Halle Berry won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge in this engrossing biopic. As the first black performer to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar back in 1954, Dandridge should have had the world at her feet, but a combination of racism, treachery, drugs and her own weakness saw her career and life ruined. Not exactly a barrel of laughs, painting as it does a shocking portrait of the racism rife in '50s Hollywood, but fascinating stuff. find out more...

When wealthy John du Pont invites Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz to move to his estate and help form a wrestling team for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Mark sees a way to step out of the shadow of his charismatic and revered find out more...

The harrowing true story of the life of Gia Carangi played by Angelina Jolie with the panache and power that can be expected from her. Starting life in Philadelphia Gia was a beautiful rebel, but thrust into the supermodel lifestyle in New York City she soon got swept up in the world of drugs that surrounded the industry. Falling hard for Linda, a photographer she met on a shoot, Gia soon had to choose between her heart and her habit and, as with all true junkies, the habit won. Gia was the firs find out more...

A reverential tribute to the wacko and anarchic master-blaster of Gonzo Journalism; from his early days as investigative reporter and writer of 'Hell's Angels', his drug-fueled 'Fear and Loathing' episodes, the '68 Chicago convention, his bid to become sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, his coverage of the 1972 George McGovern campaign and onto his eventual decline as a writer. A must see for anyone interested in finding out more about this unique character who has so enlivened us with his writings. find out more...

When Gram Parsons died in a hale of self inflicted narcotics in 1973 his best buddy and road manager, Phil, took it upon himself to fulfil an old promise, cremation in the desert of Joshua Tree. Not everybody however, in fact nobody, share Phil's beliefs, and with only a flower power hearse and an increasingly disgruntled hippy for company he races across the desert with the law, gram's family and gram's lovers in hot pursuit. Based (loosely) on true events, Gram Parsons is both a funny and tou find out more...

From dope smuggler to celebrity, Howard Marks has had a diverse yet amazingly successful career. This video diary ambles around with him as he travels from one exotic location to another smoking a rather large amount of marijuana as he goes. Stoned, he reflects on fame, prison and the virtues of his chosen drug. What a nice guy! find out more...

Hoffman is outstanding, especially in the night club stand up comedy scenes, as the flawed cult NY genius Lenny Bruce, the Beat Generation kid who became a blueprint for a new kind of entertainer with his outrageous anti-establishment routine, his profanities, his attitude toward drugs, his irreverence and general anarchistic demeanour. A must for all budding stand up comedians and fans of good movies. find out more...

Winner of an Oscar for "Best Documentary", this film (beautifully shot in black and white) recaptures the life and music of the late, great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. The founder of the Californian school of "Cool Jazz" this film is in itself remarkably cool and stylish. find out more...

Syd is a strung-out, wealthy young guy whose life is about to go from meaningless to futile. After a massive drug spree he awakens to the news that he is about to lose his "one true love" forever, his ex is about to move to Los Angeles. Armed with a new friend and enough cocaine to simulate a small snow flurry, Syd heads off for her leaving party, determined to win his dream girl back. find out more...

A fascinating biopic of Francis Bacon, concentrating on his relationship with George Dyer, a burglar whom he caught in his house and promptly seduced, whose amorality and innocence he found attractive and whom he introduced to his Soho pals. Dyer's bouts with depression, his drinking, pill popping and nightmares strain the relationship in this clash between the arty, boozy Soho set and the East End criminal fraternity, as does his pain with Bacon's casual infidelities. Bacon paints and talks wit find out more...