Category Archives: Finance

2016, Action Film, Action Hero, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, Brother-Brother relations, Bullying, Computer geeks, Contract Killing, Father-son relations, FBI, Finance, Financial malfeasance, Frenetic, Invincible Hero, Netflix DVD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Psychological Drama, Revenge, Suspense, Torture

The Accountant (2016)

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From IMDB:

As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.

From NetFlix

Offering two very different skills to his clients, a financial forensics expert and trained assassin goes to work for a tech mogul who’s determined to eliminate those responsible for secretly manipulating the company’s financial records.

Netflix sent me this DVDS which lasts 2 hours 8 minutes.

Of all the many Ben Affleck films I have seen, in some respect this is one of his best Instead of a romantic hero, he is an autistic,  number savant, assassin. Naturally you can expect a lot of violence. Moreover the action and shooting sequences are over the top if not just plain impossible. Still isn’t it fun to see that our anti-hero never misses a punch or a shot? And such advanced weaponry!

But there is more to the story than just the noise, because in some way the major theme is autism. We get to see Christian Wolff’s childhood traumas, his siblings, and  the extremes to which his father goes so that Christian can protect himself during his lifetime. In that regard expect a great plot twist.

Ben Affleck was 44 during the filming.  Older actors include J.K. Simmons (Will Pope in “The Closer”),  Jeffrey Tambor (the transsexual dad in “Transparent”),  and John Lithgow (who has a huge resumé).  One of the younger stars is Anna Kendrick who plays Dana Cummings, whom Christian is determined to protect.

Such violent action films are my guilty pleasure. Loved it!

2015, Ambitious Dirty Tricks, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Complicated, Corruption, Finance, Financial malfeasance, Thought provoking

The Big Short (2015)

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From IMDB:

Four denizens in the world of high-finance predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s, and decide to take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight.

Although this scary (because it is a true story) film tries to explain the financial concepts involved, it may help to read the Wikipedia summary which contains a link to Credit Default Swaps (CDS).

Plot moves quickly, acting is good, and the lineup of stars is promising.

If you or your financial adviser rely on the rating agencies (who knowingly lied about the worthiness of the mortgage backed instruments), how safe do you feel?

Not only is there not a happy ending, but the same corrupt practices are continuing even as you read this review.

2012, Clever Plot, Complicated, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Finance, Lawyers, Marital Infidelity, Plot Twist, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Wonderful acting

Arbitrage (2012)

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From NetFlix:

As billionaire Robert Miller struggles to divest his empire before his fraud is brought to light, fate takes a nasty turn. Now desperate and running out of options, Miller turns to an unlikely source for help.

Richard Gere plays Robert Miller who has to be the coolest crook on the planet.

Call this well-written, well-acted film a suspense drama because throughout you will sitting on the edge of your seat wondering two things: Will our crooked hero get caught in his fraud and manslaughter and what lives will he ruin as he spins his web of deceit?

Pay attention as one development leads to another. Keep in mind what Miller espouses as his twisted philosophy: “The world is cold”.

Any hint of the ending would be a spoiler. But Susan Sarandon, who plays Miller’s wife, really comes through.

DON’T MISS THIS FINANCIAL THRILLER!

2011, Based on true facts, Bullying, Conspiracy, Cynical, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Finance, Scam Artists

Margin Call (2011)

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From NetFlix:

An all-star cast shines in this engrossing drama about a critical 24-hour period at a high-profile investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, when young analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers information that could destroy the firm. When he alerts upper management to the precarious position of their risky investments, an emergency meeting is held to decide if they should alert clients or abscond with the profits.

Infuriatingly excellent, this financial “thriller” is a sad expose of America’s greatest enemy, her own financial industry. You need not understand the financial details to appreciate the plot.

Sometimes a large cast of well-known actors can be a disaster. But this time cast choices probably could not have been better. Old-timers include:

  • Kevin Spacey (age 52) is officially middle-aged. His role is thoughtful and sad.
  • Jeremy Irons (age 63) is his usual wonderfully creepy self playing the head honcho who makes 83 million dollars a year even if his clients lose all their investments.
  • Stanley Tucci (age 51) is another sad pawn in Jeremy Iron’s claws.
  • Demi Moore (age 49) is a pawn in a different way.

And then there are some relative new-comers:

  • Paul Bettany (age 40) was the albino Silas in “The Da Vinci Code”.
  • This is the first time I have seen Simon Baker (age 42) in something other than “The Mentalist”.
  • Zachary Quinto (age 34) was Spock in the 2009 “Star Trek”.
  • Zachary Quinto’s sidekick in the film is Penn Badgley (age 25) who plays the son in “The Stepfather”.

At times the script can be a bit preachy, especially when the characters rationalize their basically dishonest dealings.

Is our financial industry really completely corrupt? DO NOT MISS!