Best biography action movies

Perhaps more than any other movie, Don Siegel's Escape from Alcatraz debunks the myth that an action film based on true events must be about war. It recounts the prisoner escape from the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island and all of the action that comes with such a fraught story. In real life, the FBI concluded its investigation after 17 years, citing that the prisoners most likely drowned in the cold Pacific Ocean.

However, the U. Marshals Service case is still open. Escape from Alcatraz has been hugely praised for its ability to closely follow the details of the actual escape at the time, adding a distinctive authentic touch to the film. This includes the depiction of the main characters the fugitives and that of Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris the leader of the escaped gang.

Escape from Alcatraz also offers a realistic look at the regimented day-to-day life in the prison. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the film depicts Ip Man's efforts to protect his community and preserve his martial arts traditions despite the atrocities of war. Bruce Lee's phenomenal career as a martial artist and actor until his untimely death could be owed to one single person: Yip Man, popularly known as Ip Man.

Untilthere were only minor discussions about who Bruce Lee's teacher and mentor was and what his life looked like when he was still anonymous, but Wilson Yip's biographical action film answers a lot of the questions about the topic. Ip Man's fight scenes are among the best modern-day hand-to-hand action sequences, and here are the ten stand-out brawls from the series.

Ip Man succeeds in contextualizing the events of the film socially and culturallyespecially the China of the s, together with the challenges and hardships faced by the Chinese population during the Japanese occupation. Another lauded aspect of the film is its talent at intertwining an engaging narrative structure with exceptional martial arts choreography that is coordinated and directed by the renowned Sammo Hung.

Ip Man is both an excellent action film and a fascinating look at an iconic figure in the martial arts world.

Best biography action movies: 1. In the Heart of

Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Captain Phillips is a compelling action film based on the Maersk Alabama hijacking by Somali pirates.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film excels in creating a tense and best biography action movies portrayal of the harrowing events that never skimps on the action. Tom Hanks delivers an exceptional performance as Captain Richard Phillips, an American merchant mariner taken hostage, capturing the character's fear, emotional depth, and leadership under extreme pressure.

While some aspects are dramatized, the film remains faithful to the essential facts, offering both thrilling action and insightful commentary on modern piracy. After graduating from college, McCandless donates his savings and abandons his possessions to travel across North America, seeking to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The film explores themes of freedom and self-discovery, based on Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book.

Directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who left his possessions and life in society to live in the Alaskan wilderness in an abandoned city bus in the s. The film explores themes of self-discovery, idealism, and the complexities of human connectionmaking its select action scenes stand out even more.

The Fighter is a biographical sports film based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward and his older brother Dicky Eklund. Micky, who has fallen from grace after his legendary bout with Sugar Ray Leonard and losses along the way, is participating in an interview that he believes is about his boxing career but turns out to be a piece on crack addiction.

Seeking redemption and a way back into the ring, Mickey and Dicky train together to restore their family's honor and repair a broken home. Another variation on the action genre, The Fighter is a sports drama based on the real events of the s. David O. Russell's biopic recounts the true situation of boxer Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, and his turbulent rise in the boxing world with the help of his older half-brother, Dicky Eklund Christian Balea former boxer battling drug addiction.

Even though the film does not feature a multitude of action-packed sequences, the few it does pack a punch, especially when paired with The Fighter 's emotional and familial struggles. Having a character-driven foundation, the film blends gripping drama with action momentsmaking it compelling and emotionally engaging. The film follows Mendez as he infiltrates Tehran, Iran, by pretending to be filming a sci-fi movie during the Iran hostage crisis at the beginning of the s.

Ben Affleck stars as Mendez as he infiltrates to save the six escaped embassy staff members. Argo is a highly acclaimed film based on real events, blending historical thriller elements with taut action scenes. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, it tells the story of the Iranian hostage crisis, focusing on a covert CIA mission called the "Canadian Caper" to rescue six American diplomats trapped in Tehran.

According to CIA operative Tony Mendez's memoir, this covert mission consisted of "scouting" locations for a supposed science fiction movie.

Best biography action movies: Some of the best action movies

With John Hurt in the title role, it's an extremely compassionate look at its subject. But in Martin Scorsese's hands, you literally feel like you're living alongside Hill Ray Liotta with the dizzying highs—sometimes literally—of his early life and the horrible lows as it all comes crashing down. This Michael Mann movie might not be as well-known as some of his others such as Heat, Collateraland The Last of the Mohicansbut this critically acclaimed, fictional portrayal of tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand Russell Crowe is incredibly compelling.

Often considered the platonic ideal of epic movies, this Old Hollywood classic is stunning with a capital "S. Lawrence played by Peter O'Toolewhose rise from misfit status in the British Army to war hero and best biography action movies again defies almost all the biopic tropes. A lot of attention is rightly paid to the Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis of the titular American historical figure.

This Spike Lee film covers Malcolm X played by Denzel Washington from his earliest childhood all the way to his assassination. It's epic in scale but absolutely pulls it off, portraying the activist in nuanced terms, with the film considered wildly ahead of its time upon its release. This is probably one of the best "gilded cage" movies of all time—which has become one of director Sofia Coppola's specialties.

Kirsten Dunst stars as Marie Antoinette in a semi-anachronistic pre-Revolution France, wealthy beyond measure but confined by her status, marriage, and life. It's a fascinating movie about a famed royalbut more than that, it sees her through the lens of a lonely teenaged girl. The film's framing device is Mishima's extremely intense death, but it's more interested in exploring his life and writings in more and more fascinating ways.

Sports analytics was never so exciting! The Oakland Athletics baseball team general manager played by Brad Pitt attempts to use analysis to draft players, way before—spoiler alert—the practice became widespread. If you don't know a ton about rap legend The Notorious B. Jamal Woolard stars as the hitmaker and is very, very good. For Biggie super-fans, some details may be overlooked, but as a movie, it's a thrilling watch.

Christopher Nolan was the right person to develop a movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. The drama is nonlinear and features thrilling sequences about the ticking time bomb to develop the weapon before the Germans in World War II. Scott as General George Patton, this Oscar-winning film takes us through the military figure's World War II activities, and eventually fall from grace.

Lots of people missed A Quiet Passionstarring Cynthia Nixon as the reclusive and unappreciated poet Emily Dickinson, who felt stifled in society and achieved a little peace via her writing and female companionship. A happy story this is not, but both Scorsese's commitment to never holding back in his direction and Robert De Niro's willingness to portray every millisecond of the downward spiral is riveting.

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Adult titles. Exclude Include. A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. The Substance. A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. Coach Carter.

Jackson is a high school basketball coach with a controversial yet effective approach to molding his team. Amidst a backdrop of inner-city struggles, Carter imposes an academic contract on his players, sparking a heated debate within the community. The movie delves into themes of discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility. It's based on a true story, adding an extra layer of authenticity to this sports drama.

Best biography action movies: 2. Napoleon · 3.

Its poignant narrative and Jackson's standout performance continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and principal Daniels Alfre Woodard happily notes that Radio's self-confidence is skyrocketing. But things start to sour when Jones begins taking guff from fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

The Rise of Catherine the Great. Although the couple has moments of contentment, Peter's cruel and erratic behavior causes a rift between him and Catherine. Mere months best biography action movies Peter succeeds his aunt as the ruler of Russia, a revolt is brewing, and Catherine is poised to ascend to the throne as the country's new empress. Despite living a life of extreme poverty in Brooklyn, graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Jeffrey Wright strives to rise up through the heady New York art scene of the s and s.

He becomes the brightest star of neo-Expressionist painting and one of the most successful painters of his time, and even develops a friendship with Andy Warhol David Bowie. But Basquiat's tumultuous life, specifically his addiction to heroin, overshadows his rise to fame, threatening all. The two quickly marry, and with her at his side, the magician begins his rise to fame as the world's greatest escape artist and magician.

But as the escapes get more and more dangerous, Bess worries that Harry may be taking his act too far. This biographical look at the life of Houdini takes several liberties with the facts, including how the magician actually died. Man on the Moon. Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time.

A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Chronicling the final days of notorious gangster Al Capone as he succumbs to dementia and relives his past through tormenting memories. The Right Stuff. This adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Tom Wolfe chronicles the first 15 years of America's space program.

It also depicts their family lives and the personal crises they endured during an era of great political turmoil and technological innovation. Bowled over by actress Virginia Hill Annette Beningthe dapper Siegel courts her, despite having a wife and children. Obsessed with creating a gambling haven, Siegel takes racketeering to the Nevada desert and helps develop Las Vegas, only to find himself in deep water over his reckless construction of the Flamingo Hotel.

All That Jazz. All That Jazz is a gripping exploration of life and death, orchestrated by the renowned director Bob Fosse. This semi-autobiographical musical drama dives into the tumultuous world of Joe Gideon Roy Scheidera work-obsessed Broadway director and choreographer grappling with his mortality. As he flits between reality and fantasy, the film delves into Gideon's chaotic lifestyle filled with dance, women, and ceaseless work.

Jessica Lange stars as Angelique, a looming presence signifying death. In this drama based on a true story, there's no one tougher or more brutal in the English penal system than prisoner Michael Peterson, aka Charles Bronson Tom Hardy. First incarcerated after robbing a jewelry store, the married Bronson is sentenced to seven years. But his incorrigible, savage behavior quickly gets him in trouble with guards, fellow inmates and even a dog.

The only place where Bronson can't do any harm is in solitary confinement, where he spends most of his time. But Melvin Purvis Ben Johnsonan unrelenting federal agent, is hot on the trail of Dillinger's gang, and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice. Anne Frank: The Whole Story. The mini-series aired on ABC on May 20 and 21, A disagreement between the producers of the mini-series and the Anne Frank Foundation about validity of this and other details led to the withdrawal of their endorsement of the dramatization, which prevented the use of any quotations from the writings of Anne Frank appearing within the production.

Baadasssss Cinema. A collection of bits, shorts and songs filtered through Neely's visual style. The Story of Anvil. Canadian heavy-metal band Anvil delivered a highly influential album that would inspire the likes of Anthrax and Metallica, and then dropped off the map to begin what would become decades of toiling in obscurity. Director and former roadie Sacha Gervasi follows guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner as they stumble through a harrowing European tour and reflect on failure, friendship, resilience and the will to follow even the most impossible of dreams.

When he's asked to stay to fight for the Parliamentary cause, however, Cromwell agrees and proves himself a brilliant leader of the Roundhead army. Soon, it's up to him to lead his army to victory over the king's Cavaliers and take back England for the people. Mystic, maiden, martyr - whatever you choose to call her, it is difficult to dispute that Joan of Arc led a remarkably accomplished life for a peasant girl who never went to school It all began inwhen a teenage girl from a remote village in France stood before the world and announced she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country.

Buena Vista Social Club. This documentary by lauded German filmmaker Wim Wenders follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel to Cuba and assemble a group of the country's finest musicians to best biography action movies an album. Eventually the ensemble travels to the United States to perform in front of rapt audiences.

The film was released in the Hong Kong on 28 October A fictional work that reconstructs the unknown fate of the Marquis de Sade, the writer and sexual deviant who was imprisoned in an insane asylum for the last 10 years of his life. The Marquis de Sade befriends the director of the asylum and shares affections with the asylum laundress. When a doctor is sent in to cure the Marquis of his supposed madness, the Marquis's rebellious character only grows stronger.

The Egyptian queen lives a life of passion. Good Night, and Good Luck. Murrow David Strathairn dedicates himself to exposing the atrocities being committed by McCarthy's Senate "investigation. The CBS team does its best to point out the senator's lies and excesses, despite pressure from CBS' corporate sponsors to desist. Helter Skelter.

The film was a remake of the two-part TV movie. Unlike the version which focused mainly on the police investigation and the murder trial, this version also focused mainly on Linda Kasabian's involvement with the Manson Family. See Arnold Run. The movie covers Arnold's early years in bodybuilding and his successful run for Governor of California.

When fascism sweeps through Germany in the s, the writer shocks his countrymen by allying himself with Hitler. After the war ends, the author and his wife are further vilified in Norway, and ultimately sentenced for crimes against the state. Good Evening, Mr. It was also entered into the 41st Berlin International Film Festival.

A Huey P. Newton Story. Newton Story is an American film adaptation directed by Spike Lee. In this performance, Smith creates a representation of the activist Huey P. During the performance, images are shown up-stage from activist movement era. The simple arrangement of Smith sitting in a chair stage-center makes the audience focus on the dialogue of the performer.

Smith captures the attention of the audience throughout the film by putting into play his solo performance skills.

Best biography action movies: 2. The Passion of

Smith's idea for the performance originated in and took root as a stage play in Smith's performance attempt to show a shy individual that Huey P. Newton believed himself to be. He did not consider himself a charismatic person, although he had made many contributions to his community. Smith shows Newton as a conservative individual who is disgusted by having microphones and cameras close to him.

Van Gogh. Van Gogh is a French film best biography action movies and directed by Maurice Pialat. Set inthe film follows the last 67 days of Van Gogh's life and explores his relationships with his brother Theo, his physician Paul Gachet, and the women in his life, including Gachet's daughter, Marguerite. The film was entered into the Cannes Film Festival.

Store manager Frank Doel Anthony Hopkins responds politely to her chatty letter, and over the course of two decades, a deep, long-distance friendship evolves. Based on Hanff's epistolary memoir and its later two-person stage adaptation, the film version incorporates new characters, including Doel's wife, Nora Judi Dench. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Gonzo Benicio Del Toro. Ostensibly there to cover a motorcycle race for a magazine, the duo instead dive deep into the heart of the American Dream, fueled by a suitcase full of mind-altering substances. This psychedelic adventure, directed by Terry Gilliam, is an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's classic novel. It's a darkly comedic exploration of excess and escapism, capturing the spirit of its source material with surreal visuals and chaotic narrative twists.

After the death of her beloved husband, Marie Curie's commitment to science remains strong as she tries to explain previously unknown radioactive elements. But it soon becomes terrifyingly evident that her work could lead to applications in medicine that could save thousands of lives -- or applications in warfare that could destroy them by the billions.

Deep in My Heart. A biographical musical charting the life of composer Sigmund Romberg Jose Ferrer. His rise is charted through many musical numbers from his best-known works, such as "The Student Prince," "The Desert Song," and 'Rosalie," many of which feature an all-star cast of MGM performers. Filmmaker Terry Zwigoff creates a complex but affectionate portrait of his longtime friend, underground cartoonist Robert Crumb.

A notorious curmudgeon who would prefer to be alone with his fellow cartoonist wife Aline Kominsky-Crumb and his beloved vintage jazz records, Crumb reveals himself to be a complicated personality who suffered a troubled upbringing and harbors a philosophical opposition to the s hippie underground that first celebrated his work. A husband and father, Curtis begins to feel the strain of his band's growing fortune, his crumbling marriage to wife Deborah Samantha Morton and his worsening epilepsy.

Beyond the Sea.