The Academy Awards are coming up at the end of the month. First off, I agree with the criticism that the Academy Awards are way, way too white. Lets get real here, nobody saw Brooklyn or The Room but everyone saw Straight Outta Compton because that movie was a hit at the box office and was an excellent film! But I will say the two best movies of 2015 were Spotlight and The Big Short. I’m rooting for Adam McKay’s film to go home with the gold this year because it’s the best film out there that perfectly explains the 2008 financial crisis. It’s insanely entertaining and shockingly informative and everyone should go see it. Unless you are a member of Congress, until now:
Avarice and gluttony are good -- if you want to stoke powerful anger and indignation. That's why U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is co-sponsoring a screening of the Oscar-contender "The Big Short" on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
The movie is based on Michael Lewis's nonfiction book about the people and tricks that brought the nation to the edge of a financial collapse in 2008. The machinations included credit default swaps, collateralized debt obligations and "shorts," or bets that make money on misfortune.
As New York Times movie critic A.O. Scott wrote, "This is a terrifically enjoyable movie that leaves you in a state of rage, nausea and despair." He was tempted, he said in his review, to go "out to the garage to look for a pitchfork."
Why would Brown, with help from Paramount Pictures, show such an incendiary movie in the hallowed halls (or an auditorium) of Congress?
Because, Brown says, the lessons from the crisis need to be brought up now and again.
"The movie opens a window on the financial crisis in a compelling and understandable way," Brown, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, said in a statement. "With every year that passes, the more we have to be careful not to forget the causes and consequences of the Great Recession. Plus, it's not often that you can have a discussion about collateralized debt obligations without putting people to sleep."
The move is nominated for best picture at the Oscars, among other categories. The movie's director, Adam McKay, will participate in a panel discussion after the screening.
Senator Jack Reed (D. RI) is co-sponsoring the screening with the help from Paramount Pictures. The article states that according the U.S. Senate rules, such a screening must be bipartisan. Brown has invited Senators Johnny (R. GA) and Roger Wicker (R. MS) to the screening. Both Senators voted against the 2010 Dodd-Frank bill. Who knows if Isakson (who is up for re-election this year) will show up but if you’re one of constituents, please do call and e-mail, urging him to attend the screening so maybe he’ll learn something:
(202) 224-3643
http://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-me
And even though he’s not up for re-election until 2018, lets give Brown some early support by donating to his campaign so we can keep him in the Senate. Click here to donate to Brown’s campaign.