Labor Union Films

 Labor unions, strikes, labor organizing films. 

Newest to oldest. 

The Simpsons: Night of the Living Wage: Season 35; Episode 14 (2024)
After an unexpected medical bill requires Marge to get a job. She takes one with a food delivery start up. When the company proves to be a bad employer Marge starts a union, while company fights back.  Leading to a war and nobody being happy. 

Cesar Chavez (2014)
Based on the life of Cesar Chavez Labor Leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) the film devotes a lot of time to his work in the 1960’s and 70’s. 

Cart (2014)
The employees of a big box store unionize when the management start to lay off workers and forcing employees to deal with short staffing. 

Bread and Roses (2000)
Two sisters Maya and Rosa work as janitors and maids for a non-union company in Los Angeles, CA. When The Service-workers Union sends an organizer Sam Shapiro; conflict rises as management and employees fight for what they want. 

Harlan County War (2000)
Based on the Harlan County War in the 1930’s, A Kentucky woman with both her husband and Father hurt by the mines she joins the strikers in the long battle for better pay, working and living conditions.

The Simpsons: Last Exit To Springfield: Season 4; Episode 17 (1993)
When the dental plan is canceled by Mr. Burns to save money. Homer Simpson gets elected Union leader. As the leader of the union Homer leads a strike to get the dental plan back and other union goals. 

Germinal (1993)
Set in France during the 19^th century the miners of a town strike for better conditions. The aristocrats make moves to end the strike by any means necessary.  

Daens (1992)
Based on the book Pieter Daens by Louis Paul Boon [First Published in 1971]. Catholic Priest is sent to Aalst where he finds the working conditions at the major employer a textile factory deplorable, he works to help the poor going against the rich and powerful in society and the Catholic Church. 

Hoffa (1992)
Based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa a labor Union leader that had success in creating a successful and powerful labor union and got involved with organized crime before disappearing in 1972.  

Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (1992)
After Jimmy Hoffa disappears the top position of the Teamsters Union is vacant. Jackie Presser a long time official in the union takes over as union president. 

Newsies (1992/2017) 
A musical about New York City newsboy Strike of 1899, When the newspaper publishers increase the distribution price of the already under paid newsboys, the boys form a union to battle the increase and for better working conditions.

Matewan (1987)
Set in Matewan, West Virginia Joe Kenehan a union organizer arrives in Matewan to help the miners.  While the company brings in scabs and strike breakers and union busters to keep things as they are. This results in bloody violent clashes. This is later reviled to be one of the early events in the West Virginia Coal Wars.   

Act of Vengeance (1986)
Based on the book Act of Vengeance by Trevor Armbrister [First Published in 1980]. After an accident the killed 80 miners in West Virginia the president of the United Coal Miners Union sides with the companies. Joseph Yablonski puts in his bid to become the President in the 1969 elections. Making him a target for assignation.  

Armed and Dangerous (1986)
A former cop and lawyer join a security guard company. When the pair question the union and the company they are punished. They decide to investigate what is going on and end up making enemies of everyone.  

Gung Ho (1986) TV Series: Gung Ho (1986-1987)
After the main employer a car company Hadleyville, Pennsylvania shuts down former foreman Hunt Stevenson convinces a Japanese Car Company to buy and reopen the factory. Things are good until the Japanese Management and American culture clash. Causing frustration and friction on both sides resulting in a walk off. With the plant at risk of being shutting down again the town comes together to save the plant and find a way to resolve their differences. 

Silkwood (1983)
Based on Who Killed Karen Silkwood? by Howard Kohn [First Published in 1981]. Karen Silkwood is an employee at a Kerr-Magee Petroleum Plant. When working conditions become dangerous due to cost saving measures and forced overtime. Karen becomes a union activist and whistle blower. Until her death in a car crash.      

Norma Rae (1979)
Based on the true story textile worker and union organizer Crystal Lee Sutton. Norma Rae is an employee at a cotton mill that has poor and dangerous working conditions. Norma tries to unsuccessfully improve working conditions. When union organizer   Sonny Webster comes to create a union, Norma Rae devotes herself to the creation of the union. Resulting in angering her employers and alienating her friends and family she will not stop until a union is created. 

F.I.S.T. (1978)
Set in the 1930’s Johnny Kovack is a dock worker in Cleveland, Ohio shows he is a charismatic man that can bring workers together. When he loses his job, he is recruited to work for a labor union. After being successful after violent clash with his former employer he rises up the ranks and becomes powerful target to be taken down by his enemies. 

Which Way is Up? (1977)
Orange picker Leroy Jones loses his job after getting involved in a labor action. So, he goes to LA where he gets more involved with the company that fired him and the union that got him fired.  

Why Rock The Boat? (1974)
Set in 1940 Harry Barnes becomes a reporter for The Daily Witness. As he learns on the job, he becomes interested in fellow reporter Julia Martin who is working to form a journalist union. 

Boxcar Bertha (1972)
Based on Sister of the Road by, Ben L. Reitman [First Published in 1937]. A union leader and a young woman start a war with the railroad bosses becoming criminals in the process.

The Molly Maguires (1970)
Based on the book Lament for the Molly Maguires, by Arthur H Lewis [First Published in 1964]. In 1876 a secret society of Irish Immigrant Miners fight against the mine owners Pennsylvania and other places fight for better working conditions with gun powder, sabotage, and the support of the poor. The mine owners hire the Pinkerton Detective Agency to stop the society. 

The Organizer (1963)
Set in Turan, Italy a labor union forms after an accident at a textile factory cripples a worker. While struggling to improve working conditions the union gets unexpected help from Professor Sinigaglia a union activist. He helps to organize the Union and to start a strike. 

The Big Operator (1959)
A union leader with criminal ties targets union members that can testify against him and the mob.  

I'm All Right Jack (1959)
Based on the novel Private Life by Alan Hackney [First Published in 1958]. Stanley Windrush has returned from WWII and has decided to go into business for his uncle's business. Starting at the bottom he is to work his way up. The owners and the labor union both try to use him for their own goals.  

Chicago Confidential (1957)
Based on the book Chicago Confidential by Jack Lait [First Published in 1950]. A criminal organization murder a union treasurer is killed and fellow union official Arthur Blane if framed for the crime. Blane and his Fiancé Laura Barton try to prove his innocence. 

The Garment Jungle (1957)
Set in New York garment works are struggling to unionize while the owners are doing everything possible to keep the unions out.  

Salt of the Earth (1954)
Based on a real miners’ strike in New Mexico, The workers and their families start a strike for better conditions.

On the Waterfront (1954) 
Terry Malloy an ex- professional boxer goes to work as a longshoreman in New Jersey. While running errands for a local union boss with organized crime connections Terry witnesses a murder of a union member.  Terry is caught between the mob, the union, and those opposed to the mob. 

Black Fury (1935)
Set in Pennsylvania Joe Radek a Slavic immigrant miner joins a labor dispute and helps start a strike. When strike busters end the strike, Joe takes things to the extreme. 

A look at Military Basic Training, Officer Candidate School, and or Advanced Training.

This is a look at going though Basic Training, Officer Candidate School, and or Advanced Training.

Annapolis (2006)
Jake Huard a boy from a poor family is accepted to the US Naval Academy. He is near the bottom of the class with grades and discipline but manages to improve and finish his first year. 

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Zack Mayo has been accepted into the US Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School. Zack is cocky and looks out for himself first. As he goes through the training, he clashes with a Gunnery Sergeant; falls for a local girl and becomes an officer and a gentleman. 

Biloxi Blues (1988)
Set during the final years of WWII A group of young recruits is sent for boot camp training in Biloxi Mississippi based on the play Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon. 

The Boys in Company C (1978)
Set in 1967 five young men become friends as they begin marine boot camp together and are sent to fight in The Vietnam War.  

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rodgers a reject from the US Military participates in a super soldier experiment. By doing this he becomes Captain America and fights against the Red Skull and his organization during WWII. 

C.P.O. Sharkley (1976-1978)
Chief Petty Officer Otto Sharkley is a career Navy man stationed in at a training base in San Diego, CA. At the base he labors to train a company of recruits into professional sailors.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Inspired by the novel The Short Timers by Gustav Hasford [First Published in 1979] The film James T Davis aka Joker going through Marine basic training at Paris Island South Carolina under Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. After training the story continues with Private Joker (Davis) becomes a military journalist and sees various action in Vietnam.

Glory (1989)
Based on the true story of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts one of the first black company of soldiers in the US Army. Colonel Shaw trains a group of black volunteers from civilians to professional soldiers in their first battle during the US Civil War. 

The Guardian (2006) 
Fictional story about the US Coast Guard: Search and Rescue training. Experienced sailor Ben Randall is tasked with training class of rescue swimmers including Jack Fisher a young hot shot rookie into a professional Sailor and rescue swimmers.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Based on the true story of Medal of Honor recipient Desmond T Doss an army medic. It shows the challenges he faced for keeping his vow to never using a weapon, going through basic training and how he pulled at least 75 men to safety in one of the bloodiest battlefields in WWII. 

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Set in 1983 Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway in the US Marine Corp is assigned to Cherry Point North Carolina to train a reconnaissance platoon. Once there finds the platoon not fighting ready, as well as clashing with a Major Powers who sees him as old fashioned. Things change when the US goes to war with Grenada. 

In The Army Now (1994)
Two best friends enlist in the US Army Reserves for some extra money and the one weekend a month two weeks a year commitment. They two of them complete boot camp and then their MOS training and are ready to go back to regular life only to be called to active service in a foreign country. 

Legionnaire (1998) 
Set in 1925 Alain Lefevre a professional boxer gets in to trouble with the mob and joins the French Foreign Legion as a way to escape. He goes through training, bonds with his fellow Legionnaires and is sent to Morocco. While he is going through this the mob learns of his whereabouts, they send men to kill him. So, he has to face danger from within and without. 

Mulan (1998) (2020)
Inspired by the Chinese myth when the Emperor of China calls conscripts an army that would require her father or another male from the family. Mulan disguises herself as a boy and fills the Emperor’s requirement. Goes to boot camp and helps defeat the Hun invaders. 

The Navy Way (1944) 
A group of recruits and how they to go through the US Navy BootCamp. 

Our Girl (2013-2020)
In the first season Molly Dawes joins the British Army as a medic. She goes through training and sees action overseas in Afghanistan. The later season focus on a different medic different medic and her tours, missions and adventures in different parts of the world. 

Private Benjerman (1980)
After, Judy Benjerman's husband dies, she hears a recruitment pitch from an army recruiter and decides to enlist. She faces struggles through boot camp and has a promising career ahead of her until while serving overseas she gets romantically involved with a communist. 

Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous (2008)
Megan Valentine is a movie star that is limited in her roles and is having trouble with her career. She ends up enlisting in the US Army. She gets through basic and creates new opportunities for her career.

Renaissance Man (1994)
Businessman Bill Rago is in need of money takes a job as a teacher for the US Army. His assignment is to teach under achieving recruits pass basic and become soldiers.

Starship Troopers (1997)
Inspired by the novel Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein [First Published in 1959] Set in the 23^rd Century this is a Propaganda film about wealthy Johnny Rico as he joins the military for a girl goes through boot-camp to be a Mobil Infantryman and works his way up the ranks enlisted to officer as he fights in or is linked to the most important events and battles during the Earth Arachnid War. 

Strips (1981)
Two out of shape friends with bad jobs and no girlfriends decide to enlist in the US Army. They are laced in a platoon of other less than ideal recruits. When their Drill Sergeant is incapacitated, the guys pull together graduate and are sent on an overseas mission. Where they get involved in an international incident, they become heroes. 

There's Something About a Solider (1943)
Five soldiers from different backgrounds go to Camp Davis, North Carolina for Officers Candidates School compete with each other for command slots and for the local girls.

Tigerland (2000)
Set in 1971 a group of recruits is sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Advanced Infantry training before going to Vietnam. 

Ten Gentlemen From West Point (1942)
Set in the early 19^th Century Congress is debating on closing the academy; they decide to have it a one-year trail. When war breaks out the Cadets prove themselves and their worth. 

Top Gun (1986)
US Navy Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is a daredevil Ace Fighter pilot that gets a place in the Top Gun School. There he works to be the best of the best, out do his father, and overcome personal tragedy after his best friend dies in an accident. 

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Set 30 years after the events of the first film Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is now a Captain. When he is assigned to train a group of the pilots that the US Navy and Top Gun have to offer on what may be a suicide mission into enemy territory. As he does this, he faces mistakes and demons from his past to get his students back home.  

Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings (2006) 
An anime series of the search and rescue wing of the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Through the eyes of a young helicopter pilot new to the unit. 

Films about attending Law School

Law School 

Law Students and getting through Law School 

Character (1997)
Based on the novel Karakter by F. Bordewijk [First Published in 1938]. Set in the Netherlands during the 1920’s Jacob Katadreuffe who has just finished law school is seen covered in blood leaving the office of Dreverhaven a court officer. After Jacob is arrested, he tells the police his life story as he is born out of wedlock to deciding to become a lawyer facing adversity along the way.

Class (2010)
Wealthy Whitt Sheffield is in his final year of law school is assigned by his professor to act as an advocate and help a poor single mother, Kylie Burch. The two of them clash at first but as they learn about each other, and their situations while falling in love.

Conviction (2010)
Based on a true story; Kenny Waters was wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit.  His sister Betty Anne Waters a single mother puts herself through to represent her brother and prove his innocents.

Golden Time (2013-2014)
A slice of life anime.  Banri Tad is a college student that leaves his small hometown to attend a Law School in Tokyo, Japan. He struggles to adapt to college life, living in a large city, and falling in love.

Handel With Care (1958)
Set in Haverton a fictional town with a Law School. A professor is holding a mock grand jury investigation and trial into the town of Haverton. Star student Zachery Davis discovers that the town’s beloved mayor may have committed tax fraud. In his investigation he angers and alienates the town’s people and his classmates. While learning that what is moral and following the letter of the law are not always simple and black and white.

Law School (2021)
Set in Hankuk Law School in South Korea a professor is murdered. Another professor leads a group of his students to investigate the crime and prove the guilt or innocence of the main suspect following the rule of law.

Legally Blonde (2001)
Elle Woods is fun loving blonde that is about to graduate from college with a degree in fashion design and plans on marrying her wealthy college boyfriend Warner Huntington III. When Warner gets accepted to Harvard Law School, he dumps her. Hurt and determined to prove he made a mistake. Elle applies and is accepted to Harvard Law School as well. Where she proves that she has what it takes to graduate and become a lawyer. 

Listen To Me (1989)
Set at Kentmore College students of various backgrounds are on one of the top debate teams in the country. The students compete to earn a chance to debate Harvard in front of the US Supreme Court on the subject of abortion.

Murder 101 (2014) 
Law student Fiona is starting a criminology class when various murders start happening around campus. Discovering that she is connected to the victims she decides to investigate and stop the murders. 

The Paper Chase (1973)
Based on the novel The Paper Chase by John Jay Osborn Jr. [First Published in 1971]. James T. Hart has been accepted to Harvard Law School he struggles with the Socratic Method used by Professor W. Kingsfield Jr. and a study group member not finishing the year.

The Paper Chase (1978-1986)
Based on the novel The Paper Chase by John Jay Osborn Jr. [First Published in 1971] and the 1973 film The Paper Chase. James T. Hart from Minnesota is accepted to Harvard Law School where he and fellow students get through law school under the Professor W. Kingsfield Jr. an expert in Contract Law.

The Pelican Brief (1993)
Based on the novel The Pelican Brief by John Grisham [First Published in 1992] After two US Supreme Court Justices are murdered a law student Darby Shay writes a legal brief on why these two were killed and who wanted them dead. She gives it to her professor and boyfriend, and he sends it to the FBI. Powerful people in the US Government become worried about the contents of the brief order all those who know it to be killed. Darby Shaw barely escapes as attempt on her life joins forces with an ambitious reporter to expose the conspiracy and to stay alive.

Slip and Fall (2011)
Danny Cuemdumpstier is in his final year of law school and broke. Determined to finish his father figure/boss the school janitor helps him to fake a slip and fall injury to get the money to pay off his debts and pay for his tuition. 

Soul Man (1986)
After Mark Watson graduates from college, he gets accepted to Harvard Law School. The problem is that his father has cut him off, so Mark has to fund his own way if he wants to attend. He discovers a full scholarship that is available. The catch is that it is for a male minority student so Mark who white poses as an African American. As a student he learns about race and that he if the scholarship had remained unclaimed it would have gone to a female classmate that he becomes involved with. So, he sets out to make up for his actions.  

The American Dream

A Look at The American Dream 

Recently I was looking for films about the American Dream and I could find almost nothing. So, I created this list based on the films of what I did find, the films that I use or have used to make and measure my version of The American Dream combining them with descriptions friends, family, and other people writings. 

First, I must state that The American Dream is different to different people, but my interpretation is it is usually about having a certain level of success and comfortable lifestyle with the end goal of freedom, having a family, ownership of a house, land, car with success in a career.

I started this list at the end of WWII because I feel like things got really good for America and the American people and the core idea of the modern American Dream came to be. 

What is here is a sampling of storylines of people living or trying to achieve The American Dream in different decades. 

The 1940’s and 1950’s 

This period of time was about the end of WWII, returning to normal life and home ownership. 

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Based on the book Glory For Me by MacKinlay Kantor [First Published in 1945] Three men of different social economic backgrounds are returning to their hometown of Boone City from WWII become friends as they face the challenges of returning to post war life and American society.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has dreamed of traveling the world and doing important things however he has had to choose between doing what he wants and or being responsible and helping family, friends, and community. He gives up what he desires. When he is close to committing suicide, an angel shows him what the world would be like without him.  

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Based on the novel Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House by Eric Hodgins [First Published in 1946] The Blandings family wanting more room to buy a house and some land out in Connecticut. Upon learning that the house is unlivable the Blandings tear it down and build a custom house. Unforeseen setbacks add expense and delayed move in dates.

My Blue Heaven (1950)
A married song and dance team is unable to have children become determined to adopt a child. While going through the process adopting and raising the child thy try to change their act from stage and radio to Television.

Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963) 
The Cleaver Family is an all-American Family of four living in the suburbs. The parents Ward and June try to raise their boys Wally and Bever to be good productive members of society. When Bever or Wally get into trouble Ward and June help them resolve the problem and teach the boy's a moral lesson. 

The Last Angry Man (1959)
Based on the novel The Last Angry Man by Gerald Green [First Published in 1956]. Woodrow Trashed is a Television producer tasked with making a docuseries about ordinary people. He selects Dr. Samuel Abelman a decided GP that serves a poor area of Brooklyn, New York and dreams of owning his own single-family home.

1960's 

With the help of Television, the 1960's American Dream revolved around the nuclear family, home and car ownership and having a certain lifestyle with material goods. 

A Raisin In The Sun (1961/2008)
Based on the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry [First Published in 1959] A Black family struggling to make a living get an unexpected windfall in the shape of an insurance check. The members of the family disagree on how to use the money to better their lives until outside prejudices unite the family in a common dream.

The Jetsons (1962-1963)
Cartoon about an average nuclear family living in the future with lots of modern futuristic convinces and misadventures. 

How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying (1967/1975)
Inspired by the book How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying: The Dastards Guide To Fame and Fortune by Shepherd Mead [First Published in 1952].  J. Pierpont Finch is a window washer that finds a book called How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying and uses it to guide him from the mail room to an executive position in a matter of weeks. 

The Sweet Ride (1968)
Based on the novel The Sweet Ride by William Murray [First Published in 1968]. An older tennis Pro, a surfer, and a musician have a bohemian lifestyle in a house in Malibu, California.  When they become involved with a mysterious woman their lives become complained with by a biker gang, and a movie producer.

Mad Men (2007-2015)
Starting in 1960 the series is about the professional and personal lives of the people working at a smaller ad agency on Madison Avenue New York City. The show mainly focuses on Don Draper a genius with a troubled past and a need to have The American Dream. 

1970's  

In the 1970's I believe The American Dream shifted to living the life, you want even if it does not fit an ideal image, saving the small-town America and upward mobility. 

The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
Two widowers each with three children and one live-in housekeeper marry creating a large family. The family lives in a suburban area and they have various adventures.

The Boatniks (1970)
Ensign Tom Garland of the US Coast Guard has been assigned to station in southern California that constantly rescues wealthy civilian pleasure sailors. There is also a side story about three jewel thieves trying to recover some stolen jewels that were lose near the naval station.    

The Landlord (1970)
Based on the novel The Landlord by Kristin Hunter [First Published in 1966] Elgar Enders is from a wealthy family. He plans to participate in the fad of buying a rundown building and remaking it into an upscale luxury home. The building he buys is in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. First, he has to evict the people living there, however once he gets involved with the tenets his plans change. 

Cold Turkey (1971)
A cigarette company has come up with a publicity stunt $25 million to any town that can give up smoking and tobacco for 30 days. Reverend Clayton Brooks and the 4,000 residents of the dying town of Eagle Rock, Iowa take on that challenge to save their dying town. 

The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
The Robinson are family living in Los Angles but decide to leave their urban life for the rural outdoors hundreds of miles from another living person. The family faces many dangers from the wildlife, the elements, but by pulling together if they survive it all. 

The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
The newly wealthy Jeffersons move on up to a luxury apartment on the upper east side enjoy the good life and sometimes clash with their neighbors. 

That 70’s Show (1998-2006)
Set in Point Place, Wisconsin during the 1970’s Eric Forman and his friends grow up and have life experiences as the decade progresses. 

1980's

In the 1980's to me it seems like an updated ideal image based on the 1950's and 1960's version of The American Dream along with career success and building wealth quickly came to define The American Dream.  

Family Ties (1982-1989)
Steve and Elyse Keaton are liberal ex-hippies in Regan Era America in a traditional suburban family situation with children that do not share their values. This is especially true of their oldest son Alex P. Keaton a passionate conservative republican. 

The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
The home life of the successful Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, lawyer Clair Huxtable and their four children.  

Risky Business (1983)
Joel Goodson is a rich kid living in the Chicago North Shore area following his parents plans to do well in school and attend Princeton University. One weekend his parents need to go out of town and Joel starts a series of misadventures that result in his parent's belongings being damaged or stolen including his father's Porsche 928. To fix his problems he needs money fast so with the help of his friends and Lana a prostitute he has fallen in love with. He makes his house into a pop-up brothel. This is also the night the Princeton recruiter shows up for an interview. 

Quicksilver (1986)
Jack Casey is a stockbroker that makes a costly mistake and becomes a bike messenger for Quicksilver Speed Delivery. When his friend Hector needs money to open his own food cart business but cannot obtain a loan Jack is convinced to go back to trading where he is more successful than they imagined. Jack also takes on a dangerous drug dealer and finds love with a coworker. 

Baby Boom (1987)
A successful businesswoman inherits a baby from a distant relative. To give her new family a better life she buys a house sight unseen Vermont. It is of course a fixer upper. Once there she fixes up the house, starts a successful business, and finds love. 

The Secret of My Success (1987)
Brantly Foster is an ambitious new grad that is excited about business and is looking for a big break. He gets a job in the mail room of a big company in New York. Seeing how poorly the company is run and finding an opportunity to make himself an executive at the company, he creates an alter ego, Carlton Whitfield. He is very successful and improves the company’s operations. This gets him noticed by the CEO, how long until he is discovered?

Wall Street (1987)
Bud Fox is a stockbroker that wants to be a top trader and work with his hero Gordon Gekko. After a lot of work Bud gets a meeting with Gordon where he performs a small act of insider trading. Impressed with this Gordon mentors Bud and teaches him how to manipulate the stock market and insider trading. Getting everything, he wants until his family and community are at risk of being hurt and must choose between his mentor or his family. 

Working Girl (1988)
Tess Mcgill is a secretary going to business school at night and is trying to advance her career. When her boss is injured during a ski trip she poses as her boss and teams up with an investment banker to prove she has what it takes. It goes well until her boss returns. 

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Based on the memoir The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner [First Published in 2006]. Set in San Francisco in the early 1980’s Chris Gardner invested heavily in bone density scanners however they did not pan out as well as he hoped putting a strain on his marriage. When he loses his car, house and wife he takes a chance on an internship with a stockbroker firm. He works hard and in time he changes his life and becomes successful.   

1990's 

In the 90's The American Dream became less conservative but still influenced by past decades while adding leaving the suburbs and living in spacious apartments in large metro areas.   

Mr. Destiny (1990)
Larry Burrows blew a game winning hit in a baseball game in his teens resulting in living in a middle-class life. He is obsessed with what could have been. On his 35^th birthday he offered the life he would have had if he had not missed the ball to the live the life that could have been. While he has the things, he wanted out of life the person he became and the price he paid for that life is not what he thought it would be. 

Home Improvement (1991 – 1999)
A sitcom about a home improvement host, his family, friends and neighbors living in a nice suburb of Detroit, Michigan. The show's humor often revolves around tools, cars, home projects, family issues and a rivalry with Bob Vila of This Old House.

For Love or Money (1993)
Doug Ireland is a Concierge at a luxury hotel in Matthan that has a goal, a plan and a dream of building his own luxury hotel on Roosevelt Island in New York. Putting all of his money to this project when he finds investor Christian Hanover shows interest in the project Doug is willing to take on the unofficial job of managing Christian's mistress Andy Hart. In doing this Doug falls in love with her and may lose his project to save the girl from a businessman that uses everybody. 

Friends (1994-2004)
The personal and professional lives of six friends in their 20's while they live in New York City and try to achieve their dreams. 

King of the Hill (1997-2010)
Hank Hill assistant manager and propane salesman in Arlan, Texas lives his American Dream as best he can while dealing with a society that is changing and the wild antics of his friends and family. 

Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Inspired by the book Sex and The City by Candace Bushnell [First Published in 1996]. Four close female friends in their 30's living in New York City gather and talk about their professional, personal, sex lives as they navigate womanhood in the 90's.  

2000's 

Tech start-ups, social networks internet fame became The American Dream for a lot while economic factors made not losing what you built and having steady employment were factors in this decade. 

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Based on the book Fire In The Valley by Paul Freiburg and Michael Swaine [First Published in 1984]. This is the history of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and how they made the computers, programs and technology that changed modern society. 

Fun With Dick and Jane (2005)
Remake of Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) Dick and Jane Harper are a well-off family living in an affluent suburb. After Dick gets a promotion to VP of his company Jane quits her job to be a housewife. Suddenly Dick's company goes out of business and the family becomes bankrupt. The couple become criminals to regain their lifestyle. When they see their former friends and coworkers struggling, they go after the CEO of Dick's company to restore the pensions and benefits that had been embezzled by the top executives.   

iCarley (2007-2012)
Carley Shaw along with her friends Sam Puckett, and Freddie Benson create their own web show earning them fame and fortune. 

The Social Network (2010)
Based on The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrick [First Published in 2009]. In 2003 Mark Zuckerberg creates the site Facemash during a bought of anger after the site is taken down. Mark is sought after by people wanting to create social networks. However, Mark Zuckerberg creates his own network with his friend Eduardo Saverin thefacebook.com.  As it grows in popularity Mark Zuckerberg becomes a billionaire while changing and expanding the network into Facebook.com. 

2010 - 2023

2010 to today (2023 when I wrote this) I feel like having Freedom, being debt free (student loans being a big part of this), being able to provide for one’s family, achieving life events/growing up, understanding how and why America and society changed so suddenly is The American Dream. 

Last Man Standing (2011-2021)
Mike Baxter is co-owner of an outdoor sporting and fishing stores bases out of Colardo. He travels the world, owns classic cars and lives with his wife and three daughters and a grandson in a large house in the suburbs. The less-than-ideal parts of his life come from his daughter's romantic choices, parenting, that society is less conservative and his neighbors.  

The House (2017)
When the Johansen's daughter is about to go to college when they learn that the full scholarship, they were counting on has been canceled they team up with a neighbor to run an illegal casino to pay for their daughter to go to college. 

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Sheila and Joel Hammond are a married couple that work as real estate agents while raising their daughter in Santa Clarita, California. When Sheila becomes a zombie, the family pulls together to find a cure and keep their life they built for themselves. 

At Home In Mitford (2019) 
Based on the novel At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon [First Published in 1994]. Writer and artist Cynthia Coppersmith goes to Mitford to find inspiration and to do something with a house she inherited. While nest door neighbor Reverend Tim Kavanaugh has a large puppy that has decided to live with him taking in a boy whose family is deployed. The two of them find friendship and romance in this perfect small town. 

Picture A Perfect Christmas (2019)
Based on A Family Under The Christmas Tree by Terri Reed [First Published in 2016]. Professional Photographer Sophie Griffith goes to see her grandmother over Christmas. Not having much to do she helps as the nanny to the next-door neighbor Davis who is the guardian of his nephew. They celebrate Christmas, fall in love, and create a family in a beautiful town. 

Emily The Criminal (2022)
Emily has a lot of student loan debt and difficulties with obtaining gainful employment. She gets involved in credit card scams making good money getting out of debt. She gets deeper in the Los Angles criminal underworld. 

Vengeance (2022)
Ben Manalowitz is a New York writer that wants to expand his career to include podcasting. His pitches are about explaining what America is today. When he gets a call about the death of an ex-hookup he goes to West Texas and sells a podcast idea on the mystery of her death and explaining the current red, blue divide. As he investigates, he loses his preconceived ideas about culture, life and Texas. 

What I am Watching 2023

 2022 was a tough year for movies however I did see 21 films in the theater. I hope the choices are better this year. 

The first film at the Theater for the year 2023 is The Old Way (2023) the first movie at home was At Home In Mitford (2019)

• 2020 Theater 10
• 2021Thearter 10
• 2022 Theater 21
• 2023 Theater Count 39

January

1. At Home In Mitford (2019)                                                              Plex
2. The Old Way (2023)*                                                                       Theater 
3. Plane (2023)*                                                                                   Theater 
4. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)*                                             Theater 
5. The Time I Got Reincarnated as A Slime: Scarlet Bond (2022)*    Theater 

TV 

1. Hill Street Blues (1981-1987) Seasons 3-5                                        HULU 

February 

1. Ambulance (2022)                                                                             Amazon Prime 
2. The Black Phone (2022)                                                                    Amazon Prime 
3. The Brass Teapot (2012)                                                                   VUDU
4. Cocaine Bear (2023)*                                                                       Theater
5. Flowers In The Attic (2014)                                                              Digital-Rent
6. George Wallace (1997)                                                                      DVD-Rent 
7. Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist (2023)*                                      Theater
8. Steven King's: Doctor Sleep (2019)                                                   TUBI 
9. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)*                                    Theater  

TV

1. Koala Man (2023) Season 1                                                             HULU
2. Marvel's Hit Monkey (2021) Season 1                                            HULU 
3. The Musketeers (2014-2016) Season 1-3                                        HULU
4. Tulsa King (2022-?) Season 1                                                          Paramount+ 

March

1. 65 (2023)*                                                                                         Theater 
2. A Polish Vampire in Burbank (1983)                                                Midnight Pulp 
3. Children Of The Corn (2023)*                                                          Theater
4. Derailed (2005)                                                                                  Plex 
5. Georgy Girl (1966)                                                                             VUDU 
6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)*                                                           Theater 
7. Luck (2022)                                                                                        Apple TV 
8. The National Health (1973)                                                                Digital Rent
9. Petals On The Wind (2014)                                                                Digital Rent 
10. Samson (2018)                                                                                    TUBI 
11. Sinister (2012)                                                                                    Digital Rent
12. The Watch (2012)                                                                               HULU
13. Water For Elephants (2011)                                                                HULU 

TV

1. The Cook of Castamar (2021)                                                             Netflix 
2. Glen Martin DDS (2009-2011) Seasons 1-2                                       TUBI 
3. Nurses Who Kill (2016 -2018) Seasons 2-3                                        TUBI

April

1. Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1(2021)                                         Digital-Rent
2. Batman: The Long Halloween Part 2 (2021)                                        Digital-Rent
3. The Brides Wore Blood (1972)                                                             Plex
4. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)*                     Theater
5. MacGruber (2010)                                                                                 DVD-Rent 
6. Quasi (2023)                                                                                          HULU 
7. Renfield (2023)*                                                                                   Theater
8. Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)                                                    Digital-Rent 
9. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)*                                                 Theater 
10. Venom (2018)                                                                                        Digital-Own 

TV

1. Ghosts (2021-?) Season 2                                                                       Paramount+ 
2. The New Nurses (2018 -?) Seasons 3-4                                                 MHz Choice 
3. Remedy (2014-2015) Seasons 1-2                                                          TUBI 

May 

1. Are You, Their God? It's Me Margaret (2023)*                                        Theater 
2. Is This A Joke? (2011)                                                                               Amazon Prime 
3. Knights of the Zodiac (2023)*                                                                  Theater 
4. The Magnificent Amberson's (1942)                                                         DVD-Rent
5. Modern Vampires (1999)                                                                          TUBI TV
6. The New Mutants (2020)                                                                          Digital-Own 
7. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)*                                                       Theater 

TV

1. Black Summoner (2022) Season 1                                                            Crunchyroll 
2. Bob's Burgers (2011) Season 15                                                                HULU 
3. Cells At Work! Code Black (2022) Season 1                                            Crunchyroll 
4. The Great North (2021-?) Season 4                                                          HULU  
5. Overlord (2015-?) Season 4                                                                      Crunchyroll
6. The Simpsons (1989-?) Season 34                                                            HULU 
7. Trapped In a Dating Sim: (2022) Season 1                                               Crunchyroll 

June 

I support the writers' strike. I hope their working conditions and pay improve. 

1. Bush Doctor (1982)                                                                                  Crackle 
2. Crazy Mama (1975)                                                                                  Plex 
3. The Flash (2023)*                                                                                     Theater
4. Get a Job (2016)                                                                                        Plex 
5. Grid Runners (1995)                                                                                  Plex
6. God's Ears (2008)                                                                                      TUBI TV 
7. Hoffa (1992)                                                                                               HULU 
8. The Machine (2023)*                                                                                Theater 
9. No Hard Feelings (2023)*                                                                         Theater 
10. The Ridiculous 6 (2015)                                                                            Netflix 
11. Six Pack (1982)                                                                                         DVD-Own 
12. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)*                                                Theater
13. The Trump Prophecy (2019)                                                                     Digital- Rent  
14. You Can't Kill Steven King (2015)                                                           VUDU 

TV

1. Doc Martin (2004-2022) Season 10                                                          Acorn TV 
2. Space Rangers (1993) Season 1                                                                Plex 
3. Wiseguy (1987-1990) Seasons 1-3                                                            Roku 

July 

I support the writers and actors strike I hope things improve for them. 

1. Beaks: The Movie (1988)                                                                             Plex
2. Elemental (2023)*                                                                                        Theater
3. Haunted Mansion (2023)*                                                                            Theater 
4. Hills Of Home (1948)                                                                                   Digital-Own  
5. Honkytonk Man (1982)                                                                                Digital-Rent 
6. The Humanity Bureau (2017)                                                                        Plex 
7. Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (2023)*                                           Theater 
8. Messiah of Evil (1977)                                                                                  Pluto TV
9. Oppenheimer (2023)*                                                                                   Theater 
10. The Perfect Storm (2000)                                                                              Digital-Rent 
11. Service To Man (2016)                                                                                 Tubi TV 
12. Sound Of Freedom (2023)*                                                                          Theater 
13. They're Watching (2016)                                                                               Plex 

TV 

1. Flash Gordon (2007) Season 1                                                                     Plex 
2. Manhattan (2014-2015) Season 1                                                                Tubi TV 
3. Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023-?) Season 1                                          Crunchyroll
4. M.O.D.O.K. (2021) Season 1                                                                      HULU
5. Night Court (2023-?) Season 1                                                                    Peacock 
6. Robocop: The Series (1994) Season 1                                                         Tubi TV 
7. Women At War (2022) Season 1                                                                  Netflix 

August 

1. Bad Moon (1996)                                                                                         Tubi TV 
2. Blue Beetle (2023)*                                                                                     Theater
3. The Fugitive (1993)                                                                                      Tubi TV 
4. Go West (2023)*                                                                                           Theater
5. Jurassic Park (1993)*                                                                                    Theater 
6. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)*                                                     Theater 
7. The Man (2005)                                                                                            Tubi TV 
8. Meg 2: The Trench (2023)*                                                                          Theater
9. The Phantom (2009)                                                                                     Netflix DVD 
10. US Marshals (1998)                                                                                      Tubi TV 

TV

1. Captain Fall (2023) Season 1                                                                        Netflix 
2. Miracle Workers (2019-2023) Seasons 1-4                                                   TBS
3. Trapped In a Dating Sim: (2022) Season 1                                                   Blue-Ray Own 

September

1. The Batman (2022)                                                                                           Amazon Prime 
2. Dark City: Directors Cut (1998)                                                                       DVD-Rent 
3. Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)                                                                                Digital-Own 
4. F.I.S.T. (1978)                                                                                                   DVD-Rent 
5. Green Lantern: Emerald Knight (2011)                                                            Digital-Rent 
6. Green Zone (2009)                                                                                            Netflix 
7. The Losers (2010)                                                                                             DVD-Rent
8. The Molly Maguires (1970)                                                                              Pluto TV 
9. The People Across The Lake (1988)                                                                 TUBI TV 
10. Premonition (2004)                                                                                           DVD-Rent
11. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)                                         TUBI TV  
12. Red Wolf (1995)                                                                                                DVD-Rent 
13. Silent Predators (1999)                                                                                     Plex TV 
14. Spirit Trap (2005)                                                                                             TUBI TV 
15. You, Me and Dupree (2006)                                                                             TUBI TV

TV

1. Disenchantment (2018-2023) Season 5                                                            Netflix 
2. Limitless (2015) Season 1                                                                                 Paramount+ 
3. Mulligan (2023) Season 1                                                                                 Netflix 
4. Quark (1977) Season 1                                                                                      DVD-Rent
5. Tacoma FD (2019-?) Season 1                                                                          Tru TV 

October 

This October I will be attending a family reunion however I will do my usual kickoff for the start of the holiday season. 

It was great seeing my family it has been a long time. I will also state I was surprised that Fear Street: Part 2 1978, Halloween Kills: Extended Cut, Cursed Friends and American Horror Story:1984 were better than expected. 

Although the best and most enjoyable were School Spirits (2023), Totally Killer (2023), American Horror Story:1984 (2019). I may add these to my collection. 

Halloween Films

1. The Cabin In The Woods (2012)                                                                      Digital-Own 
2. Cottage Country (2013)                                                                                    VUDU
3. Cursed Friends (2022)                                                                                       Paramount+ 
4. Don't Blink (2014)                                                                                            TUBI TV 
5. Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)*                                                                        Theater 
6. Fear Street: Part 2 1978 (2021)                                                                         Netflix 
7. Get Duked! (2020)                                                                                             Amazon Prime  
8. The Green Inferno (2015)                                                                                 Digital-Rent
9. Halloween Kills: Extended Cut (2021)                                                             Digital-Rent 
10. Haunting of the Queen Mary (2023)                                                                 HULU 
11. Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)                                                                         TUBI TV 
12. Monster High (2022)                                                                                         Paramount+
13. Monster High 2 (2023)                                                                                      Paramount+
14. Totally Killer (2023)                                                                                         Amazon Prime 
15. Portal (2019)                                                                                                     VUDU
16. School Spirits (2020)                                                                                         Amazon Prime 
17. Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse (2015)                                             Blue-Ray Own 
18. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)                                                                     Netflix  
19. Zombie Town (2023)                                                                                         HULU 

Halloween TV

1. American Horror Story:1984 (2019) Season 9                                                  HULU 
2. Ghosted (2017) Season 1                                                                                   HULU
3. School Spirits (2023-?) Season 1                                                                       Paramount+ 

Halloween Episodes

1. Bob's Burgers 
2. Ghosted 
3. Good Luck Charlie 
4. Gravity Falls 
5. Inside Job
6. Lab Rats 
7. Last Man Standing 
8. Rick and Morty 
9. The Simpsons
10. Solar Opposites 
11. South Park
12. The Villains of Valley View 

Non-Halloween Films

1. A Christmas Wish (2011)                                                                                 DVD
2. Christmas In Conway (2013)                                                                           DVD
3. South Park: Joining The Panderverse (2023)                                                   Paramount+ 
4. One Christmas Eve (2014)                                                                               DVD
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)*                                Theater   

Non- Halloween TV

1. Spartacus (2010-2013) Seasons 3-4                                                                 TUBI TV

November 

It's a Wonderful Knife is really weird and kind of confusing. Napoleon is awful do not watch it ever. 

1. A Silent Voice - The Movie (2016)                                                                Digital-Rent
2. Napoleon (2023)*                                                                                          Theater
3. Thanksgiving (2023)*                                                                                   Theater  
4. It's a Wonderful Knife (2023)*                                                                      Theater 

TV

1. Another Period (2013-2018) Seasons 1-3                                                     Paramount+ 
2. Born and Breed (2002-2005) Season 1-2                                                      Kanopy 
3. Gen V (2023-?) Season 1                                                                              AmazonPrime 
4. Inside Job (2021-2022) Season 2                                                                  Netflix 
5. Lower Decks (2020 -?) Season 4                                                                  Paramount+ 
6. Upload (2020-?) Season 3                                                                            Amazon Prime 
7. The Villains of Valley View (2022-?) Season 2                                            Disney+

December 

Christmas Films

1. Die Hard (1988)*                                                                                 Theater
2. The Town Christmas Forgot (2010)                                                     Plex TV

Christmas Episodes

 

1. Bobs Burgers 
2. Born and Breed 
3. Call The Midwife
4. Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman 
5. Ghosts
6. Rick and Morty
7. The Simpsons 
8. South Park
9. Tacoma FD
10. Villains of Valley View 

Non-Christmas films

1. Aquaman 2: The Lost Kingdom (2023)*                                             Theater 
2. The Disorderly (1964)                                                                          Digital-Own
3. Pumpkin (2002)                                                                                    Amazon Prime  
4. Migration (2023)*                                                                                Theater 
5. South Park: Not Suitable For Children (2023)                                     Paramount+ 
6. Wonka (2023)*                                                                                     Theater 

TV

1. The Artful Dodger (2023) Season 1                                                     HULU
2. Born and Breed (2002-2005) Season 3                                                Kanopy
3. Charite: Cold War (2017-?) Season 3                                                  PBS Masterpiece  
4. Reincarnated as a Sword (2022) Season 1                                           HIDIVE 
5. Trapped In a Dating Sim: (2022) Season 1                                          Blue Ray -Own