Humanities Core Course enriches Spring Quarter by offering you three FREE films related to the topics of this year’s program.  Consider them our way of appreciating your ongoing hard work: you can take a bit of time off by going to the movies, and yet feel virtuous as you develop your understanding of course themes and exercise the critical thinking skills you’ve worked so hard to develop.
Location:  Humanities Hall 242
Syriana

This Oscar-winning film tells a complicated but fascinating story of corruption in the oil industry that revolves around an international cast of players and agencies. It’s a political thriller whose Hollywood techniques and exotic locations are subordinated to a ruthless examination of the mechanisms of power that keep the oil flowing.

Spoiler Alert!
Many commentators have admitted that during a first viewing, following the plot is a challenge. The website below has links to a diagram of the plot and background information including the screenplay, a character list, and a Middle East map collection. The site’s link to the Internet Movie Database will link you to a number of reviews of the film. Remember, the site will give you more information about Syriana but will also reveal details about the film. If you would rather not know these before viewing the film, you can also access the sites afterward:

http://www.philosophistry.com

Time and Date

Thurs, April 12: 6:00 p.m

Syriana  (2005, 126 minutes)
 
The Yes Men

This documentary records Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno as they “punk” a series of corporate conferences by presenting policies that take principles of the corporate world to their absurd but logical extreme. Impersonating representatives of the World Trade Center, they soberly suggest outrageous ways to increase corporate profit to their unsuspecting and socially unaware audiences who listen attentively and even take notes. Hysterically funny stuff.

Spoiler Alert!
The reviews below will give you more information about The Yes Men but will also reveal some details about the film. If you would rather not know these before viewing the film, you can also access the sites afterward:

The first site is the review written for the film’s introduction at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003; the second is from Variety, and the third will take you to reviews linked to the Internet Movie Database.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
http://www.variety.com/
http://www.imdb.com/

Time and Date

Thurs, April 26: 6:00 p.m

The Yes Men (2003, 83 minutes)
 
The Corporation

The Corporation

“the typical corporation, if human, would be a psychopath”

This documentary, fascinating and chilling, winner of thirty-five film awards, examines the history of the corporation and the socio-economic consequences of the fact that corporations, arguably the most influential institutions in modern times, are given the legal identity of a person. Footage from popular culture and media, from talking corporate heads, and from analytic and opinionated commentators gradually develops a picture of national and multinational mayhem.

Spoiler Alert!
The reviews below will give you more information about The Corporation but will also reveal some details about the film. If you would rather not know these before viewing the film, you can also access the sites afterward:

http://dir.salon.com/
http://sfgate.com/
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com

For a critical review of The Corporation see:
http://www.wsws.org/

Time and Date

Thurs, May 24: 6:00 p.m

The Corporation  (2003, 145 minutes)
 

For comments or film suggestions for next spring, please email Dr. Hartz at plhartz@uci.edu