The Great Recession is a period defined with Chrysler on the brink of filing bankruptcy, foreclosures touching many families, government bailouts left and right, loss of millions of jobs. With these and so many more situations occurring during the economic downturn, I think it is time for a “pick me up.” The movies listed below are seven of the top movies to watch to help you get through the Great Recession.
Now of course there are many that didn’t make the list. Feel free to comment and let me know which ones I left off. I limited the list to 7 movies, but if you have some good ones please let me know. Well let’s gets started!
1. The Producer. 2005 remake of the 1968 comedy. After putting together another Broadway flop, a theatrical producer and an accountant create a get rich scheme to put on the world’s best show. This stage musical created for the big screen is funny and entertaining. Some of the casts include Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell.
Reason to watch during the recession: Without giving the ending away, the producer and the accountant learn a valuable lesson in being dishonest. After their first scheme, they continue to work on their craft to become true producers. This movie shows the importance of having integrity and remaining true to yourself and your dreams.
2. Pursuit of Happyness. This movie is based on the true story of Chris Gardner’s life. Will Smith plays the main character. In the movie, he portrays an off and on homeless salesman that has to take care of his son (played by Will’s son). Chris fights from a non paying intern position at stockbroker firm to become a self-made millionaire.
Reason to Watch during the recession: Chris Gardner demonstrates that goals can be achieved when you want it bad enough. In this era, where things are not coming along easily, we may tend to be reluctant to follow our dreams. Like Chris says “You got a dream…you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something go get it. Period.”
3. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Funny, funny, funny. Larry (played by Kevin Jones) and Chuck (played by Adam Sandler) file for a domestic partnership with the intent to cheat the system for benefits. Throughout the movie, they have to convince the world that they are gay. Reason to watch during the recession: We all need a good laugh during these tough times. In addition to being funny, this movie shows the importance of being yourself and comfortable in your own skin. There are many things in life that we must accept, so the faster we learn to accept them, the better off we will be in the long run.
4. Wedding Crashers. Another tremendously funny film starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn (one of my favorites). In this movie, two friends frequently crash wedding parties to meet women. They even established a set of codes to use during their wedding crashing.
Reason to watch during the recession: I could use the same reason as movie number 3 about being honest, which they should have been, but they didn’t do it like Chuck and Larry for monetary purposes. This one I am just going to chalk up as watch it cause it’s funny.
5. I am Legend. This film is based off the 1954 science fiction/horror novel by Richard Matheson. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is that last healthy human in New York City. His goal is to find a cure to save the world from the “Darkseekers” taking over. This movie takes us through daily routine of a man on a mission.
Reason to watch during the recession: If you didn’t know I am Will Smith fan. I think he is a blockbuster king. This movie shows the importance of sacrifice and hard work. Sure Neville could give up at any moment, not knowing if he would ever reach his goals and even if he does, is there anybody out there to notice? This is a good to movie to watch and learn about persistence, plus Will made me get back in the gym with this one.
6. Forrest Gump. Out of all the movies on the list this one is my favorite. The film tells the story of a man on a journey through life. He meets historical figures, influences culture and experiences first-hand historic events of the late 20th Century. Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) accomplishes so many things in his life even though he has a border line disability.
Reason to watch during the recession: I think the quote by Forrest’s mother says it all “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.” That’s what it is about. Just giving life a try, the only time when you can be 100% sure is when you don’t try. As long as you give it your all and leave the rest up to God, everything will work out in the end.
7. The Matrix. New age super hero Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) is out to save the world. This film depicts a future in which reality, perceived by humans is the matrix of a simulated reality created by machines to use humans for their heat and electrical avtivity for energy.
Reason to watch during the recession: This movie has awesome graphics and great fight scenes. It shows what we can become when we completely dedicate ourselves to a goal “The One.”
I hope you enjoy reading this blog and have a great time watching my 7 favorite movies to watch in the Great Recession. Whatever you use to motivate yourself is up to you – just remember to use something. Be Great!
