Analyses of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Hillsborough Disaster Films - Movie Review Example

Leadership Name Date Course The smartest guy in the room 1. Purpose of the movie The purpose of the movie is to highlight the crisis that led to the collapse of Enron Corporation which was a prestigious company. The movie also highlights the leadership failures in the organization that contributed to the collapse of the company. This is after most of the top executives were questioned and tried for criminal charges (Rotten tomatoes, 2012). The movie also highlights the problems of ethics and how unethical practices among the leaders can lead to the collapse of an organization and prosecution of its leaders. 2. Key question Who was responsible for the scandals that faced the company and how did the leaders contribute to the scandals? 3. Main information or evidence The chief executive officer of the company is discovered diverting the money of the company to offshore accounts and thus contributing to the scandal. On the other hand, the top executives selected its lieutenants who are known as they guys and are responsible for implementing the directives of the company. The guys are similarly involved in the corruption cases which also raise the question of ethics. The company goes further to cover up for some of the corrupt activities of the guys. A brutal working environment is created in the company by policy of the management which ensures that 15% of the bottom performers are fired from the company. Other top members of the company are also involved in using the money of the shareholders for the purpose of financing their luxurious activities. 4. Main inferences and conclusion The company was involved in massive irregularities which were carried out by the top executives of the company. The executives of the company used their position for the purposes of engaging in corruption. However, some of the top executives used the money acquired fraudulently to invest in other activities. This saw some of the executives becoming richer through the corrupt activities. It is for this reason that the movie talks of the smartest guy in the room. The movie also concludes that the traders in the company were involved in the California electricity crisis. 5. Main concepts The main concept of the movie is the focus on leadership. This is considering that the top executives of Enron were involved in fraudulent activities that resulted to criminal charges. Management is also an important concept in the movie as some of the management decisions that were made contributed to the problems that faced the company. On the other hand, it is also important to note that ethics in leadership is also an important concept in the movie. This is because the scandals that were witnessed in the movie were as a result of corruption that was perpetrated by the top executives of the company. 6. Main assumptions The main assumption in the movie is that the owner of the company was aware of some of the corrupt activities that were taking place in his company. It is also assumed that he encouraged the traders to gamble with the money of the share holders of the purpose of making more money. It is also assumed that the smartest guy used the money obtained fraudently for the purpose of achieving personal success. It is also assumed that some of the guys used the money obtained fraudently for luxurious purposes. It is however important to note that most of the assumptions are not necessarily true and they can be questioned. 7. Implications The audience can be misled by the assumptions that have been made concerning the movie. There is also a risk of the viewers ending up with wrong conclusions regarding some of the top executives of the company who are assumed to have perpetrated the scandals that took place in the company. The audience may also end up believing that the corrupt practices are not good when one is smart. 8. The main points of view presented in the article The presentation of views in the movie indicates that there are some elements of bias. This is because the impression that is created from the start is that all the top executives of the company were corrupt and had poor leadership skills. Hillsborough disaster 1989 1. Purpose of the movie The main purpose of the movie is to highlight the cause of the Hillsborough disaster that was responsible for the deaths of 76 people and injury of 766 others (BBC News, 2014). This was after the collapse of the stadium due to overcrowding. The people who were responsible for the safety of the spectators did not play their role well and hence leading to the disaster. The movie therefore tries to highlight the failures of the leaders who were in a position to prevent the accident. Concepts of safety standards and practices in the football stadiums in England are also highlighted in the movie. This is for the purpose of highlighting the failures of the authority in terms of enforcing the safety standards. 2. Key question Who was responsible for the collapse of the stadium that resulted to the deaths and injuries of the spectators? 3. Main information or evidence The Chief Superintendent of police who was responsible ensuring that all the gates are manned is responsible for the collapse of the stadium which resulted to deaths and injuries. This is because he allowed the exit to be used for entry by the spectators and hence leading to overcrowding in the stadium which was already above capacity. The officials of the stadium are also responsible for failing to ensure that the safety standards of the stadium are enhanced. Some of the deaths could have been prevented but the presence of fences and other barriers in the stadium worsened the situation. On the other hand, multiple failures by the emergency services also contributed to the problem. The chief superintendent of police had also lied about the situation and hence misleading the members of public. 4. Main inferences/conclusion The conclusion in the movie is that the authorities who were in leadership position did not perform their duties well (Clynch, 2009). This led to the accidents that cost the lives of the spectators. Failure of the stadium managers to comply with the safety standards also contributed to the accident. This resulted to the deaths of the spectators. The failure of the leaders to play their respective roles is thus considered as the major cause of the accident. It is also concluded that the leaders have to be ethical when discharging their duties in order to avoid accidents in the football stadiums. 5. Main concepts The leaders of an organization play an important role in terms of ensuring that the spectators are safe in the stadium. This mainly concerns the leaders who are in charge of the stadiums or are involved in the control of entry of spectators in the stadium. Safety measures in the stadiums should be prioritized by the authorities for the purpose of preventing the accidents. The authorities should also put in place measures that will ensure that emergency situations are responded to swiftly in order to prevent deaths. The leaders should also take responsibilities whenever failures occur on their part. 6. Main assumptions It is assumed that the spectators were partly to blame for the situation. However, this assumption is not true. This is because the spectators entered the stadium because they were allowed to do so by the authorities. It is also assumed that the management of the stadium knew about the problem but some of them did not as they were not involved directly in the operations of the stadium. It is assumed that all the deaths could have been prevented but this is also not correct. 7. Implications The assumptions have negative implications on the real information regarding the accident. The assumption may led to some of the leaders being blamed for the actions that they were not able to control. On the other hand, the audience can be mislead by the assumptions as it may imply that the spectators were responsible for the overcrowding which contributed to the accident. Bias against some of the leaders may also result from the assumption which may also be misleading. 8. The main points of view presented in the movie In the movie, the main points are presented fairly. This is because there is no evidence of bias against any leader who is believed to be responsible for the accident that killed the spectators. However, there is no acknowledgement of other vies in relation to the incident. 13 Days 1. Purpose of the movie The purpose of the movie is to highlight what transpired between the Soviet Union and United States of America during the Cuba missile crisis (Box Office Mojo, 2011). The role of the political leadership in the United States of America is also highlighted in the movie. Much emphasis has been placed by the leadership role that was played by the president of the United States of America in terms of avoiding war with the Soviet Union. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the movie highlights the roles that the importance of dialogue in terms of dealing with contentious issues between different countries. The importance of tolerance among the leaders is also an important aspect in the movie. 2. Key question What role did the political leadership in the United States of America and the Soviet Union plays in terms of averting the war that was looming during the Cuba missile crisis? 3. Main information and evidence The main information in the movie is that the Cuba missile crisis almost resulted to military confrontation between the United States of America and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was stocking the missiles that were had nuclear capabilities in Cuba wile The United States of America had stocked its missiles in Turkey on the border with the soviet union. Military action was looming but the political leadership exercised a lot of restrain which prevented the war. The movie portrays dialogue as an important aspect of solving issues between different countries. The dialogue played an important role in preventing military action against Cuba which was hours away. The removal of the missiles both in Cuba and Turkey prevented the war from taking place (Alford, 2010). 4. Main inferences/conclusion The political leadership is important in terms of decision making in relation to critical issues. Dialogue is important for the political leaders in terms of averting a crisis. On the other hand, the conflict in Cuba was solved by the commitment of the president of the United States of America who was not willing to go to war. The president of the United States of America also preferred peace as compared to war which was looming. Leadership also requires a lot of consultations before making decisions. This is for the purpose of avoiding the decisions that could lead to negative consequences. 5. Main concepts The main concept in the article is the importance of political leadership in terms of solving crisis. This is because the Cuba missile crisis was solved through good political leadership that was committed to peace as opposed to war. This key concept is clearly highlighted in the movie and hence making it relevant. It is also important to note that the concepts are logical and have been applicable in similar crisis. The political leadership is also important in terms of ensuring that tolerance is achieved between different opposing countries. The actions of the leaders in terms of guiding the nations to peace and prosperity are also dependant on their level of leadership commitment. 6. Main assumptions The main assumption in the movie is that the Soviet Union was the provocative side in the conflict. This is because it was stocking its weapons in Cuba. On the other hand, it is assumed the Soviet Union was arming Cuba for the purpose of attacking the United States of America in the event of war. On the other hand, the United States of America is also assumed to be right in the actions that it took in terms of imposing an arms embargo on Cuba. This assumption may not be correct as the United States of America already had a stock pile of weapons in Turkey. 7. Implications The assumptions have negative implications on the audience of the movie. This is because they may end up believing that the Soviet Union had poor political leadership and was provoking the United States of America. The assumption is also misleading in terms of explaining the real cause of the crisis and the roles that the each of the country played. The political leadership in the Soviet Union can also be misunderstood due to the assumption. 8. The main points of view presented in the article The elements of bias are evident in the presentation of the main point of view. This is because a lot of focus is on the president of the United States of America who is presented a peaceful leader with good leadership qualities and styles. This is however ignorant of the actions that were taken by the political leadership in the Soviet Union. List of References Rotten Tomatoes, 2012, Enron: The smartest guys in the room, Retrieved on 15 February 2014 from, . BBC News, 2014, How the Hillsborough disaster happened, retrieved on 15 February 2014 from, . Clynch, D, 2009, The Hillsborough disaster 1989 unfolds, Retrieved on 15 February 2014 from, . Box Office Mojo, 2011. "Thirteen Days", Retrieved on 15 February 2014 from, . Alford, M, 2010, Reel Power: Hollywood Cinema and American Supremacy, Pluto Press. Read More