Brazil (1985) staring Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, and Michael Palin and written and directed by Terry Gilliam: The movie which has often been called futuristic, is actually a 20th century satire that takes place (quoting Gilliam) at the "Los Angeles-Belfast border." Jonathan Pryce plays a lonely, mother-dominated bureaucrat whose life is changed by a chance bureaucratic error - changed in ways that put off then-Universal Pictures president Sid Sheinberg, who nixed the film's release because he thought the result too dark and unwieldy. (The latter charge is probably true, but so what?) Sheinberg's hand was called when the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, whose members had seen covert screenings arranged by Gilliam, voted it 1985's best film, which forced the movie's overnight release. It a great movie that explores many of the negative images and stereotypes surrounding bureaucracy.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) staring Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.  The Coen brothers (Raising Arizona, Fargo) first big-budget film is a salute/reworking of the fast-talking comedies of the '40s.  The movie follows Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) and his amazing rise to the top. But he's only a puppet for the evil Sidney J. Mussburger (Paul Newman), who wants the company for himself. 

Fat Man and Little Boy (1989) staring Paul Newman, John Cusak, and Laura Dern:  This movie tells the tale of one of the great organizational and technological challenges of our time and one that forever changed the world -- the quest to develop the atom bomb.

The Right Stuff (1983) with an all star cast including Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Barbara Hershey, Jeff Goldblum, and Dennis Quaid:  It is an epic chronicle of the seven pilots chosen to be the astronauts of Project Mercury. Also featured is the story of Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who first broke the sound barrier. The movie received 6 Academy Award nominations and one 4 awards for Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing.

From the Earth to the Moon (1998) produced by Tom Hanks with an all star cast:  A twelve episode mini series that chronicles the tale of the challenges of landing a man on the moon.  The episodes touch on many of the themes we will talk about throughout the semester.  How politics influences organizations, the importance of accountability, the problem solving process, the importance of good communication, and the role that leadership and motivation plays in any complex endeavor. 

Memphis Belle (1990) staring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Billy Zane, John Lithgow, and Harry Connick Jr.: The movie tells the story of the brave young men of a B-17 bomber named Memphis Belle who have just one more mission to fly over Nazi-occupied Europe and they will be on their way home to a hero's welcome. But this 25th mission turns out to be their most dangerous.  It is a good example of the importance of leadership and teamwork.

Hoosiers (1986) staring Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and Barbara Hershey: Based on the incredible true story of how a small-town high school's basketball team became Indiana
State Champs in 1954. This film follows the controversial outsider who came to town to teach high school history and coach basketball and who was not afraid to make big waves in a small pond. It is another good example of how  leadership and teamwork can help an organization achieve its goals.  The movie received Academy Award Nominations for Best Supporting Actor--Dennis Hopper and Best Original Score.