1. American Gangster (2007)

Directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian, the film is based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War, before being detained by a task force led by detective Richie Roberts. Denzel Washington was brilliant as Frank Lucas and not to forget Russell Crowe in the role of Richie Roberts.  The movie was nominated for a couple of Oscars, Ruby Dee for the Actress in best performance in a supporting role and Arthur Max and Beth A. Rubino for the best achievement in Art Direction. The movie is tough and at the same time entertaining as well. The Director has shuffled the classic scenes and designed the gangster theme in a justified way. It is somewhat scary but thrillingly real American classic.

2. Rescue Dawn (2006)

The American war movie is based on true story of German-American pilot Dieter Dengler, who was shot down and captured by villagers sympathetic to the Pathet Lao during an American military campaign in the Vietnam War. Written and Directed by Werner Herzog, the film stars Christian Bale along with Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies, Pat Healy and Toby Huss in important roles. The film revisits the subject of a documentary Werner Herzog made 10 years ago called Little Dieter needs to fly. The director was successful in showing Dieter’s struggle, torture in the prison camp and his escape. It is a very good drama acted with muscular persuasion throughout by Bale.

3. The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter is based on the true story of 1990s welterweight boxer Micky Ward and his crazy ex-fighter brother Dicky, played by Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. The movie is directed by David. O. Russell. It depicts the intense relationship between the two brothers while Micky is goes through the ups and downs of his boxing career. The film had 7 Oscar Nominations including best picture and best director. Bale uncorks an ostentatious display of Acting with a Capital A, nervy, twitchy, staring, starved down to addict-level. Christian Bale and Mellisa Leo won Oscars for best supporting roles. The movie itself is a fighter as it tries really hard to make you like it.

4. Monster (2003)

Monster is based on the life of a serial killer Aileen Wuornos who killed 7 men between 1989 and 1990 in Florida. Charlize Theron pulled off the year’s most outstanding screen makeover with her yellow teeth, messy untidy hair and a beaten face.  Her performance won her 17 awards including the Academy award, Golden Globe and BAFTA. The film is written and directed by Patty Jetkins.  The film revolves round the life of Aileen, how she meets her life-partner Selby Wall played by Christina Ricci, how she gets into prostitution and in that process starts robbing and killing men. The movie simply asks us to witness the desperate attempt of a women to be a better person for the one she loves.

5. Blow (2001)

Harrowing true life story of George Jung, a high school football star from a small town in USA, who single-handedly became the world’s biggest importer of cocaine, changing the course of a whole generation. Opening in the ’60s, and concluding in the drug-infused ’80s, Blow is a high velocity portrait of Jung’s spectacular rise and fall, from blue collar worker to 35 billion dollar trafficker. Jonny Depp plays George Jung in the movie directed by Ted Demme. Penelope Cruz has also played a substantial part in the film along with Ray Liotta, Paul Reubens and Franka Potente. The title of the movie “Blow” is a slang word for Cocaine.

6. Cinderella Man (2005)

Cinderella Man was the nick name given to the heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock and is the story inspired by his life. Director Ron Howard reunited with Russell Crowe after the success of A Beautiful Mind, who plays the role of Braddock in this movie. Renee Zellweger plays Braddock’s wife and Paul Giamatti his manager. The story shows Braddock’s fight, not for glory but to provide for his family. Along the way, Braddock becomes a hero and gives hope to other people struggling to survive the times. You will be surely fascinated by the story and acting.

There are more to be added in the next part. Feel free to add to the list.

Cheers!!