It is no secret that we audiences are enthralled by entertainment. Outside of the actual content being produced for the stage, screen, and our speakers, we also find the back end of entertainment to be fascinating. Whether it’s the ups and downs of stars’ personal lives to the complexities of show business, we remain fascinated.
Hollywood has certainly caught on to this and, over the years, has offered a steady stream of films that give us a peek behind the curtain. From gambling to sports to the movies, here are some of the best movies that reflect entertainment culture.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Released in 2017, Molly’s Game is based on a memoir by Molly Bloom, a woman who ran an underground high-stakes poker ring for LA’s elite. Earning both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, Molly’s Game showed the excitement and the dark side of the gambling world. It comes as no surprise that it remains so popular, given the fact that we as people flock to gambling. It can be argued that gambling has existed for as long as humans have and has only evolved along with us.
In the past, for example, in-person establishments were the only option for people looking to gamble. Now, it is possible to gamble from the comfort of your own home and even on the go. The rise of offshore casinos also means that fewer people are shut out of the exciting world of gambling. Casino expert Andjelija Blagojevic offers a list of offshore gambling sites and shows just how enduring our fascination with it is.
Elvis (2022)
The music industry is packed with fascinating figures, and few come close to Elvis. Decades after his death, the king of rock and roll continues to inspire awe and admiration from a new generation of fans. As such, the Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic Elvis opened to much fanfare. The film chronicled Elvis’s life from when he was a young child first discovering the power of music to becoming the embattled superstar of the 50s to his tragic death in the 70s. The Elvis biopic featured Lurhmann’s signature theatrics and bold colours, as well as a star-making performance from Austin Butler. But outside of the Glitz and glam, Elvis also touched on the dark side of the music industry, specifically with the predatory and manipulative Colonel who acted as Elvis’s manager. Those fascinated by the inner workings of the music industry will enjoy the chronicling of artistic exploitation and substance abuse.
Saturday Night (2024)
There have been many iconic TV shows over the decades, but few have had the enduring influence and legacy of Saturday Night Live. Generation after generation has connected with the live TV show, which has inevitably fueled interest in its underbelly. From legendary comedians who got their start on the show to the behind-the-scenes drama, this process of creating Saturday Night Live could be a movie in itself. Luckily, this movie has already been made with the acclaimed Saturday Night film released in 2024. This film chronicles the lead-up to the first-ever Saturday Night Live broadcast in the 1970s and shows actors, writers, and directors who are young creators way over their heads. It’s an endearing picture that shows the power of artistic resilience and how much magic can be made by a group of people with undeniable talent.
Disaster Artist (2017)
Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 effort The Room has gone down in history as one of the best worst films ever made. After developing its so-called status for years, the Hollywood machine decided to make a film about the making of the iconic film. The Disaster Artist, which is based on the accounts of Wiseau himself, showed the behind-the-scenes process of creating a doomed film, including the complexities of funding a project, dealing with cast and crew, and bringing a cinematic vision to life. The film went on to win several awards, including a Golden Globe, and reinforced just how beloved terrible films can be to the cultural zeitgeist. Anyone who is curious about the inner workings of filmmaking or simply likes the terrible iconic film will definitely get a kick out of this one.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Freddie Mercury, decades after his passing, remains one of the most iconic figures in the music industry. Fans curious about his life and artistry got a glimpse into it with the Academy Award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody film. In a career-best performance by Rami Malik, Freddie Mercury’s life, from being a young aspiring musician to one of the biggest stars in the world, to his iconic performance, to his death from AIDS in the 90s, was chronicled in one of the best biopics of modern times. But what truly made Bohemian Rhapsody a winner was a look at how Queen ascended to superstardom and, from dealing with sceptical record label executives to hiatuses to solo projects to the process of creating some of the most iconic songs ever, everything was touched on. Queen and music industry enthusiasts will get a kick out of this one, as almost a decade since its release, it continues to stand up well.
Moneyball (2011)
The sports industry inspires just as much enthusiasm for movies about it as it does the actual games. 2011’s Moneyball was an Oscar-nominated film about baseball, specifically the Oakland Athletics baseball team’s 2002 season. It saw the management of the team using a special algorithm to find underutilized talent and put together a team with limited funds. It has all the makings of a great baseball flick; an underdog to root for, the power of teamwork, and the possibility of going up against all odds. The film saw Oscar nominations for both Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, and over a decade later, it sits among some of the best sports-related films ever made. It’s a great watch from a technical perspective, for baseball enthusiasts, and also a feel-good film anyone can enjoy with friends and family.
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English (US) · 