Trumbo (DVD, 2015)

In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. TRUMBO (directed by Jay Roach) recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice of the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger. The film also stars Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Diane Lane, and Michael Stuhlbarg.Academy AwardsIn addition to being nominated for Best Screenplay for 'Kitty Foyle' (1940), Trumbo won two Academy Awards for 'Best Writing, Motion Picture Story' while under the Hollywood blacklist. The first, 'Roman Holiday' (1953), was originally credited to fellow scribe Ian McLellan Hunter, who had been a 'front' for Trumbo. Trumbo was posthumously honored with the award in 1993. Writing under the pseudonym Robert Rich, Trumbo also won an Academy Award for 'The Brave One' (1956); he was not presented the award until 1975, shortly before his death.