urbanemovies's profile

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Monday, March 6th, 2023 9:19 PM

LIVE POLL: Inspirational Women's History Scientist Biopics

​​​​​Each March in the USA, we recognize female achievements during Women's History Month. The highlight of the month-long celebration is International Women's Day on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, socioeconomic and other achievements of women. Movie biopics are a great way to honor, educate and celebrate the contributions of great women with the star power they deserve. In honor of the women who blazed the trail for others to follow.​​​​​

​​​​​One actionable theme for IWD 2023 is "​​​​​​​​to embrace equity, not just equality​​​​​​​​". Help create a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination by learning more @ IWD 2023 — Embrace Equity and tweet in support on the Twitter hashtag #EmbraceEquity.​​​​​

​​Which of these pioneering scientific females inspires you the most, or alternatively their biopic or biographical documentary does?​​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​​​​​Women's History Month Companion Polls​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​Leader Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Trailblazer Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Humanitarian Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Sports Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Writer Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Singer/Musician Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Visual Artist Biopics​​​​​​​​​​ : ​​​​​​​​​​Performance Artist Biopics​​​​​

​​​​​Live Poll: ​​https://www.imdb.com/poll/ANdg8-FZ6vQ/​

​​​​​Poll List: ​​​​​​​​​​https://www.imdb.com/list/ls064730366/​​​​​

​​​​​Quick View: ​​​​​​​​​​https://www.imdb.com/list/ls064730366/?sort=list_order,asc&st_dt=&mode=simple&page=1&ref_=ttls_vw_smp​​​​​

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1 year ago

@urbanemovies ,

I'm surprised this has not already gone live.

My vote in descending order:
Sister Kenny (1946) - Elizabeth Kenny: Medical Pioneer

The Imitation Game (2014) - Joan Clarke: Cryptanalyst

Hidden Figures (2016) - Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan or Mary Jackson: NASA Pioneers

Radioactive (2019) - Dr. Marie Curie: Scientist

Signals (2014– ) Episode: The Queen of Code (2015) - Grace Hopper: Computer Pioneer

Gorillas in the Mist (1988) - Dian Fossey: Naturalist

October Sky (1999) - Miss Freida J. Riley

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017) - Hedy Lamarr: Actress

Agora (2009) - Hypatia: Professor

Florence Nightingale (1985 TV Movie) - Florence Nightingale: Nursing Pioneer

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@dan_dassow​, Actually, it is an impressive list of movies. I guess quality over qualtity.  I need to change this one to Hedy Lamarr: Actress / Inventor.

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@dan_dassow​ I was about to suggest Sister Kenny.

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1 year ago

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10166622/

The Dropout

Elizabeth Holmes,

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6511132/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Ada's Ideas: The Story of Ada Lovelace, the World's First Computer Programmer

Joy Mangano (/mæŋˈɡæn/; born February 1, 1956)[1] is an American inventor and entrepreneur known for inventions such as the self-wringing Miracle Mop.[2][3

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2446980/

Champion

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@mariojacobs

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10166622/

The Dropout

Elizabeth Holmes,

I recommend against including Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos

Theranos Inc. (/ˈθɛr.ən.s/) was an American privately held corporation[3] that was touted as a breakthrough health technology company. Founded in 2003 by then 19-year-old Elizabeth Holmes,[4] Theranos raised more than US$700 million from venture capitalists and private investors,[5] resulting in a $10 billion valuation at its peak in 2013 and 2014.[6][7] The company claimed that it had devised blood tests that required very small amounts of blood and that could be performed rapidly and accurately, all using compact automated devices which the company had developed. These claims were later proven to be false.[2][8][9]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6511132/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Ada's Ideas: The Story of Ada Lovelace, the World's First Computer Programmer

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (née Byron; 10 December 1815 – 27 November 1852) was an English mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognise that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation, and to have published the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine. As a result, she is often regarded as the first computer programmer.[2][3][4] 

...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_(programming_language)

Ada is a structured, statically typed, imperative, and object-oriented high-level programming language, extended from Pascal and other languages. ...

Ada was named after Ada Lovelace (1815–1852), who has been credited as the first computer programmer.[16] ...

Joy Mangano (/mæŋˈɡæn/; born February 1, 1956)[1] is an American inventor and entrepreneur known for inventions such as the self-wringing Miracle Mop.[2][3

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2446980/

I consider Joy Mangano more an engineer and entrepreneur than a scientist. However, she probably is a worthy inclusion in the list.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Mangano

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@dan_dassow​ 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11609738/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Meet Dona Bailey, the Unsung Programmer Behind 'Centipede'

Martine Rothblatt, the transgendered inventor of satellite radio.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047220/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

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@mariojacobs​ I have since further defined my parameters for inclusion. I appreciate any suggestions, even if you think they don't qualify, let me make that call. 

They should check four boxes 1) be female 2) be a scientist by training or by work (no formal education required) 3) be pioneering in a field or have some noteworthy impact and 4) be inspirational to at least some people.

Here is my take on your five suggestions. I couldn't find a biopic or biographical documentary for Dona Bailey (IMHO, podcasts and interviews while interesting are too much of stretch to be called biopics) Martine Rothblatt is definitely worthy, but lacks an ideal biopic too. I wouldn't mind feedback from everyone on whether Radio Wars (2012) is a substitute title option.

(edited)

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@dan_dassow​ 

I agree both Holmes and Magano probably don't belong.  

Magano's accomplishments and innovations have less to do with inventing and more to do with entrepreneurship and showmanship. I could see her on some Inspirational Women's History Scientist Biopic list, just not one for scientists.

The same for Holmes, her accomplishments and innovations have less to do with scientific testing and more to do with how to run a billion dollar con and the need for more scrutiny by regulators and investors.

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@mariojacobs​ Thanks again, I would have likely missed Augusta Ada King and Martine Rothblatt without your suggestions.

(edited)

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@urbanemovies​ 

Chelsea E. Manning is a network security and artificial intelligence expert, and activist. She is a former U.S. soldier and former prisoner, who ran for the U.S. Senate, in the State of Maryland, in 2018.Chelsea writes about technology, artificial intelligence and human rights for The Guardian, New York Times, and many other publications.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4808915/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Sally Ride

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725790/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

The first American woman in space, on the shuttle Challenger, June 1983.
Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, 2003.

In 1965, Rubin became the first woman permitted to observe at the Palomar Observatory. In 1993, she was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Bill Clinton. Also, in 1996 she became the first woman to be awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (London) since Caroline Herschel in 1828.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1351705/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Vera C. Rubin

Regina E. Dugan
Regina is an inventor or co-inventor on several patents and holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology. She was inducted into the VaTech Academy of Engineering Excellence and was named a Caltech Distinguished Alumni (one of 256 historical honorees).She is CEO of Wellcome Leap, an organization that builds and executes bold, unconventional programs to deliver breakthroughs in human health.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13320785/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

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@mariojacobs

Thanks, I have been looking for a worthy Sally Ride movie. Supposedly, there is a biopic currently in development about her. I will take a look at the others.

I actually now have a list of about fifty notable female names, Nobel Prize winners, significant discoverers and women who were not just the first female, but the first person in a field that belong on the list first. The big stumbling block is no biopic and not even a documentary more than 30 minutes long about them to match. 

It is kinda a disgrace that women accomplished what they did and to this day are still not getting the recognition they earned. I am going to save the last ten spots, until I find a matching media title or hopefully they will get their own biopic or biographical documentary soon. I would even settle for a foreign language title, if it does them justice.

IE

(edited)

Champion

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1 year ago

@urbanemovies ,

6. 150 Milligrams (2016) has a formatting problem.

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@dan_dassow​, corrected. 

Champion

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@urbanemovies​ ,

Thank you for making the correction:

6. 150 Milligrams (2016)

Irène Frachon: Pulmonologist, who became noted for her investigations into the serious side effects and deaths attributed to the diabetes drug Mediator.

Champion

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1 year ago

Red Joan was inspired by Melita Norwood, but Norwood was not a scientist.

What is the asterisk for?

FYC:

Jane Goodall

Katia Krafft

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@Peter_pbn​, I am assuming this fictional true story movie is accurate in this regard. It goes into the fact that she was a scientist by training and capable of working at least as a lab assistant, if not a researcher @ the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association. She was hired as a an assistant to the lead researchers since, they didn't hire women to be even lab assistants at that time, and they needed someone with technical knowledge that could transcribe their notes, perform other duties that required technical expertise and get their coffee too.

(edited)

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@Peter_pbn​ Thanks, the asterisk was a carry over from cutting and pasting from a prior IWD series poll as a template, I have removed it. Also, thanks for the Fire of Love (2022) (great movie) suggestion, Katia Krafft belongs on the list as one of the world's leading volcanologist at the time of her death. Gorillas in the Mist (1988) is already represented on the poll for Jane Goodall (edit sic Dian Fossey).

(edited)

Champion

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Gorillas in the Mist is not about Jane Goodall.

Red Joan changes the name of the character, so I wouldn't trust it for details of the real person. The film character studied physics, the real person didn't. She is described as a clerk and a secretary.

(edited)

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@Peter_pbn​ Thanks, I got my gorillas mixed up with my chimpanzees this morning. I added Jane Goodhall to the pool. It seems like this movie stands out of the forty documentary films she has been in, I selected Jane (2017) to represent her.

I put Melita Norwood to the test to see if she could check the four boxes necessary for inclusion and she passed, although not in the way you might think. I will skip the female box. She was an excellent student and did study Logic in college, which is considered a formal science by classification. Plus, she worked at a scientific institution as an assistant to its director, specifically because she could handle the technical aspects of the job. I saw the movie and I am not saying she was doing cutting edge scientific work, but that she was more than a garden-variety secretary. I have no problem with the movie not being fully true, as I saw it more as a film à clef. She could be considered pioneering in spycraft, as well as, in the leveling the cold war playing field (scientifically). Lastly, she was hero of the Soviet Union and the  fact she never took any money and her stated reasons for spying could make her inspirational to some people on both sides of the cold war. Plus, she readily admitted her crime when confronted by MI-5 and never was prosecuted for being a spy, despite her full confession.
1) be female YES
2) be a scientist by training or by work (no formal education required) Southampton University College 2yrs Dual Major Latin & Logic (formal science)  and worked @ the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association as a personal assistant (???? disputed)
3) be pioneering in a field or have some noteworthy impact YES
4) be inspirational YES (to some people)
I wasn't able to look into the book the movie was based on yet. But, I would assume with Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson involved in the production that the story didn't take too many liberties with the truth.

(edited)

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@Peter_pbn​ I pulled 'Red Joan' from the poll. I agree it needs a closer look, as far as, the fact vs. fiction aspect of the book and movie. I want to take a closer look at it, but I suspect it won't make it back in for several reasons. Thanks again for your help and insight.

(edited)

Champion

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You misspelled Goodall.

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@Peter_pbnCorrected, thanks

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1 year ago

I have revised the scope and question. I am looking for more suggestions of notable scientific women (I will find a documentary, as the poll is about the women, as much as, it is about the movies). The selection is limited for biopics, but is more expansive for biographical documentaries. 

Which of these select pioneering scientific females inspires you the most, or alternatively, which biopic or biographical documentary does?

But, I require they check four boxes 1) be female 2) be a scientist by training or by work (no formal education required) 3) be pioneering in a field or have some noteworthy impact and 4) be inspirational to at least some people.

Which of these select pioneering scientific females inspires you the most, or alternatively, which biopic or biographical documentary does?

(edited)

Champion

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1 year ago

@urbanemovies ,

I'm assuming you will be fleshing out the descriptions for:

18. American Experience (1987– )
Episode: Rachel Carson (2017)

19. Calculating Ada: The Countess of Computing (2015 TV Movie)

20. Fire of Love (2022)

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@dan_dassow​ Yes, I have three other tasks occupying me first, but should be able to get to it an hour or two.

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@dan_dassow​ It took far longer than I expected but I am caught up and will keep the bios current through the rest of the day. Thanks, I was aware and it was on my hit list. It is always good to leave a note like that.

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1 year ago

Typos:

1

established a new, acceptable female profession

3

little-known inventor

16

She was one of the first women to achieve

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@Peter_pbn​ Corrected, thanks.

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1 year ago

@urbanemovies Red Joan is posted twice.

FYC: Archeologist Gertrude Bell: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1837636/reference/

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@Pencho15​ I was using the spot for another reason, Red Joan is only posted once now. Queen of the Desert is a great suggestion, I would have kicked myself for forgeting it. She scores points, both as a pioneer in more ways than one, and as a great biopic with star power. Thanks.

(edited)

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1 year ago

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@dan_dassow​ Thanks