Thursday Movie Picks: Movies Based on True Events
1) True Story
Christian Longo murdered his wife and three children, then fled to Mexico using the alias of Mike Finkel, a New York Times reporter. He then tells his story to the real Finkel while in prison. Even knowing the case behind this, the film still managed to make you wonder if things were going to be different.
2) Lovelace
The true story of Linda Lovelace who was pushed into the adult film industry by her creep of a husband and was frequently abused by several people in the business before getting herself out. Amanda Seyfried gives her career best in the lead role, the entire cast is very strong.
3) 127 Hours
Aron Ralston goes mountain climbing alone in Utah and ends up with his arm wedged between a boulder after falling down a crevasse. He ends up having to cut off his own arm with a small knife in order to free himself. This film was beautifully shot by Danny Boyle.
I've only seen 127 Hours, which I loved, but I'm definitely interested in the other two.
ReplyDeleteWhat the Hell is with "True Story"? That sounds all kinds of f--ked up.
There's two things I know you'd definitely like about Lovelace lol.
DeleteYou should check out True Story too.
Geez I'm not doing so great this week! I haven't seen any of these though I'm familiar with the last two. I thought about Lovelace a couple of times but her life was so sad it's kept me from catching it. Good choices though and I love a theme within a theme!
ReplyDeleteThe only real connection of my three are that they are favorites of mine in this genre with the last being one of my all around favorite films.
Frost/Nixon (2008)-In 1977 well known showman David Frost (Michael Sheen) famous for glib interviews with pop stars is suffering a bit of a slump. He hits upon what he thinks is a surefire idea for a ratings grabbing showpiece. He sets out to interview former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella), living in seclusion in San Clemente, CA after resigning in disgrace following the Watergate scandal. Nixon’s agent Swifty Lazar sure that it will be a puff piece encourages Tricky Dicky to take the sizable amount of money offered and run. The series of interviews get off to a rocky start with a loquacious and obdurate Nixon evading any sort of hard questioning but suddenly an unexpected breakthrough changes the course of the sessions into a revealing confessional. Sheen & Langella repeated their roles from the hit Broadway play that was the basis for the film which in turn was based on the actual interviews.
The Queen (2006)-In 1997 Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) has been on the English throne for 45 years, respected and beloved worldwide. Even more popular, though not within the royal family, is her former daughter-in-law Princess Diana whose marriage to Prince Charles had collapsed in acrimony after a decade of high exposure. She has since become a goodwill ambassador for many worthwhile causes as well as a paparazzi magnet and a bane to her former mother-in-law. When Diana is killed in a car accident caused by those same paparazzi hounding her the queen believes the proper course is a quiet funeral followed by a period of private mourning owing to the fact that Diana is no longer considered a member of the royal family. That turns out to be an almost catastrophic miscalculation that threatens the sovereignty of the throne and which requires new Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) to step in and guide her through to avert a disastrous outcome. Helen Mirren won an Oscar for her much lauded performance.
Inherit the Wind (1960)-Small town teacher Bertram Cates (Dick York-best known as the first Darrin on Bewitched) is arrested for teaching Darwin’s evolutionary theory to his students and put on trial. Representing him gratis is famed attorney Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) as the opposition is spearheaded by blustery litigator Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) while wryly cynical newspaperman E. K. Hornbecker (Gene Kelly) observes and reports. As passions run high in the oppressive summer heat the local pastor Reverend Jeremiah Brown (Claude Akins) incites the townspeople with fiery rhetoric. A real acting showcase for both leads aided by a beautiful performance from Florence Eldridge (she was March’s spouse in real life) as Brady’s gentle wife who tries to temper his more outrageous behavior. Semi fictionalized version of the Scopes Monkey trial wherein famed lawyers Clarence Darrow & William Jennings Bryant fought in court over Darwin’s theory.
I haven't seen Inherit the Wind, but I have watched the other two and enjoyed them. Frost/Nixon I need to rewatch though
DeleteFrost/Nixon is so packed with talk and interconnecting and underlying stories that it is a film that definitely benefits from multiple viewings. It becomes a richer film through those watches.
DeleteI can't recommend Inherit the Wind highly enough!! Fascinating story and great acting.
I loved 127 Hours. It kinda freaked me out when I found out it was a true story. True Story was quite good too. I don't remember much from Lovelace but I agree that Seyfried performance was great.
ReplyDelete127 Hours was amazing. That was one of my favorites from that year.
Deleteoh yeah True story...that kinda came and went. Remember hearing about it a lot before it was released and then all the talk about it died
ReplyDeleteThat's because it got a shitty limited release. I had to wait for dvd.
DeleteI haven't seen True Story, I don't even remember if it actually played in theaters or not lol.
ReplyDeleteLovelace was pretty good, great performances from Seyfried and Sharon Stone, but I remember wanting more.
I chose 127 Hours too! Easily Franco's best performance to date, and Danny Boyle's direction is so impressive.
It was. 127 Hours is really perfection.
Delete127 Hours is great. And that moment...yeesh! Seyfried was great in Lovelace, but as a whole it didn't quite work for me. It felt rushed and too short. I need to True Story, that sounds insane.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Franco is so good in it.
DeleteI've seen bits of True Story which I found to be quite boring. 127 Hours is a film I do love. Lovelace is something I want to see as I do like Amanda Seyfried.
ReplyDeleteIt's her best film, IMO.
DeleteCool picks! 127 Hours is one of those movies that has always stuck with me, especially the ending.
ReplyDeleteSame!
DeleteYup...haven't seen any of these but they look good actually. Linda Lovelace was quite the thing back in the 70's ...shame she passed away. I still have to see 127 hrs
ReplyDelete127 Hours is so extraordinary. You should definitely see it.
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