Feb 11 Movie: The Cartel

Posted on January 29, 2012 by BobMatter

Henry George School photo

This documentary on much-needed education reforms is a clear-headed, gripping indictment. Using New Jersey as a case study, director Bob Bowdon lays out why one of the country’s most expensive school districts has one of the highest dropout rates and lowest standardized test scores. The problem is corruption, union bureaucracy, and reactionary politics. “Where the film really comes alive is in its giving a human face to those affected by the state’s thuggish education system” (Slant Magazine). Bob Bowden– USA — 2009 — 90 minutes.

This free presentation in our Curious Georgists go to the Movies series starts 2 PM on Saturday, February 11, at 28 E Jackson #1004. More info at 312 362 9302 or bobj@hgchicago.org.

Jan 21 (Sat) 2 PM: Dr. Strangelove

Posted on January 16, 2012 by BobMatter

Peter Sellers in one of his three Dr. Strangelove roles

source: Wikimedia Commons

Curious Georgists Go to the Movies present Dr. Strangelove.

You need to have a unique (and twisted) sense of humor to find nuclear holocaust entertaining, but director Stanley Kubrick does a marvelous job of balancing his truely bizzare humor with the gut-wrenching terror felt in the Cold War era.

The political satire stars Peter Sellers portraying three roles, including the title role of Dr. Strangelove, as well as the U.S. President and Group Captain Mandrake, a British soldier under the command of the insane General Ripper (Sterling Hayden). Believing politicians to be unable, and untrained to deal with the growing Russian threat during the Cold War, Ripper breaks protocol and attempts to initiate nuclear war with Russia.

– Neil Wertanen

Refreshments and discussion will follow. At 28 E. Jackson #1004, 2 PM Saturday January 21. Free, donations welcome.

Film: Defiance

Posted on October 16, 2011 by BobMatter

Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, and Alexa Davalos star in this World War II movie based on the remarkable true story of the Bielski partisans.

Partisans operating in the forest of Belarus

Image from jewishvirtuallibrary.org

In 1941, Jewish brothers band together in the Belarussian forest, taking up arms against Axis forces and rescuing some 1,000 Jewish refugees. “Defiance presents itself as an explicit correction of the cultural record, a counterpoint to all those lachrymose World War II tales of helplessness and victimhood” (A. O. Scott, The New York Times). Based on a book by Nechama Tec. Letterboxed. Edward Zwick–USA–2008–137 Minutes

Saturday, November 12, 2:00 PM, at 28 E Jackson #1004. Free, donations welcome. Refreshments and discussion follow. Information at 312 262 9302.