5 Music Biopics You Should Watch

Tomorrow sees the release of the anticipated film Greetings From Tim Buckley - a look at '90s icon Jeff Buckley and his tortured feelings towards his musical father Tim. Doesn't sound like another run-of-the-mill Hollywood biopic to us, but it did get us thinking about cinema's fascination with the life of some of music's most iconic names.

Back in the '50s, the genre really peaked with the likes of James Stewart's turn as big band leader Glenn Miller in The Glenn Miller Story (1954) and the trials and tribulations of pionerring jazz drummer Gene Krupa in The Gene Krupa Story paving the way for the more recent spate of biographical flicks.

Not everyone has gotten it right - have you seen Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story? We hope not. But there have been a few that have managed to get that fine line between reality and cinematic drama on point. Here's five you should definitely see:

The Doors (1991)

Before Val Kimer gave us his not so spectacular turn as "The Caped Crusader" in Batman Forever (he was no Keaton or Bale that's for sure), the actor played the part of rock god Jim Morrison in the Oliver Stone flick The Doors. The band's stronghold during the '60s is on full display in the biographical piece - the women, the girls, the music. It also featured a very young Meg Ryan as Morrison's muse and long-term love Pamela Courson. While there has been some criticism over the film's somewhat negative portrayal of the legendary rocker - it's a slick, entertaining insight into one of music's best and wildest characters.

Shine (1996)

The life of Australia concert-pianist David Helfgott is heartbreakingly and beautifully brought to life by fellow Aussie Geoffrey Rush in this critically-acclaimed piece of cinema. Helfgott battled with mental illness so severe he was institutionalised for a number of years during the '70s. Rush was so convincing as the suffering Helfgott that he was received nearly every award possible including the Oscar for Best Actor, which if you've seen this film, you'll agree he deserved 100%.

Sid And Nancy (1986)

The volatile and ultimately tragic relationship between the Sex Pistols' controversial Sid Vicious and his wild child girlfriend Nancy Spungen garnered more headlines than you could keep up with, so of course, Hollywood made their already tabloid fodder story into a big screen feature. Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb were given the task of bringing to movie life the sordid tales of Vicious and Sprungen in what went on to become a cult cinema classic. Just like the life they lived, Sid and Nancy was dirty, dramatic and hard to turn your eyes away from.

I'm Not There (2007)

Director Todd Haynes ventured into risky territory with his bold and at times, confusing depiction of the legend that is Bob Dylan. Half a dozen actors were cast to portray Dylan-inspired characters that represented different periods throughout his lengthy career. Richard Gere, Marcus Carl Franklin, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale plus our own (and yes, we know she's a female) Cate Blanchett and the late Heath Ledger all starred in this award-winning film, which if you don't pay close enough attention to, will give you a few serious mind fucks. Blanchett, if she hadn't already, undoubtedly proved how talented she is, scoring a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars the following year.

Walk The Line (2005)

Before Joaquin Phoenix told us all he was going to be a rapper (we're still shaking our heads at that one), the younger brother of the late River Phoenix delivered the performance of his career as the troubled and ultimately triumphant Johnny Cash. He, along with a darling Reese Witherspoon as the courageous and sassy June Carter, gave a whole heap of heart and emotion to this James Mangold feature. The pair also sang in the movie, as did the necessary support cast, adding another level of reality to the film. If you aren't familiar with the story of the iconic "Man In Black", do yourself a favour and check this one out.

Or alternatively, you could watch Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and see John C.Reilly take the absolute piss out of the biopic genre. Very inspiring...