Physics movies (mainstream movies with physics in them)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying mainstream movies that feature physics or physicists prominently, excluding science fiction and fantasy genres. Participants share various titles and provide brief descriptions, exploring the intersection of cinema and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions "The Big Bang," noting its detective/action theme set against a particle physics backdrop.
  • Another suggests "Angels and Demons," highlighting its CERN setting and character involvement in physics.
  • A participant points out "Infinity," featuring Matthew Broderick as Richard Feynman.
  • Multiple mentions of "Copenhagen," which depicts a historical meeting between Heisenberg and Bohr, though its mainstream status is questioned.
  • "Fat Man and Little Boy" is noted for its portrayal of the development of nuclear weapons and the scientists involved.
  • One participant includes "A Serious Man," emphasizing the main character's role as a physics professor.
  • Another participant brings up "Pi," acknowledging it focuses on a mathematician rather than a physicist but still considers it noteworthy.
  • "Whatever Works" is mentioned, featuring a physics professor, though it reportedly lacks physics content.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the scientific accuracy of the films discussed, particularly regarding "The Core," which is doubted to contain physics.
  • References to "Proof" and "A Beautiful Mind" are made, both centered on mathematics rather than physics.
  • One participant mentions "Chain Reaction," suggesting it may not be rigorous in its physics portrayal.
  • Another points to "Einstein and Eddington," noting its smaller theater release and relevance to physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a variety of movie titles, but there is no consensus on the scientific accuracy of the films or their classification as mainstream. Some express doubts about specific movies containing substantial physics content.

Contextual Notes

Participants have differing opinions on what constitutes a relevant film, with some drawing lines between genres and others questioning the scientific basis of certain movies. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations regarding the portrayal of physics in cinema.

Dr Lots-o'watts
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A movie called "The Big Bang" will be coming out soon, and although it's more of a detective/action movie, it seems to be somewhat set on a particle physics backdrop. (Incidentally, the tall evil-looking "Russian" is practically from my home town, and it's interesting to see a guy I use to cross at school and the local gym show up along side Antonio Banderas and Snoop Dog).

Anyway, not counting the science-fiction and fantasy genre (space, time-travel etc.), what other movies have physics or a physicist as a prominent part of it? I'm thinking dramas involving a physicist, movies set around a well-known lab. I thought a list could be fun, because I can't think of that many, and I'm less into sci-fi thant I use to be. (The more mainstream the better.)
 
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Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. One of the main characters works at CERN (and it starts there).
 
Infinity, staring Matthew Broderick as Richard Feynman.
 
jarednjames said:
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. One of the main characters works at CERN (and it starts there).

So, I'm assuming that scientific accuracy is not a requirement, then?
 
jhae2.718 said:
So, I'm assuming that scientific accuracy is not a requirement, then?

Well, I drew a line between sci-fi and 'real physics places' and this is what I came up with.
 
Fat man and little boy. The story of the physicist, scientist, personal, and military involved with making the first nuclear weapons.
 
“A Serious Man”, it is a dark comedy. The main character is a professor of physics.

The following movie has no physicist/physics, just put in it in here in case you may be interested:

“Fermat’s Room”, it is a Spanish thriller. Essential, a group of prominent mathematicians are trapped in a room and they have to solve problems in order to avoid being crushed to death.
 
Pi.

It's about a mathematician though, not a physicist and I don't think it would fit into mainstream but nevertheless, it's an excellent film and I couldn't overlook it.

Edit:

Whatever Works. "Protagonist" was a physics professor at Columbia and according to his own self, is a "Nobel prize winning brain". Does noooot involve any physics at all though.
 
"Copenhagen" with Daniel Craig. About a meeting between Heisenberg and Bohr in 1941. Probably not mainstream, but it was a good movie.
 
  • #10
brainpushups said:
"Copenhagen" with Daniel Craig. About a meeting between Heisenberg and Bohr in 1941. Probably not mainstream, but it was a good movie.

I remember watching that movie in a history of science class, and all I could think the entire time was "what's James Bond doing in this movie?"
 
  • #11
I watched The core . the movie in which to drill down the core is the only way to save Earth from catastrophe
 
  • #12
macnin said:
I watched The core . the movie in which to drill down the core is the only way to save Earth from catastrophe

I doubt that movie has any physics in it...
 
  • #13
micromass said:
I doubt that movie has any physics in it...

A little geophysics and some talk on fluid dynamics.
 
  • #14
"Proof" is a film about mathematics. Interesting film.

*edit: oh and "A Beautiful Mind"... also about mathematics :D *
 
  • #16
Chain Reaction, if I recall correctly. Probably not the most rigorous physics though
 
  • #19
Blasphemy. "The Core" has no grounds in science. Everyone knows that flat objects have no core.
 
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