My love of movies probably came from the good old VHS recorder, now I’m showing my age, it was relatively new and something that I just couldn’t get enough of, it also helped my mum in that it would keep me quiet for hours
Not much has changed, the only difference is that it’s my wife that puts me in front a film when she wants a couple of hours peace.
Growing up in the 80s, not only did we have the pop man bringing us sugary goodness that only served to rot our teeth, we also had the video man drive around our area in his little red van made up to look like a library with all the latest video releases renting them out for a week at a time, I spent far too much time in front of the TV. Thinking back on it now, I’m not even sure whether it was actually legal.
I know what I like and like what I know when it comes to movies, so here is a short list of just a few of my favourite films about………. money.
1. The Pursuit of Happyness (yes, it is spelt that way)
Will Smith plays Chris Garner in this 2006 biographical film.
The film follows Garner in his struggle as a parent trying to make ends meet until after a chance encounter opens up an opportunity to become an intern stockbroker at Dean Whitter Reynolds. His troubles continue with his wife leaving him and his son.
2. Brewsters Millions
You’ve got to love the 80s and its obsession with wealth (nothing really changes)
Spend $30 million in 30 days and if you do you’ll receive $300 million, sounds easy enough but you’ve got the legend that is Richard Prior taking on the lead role, you know it’s not going to be that simple, especially when he has the law firm that will is doing all that they can to make sure that they benefit his failure.
3. Trading Places
Another one of those 80s films you just have to watch.
Louis Winthorpe III has his everything, money a finance that a good job, that is until his bosses decide to make a dollar bet that they can completely ruin him while at the same time replace him with Billy Ray Valentine, a street hustler
4. The Secret of My Success
You guessed it another from the 80’s archive or it could be because as a child of the 80s my just biased.
You’ve got to give it to Michael J Fox he was in some of the best movies of the 80’s. Teen Wolf and Back to the Future.
This was one of those films that I watched and thought to myself that being a success was possible if you put in the hard work.
5. Money Monster
You’ve just lost your life savings in an investment that’s gone pear-shaped, what do you do? your first instinct might not be to go on TV holding hostage the financial expert that gave his advice, but this is exactly what Kyle Budwell does and what follows from there is twists and turns that only go to highlight the elite’s indifference to the little man or woman trying to improve there lot.
6. In Time
This film isn’t about money but it might as well be, time is the currency here.
At 25 years old, you stop ageing and only have a year left your clock ticking down every second of your life. Earn time in your job and spend it just trying to survive another day. The trouble is everyday items increase and the work that you do earns you less time. Those that benefit live forever at 25, whilst those that time out die.
7. Wall Street
Insider trading, revenge and greed this film has it all.
I’d like to think that this film is an exaggeration of what went on and goes on between those fat cats in red braces and $1000 shoes when big money is at stake, but who am I kidding.
Oliver Stone directs, so get yourself comfortable as it’s going to be a long one.
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