Nailed It: Biopics That Got It Right

TLC, Tina Turner, Malcolm X, Selena and more.

On-Point Homage - As seen in the recent cases of Aaliyah, Whitney Houston and Richard Pryor, it is never easy winning over the public when it comes to biopics of beloved figures. From angry rants on social media to cease-and-desist letters, getting a biopic from script to screen is no easy task. A few, however, truly nailed it. Straight Outta Compton is one of them. The NWA biopic was met with skepticism when it finally got off the ground last year, and a casting controversy that angered Black Twitter didn't help its rep. But now, the reviews are in and the critics have spoken: the film, which is in theaters tomorrow, is a great piece of drama and essential viewing for hip hop heads of all stripes.

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On-Point Homage - As seen in the recent cases of Aaliyah, Whitney Houston and Richard Pryor, it is never easy winning over the public when it comes to biopics of beloved figures. From angry rants on social media to cease-and-desist letters, getting a biopic from script to screen is no easy task. A few, however, truly nailed it. Straight Outta Compton is one of them. The NWA biopic was met with skepticism when it finally got off the ground last year, and a casting controversy that angered Black Twitter didn't help its rep. But now, the reviews are in and the critics have spoken: the film, which is in theaters tomorrow, is a great piece of drama and essential viewing for hip hop heads of all stripes.

Photo By Photo: Universal Pictures

What's Love Got to Do With It (1993) - Though Angela Bassett had been acting long before her starring role in the iconic biopic, it wasn't until this performance that she was truly noticed in Hollywood. Playing the funky performer Tina Turner, Bassett acted alongside Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner in the film,nwhich chronicled the singer's rise to fame and escape from her violent marriage. Bassett's performance was so gripping that it earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

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What's Love Got to Do With It (1993) - Though Angela Bassett had been acting long before her starring role in the iconic biopic, it wasn't until this performance that she was truly noticed in Hollywood. Playing the funky performer Tina Turner, Bassett acted alongside Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner in the film,nwhich chronicled the singer's rise to fame and escape from her violent marriage. Bassett's performance was so gripping that it earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

Ray (2004) - Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx was adamant on proving to the world that he was much more than Hollywood's funny guy, and he was successful by making an impact in the Ray Charles biopic, Ray. Playing a blind musician with such infinite soul is not easy for any actor, but Foxx made it seem effortless and the Academy seemed to agree. His performance earned him the coveted Oscar for Best Actor.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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Ray (2004) - Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx was adamant on proving to the world that he was much more than Hollywood's funny guy, and he was successful by making an impact in the Ray Charles biopic, Ray. Playing a blind musician with such infinite soul is not easy for any actor, but Foxx made it seem effortless and the Academy seemed to agree. His performance earned him the coveted Oscar for Best Actor.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Universal Pictures

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Ali (2001) - Will Smith is notoriously known as "Mr. Nice Guy," but found no problem in breaking a little sweat — well, a lot — in the 2001 biopic Ali. Proving his commitment to play boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Smith buffed up for the role. His real-life wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, even joined him in the film, playing Ali's first wife Sonji Roi. Smith earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.  (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998) - There's a reason why this period biopic rated so high on our Halle Berry film ranking list, and that's solely due to the well-executed plot and the impeccable performances. Larenz Tate played the role of '60s casanova Frankie Lymon to perfection, and his love interests helped make this film another biographical classic. But in reality, who would two-time Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox and Lela Rochon? Only in Hollywood!(Photo: Warner Bros)

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Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998) - There's a reason why this period biopic rated so high on our Halle Berry film ranking list, and that's solely due to the well-executed plot and the impeccable performances. Larenz Tate played the role of '60s casanova Frankie Lymon to perfection, and his love interests helped make this film another biographical classic. But in reality, who would two-time Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox and Lela Rochon? Only in Hollywood!(Photo: Warner Bros)

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Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues - The pressure was on for superstar Diana Ross when she made her long-anticipated feature film debut in this biopic about jazz great Billie Holliday. But the singer far exceeded expecations, earning herself an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for the role.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Lady Sings the Blues (1972) - Signifying "vintage" at its best, Lady Sings the Blues saw iconic songstress Diana Ross portray legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday to multifaceted perfection. The film tackled Holiday's battle with drug addiction and even her run-ins with the law, but it all ended with her triumphant return to the stage at a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall. The movie was so well received that it managed to score more than $19 million at the box office, rare for its time, and earned Ross an Oscar nomination.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) - Not all celebrity biopics need to be on the silver screen in order to garner massive attention, and this one proved just that. The film was broken into two halves and aired on ABC in the form of a miniseries. There was so much that needed to be told that producers decided that they needed more than the standard two hours, eventually upping the run-time to four hours. The all-star cast included Vanessa Williams, Holly Robinson Peete, Billy Dee Williams, Angela Bassett and Terrence Howard.(Photo: ABC)

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The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) - Not all celebrity biopics need to be on the silver screen in order to garner massive attention, and this one proved just that. The film was broken into two halves and aired on ABC in the form of a miniseries. There was so much that needed to be told that producers decided that they needed more than the standard two hours, eventually upping the run-time to four hours. The all-star cast included Vanessa Williams, Holly Robinson Peete, Billy Dee Williams, Angela Bassett and Terrence Howard.(Photo: ABC)

Selena (1997) - Responsible for skyrocketing Jennifer Lopez's acting career to what it is today, Selena proved celebrity biopics can be commercially lucrative if correctly and carefully cast. No actress would have been more ideal for fulfilling the role of the Tejano music star, and critics seemed to agree; Lopez earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.(Photo: Q Productions)

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Selena (1997) - Responsible for skyrocketing Jennifer Lopez's acting career to what it is today, Selena proved celebrity biopics can be commercially lucrative if correctly and carefully cast. No actress would have been more ideal for fulfilling the role of the Tejano music star, and critics seemed to agree; Lopez earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.(Photo: Q Productions)

The Temptations (1998) - If you want something done right, go to the originator of the idea, right? That was the case of The Temptations, as the biographical TV miniseries was produced by the group's founding member Otis Williams and former Motown Records executive Suzanne de Passe. The film starred D.B. Woodside, Charles Malik Whitfield and Jenifer Lewis and even managed to snag a nomination for Best Mini-Series at the 1999 Golden Globes.(Photo: NBC) 

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The Temptations (1998) - If you want something done right, go to the originator of the idea, right? That was the case of The Temptations, as the biographical TV miniseries was produced by the group's founding member Otis Williams and former Motown Records executive Suzanne de Passe. The film starred D.B. Woodside, Charles Malik Whitfield and Jenifer Lewis and even managed to snag a nomination for Best Mini-Series at the 1999 Golden Globes.(Photo: NBC) 

CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013) - CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story proved its detractors wrong following its showing on VH1 in 2013. Many fans bashed the casting of rapper Lil' Mama as the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Following the airing of the film, it received more than 4.5 million viewers, making it the highest-rated film television premiere of 2013 and, most of all, fans were noticeably pleased with Lil' Mama's performance. (Photo: VH1)

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CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013) - CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story proved its detractors wrong following its showing on VH1 in 2013. Many fans bashed the casting of rapper Lil' Mama as the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Following the airing of the film, it received more than 4.5 million viewers, making it the highest-rated film television premiere of 2013 and, most of all, fans were noticeably pleased with Lil' Mama's performance. (Photo: VH1)

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Halle Berry in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) - Berry not only bears a striking physical resemblance to Dorothy Dandridge, whom she portrayed in this 1999 television movie, the stars' personal lives show several parallels as well. Like Dandridge, Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Dandridge was the first Black woman to be nominated for an Oscar; Berry was the first to win one. And Berry was born almost exactly one year after Dandridge died. For her role as the 1950s beauty, Berry was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe. (Photo: Courtesy of HBO)

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Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) - Just one year after her supporting role in Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Halle Berry decided to take on her biopic duties solo in this film based on the life of actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge. Playing the first Black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress seemed to be stepping in the right direction for Berry, as she won her very own three years later. This particular role, however, won the actress an Emmy and a Golden Globe.(Photo: HBO)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of HBO

King (1978) - Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had possibly one of the best biopics in history, thanks largely to the project's highly respected and experienced cast. Boasting performances from Paul Winfield (Dr. King), Cicely Tyson (Coretta Scott King), Tony Bennett (himself) and Ossie Davis (Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.), the story, told in the form of a television miniseries, was both thorough and heartfelt. It even earned a Primetime Emmy in 1978 for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series. (Photo: NBC)

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King (1978) - Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had possibly one of the best biopics in history, thanks largely to the project's highly respected and experienced cast. Boasting performances from Paul Winfield (Dr. King), Cicely Tyson (Coretta Scott King), Tony Bennett (himself) and Ossie Davis (Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.), the story, told in the form of a television miniseries, was both thorough and heartfelt. It even earned a Primetime Emmy in 1978 for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series. (Photo: NBC)

Malcolm X (1992) - When two great minds collide, only greatness can be produced. Filmmaker Spike Lee and the legendary Denzel Washington collaborated to bring to life the story of civil rights leader Malcolm X in this three-hour movie. The film chronicled the controversial leader's life from his incarceration to his conversion to Islam and his assassination. Due to his impeccable performance, Washington was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Al Pacino. Nonetheless, Washington as Malcolm X is praised as one of the greatest performances of all time.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Malcolm X (1992) - When two great minds collide, only greatness can be produced. Filmmaker Spike Lee and the legendary Denzel Washington collaborated to bring to life the story of civil rights leader Malcolm X in this three-hour movie. The film chronicled the controversial leader's life from his incarceration to his conversion to Islam and his assassination. Due to his impeccable performance, Washington was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Al Pacino. Nonetheless, Washington as Malcolm X is praised as one of the greatest performances of all time.(Photo: Warner Bros.)