Documentary: Detropia (2012). The following synopsis was written by Caroline Libresco: Detroit’s story has encapsulated the iconic narrative of America over the last century – the Great Migration of African Americans escaping Jim Crow; the rise of manufacturing and the middle class; the love affair with automobiles; the flowering of the American dream; and now . …
Documentary: The Flaw (2011). This documentary by David Sington takes a look at the recession and financial collapse of 2008, offering opinions of the causes through interviews with noted homeowners, economists, financial reporters, and Wall Street bankers. While some critics believe it does not give a fair accounting of all the causes and the forces behind those …
Documentary: Mind Over Money (2010). I recently stumbled across this television documentary while surfing Hulu Plus. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis; the worst since the Great Depression, PBS’ NOVA presents an entertaining and penetrating exploration of why mainstream economists failed to predict the crash of 2008 and why we so often make irrational financial …
Documentary: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005). This documentary chronicles one of the most chilling business scandals in history. Based on the best-selling book “The Smartest Guys in the Room” by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind; and featuring insider accounts and incendiary corporate audio and videotapes, this tale of greed, hubris and betrayal reveals the outrageous personal excesses of …
Classic Movie: Wall Street (1987). A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing. Starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. Documentary Film: The Retirement Gamble (2013). The PBS Frontline program notes …
