This 2019 film as written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, includes a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt. It tells the story of an actor, Rick Dalton, and his stunt double, working to adjust to the changes in Hollywood during its Golden Age while living next door to the ill-fated Sharon Tate (Robbie.) Unlike the film, Sharon Tate was tragically killed in her home by the cult members of the Charles Manson gang. She was pregnant at the time and married to Roman Polanksi.
It received the number of accolades, including 10 nominations that year’s Academy Awards, among them, Best Picture, and a win for Pitt as Best Supporting Actor. The film also earned a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy.)
Julie & Julia (2009)
Film icon Meryl Streep plays legendary culinary star, Julia Child, in this 2009 dramedy directed by Nora Ephron. The screenplay is based on two books, including Childs’ autobiography, and tells the story of a young Julia Child, along with another young woman, Julie Powell, who made it her goal to cook all of Child’s recipes in just 365 days. Julia Child was a popular TV cook who gained recognition for bringing French Cuisine to America.
Meryl Streep was nominated for dozens of awards for her performance in the role, which included Best Actress at the Golden Globes, Oscars, and the BAFTAs. Nora Ephron was also nominated for a few awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America.
Woman in Gold (2015)
Helen Mirren stars in this 2015 biographical drama as Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee living in Los Angeles, and trying to recover stolen piece of art that she’s been battling the government of Austria for over a decade for after it was taken from her family by the Nazis. The Austrian-American Jewish refugee from Austria became recognized for a successful legal campaign to reclaim her family-owned paintings by Gustav Klimt which were stolen by the Nazis during World War II.
The film opened to mostly positive reviews and saw over $61 million returned on its budget of $11 million. Mirren earned a nomination at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor and a Leading Role.
Brian’s Song (1971)
Brian’s Song is a made for TV movie from 1971, which premiered as an ABC Movie of the week, and tells the story of former Chicago Bears player, Brian Piccolo. Piccolo, portrayed by the late James Caan, played pro in the 1960s, and in 1965, was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer, which resulted in his death in 1970.
The movie is widely regarded as being one of the best television films in history and holds a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It won several awards and was nominated for many more, including eight Emmys and the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film.
Without Limits (1998)
Without Limits is a 1998 biographical sports drama about record-breaking runner Steve Prefontaine, played by Billy Crudup, along with his coach, Bill Bowerman (Donald Sutherland,) who would go on to become the co-founder of Nike. Tom Cruise worked as a producer on the picture, which was distributed by Warner Bros.
The film was received fairly well from critics and audiences. Although it won no major awards, it holds nearly an 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, it flopped at the box office crossing less than $800,000 against a $25 million-dollar budget.