Saturday, November 26, 2016

My Random Addictions: Movies Based on a True Story

Hey everyone,

Last night we went and saw Hacksaw Ridge, a new movie that came out a few weeks ago with Andrew Garfield. Madi picked it and it won the choice with my family over my pick, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (was this good anyone?). I am SO glad that it won the movie choice! It made me think about how much I LOVE movies based on true stories, and how much I love looking up fact vs. fiction afterwards. So I compiled a list of Based on a True Story (BOATS) movies that I love and have researched to find the facts and the fiction!

1. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Andrew Garfield and a very random choice Vince Vaughn play in this BOATS historical replay movie about a man and his commitment to the Ten Commandments, especially "though shall not kill" while enlisting in the army and going into a battlefield during World War II. What an INCREDIBLE attestation to faith and staying true to your values. And it's pretty much factual! They even left out some real pieces of what happened because it seemed too unrealistic... yeah this guy Dodson Doss was incredible. You should see this movie and then compare it to the facts. AHmazing. It was SUPER SUPER SUPER graphic, which is not my cup of tea but it was so real. I'd be curious to read a veteran's perspective on this movie! 

2. Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
Okay so Disney favorite Mary Poppins was based on the book written by P.L. Travers. This movie explores what went on when creating the hit and award winning movie, and it is not what you would expect. I love the honestly shown about movie making and how it isn't all a piece of cake to put together an author's creation and make it into a director's vision. As a kind-of author, I can only imagine how hard it would be to hand over your characters to Hollywood and let them divulge your vision into their own and put it out there for millions to see. The accuracy of this movie is somewhat correct, with certain details not being exact. However the story in general was an interesting one, and it was cool how they had actual audio recordings of Disney's work with P.L. Travers at the end of the film. I still find this movie fascinating even though I've seen it probably ten times. 

3. American Sniper (2015)
Disclaimer: I knew the ending of this movie before I saw it, so the whole movie I wasn't as enticed in. However it is a fascinating story of another incredible veteran, Christ Kyle who wrote the book that helped create this movie. Capturing what it was like for America's greatest sniper, this movie helps you really see the struggle from veteran's who re-enlist and family members who are left behind when they choose too. Also very graphic, however it is worth watching, and worth reading about Chris Kyle's life story. 

4) Remember the Titans (2000)
This will always be one of my BOATS favorites. This movie is super inspiring and it is crazy to think that it happened in 1971 and that wasn't that long ago! It does make you think that the high school was the only school integrating in the area, which wasn't true. But the whole process was definitely interesting. Denzel Washington was also an amazing pick as the coach, and according to statements the actual coach was just as harsh (but not quite as caring) and really did cause people to quit the team.


5) The Vow (2012)
So if you read the book written by the couple that the movie is based off of, you will realize that there are slim similarities from the book to the movie besides the accident and the main character forgetting who her husband was. The book was really inspiring and another incredible testament to faith and learning to love someone who you don't remember even knowing. But Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams' story is pretty good too even if it is mostly fiction.

So many fascinating BOATS movies, which are your favorites? I would love to check them out and check for historical accuracy.

Thanks for reading,
- Olivia :)

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