Biography Movies 2011 List

The year is 1998, and Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a transplanted Southerner trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artifacts of the Windsors' lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simspon (Andrea Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.

A biographical film of legendary actress Charlotte Rampling, told through her own conversations with artist friends and collaborators, including Peter Lindbergh, Paul Auster, and Juergen Teller.

The volatile right-leaning Sarkozy’s startling rise to become President of France and the emotional and psychological stakes involving the conquest of power.

The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames are widely regarded as America's most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life - from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age - has been less widely understood.

Paul Goodman was once so ubiquitous in the American zeitgeist that he merited a cameo in Woody Allen's Annie Hall. Author of legendary bestseller Growing Up Absurd, Goodman was also a poet, 1940s out queer and family man, pacifist, visionary, co-founder of Gestalt therapy—and a moral compass for many in the burgeoning counterculture of the '60s.

Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, The San Juan Star, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancée of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, is one of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen’s financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.

Yeshi, who was recognized at birth as the reincarnation of a famous spiritual master, considers departing from tradition to embrace the modern world.

Documents story of Miami musician Clarence Reid and his alter ego Blowfly, the original dirty rapper. A major force in the Miami soul scene of the 60s and 70s, Reid wrote Top-10 songs for some of the greatest R&B acts of the era, while at the same time, his X-rated recordings and stage antics as Blowfly made him a star of the "party record" scene.

The film travels with animal research and wildlife conservatist Jane Goodall across several continents from her childhood home in England, to the Gombe National Park in Tanzania.

Based on a true story, Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the guy who assembles the team, who has an epiphany: all of baseball's conventional wisdom is wrong. Forced to reinvent his team on a tight budget, Beane will have to outsmart the richer clubs. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games. It's more than baseball, it's a revolution - one that challenges old school traditions and puts Beane in the crosshairs of those who say he's tearing out the heart and soul of the game.

Gerard Butler will star in Machine Gun Preacher, the story of Sam Childers. Childers is a former drug dealer and gang member who turned around his life and now dedicates his time to rescuing children in war-torn Sudan.

Senna's remarkable story, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of SENNA, a documentary feature that spans the racing legend's years as an F1 driver, from his opening season in 1984 to his untimely death a decade later. Far more than a film for F1 fans, Senna unfolds a remarkable story in a remarkable manner, eschewing many standard documentary techniques in favor of a more cinematic approach that makes full use of astounding footage, much of which is drawn from F1 archives and previously unseen.

Carolyn Briggs grew up with modest means in the Iowa heartland. Pregnant at seventeen, married a few months later, by the age of 18 she found herself living in a trailer with no plans beyond having more babies-until she found Jesus.

Lucien Ginsberg grows up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, and then later transforms into the hard-living showman Serge Gainsbourg. He becomes as famous for his glamorous lovers, including Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, as he for writing such hits as Je t'aime ... moi non plus.

China, 1899. In a land of exquisite beauty and timeless tradition a young man known as ‘Third Master’ is the heir to a banking fortune he cares little about. However, after his brother’s wife is kidnapped he reluctantly submits to the pressure of his title and his father, Lord Kang. Lord Kang is determined to prepare his son for financial leadership by molding Third Master into his own image. But the strong-willed businessman’s methods do not sit well with Third Master, who sees the salvation of his business in following the righteous path of his ancestors. Third Master and Lord Kang’s tense relationship is further complicated by the son’s feelings for his beautiful young stepmother -- his first and only love -- stolen from him by his own father.

In 1957, former baseball player Cesar Faz returns home to Mexico as he is defeated by the racism of the Major Leagues. He coaches a local youth league team, leading them all the way to the Little League World Series.

Mary Murphy, who wrote the book, "Scout, Atticus and Boo: A Celebration of 50 Years of To Kill A Mockingbird"—reflects upon the impact of Harper Lee’s classic masterpiece with such personalities as Tom Brokaw, Mary Badham, Oprah Winfrey and James Patterson.

The true story of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar (The Arbor, Rita, Sue and Bob Too) and her daughter Lorraine.

"The King's Speech" tells the story of the man who would become King George VI, the father of the current Queen, Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George 'Bertie' VI (Firth) reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded nervous stammer and considered unfit to be King, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Rush). Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

Soul Surfer is the true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith.

The true story of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar (The Arbor, Rita, Sue and Bob Too) and her daughter Lorraine.

Justin Bieber will play himself in his life story. The pic will be sprinkled with performances from his current concert tour.

Justin Bieber will play himself in his life story. The pic will be sprinkled with performances from his current concert tour.