Freakonomics The Movie

In the past few months my wife has started a job with the University of Chicago's Business School and has absolutely loved it.

One of the neat perks for me is being one step closer to one of my "academic crushes" (so to speak) the author and professor of economics Steven Levitt.

A few years ago him and Stephen Dubner wrote the best selling books Freakonomics and his studies quickly have become one of my favorite pieces of intellectual candy ever!

This year they have turned the book into a movie. As they begin screenings of this movie in different theaters around the US the movie has become available for 24 hour rent on iTunes. Additionally, Prof. Levitt is going to be doing a screening and Q&A session for the business school...and because my wife is super awesome and works with super awesome people I will get to go to this screening and actually meet Prof Levitt. Needless to say I am really pumped about this!

Last night, as part of Heather's work the people on her team watched the iTunes rented version of the movie and I got to get a sneak peak. The movie is awesome! Broken into different sections mirroring the book, each section is shot by a different director, but the feel and the energy of the movie are wonderful! Even more, the visuals and interviews give you a much more real sense of the facts being examined.

More so, the ever charming and insightful team of Dubner and Levitt keep the film light and entertaining. One fact that Heather points out, and a reason I look to Prof Levitt as an example of an academic I admire, is the pervasive attitude of being humble and modest while still being undeniably brilliant.

Often academics are very smart people, the problem is they know it and want everyone else to know it too. However, Prof Levitt and Mr Dubner both seem to be simple "seekers of truth" and are happy to just report what they find with a sense of true academic objectivity.

If you have the chance to see this movie don't miss it, share it with friends, and enjoy Freakonomics!