Awesome Biographies

Wanna know what it was like behind the scenes when the Minneapolis music world was blossoming in the 1970s and ’80s? Don’t ask Paul Westerberg or Tommy Stinson — they likely don’t remember much. Ask Euphoric Recall author Peter Jesperson, former manager of The Replacements and founder of Twin/Tone Records (Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, and more).

Christopher Reeve was the Superman. But his life tragically changed when an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Super/Man goes behind the scenes of Reeve’s life and how he and his loved ones turned the final arc of his life into a triumphant advocacy for medical research and assistance for people with disabilities. Premieres 9.21.24.

Packed with biographical insight, the graphic novel Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound is also jazz for the eyes. Author/cartoonist Dave Chisholm — a Jazz Trumpet doctorate recipient from the Eastman School of Music — takes readers on a visual journey through Davis’ dynamic evolution from childhood through his mastery of jazz improvisation.

Christopher Nolan wrote and directed this biographical thriller about the man known as the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy leads a star-studded cast, with Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey, Jr., Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh. Shot in IMAX, it hits theaters on 7.21.23.

Get ready to eat it. Daniel Radcliffe stars as “Weird Al” Yankovic in this appropriately outlandish bio-pic about the world’s greatest novelty singer’s origin story. The casting of Rainn Wilson as Dr. Demento and Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna is pure genius. Coming to the Roku Channel for free on 11.4.2022.

Produced by Oprah Winfrey and directed by Reginald Hudlin, this documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Sidney Poitier through archival footage and interviews. Beyond his pioneering work as an actor, Poitier was a great filmmaker and driver of the Civil Rights Movement. On Apple TV+ and in theaters 9.23.2022.

From Christopher Nolan comes the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man whose work on the Manhattan Project resulted in the first atomic bomb. Based on the book American Prometheus, it stars Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, with Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh. The bomb drops 7.21.23.

Author Nick Duerden interviewed 50 popular musicians, including Bob Geldof, Stewart Copeland, and Robbie Williams, to learn about the psychological, physical, and financial impact of coming down off of the high of success. The print edition drops 6.28.22, but you can buy the Kindle edition now.

Filmmaker Danny Boyle directed this fictionalized 6-episode series about the legendary punk band The Sex Pistols. Based on guitarist Steve Jones’ memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, it follows the band on its explosive rise to fame against the backdrop of mid-1970s England. Drops 5.31.22 on Hulu.

Donning the novelty singer’s trademark curly hair, mustache, and accordion, Daniel Radcliffe pulls out all of the stops for this unconventional biopic about the life of “Weird Al” Yankovic. We have high hopes it’s as weird as it sounds. Coming to The Roku Channel fall 2022.

Actor Jamie Costa pulls out all the stops in this test footage from a proposed Robin Williams biopic. Costa’s impression of the actor and comedian is uncanny, and the subject matter is as heavy as the sadness concealed behind his funnyman facade.

Val Kilmer has played roles from The Doors’ Jim Morrison to Batman to Top Gun’s Iceman. He’s created and performed music for soundtracks, and written and directed films. This energetic documentary takes us on a wild ride through Val’s 40+ year career and the challenges he’s faced. On Amazon Prime 8.6.2021.

We’ve been featuring Nathan Barnatt on The Awesomer for over a decade. Inside a Mind digs into the story of the multi-talented actor who has been entertaining us for years with his dance moves, comedy, commercials, and filmmaking. Along the way, Nathan talks about the ups and downs of being “internet famous.”

Regina King makes her directorial debut with this feature about a night when Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke found themselves in the same place and the pivotal role that evening played in their lives. Inspired by the play by Kemp Powers. Coming to theaters and Prime Video on 1.15.21.

Bill Gates is much more than just a rich computer nerd. This three-part Netflix documentary delves into the inner-workings of Gates’ mind, his philosophies, and his efforts to make a real difference in the world since retiring from Microsoft. Premieres 9/20/19.

(PG-13) Actor Shia LaBeouf wrote and stars in this fictionalized retelling of his own stormy life, from his rise to childhood fame, through his battles with his mental health, drug addiction, rehab and recovery. LaBeouf portrays a version of his own father, a deeply troubled man himself.