By: Lisanne L. Mikula, Esquire
For many of us, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, celebrated with backyard barbeques or a last trip to the Shore before the kids head back to school. If, like me, you get sunburned from a too-bright laptop screen, or, like me, you are the person known as “dinner” to the entire mosquito population of your neighborhood, some prime time on the couch spent binge-watching your favorite video streaming service may be your ticket to the ultimate Labor Day celebration.
Not only will a good binge watch help you avoid heat, humidity, and beach sand getting in the strangest places, but binging on the right videos can help you observe the real meaning of Labor Day–recognition of the American worker.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Norma Rae (1979), Silkwood (1983), Matewan (1987) – the trifecta of organized labor classics. Sally Field organizes a textile plant, Meryl Streep blows the whistle on unsafe working conditions, and Chris Cooper attempts to unite coal miners in 1920’s West Virginia.
- Hidden Figures (2016) – while trying to calculate the mathematical model which enables a rocket to return to Earth, the smartest person in the room is forced to run all over the research facility so she can use the segregated ladies’ room. Fifty-five years after Katherine Johnson got Alan Shepard back to terra firma, NASA dedicated a research building in her name.
- Philadelphia (1993) – based on true events, a law firm fires a gay employee suffering from AIDS, falsely claiming that this star attorney made serious errors in a case he was handling. Tom Hanks won the Oscar for his portrayal of a man who spends his dying days fighting to seek justice for his wrongful termination.
- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Trading Places (1983) – what happens when someone with less than traditional qualifications fills a high-powered job? Expect the unexpected in these great “stock” comedies.
- Office Space (1999) – for anyone who has ever written an internal company report and had no idea why the report was necessary, this one’s for you!
- Waitress (2007) – a working mom creates and serves up fabulous pies, all with a sunny disposition, despite problems at home. Sometimes, nice people do finish first.
- Akeelah and the Bee (2006), Stand and Deliver (1988) — For all the teachers out there—your work matters.
- The Office (2005-2013) — if you’ve worked in any type of office, you’ve worked with at least three of these characters. For municipal and county employees, try Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), and I hope you’ve worked with a Leslie Knope!
The Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP wishes each of you a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend.
The Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP is a full-service law firm in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We strive to help people, businesses and institutions throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania solve legal problems – and even prevent legal problems before they occur. To learn more about the full range of our specific practice areas, please visit www.dioriosereni.com or contact Lisanne L. Mikula, Esquire at 610-565-5700 or at [email protected]
Like what you see? Join our mailing list
