Jessica Chastain.
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Clint Eastwood gave one of the best performances of his career in Escape from Alcatraz. It tells the true story of three prisoners who attempted to escape Alcatraz, which was once the most secure maximum-security prison in the world located on an island in San Francisco Bay.
Whether the real prisoners escaped from the prison is up for debate to this day, so you will have to watch the flick for yourself to find out if the fictional characters are successful in their attempt.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Julia Roberts deservedly won an Oscar for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, a struggling mom of three children who talks her way into a job as a legal assistant. However, it doesn’t take long until Erin stumbles across a major case regarding Pacific Gas and Electric, as the company seemingly poisoned the water in a town that led to the development of various diseases across the community. Consequently, the small law firm takes on one of the largest companies in the US to demand the justice that victims and their families deserve.
The Imitation Game (2014)
While you might know Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange or Sherlock Holmes, you will soon be unable to forget his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. The film follows the story of the talented mathematician who attempts to crack the Nazi’s Enigma Code, which provides them with security when sending radio messages during World War II. The film also depicts Turing as a fierce genius to work with, who often believes his colleagues are his inferiors. However, he must battle both his social limitations and mathematical difficulties to crack the complex code.
Midnight Express (1978)
Midnight Express is the second prison movie on this list, but equally as good. Directed by Alan Parker, it tells the story of an American college student, Billy Hayes, who’s caught attempting to smuggle illegal substances out of Turkey and ends up behind bars.
Billy attempts to escape from prison on several occasions, but he is soon recaptured and severely beaten by the guards. Not to be missed is the movie’s phenomenal soundtrack, which rightfully won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 1979.
The Pianist (2002)
Roman Polanski’s The Pianist provides not only an insight into the Warsaw Ghetto but the deplorable treatment of Jewish people during World War II. Unsurprisingly, the movie earned three Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor.
It would be hard to find a better performance by Adrien Brody, as he thoughtfully portrayed Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish musician, who attempted to survive the horror and destruction of the Warsaw ghetto. It is a movie that will remain in your memory long after the credits have stopped rolling.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Another biographical drama you must watch at least once is 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen. The touching movie tells the life story of Solomon Northup, who was a free black man from New York who was kidnapped and sold as a slave in 1841. Following its release, the film won Best Picture at the Oscars and was a hit at the box office.
American Sniper (2014)
American Sniper is a compelling adaptation of the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper, and his exceptional pinpoint accuracy, which led him to save the lives of countless people during his service. However, he struggles to return to his everyday life after the Iraq war. He not only battles with the death he faced during the war, but he also has difficulty reconnecting with both his wife and children. The movie, which was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Bradley Cooper, won Best Achievement in Sound Editing at the 2015 Academy Awards. However, the plastic baby might have foiled the movie’s chances for Best Picture.
So, if you are looking to immerse yourself in a story based on real people who have led different lives, you should add the above movies onto your to-watch list.
