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March 04, 2009

5 Acclaimed Job-Related Movies for Dark Times

Spring is coming, but the weather hasn’t quite caught up. And you’ve probably seen all of this year’s Oscar-nominated films by now. So what are the winter-and recession-weary to do? Check out these older, acclaimed movies that will give you some much-needed hope in these dark times:

·         Rocky: You’ve probably seen it a million times, but the story of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, who starts out as a debt collector and works his way to contending for the heavyweight championship of the world, always gives me hope. This sleeper hit won the Oscar for best picture in 1976.

·         All the President’s Men: You know the story by now: Two journalists, the legendary Woodward and Bernstein (played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman) unearth info that ultimately takes down the president. Well, it makes me feel good about my profession, anyway. This movie won several Academy Awards in 1976.

 

·         The Shawshank Redemption: One of my favorite movies, and a completely hopeful experience despite being set almost completely in a prison. Tim Robbins plays a banker wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover and builds a career of sorts in prison --which ultimately sets him free. Shawshank was nominated for best picture in 1994.

 

·         Driving Miss Daisy: This story of an enduring friendship is based on Morgan Freeman’s Hoke becoming the chauffer to Miss Daisy, a Southern widow played by Jessica Tandy. The film tackles racism, class distinctions and stereotypes of the South and won best picture for 1989.

 

·         Dead Poets Society: Robin Williams plays an unorthodox English teacher who helps his students at a boys’ prep school view life in a new way. This movie won the Oscar for best original screenplay in 1990.

 

Don’t see what you like here? Check out this list of seven movies to motivate you. And be sure to let us know some of your favorite work-related films in the comments.

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Posted by Christine on March 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM in Film | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

Great list! I would add "Erin Brockevich" because it shows power of a woman who is very unconventional going against the odds... and winning.

Posted by: Stefanie | Mar 5, 2009 9:25:42 PM

Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies of all time. I like to watch it when I need a new perspective on holding on to one's dream

Posted by: Kingsley Tagbo | Mar 9, 2009 11:09:29 AM

Shawshank Redemption is a great movie indeed. I could watch that over and over again and always pick up something new...

Posted by: Russ | Mar 15, 2009 11:44:10 PM

I've noticed that one of the cable channels has been airing job-related movies: 9 to 5 and Working Girl.

Posted by: Joy | Mar 17, 2009 1:38:17 PM

Office Space

Posted by: Laura | Mar 17, 2009 3:55:23 PM

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a GREAT feel-good movie! Very emotional throughout, but provides a huge pick-me-up in the end. :)

Posted by: Lindsay | Mar 17, 2009 5:15:21 PM

Shawshank Redemption is "job related"? I love that film myself, and all 5 are great, but in this economical environment, how about movies that will inspire hope on the job?

My favs for "way to go!" feelings are "Working Girl", "Gung Ho", "We Are Marshall" "Wall Street" and a comedey, "Secrets of My Sucess". These movies always make me feel better when things at work get stressful. They either make me laugh, or I applaud the way the bad guy gets it in the end!

Posted by: Michele R. Wendland | Mar 18, 2009 6:25:06 AM

When it comes to motivation, you can't forget "Glengarry Glen Ross." Alec Baldwin gives a motivational speech that's unforgettable.

Posted by: Eliot | Mar 18, 2009 11:20:39 AM

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