"The first movie Obama viewed in the White House theater was 'Slumdog Millionaire.' He loved it, and parts of the movie reminded him of his childhood days in Jakarta, Indonesia." So noted CNN reporter John King of the debut movie of the new presidential administration, a movie about adversity and hope, triumph and love.
Which gets me to thinking: How would you program the White House theater in the coming months? What should President Obama and his family watch to keep hope alive?
My top-of-head recommendations for education mood-movies: Laurent Cantet's powerful new film "The Class," about the challenges of teaching in a Paris public school; Euzhan Palcy's "Sugar Cane Alley," the tale of a young boy in 1930s Martinique whose grandmother struggles to keep him in school; Elia Kazan's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," the classic about a girl who fights to stay in school even though her family encourages her to drop out so she can contribute to the household expenses. Compelling health-insurance scenarios (but don't let Sasha and Malia see these): Francis Coppola's "The Rainmaker" and Warren Beatty's "Bulworth."
What would you book for the White House theater and its moviegoers?
Given all of the doom-and-gloom pronouncements and predictions, I sincerely hope that there's very little executive mansion movie viewing and other recreational activity for the foreseeable future. Most people I know have cut way back in this area and the whole private screening room image (with taxpayer subsidized refreshments)is fairly grating at the moment. The kids can watch Sponge Bob Squarepants when they've finished their homework.— ccjroberts- CCJ: I want a president who in his down time is looking at art and movies and reflecting on how he can learn from them.— carrierickey
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"Other People's Money"— jmc- I think I'd have him watch Sidney Lumet's film of Paddy Chayefsky's ever-more prescient Network. He needs to be reminded of the anger out there and who it's aimed at and what happens when its prophet is turned by a corporate manipulator.— edwardcopeland
- To keep my hope alive, I'd like to have him watch: Thelma and Louise, Nine to Five, The Color Purple, and If These Walls Could Talk.— drogow
- Triple feature: Sunset Boulevard The Rocky Horror Picture Show (vote: what costume for him?) Welles' Macbeth— Jeff Weinstein
- gee, how about, who cares what he's watching?!?!?!?!? he's a public servant, so enough with the hero worship!— chadsexington
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- For some bizarre reason, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" comes immediately into mind.— Pash
- The family pays for their own food, and I would assume this extends to the movie refreshements...as for the movies, I say whatever he wants; a guy (or gal) needs some down time— javafiend
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