There is a reason why movies based on actual people and true events always excel at award shows. Life is multilayered, and movie buffs love to watch films with real substance that carry meaningful messages.
We’ve already compiled a list of superhero blockbusters this year that are expected to make a truckload of money at the box office all around the world. However, 2018 also has many more true stories coming to life on the big screen. Based on the Malaysian movie calendar, here are 10 of ’em coming your way.
1. 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers
- Release Date: 18th January 2018
- Director: Nicoli Fuglsig
- Movie Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena, Trevante Rhodes, Elsa Pataky
“Set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (played by Chris Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani horse soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.”
2. Battle Of The Sexes
- Release Date: 25th January 2018
- Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
- Movie Cast: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming
“The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs was billed as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.”
3. Darkest Hour
- Release Date: 31st January 2018
- Director: Joe Wright
- Movie Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup, Ben Mendelsohn
“During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. While manoeuvring his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds. ‘Darkest Hour’ is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.”
4. Molly’s Game
- Release Date: 8th February 2018
- Director: Aaron Sorkin
- Movie Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
“‘Molly’s Game’ is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defence lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.”
5. The Post
- Release Date: 8th March 2018
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Movie Cast: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Matthew Rhys, Bradley Whitford
“‘The Post’ is a thrilling drama about the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post’s Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers – and their very freedom – to help bring long-buried truths to light.”
6. Lee Chong Wei: Rise Of The Legend
- Release Date: 15th March 2018
- Director: Teng Bee
- Movie Cast: Jake Eng, Tosh Chan, Rosyam Nor, Mark Lee, Yeo Yann Yann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMsxlHX_mvI
“Rise Of The Legend” (败者为王) is the success story based on our national badminton hero Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei. “Three years ago, we came up with a concept about making a biopic about him. And it took us three years to finally get his approval,” said the filmmaker last year. This March, Malaysians will get to see the sports icon in his early years as an aspiring young badminton player from Bukit Mertajam, all the way to becoming a world champion.
7. Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House
- Release Date: 5th April 2018
- Director: Peter Landesman
- Movie Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Lane, Marton Csokas, Josh Lucas, Tony Goldwyn, Michael C. Hall
“‘Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House’ centres on ‘Deep Throat’, the pseudonym given to the notorious whistleblower for one of the greatest scandals of all time, Watergate. The true identity of the secret informant remained a mystery and source of much public curiosity and speculation for more than 30 years. That is until, in 2005, special agent Mark Felt shockingly revealed himself as the tipster. This unbelievable true story chronicles the personal and professional life of the brilliant and uncompromising Felt, who risked and ultimately sacrificed everything – his family, his career, his freedom – in the name of justice.”
8. Goodbye Christopher Robin
- Release Date: 19th April 2018
- Director: Simon Curtis
- Movie Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald
Are y’all ready to re-enter the magical world of “Winnie the Pooh”? Inspired by real life events, “Goodbye Christopher Robin” shines the spotlight on “Winnie the Pooh” author A.A. Milne’s relationship with son and his love for toys. Set after the events of World War I, Milne was inspired one night when his son comes to him and say, “I’d really like if you wrote a book for me. I’d definitely read it.”
9. First Man
- Release Date: 11th October 2018
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- Movie Cast: Ryan Gosling, Corey Stoll, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, Claire Foy
Helmed by Oscar-winning “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle, “First Man” is based on the authorized biography “First Man: A Life Of Neil A. Armstrong” (written by NASA historian James R. Hansen). The story chronicles the test pilot-turned-astronaut’s time in the U.S. Space program leading up to the Apollo 11 mission that landed him on the moon and turned him into an American hero.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody
- Release Date: 25th December 2018
- Director: Dexter Fletcher
- Movie Cast: Rami Malek, Joe Mazzello, Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee
There are very few music icons in the entertainment industry as recognisable as the Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. People were not just enamoured with his physical features but also his four-octave voice and flamboyant style. “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which stars Rami Malek as the music legend, will focus on Queen’s greatest moments including the band’s performance at Live Aid in 1985.
Which movies are you looking forward to watching the most? Let us know in the comments below.
