What Happens When Factually Flawed Films Hit Our Classrooms?

[Commentary] Several Oscar nominated films are mired in controversy over scenes that allegedly misrepresent real events. "Zero Dark Thirty," "Argo" and "Lincoln" are in the public crosshairs for apparently pushing the envelope of artistic liberty in some of these films' scenes.

Unquestionably, the entertainment industry has grown into a powerful, if not the most powerful, means of communication of our time, and its influence cannot be ignored. Which begs the question: Should films be categorized as mere entertainment and not held responsible for factual content? The socio-economic-cultural-political impact of the movie industry today is greater than simply providing an outlet for artistic creativity to flourish and tell stories with flair. No. Films are much, much more than that. The film industry's power in the classroom is also stronger.