Moviefone Editorial

Tag: gung-ho

  • Best Workplace Movies

    Gary Cole as Bill Lumbergh in 'Office Space.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Gary Cole as Bill Lumbergh in ‘Office Space.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.

    But its also a three-day weekend, and many movie fans spend the last official weekend of summer relaxing and watching a movie!

    In honor of Labor Day, Moviefone has assembled a list of the 30 best movies ever made set in the workplace.

    Without further ado, let’s begin!

    30. ‘The Intern‘ (2015)

    (L to R) Robert De Niro as Ben and Anne Hathaway as Jules in 2015's 'The Intern.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Robert De Niro as Ben and Anne Hathaway as Jules in 2015’s ‘The Intern.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).

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    29. ‘The Internship‘ (2013)

    Two recently laid-off men in their 40s (Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson) try to make it as interns at a successful Internet company where their managers are in their 20s.

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    28. ‘Extract‘ (2009)

    The owner of a factory that produces flavor extracts, Joel Reynold (Jason Bateman) seems to have it all, but really doesn’t. What’s missing is sexual attention from his wife, Suzie (Kristen Wiig). Joel hatches a convoluted plan to get Suzie to cheat on him, thereby clearing the way for Joel to have an affair with Cindy (Mila Kunis), an employee. But what Joel doesn’t know is that Cindy is a sociopathic con artist, and a freak workplace accident clears the way for her to ruin Joel forever.

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    27. ‘Secretary‘ (2002)

    A young woman (Maggie Gyllenhaal), recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer (James Spader), where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one.

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    26. ‘North Country‘ (2005)

    A fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States — Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, where a woman (Charlize Theron) who endured a range of abuse while working as a miner filed and won the landmark 1984 lawsuit.

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    25. ‘Newsies‘ (1992)

    Christian Bale in 'Newsies'. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
    Christian Bale in ‘Newsies’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
    A week in the life of the exploited, child newspaper sellers in turn-of-the-century New York including Jack “Cowboy” Kelly (Christian Bale). When their publisher, Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall), tries to squeeze a little more profit out of their labors, they organize a strike, only to be confronted with the Pulitzer’s hard-ball tactics.
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    24. ‘The Proposal‘ (2009)

    When she learns she’s in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her.

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    23. ‘Clerks‘ (1994)

    Convenience and video store clerks Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) are sharp-witted, potty-mouthed and bored out of their minds. So in between needling customers, the counter jockeys play hockey on the roof, visit a funeral home and deal with their love lives.

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    22. ‘The Paper‘ (1994)

    Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is the workaholic editor of a New York City tabloid. He loves his job, but the long hours and low pay are leading to discontent. Also, publisher Bernie White (Robert Duvall) faces financial straits, and has hatchet-man Alicia Clark (Glenn Close)—Henry’s nemesis—impose unpopular cutbacks.

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    21. ‘Gung Ho‘ (1986)

    When a western Pennsylvania auto plant is acquired by a Japanese company, brokering auto worker Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton) faces the tricky challenge of mediating the assimilation of two clashing corporate cultures. At one end is the Japanese plant manager (Gedde Watanabe) and the sycophant who is angling for his position. At the other, a number of disgruntled long-time union members (George Wendt and John Turturro) struggle with the new exigencies of Japanese quality control.

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    20. ‘Norma Rae‘ (1979)

    Sally Field as Norma Rae Webster in 'Norma Rae.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Sally Field as Norma Rae Webster in ‘Norma Rae.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Norma Rae (Sally Field) is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer (Ron Leibman). Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.

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    19. ‘Baby Boom‘ (1987)

    The life of super-yuppie J.C. (Diane Keaton) is thrown into turmoil when she inherits a baby from a distant relative.

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    18. ‘Night Shift‘ (1982)

    A nebbish of a morgue attendant (Henry Winkler) gets shunted back to the night shift where he is shackled with an obnoxious neophyte partner (Michael Keaton) who dreams of the “one great idea” for success. His life takes a bizarre turn when a prostitute neighbor (Shelly Long) complains about the loss of her pimp. His partner, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night .
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    17. ‘Office Christmas Party‘ (2016)

    When Carol Vanstone (Jennifer Aniston), CEO of the technology company Zenotek, expresses her intention to close the Chicago branch, run by her brother Clay (T.J. Miller), he and his co-workers organize a Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and save their jobs. But the party gets out of control…

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    16. ‘Michael Clayton‘ (2007)

    A law firm brings in its “fixer” (George Clooney) to remedy the situation after a lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit. Actress Tilda Swinton received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
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    15. ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once‘ (2022)

    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong in A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.'
    (L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong in A24’s ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’

    Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes.

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    14. ‘My Favorite Year‘ (1982)

    New York City, 1954: Benjy Stone (Mark Linn-Baker) is the junior writer on the top rated variety/comedy show. His idol Alan Swann (Peter O’Toole), an actor with a drinking problem, is to be that week’s guest star.

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    13. ‘Spotlight‘ (2015)

    The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

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    12. ‘Horrible Bosses‘ (2011)

    For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers… permanently.

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    11. ‘The Devil Wears Prada‘ (2006)

    Andy (Anne Hathaway) moves to New York to work in the fashion industry. Her boss (Meryl Streep) is extremely demanding, cruel and won’t let her succeed if she doesn’t fit into the high class elegant look of their magazine.

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    10. ‘Trading Places‘ (1983)

    (L to R) Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in 'Trading Places.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in ‘Trading Places.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    A snobbish investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a wily street con-artist (Eddie Murphy) find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

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    9. ‘Margin Call‘ (2011)

    A thriller that revolves around the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the financial crisis. The movie stars Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci.

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    8. ‘Up in the Air‘ (2009)

    Corporate downsizing expert Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) spends his life in planes, airports, and hotels, but just as he’s about to reach a milestone of ten million frequent flyer miles, he meets a woman (Vera Farmiga) who causes him to rethink his transient life.

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    7. ‘Working Girl‘ (1988)

    Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is an ambitious secretary with a unique approach for climbing the ladder to success. When her classy, but villainous boss (Sigourney Weaver) breaks a leg skiing, Tess takes over her office, her apartment and even her wardrobe. She creates a deal with a handsome investment banker (Harrison Ford) that will either take her to the top, or finish her off for good.

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    6. ‘The Social Network‘ (2010)

    The tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius (Jesse Eisenberg) who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever.

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    5. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street‘ (2013)

    (L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio is Jordan Belfort and Matthew McConaughey is Mark Hanna in "The Wolf of Wall Street,' from Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures.
    (L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio is Jordan Belfort and Matthew McConaughey is Mark Hanna in “The Wolf of Wall Street,’ from Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures.

    A New York stockbroker (Leonardo DiCaprio) refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration. Based on Jordan Belfort’s autobiography.

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    4. ‘Glengarry Glen Ross‘ (1992)

    When an office full of Chicago real estate salesmen is given the news that all but the top two will be fired at the end of the week, the atmosphere begins to heat up. Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon), who has a sick daughter, does everything in his power to get better leads from his boss, John Williamson (Kevin Spacey), but to no avail. When his coworker Dave Moss (Ed Harris) comes up with a plan to steal the leads, things get complicated for the tough-talking salesmen. The cast also includes Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin and Jonathan Pryce.

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    3. ‘Network‘ (1976)

    When veteran anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives (Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, and Ned Beatty) rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.

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    2. ‘Office Space‘ (1999)

    A depressed white-collar worker (Ron Livingston) tries hypnotherapy, only to find himself in a perpetual state of devil-may-care bliss that prompts him to start living by his own rules, and hatch a hapless attempt to embezzle money from his soul-killing employers. The cast also includes Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, and John C. McGinley.

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    1. ‘Nine to Five‘ (1980)

    (L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in 'Nine to Five.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Frank Hart (Dabney Coleman) is a pig. He takes advantage in the grossest manner of the women who work with him. When his three assistants (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton) manage to trap him in his own house they assume control of his department and productivity leaps, but just how long can they keep Hart tied up?

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  • ‘Cheers’ Actor George Wendt Dies Aged 76

    George Wendt in 'Cheers'. Photo: NBC.
    George Wendt in ‘Cheers’. Photo: NBC.

    Preview:

    • George Wendt has died aged 76.
    • He’s most famous for playing ‘Cheers’ barfly Norm.
    • The actor also appeared in the likes of ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Fletch.’

    George Wendt, who will be forever identified as one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time –– barfly Norm Peterson in ‘Cheers,’ has died.

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    His family confirmed his passing with the following statement via the actor’s representation:

    “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

    Related Article: Actor Joe Don Baker, Known for ‘Walking Tall,’ Dies at the Age of 89

    George Wendt: Early Life

    (L to R) Chris Farley, Robert Smigel, Mike Myers and George Wendt on 'Saturday Night Live'. Photo: Broadway Video.
    (L to R) Chris Farley, Robert Smigel, Mike Myers and George Wendt on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Photo: Broadway Video.

    Born in October Chicago 1948 and raised on the South Side, George Robert Wendt Jr. was one of nine kids.

    His father owned a real estate agency that his dad had founded, and his mother, Loretta, was a housewife and longtime volunteer and fundraiser for Little Company of Mary Hospital.

    Wendt attended Campion High School, a Jesuit boarding school for boys in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and then Notre Dame — until he was expelled as a junior.

    This is what he told David Letterman about it in 1990:

    “I was a very poor student. I got kicked out of Notre Dame. I’m very proud to mention my grade-point average that got me booted out: zero-point-zero-zero. I just hung out and didn’t go to classes.”

    For a time, Wendt worked for his father, excelling in “getting coffee for the secretaries,” before earning a B.A. in economics in 1971 from another Jesuit school, Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. But then he hung out in Europe for the better part of three years.

    For Wendt, his true calling was in performing: he got his start in the 1970s with Second City, the famed improvisational comedy troupe that was based in his hometown.

    Following his success, he popped up on ‘Saturday Night Live’ as Bob Swerski, one of the “superfans” who gathered at Coach Mike Ditka’s restaurant in the Windy City to watch “Da Bears.”

    Small roles in movies such as ‘My Bodyguard’ and ‘Somewhere in Time’ helped get him on screen, but it was on TV where he truly shined.

    George Wendt: TV Roles

    The cast of 'Cheers'. Photo: NBC.
    The cast of ‘Cheers’. Photo: NBC.

    There is only one place to start when it comes to Wendt’s small screen legacy: ‘Cheers.’

    Following a small role as an exterminator on ‘Taxi’ –– created and run by the team who would then bring ‘Cheers’ to screens –– his guy-next-door persona and easy, charismatic delivery won him appreciation from fans and castmates as he played the lovable lug Norm, an accountant by trade, on every installment the sitcom during its 1982-93 run.

    He received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for six consecutive years.

    This is what he told The Washington Post about the day-to-day work of filming and the downside to his barfly role:

    “There I was slamming those down for a whole day. It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure. Then I got the knack. I didn’t have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That’s how I make my money. That’s acting.”

    Norm became a pop culture favorite, and Wendt showed up as the character over the years on ‘St. Elsewhere,’ ‘Wings,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy,’ and Cheers’ spin-offs ‘Frasier’ and ‘The Tortellis.’

    When ‘Cheers’ ended its run, NBC considered a spinoff featuring Wendt and Ratzenberger as bar buddies, but the show never materialized. Instead, he starred for CBS in 1995 in ‘The George Wendt Show,’ playing the co-owner of a Wisconsin garage and co-host of a call-in radio show about car repair, but the comedy lasted just six episodes.

    Aside from his live action appearances, he had roles in several more TV series including ‘Columbo,’ ‘Becker,’ ‘Outside Providence,’ and appeared as himself on ‘Seinfeld.’

    George Wendt: Movie Roles

    George Wendt in 'Fletch'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    George Wendt in ‘Fletch’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    While Wendt’s film career was much less full than his busy TV appearances, he had a few notable roles.

    His movies included ‘Dreamscape’, ‘House,’ ‘Fletch,’ ‘Gung Ho,’  ‘Guilty by Suspicion,’ ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Spice World.’

    Wendt is survived by his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, whom he married in July 1978 — they met at Second City, and she was the unseen, offscreen voice of Norm’s wife, Vera, on ‘Cheers’ — his children, Hilary, Joe and Daniel and his stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew.

    Jason Sudeikis in 'Ted Lasso,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Jason Sudeikis in ‘Ted Lasso,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    And, on a note of trivia: nephew (and ‘Ted Lasso’ co-creator/star) Jason Sudeikis, who is the son of one of Wendt’s sisters.

    This is how National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson summed him up in a statement:

    “From his early days with The Second City to his iconic role as Norm on Cheers, George Wendt’s work showcased how comedy can create indelible characters that feel like family. His work is proudly featured in the National Comedy Center, and we honor his legacy and the joy he brought to generations of fans.”

    (L to R) Jim Belushi, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, and Jon Lovitz in 'A History of the World in Six Glasses'. Photo: Fox Nation.
    (L to R) Jim Belushi, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, and Jon Lovitz in ‘A History of the World in Six Glasses’. Photo: Fox Nation.

    George Wendt Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy George Wendt TV Shows and Movies On Amazon

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