This 2011 drama stars Michele Williams, playing the role of Marilyn Monroe in the late 50s over a week-long period while honeymooning with her new husband, the famed playwright Arthur Miller. Despite being in the idyllic countryside, showbiz stresses drive the actress into a dangerous state of exhaustion.
The film’s reviews were, for the most part, positive, with nearly everyone praising Williams’ performance. Aside from her Golden Globe, she won a number of other awards for playing the sultry superstar, including the 2011 Hollywood Film Festival award for best actress, and she was nominated for several more.
Hitchcock (2012)
This 2012 film stars Anthony Hopkins as legendary director Alfred Hitchcock and follows his relationship with his wife, played by Helen Mirren. The film depicts the "Master of Suspense" and the boldest choice of his career, directing "Psycho." The director famously financed his own film and almost destroyed his marriage in the process.
Even though the movie was both about, and starring, industry icons, it didn’t do very well at the box office. Critics and audiences were mixed in their reviews, as it currently sits at around 60% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been called a “feel-good frolic,” and “smart and entertaining.” It was nominated for a number of awards, including the Academy award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Ali (2001)
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” said Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers the world’s ever seen, though also someone who, like most humans, dealt with his fair share of inner demons. The film follows Ali on his quest to find God, which leads him to convert to Islam (which is in fact how he got his famous name.)
Will Smith plays the boxer on screen in the 2001 movie, which was met with positive reviews, but not too many ticket sales. Smith was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, as was co-star Jon Voight.
127 Hours (2010)
In this gripping biographical film, James Franco plays mountain climber Aron Ralston, who finds himself in a pretty horrifying situation in a canyon in Utah in 2003. The adventurer was exploring the area when a boulder trapped him in a narrow, isolated slot – and he hadn’t told anyone where he was going. What he does to get out of there is truly horrifying. Though thankfully he lived to tell the tale.
The film follows Ralston’s (Franco’s) struggles to stay alive in the extreme heat with nothing but a single bottle of water to keep him going. It was nominated for three Golden Globes and has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Russell Crowe stars as John Nash in this 2001 film about the Nobel Laureate and Abel prize winner for his notable work on game theory. Directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman it was inspired by a 1998 best-selling book by Sylvia Nasar that was nominated for a Pulitzer.
The film went on to win four Academy Awards including Best Director, Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Supporting Actress. Crowe was up for Best Actor for his performance as well. Jennifer Connelly also received a number of accolades for her work in the film.