Monday, March 9th
1776 was the first publication of Adam Smith’s, The Wealth of Nations. Adam Smith was a prominent Scottish philosopher and his book, The Wealth of Nations, is widely considered one of the greatest and most important contributions to modern economics. Without getting too boring, The Wealth of Nations delves into topics of free markets, division of labor and productivity.
For those searching for their original idea: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
This Academy Award Best Picture winner from 2001 tells the true life story of John Nash, a genius mathematician who made major contributions to the world of economics. During a scene when Nash (Russell Crowe) was a student at Princeton University, he and some fellow classmates drinking at a bar compete to win over a beautiful blonde who is joined by her friends. His classmate quotes Adam Smith who said, “In competition, individual ambition serves the common good.” Nash suddenly has an epiphany and argues that Adam Smith was wrong and everyone in the group would be best served by not pursuing the blonde and instead choose her other friends so that don’t get in each other’s way and all leave happy. Nash’s theory would be a turning point in the field of governing dynamics. The rest of the movie deals with the powerful story of Nash’s personal life and the struggles he faces while attempting to cope with paranoid schizophrenia.
Where to watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beautiful_mind
Today is also Fill Our Stapler Day. Yeah, no need to really go into this one much further.
Have you seen my stapler?: Office Space (1999)
Office Space is a funny look into the life of having a 9-5 job, stuck in the same daily routine and feeling like everyone and thing is against you succeeding. From the mind of Mike Judge (Idiocracy, Extract), Office Space is a dry comedic film that still manages to boast a cast of colorful characters.
Where to watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/office_space
In 2006, this day would start the beginning of months of unrest by the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital), the largest criminal organization in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The tension between the PCC and the Brazilian police departments would result in repeated acts of public violence that would end up resulting in the deaths of 141 people.
Tuesday, March 10th
For those with a moral compass: The Elite Squad: Enemy Within (2011)
This Brazilian film is the second film in the Elite Squad series and has gone on to become the highest grossing film in the country’s history and currently holds a 93% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Elite Squad series is the brutal and often violent story of the escalating tension between gang members and the local police departments leading to displays of aggression on the streets in the public. Elite Squad: Enemy Within is a well crafted thriller and delves deeper into the cause of the conflict and the level of corruption that runs rampant through the police departments and political offices.
Where to watch: On DVD, Netflix and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/elite_squad_the_enemy_within
In 1888, one of the worst snow storms in history hit the east coast of the United States. Known by some as the Great Blizzard of 1888, the storm would go on to dump between 20-60 inches of snow on the Northeast and would cause the deaths of an estimated 400 individuals.
Wednesday, March 11th
For those who like it chilly: Snowpiercer (2014)
Snowpiercer is a dystopian sci-fi thriller that takes place after a failed attempt to thwart Earth’s global warming through climate engineering causing a catastrophic ice age which killed almost all living things on Earth. The very few remaining survivors left on earth are a group of passengers about a high speed train that is circumnavigating across the globe. The film deals with heavy handed issues that are prevalent to today’s society by examining the relationships of people from varying social and economic classes.
Where to watch: On DVD, Netflix and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snowpiercer/
The day after Japan suffered a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off its coast which caused a massive tsunami to hit the mainland, the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant suffered a meltdown and radioactive material began to be released into the air after a failed containment. The nuclear meltdown would go down as one of the worst in the history, along with the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Following the meltdown, reports concluded that the disaster could have been prevented but the facility was not equipped to handle a hit by an earthquake or tsunami.
Thursday, March 12th
For the thriller fans: The China Syndrome (1979)
The China Syndrome is a 70’s thriller about a television reporter (Jane Fonda) and her cameraman (Michael Douglas) as they uncover a series of safety cover-ups at a nuclear power plant in California. Coincidentally, The China Syndrome happened to be released 12 days before the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. In the movie, a potential meltdown was described as having the ability to leave “an area the size of Pennsylvania” permanently uninhabitable. This caused a major panic for many in the northeast area as the movie was still fresh in people’s mind.
Where to watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/China_Syndrome
In 1952, Uncle Sam would make his debut as cartoon character in an issue of the New York Lantern Weekly. The iconic figure would later be transformed into one of the most effective marketing campaigns in US military history with posters of the Uncle Sam character and the phrase, “I Want You” on posters spread all around.
Friday, March 13th
For those with a good heart: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: First Avenger is the fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and differs from all the other films in the series as it is the only movie to take place in the past, during World War II. All Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wanted to do was fight and serve for his country but was constantly turned away by the Army due to his small stature. After accepting to become the first participant in the Army’s new super solider experiment, Rogers was instantly transformed into a physically fit and lethal soldier. Instead of being sent to the front lines and fighting Nazi’s, the US government instead decided to transform Rogers into “Captain America” and use him as a Uncle Sam personified by touring the county to raise support for the war and sent to Army camps overseas, in order boost soldier morale. While on tour, Rogers still has the desire to serve along his fellow soldiers on the front lines and decides to take his first step in becoming the legendary superhero.
Where to Watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain-america
In 1933, German filmmaker, Joseph Goebbels was appointed the Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda for the Nazi party. Goebbels was a very influential man in his time due to his films and their ability to garner support for the Nazi cause. One of Goebbels’ first major acts after becoming Minister was by organizing the burning of nearly 20,000 books from Jewish writers and publishers.
For the revolutionary: Battleship Potemkin (1925)
This silent Russian film from 1925 is considered by many to be the most influential propaganda film of all time. Sergei Eisenstein created and directed the film to help aid in the Bolshevik Revolution. Along with being one of the greatest propaganda films of all time, Battleship Potemkin was also influential in the movie industry with one of the first uses of montage which was to help convey the desired emotional response from the audience.
Where to Watch: On DVD, Netflix, Amazon Prime and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/battleship_potemkin/
In 1950, the FBI’s widely known and popular “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list made its public debut. The idea for the list was the brainchild of J.Edgar Hoover and William Kinsey Hutchinson. The goal for the list was to help increase the ability of law enforcement agencies around the states to capture the wanted suspects. Since its inception, a little over 500 fugitives have been featured on the list with 94% of those featured captured or located and 31% were captured due to public assistance.
Saturday, March 13th
For those on the run: North By Northwest (1959)
North by Northwest is just one of the many excellent films directed by the legendary filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock. The story involves a case of mistaken identity, where protagonist Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) must go on the run after being framed for the murder of a U.N. diplomat, while at the same time, trying to prove his innocence and expose those who are responsible.
Where to Watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/north-by-northwest
For the wrongfully accused: The Fugitive (1993)
You can’t pick a fugitive movie without including The Fugitive. Based on the 60’s Television series by the same name, The Fugitive stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble who has been framed for the murder of his wife and imprisoned. While being transferred to a new prison, Kimble manages to escape after the bus crashes down an embankment onto a railroad track. After Kimble goes on the run, he is tracked down by U.S. Marshall Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones). The Fugitive would go on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and Tommy Lee Jones would win the award for Best Supporting Actor.
Where to watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1046129-fugitive
In 1972, one of the greatest films in the history of US cinema made its premiere in New York City. That film would be The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (Apocalypse Now, The Godfather Part II) and an all-star cast of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, The Godfather would become an iconic and cultural mainstay for years to come.
Sunday, March 15th
For those looking for a favor: The Godfather (1972)
Where to Watch: On DVD and for rent
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godfather/
Movie Calendar 