This blog is based on a true story – just like a lot of movies coming out of Hollywood this year.
With Fruitvale Station, The Butler, Lovelace, and action movies like Pain & Gain and Gangster Squad, fact is certainly stranger than fiction.
So when a free black man agrees to join a group of traveling musicians, only to get roofied and sold into slavery, Hollywood knew they had to retell the story of Solomon Northup in 12 Years A Slave.
But while real life makes for the best movies, Hollywood still takes some liberties telling their version of the story. So we thought it would be a good idea to show you some documentaries, news stories and in some cases, the real life footage that inspired the movies we love.
Check them out.
Captain Phillips
In 2009, the real life Captain Phillips was kidnapped by Somali pirates during the hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama. The movie changed a few things, but this documentary recalls the tale of what happened that day at sea.
12 Years A Slave
This movie is based on a book by the same name written by Solomon Northup after he regained his freedom. This is the audiobook of the story that laid the foundation for the movie.
Lovelace
Lovelace follows Deep Throat star Linda Lovelace, who went from being a misguided teenager to the biggest porn star in the business. This documentary tells her story of abuse as a victim of the porn industry.
Fruitvale Station
Fruitvale Station is the story of Oscar Grant, who was gunned down coming home on the train on New Year’s Eve. This footage sparked the touching movie.
Pain and Gain
The film outlines the life of Danny Lugo, an ex-con turned personal trainer, who kidnaps a millionaire and takes his fortune. This biography tells the true story of his sick but hilarious crimes.
The Conjuring
Check out this clip of Andrea Perron, one of the real life daughters of the family in the horror film. In it, she recalls what happened to her family in the haunted farmhouse they lived in for 10 years.
The Wolf of Wall Street
This is an interview featuring Jordan Belfort, the inspiration behind the yet-to-be-released film, as he recalls how he blew a fortune and ended up in jail.
Gangster Squad
This movie was based off the life of Mickey Cohen, the partner of Bugsy Siegel. Cohen’s biography documents his ride from a Jewish street kid to a notorious mob boss.
The Butler
These news clips help explain how the real life guy went from being raised on a plantation to being the butler for numerous presidents throughout the years.
