Bossypants and Inside Job

Just like a child waiting for Christmas, I have been impatiently anxiously waiting for two items I reserved at the library eons ago. Imagine my delight when I got the email a few days ago that they were both ready!

Yes, I am a nerd.

First up, Inside Job (2010) is a critically acclaimed documentary about the worldwide financial meltdown that came to a head in 2008. The film includes interviews with major players in the economic, academic, and political arenas. Told in five parts, it takes viewers back several years to show how changes in certain regulations and financial practices led to increased risk-taking that eventually resulted in the financial crisis.

What makes Inside Job a great film is that it takes complex issues and presents them in a way that tells a compelling, and at times, outrageous story of corruption, greed, and incompetence. This movie will probably make you angry, and if it doesn't, it should. It is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in learning more about what led to our current economic climate as well as highlighting some of the conflicts of interest between the regulatory and commercial realms.

This film is very well done, and if my review is not convincing enough, Inside Job won Best Documentary (Feature) at this year's Academy Awards. Watch it!

A final selling point? It is narrated by Matt Damon

I rest my case.

Next up, Bossypants by the hilarious Tina Fey of 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live fame. At just under 300 pages, this book is a very quick read thanks to the entertaining humor of Tina Fey.

Just looking at the back cover, with its made up quotes praising the book, you know this is going to be good. And it is good. Bossypants is not an autobiography per se, it is more a compilation of stories about pivotal times in Tina's life including her first foray in community theater as a teen, her work in the improv comedy trenches at Second City in Chicago, and her successes in New York City on both Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.

My favorite part of the book was her recalling the auspicious luck of John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate in the 2008 presidential election, and the surrounding notoriety it brought her. Pure comedy gold.

The remainder of the book contains funny anecdotes about magazine photoshoots, disgusting habits of male co-workers, and the burdens of being a mother, just to name a few. While humorous, the book is also revealing as Tina discusses her dilemmas about having another child (I guess we know how that turned out) and the ugly truth of sexism in television and the workplace. 


Bossypants is an enjoyable and entertaining read. I recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh or who appreciates a strong, intelligent female.