Notable Movies by Ron Howard, 11-13

In his latest stretch of films, Ron Howard made some introspective dramas.

11. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Ron Howard showcased his love of a good underdog story in this biopic about mathematician John Nash. The film follows the genius Nash as he falls deeper and deeper into paranoia after the U.S. government asks him to help break Soviet codes -- it doesn't help that Nash is a diagnosed schizophrenic. Only his wife, Alicia, played by Jennifer Connelly (in the role that garnered her an Oscar), can help bring him back to reality. A Beautiful Mind swept the box office and the Oscars, earned Howard his first Best Director and Best Picture awards, and nabbed an award for Best Screenplay. You've come a long way, Opie.

12. Cinderella Man (2005)

In 2005, Ron Howard brought Depression-era prizefighter Jim Braddock's life story to the big screen. The film received international accolades for its nuanced performances and what many felt was flawless execution. The tale is dramatic: As an impoverished ex-boxer working odd jobs, Braddock was unable to support his family during the bleak days of the Great Depression. In a true-grit change of heart, the fighter steps into the ring again and goes on to become a true underdog legend. Russell Crowe stars as Braddock, Renée Zellwegger plays his wife, and Paul Giamatti earned an Oscar nod as Braddock's manager, Joe Gould.

13. The Da Vinci Code (2006)

If you want to cause controversy, question the whole foundation of Christianity via numerology, secret societies, and the Mona Lisa. Dan Brown's novel came first, selling around 60 million copies before Ron Howard released his film version of The Da Vinci Code in 2006. Tom Hanks stars as Robert Langdon, a symbologist caught up in the middle of a murder mystery with ancient implications. He is assisted/thwarted by French actors Audrey Tatou and Jean Reno and British star Ian McKellen. The Da Vinci Code scored serious hype before its release and claims the highest-grossing foreign start in history, raking in $152.6 million in its first days in theaters around the world. The film captures rarely seen images of Paris's Louvre museum and the story, which is full of twists, turns, and intrigue, is captivating even if you don't buy into the premise.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen