Politics and religion are 2 areas one should not talk about...unless you are my husband who strikes up a conversation while waiting in the grocery line. I decided to go with 3 films starring 3 men that I love and would easily swoon for. Man, I sound like I just got off some Gone With The Wind set. I realize there are some political films I still have to see like All The President’s Men and there are many others that could be considered escape thrillers, spies or horror, but I tried to stick to politics so let’s see what happens when we visit Wandering Through The Shelves. Here are my 3...
1. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON-1939
Yes, I love Jimmy Stewart who is brilliant here as a young, naive senator who learns, the hard way, how the senate and the house really work. The people who made him a senator thought they were getting a stooge, boy, did they underestimate this man with truth, honour and conviction on his side. A great film led by Stewart, Jean Arthur as his jaded secretary, Thomas Mitchell as a jaded reporter with Claude Rains as a puppet senator ruled by the money man, Edward Arnold.
2. DAVE- 1993
I love..lust..love Kevin Kline who plays the doppelgänger of the President of the United States for some quick functions when the President would rather play footsies with some secretary. When the President suffers a severe stroke, the young, idealistic doppelgänger is asked to play the President for a lot longer. This guy decides to finally balance the budget and set some acts in motion which will only help the peopled of the United States. He has no idea how some in the white house ant to manipulate him to do their own bidding but they, equally, have no idea what a decent, honourable man can do to them.
3. LINCOLN-2012
This stars, be still my heart, Daniel Day Lewis as President Lincoln, my favourite President, who is dealing with the senators and the House while also dealing with the Civil War. He is not naive but he is idealistic and has great honour while trying to circumnavigate all the political double dealings and corruption. Brilliantly acted by Lewis who can out-act Meryl Streep with his little pinky and this is just one more film where he shows how great an actor he is. Love this film that also has Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones as the upstart Thaddeus Stevens.
What 3 films would you choose? Hey, Bro..Have you seen Bulworth yet?
Dave! That was the first movie that came to my mind. Really funny movie.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Dave, I'd pick Frost/Nixon (the leads make the film), The Distinguished Gentleman (fun role for Eddie Murphy), and V for Vendetta.
Dave is a fun movie and one wishes the budget would be done like this.I still have to see Frost/Nixon and Distinguished gentleman but V for Vendetta was interesting
DeleteThese are all fantastic films. And super men to look at. And your husband should get together with mine since mine does the same thing all the time. I surely hope we get a new president here in the US in the next elections because I am not sure I can go another 4 years of the hubby's complaining obsession. It's got nothing to do agreeing or not, I just don't want to talk about that topic all the time. Happy rest of your week. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteOh how I can relate. My hubby will go off on a tangent and will talk for 10 minutes, if not more and then when i interject and take 2 minutes he tells me to not hog the whole conversation! Orangeman does need to go
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI have seen all three of these. I share your admiration for Jimmy Stewart the actor. I hope you can steal Kevin Kline's heart, prompting him to dump Phoebe Cates so that I can have her. Kevin's role in Dave reminds me of Ryan Eggold's in New Amsterdam. Both raise eyebrows and meet resistance from the establishment when they have the audacity to do good things and help people.
I'm sure you remember Tommy Lee Jones' quotable speech in Lincoln as the hunt began for John Wilkes Booth:
"Average foot speed over uneven ground, barring injuries, is 4 miles-an-hour. That gives us a radius of six miles. What I want out of each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area." :)
Mrs. Shady and I have been enjoying Sally Field in her story arc on ER.
Have a happy Thursday, dear friend BB!
I recommend the 1999 film Dick starring Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams. (Based on a true story.)
DeleteDick! I forgot about that film which would be good to see. OK you get Phoebe and I will grab Kevin:). My hubby and I love New Amsterdam and wish a hospital would be this way for the average Joe. Glad you like Lincoln and there are more than just one speech that resonated for me
DeleteSomehow I haven't gotten around to seeing Lincoln, but just recently re-watched All the President's Men.
ReplyDeleteOf course, having spent my entire career in politics, I talk it and think we'd have fewer issues if more folks were active and voiced their opinions.
Thinking of good movies about politics, Frost/Nixon comes to mind first.
I haven't seen either of the 2 movies you talk about and hang my head low. Oh my hubby is really good in voicing his opinion..anywhere and everywhere:)
DeleteThe only one I've seen of yours is Lincoln. The cast in the movie was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteIt is but hope you see the Jimmy Stewart one on your Blindspot series
DeleteI've heard of, but never seen, all three of these. However, I wanted to see both Frost/Nixon and Lincoln. Dave sounds good, and I HAVE seen It's a Wonderful Life, so know who Jimmy Stewart is. I could see him playing the naive idealist.
ReplyDeleteLately, politics has taken over our media in the states. I'm so sick of hearing Trump's name. You kept away from most of that (petty politics) in your reviews, at least.
It's A Wonderful Life is my favourite film. Dave is excellent. Yes...Orangeman...I prefer to step away from that...for the most part:)
DeleteI can think of two. One is "Wag The Dog," where the President has gotten caught with his pants around his ankles, so a Hollywood producer (played by Dustin Hoffman) and a political "spin doctor" (Robert DeNiro) stage a war with Albania to divert attention from it. It came out in 1997; what was going on then? This was so good that Mary and I actually paid to see it twice.
ReplyDeleteThe other is "Primary Colors." It was an adaptation of a book by the same name about someone who joins a political campaign (a thinly disguised version of the actual campaign of Bill Clinton) and the things he sees. Didn't think this was as good, but it was relatively enjoyable.
Ah yes..the dreaded blue dress. I have been meaning to see Wag the Dog since it came out. I almost with with primary Colors which was quite good actually. I love Emma Thompson in it
DeleteLOVE all three of your choices!!
ReplyDeleteDave is such a charmer with Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver a perfect match....if only they or someone like them were our President and First Lady now-big sigh, and the surrounding cast is brilliant.
DDL is perfection as Lincoln really working to make him a man not just a historic figure. Sally is equally great as poor troubled Mary Todd. One of my favorite scenes is her smackdown of Tommy Lee Jones in the reception line. So different from their previous collaboration years earlier in Back Roads!
We match!! I suspected as much when I was writing up Mr. Smith. Jimmy is so well-cast and the film just hums along.
I'm a huge political film fan, although right now is such a trying time I haven't been able to watch them with as much relish as usual, and I suppose considering the current situation it's not too surprising that I gravitated to three that have corruption in their story.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)-Upon the death of one of his state’s senators the idealistic young Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is appointed by the cynical governor to the U.S. Senate because of his naivety. Once there he is taken under the wing of his idol, the esteemed senior Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). However Paine isn't as noble nor as honest as his reputation would indicate, and he becomes involved in a scheme to discredit the youthful rube, who wants to build a boys' campsite where a more lucrative project could go. Determined to stand up against Paine and his corrupt peers, Smith takes his case to the Senate floor for a showpiece filibuster. One of director Frank Capra’s most successful films is loaded with familiar faces in every role and a memorable performance by Jimmy Stewart.
All the King’s Men (1949)-The rise and fall of everyman politician Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford) is chronicled. Initially getting into politics hoping to help the working man once in he becomes so corrupt that he no longer knows the difference between right and wrong. A very thinly veiled retelling of the life of the infamously ruthless Louisiana governor and senator Huey Long. Winner of the 1949 Best Picture Oscar as well as Best Actor for Crawford and Best Supporting Actress for Mercedes McCambridge also garnered nominations for director, screenplay, supporting actor and editing.
Advise & Consent (1962)-Controversial candidate Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) is nominated as U.S. Secretary of State setting the stage for a Senate investigation of Leffingwell's qualifications and igniting a firestorm of backroom machinations. Senator Brig Anderson (Don Murray), the head of the committee, soon finds the proceedings descending into heated arguments with various politicians trying to further their own agendas by any means necessary ultimately leading to tragedy. Blessed with an insanely talented ensemble including Charles Laughton, Gene Tierney, Walter Pidgeon and Peter Lawford among many others plus a surprise appearance by Betty White as a Kansas senator!
I wondered if we would match and we do! I have not seen All The King's Men nor Advise and Consent -2 great films that I have to see still. This just shows how many I have missed over the years. Orangeman needs to go the way of the dodo
DeleteI did enjoy All the President's Men. More of a reporter movie than political, I think.
ReplyDeleteI still have to see this film
DeleteI loved Lincoln
ReplyDeleteIt's a great film
DeleteHi Birgit, I've not seen any of these films, Lincoln I believed did have great reviews, but as I've never seen it I wouldn't know.
ReplyDeleteWe talk about politics all the time... well lets face it they rule our lives. We here in the Uk are going through an awful time politically with a General Election looming, and of course we've had all the Brexit nonsense for the last three years, non of our politician are worth my vote in my opinion, but as our ancestors fought hard to get vote for the Common Man I feel I've still got to vote, hope all is well with you, Kate x
Oh gosh, that Brexit is a true mess and, like you, we just had an election and it was quite the time for me to figure who to vote for. I cherish that we can vote but this was an election year of ughhh. I knew I did not want to vote Conservative but that was it
Delete3 great picks indeed. Dave would win out for me. My Fellow Americans is right up there too. Watched that one many a time.
ReplyDeleteWi love My Fellow Americans
DeleteCan’t believe you haven’t seen All the President’s Men - and I have. I thought yo’d seen everything, must be a first!
ReplyDeleteI think a second as there was another one you saw and I haven’t but forget which one
DeleteWe saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington the other night. I love that wholesomeness wins over the bad guys. I'd love to see Streep and Day-Lewis together in a movie.
ReplyDeleteI love that movie as you can tell. I can forget Streep...sorry but not a huge fan of hers
DeleteHow's this for an "outside the box" political movie... The Dead Zone! Wag the Dog (mentioned above) is another good one. Another one I've always wanted to see his "Milk" about former San Francisco mayor Harvey Milk. Funny, but when you think about it, there really aren't that many high-profile movies with an emphasis on politics.
ReplyDeleteI’m Late but am here. The Dead Zone is a great pic because of Martin Sheen’s character.
DeleteI would go with My Fellow Americans.
ReplyDeleteLove that movie
DeletePolitics and religion are 2 areas one should *ALWAYS* talk about... because 1) they are the two subjects that most affect everyone, and 2) they are really, by and large, the *same* subject (i.e., a person's political views are an extension of their religious perspective - whether that person realizes this or not makes no difference, as it's a fact regardless).
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, my all-time favorite "political" movie is 'NETWORK' starring William Holden, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, and Robert Duvall. It's quite rare, but every once in a blue moon, Hollyweird actually makes a movie that reveals so much behind-the-scenes truth, that I am astounded "The Wizards Behind The Curtain" actually allowed the movie to be made and released to the public. In that particular category, 'Network' is #1. 'Network' is indeed much, much more non-fiction than it is fiction. *THAT* is truly the way things work in "this world".
My #2 choice would be 'WAG THE DOG'. (It's almost like the writer had inside information about Bill Clinton's and Monica Lewdinsky's sexploits, and the aftermath, half a shade before the public learned about it). This was another movie that was surprisingly made because it revealed so much behind-the-scenes truth.
And, Birgit, my third choice would be the Uncle Jimmy classic that you also chose: 'MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON'. Not just one of the best political movies ever made, but one of the best movies ever made, period!
~ Stephen
'Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...'
BIRGIT ~
DeleteI have never seen 'DAVE', but after having just watched that video you posted, I am *determined* to see it!
Dang! That looks GR-R-REAT! (As Tony the Tiger would say.)
~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
Network is excellent and so true. Politics and religion is often intertwined but wars used these 2 as an excuse. Let’s face it many wars started because of religion. Hey, just think your favourite lady, Gene Tierney was very involved with JFK who just dumped her..he was a jerk that way. Dave is great and how I wish the budget would be done this way
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteThe first two films I've seen. I barely remember 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' but I do recall 'Dave'. I have yet to see 'Lincoln' but I believe it's available on Netflix which I might have to watch while working out on my elliptical. No one should ever been enslaved but this is something that's been going on for thousands of years and unfortunately stuff like this will continue until the planet is no more. Some folks are just too corrupt, self-centered, and plain evil to see that they are no more important than another in God's sight. We are created equally and thus should be treated so by man.
You are right that it will stick around which is why we must always fight against this tyranny
DeleteThough I somewhat enjoy keeping up with real world politics, I don't care too much for political genre films. Maybe if there is a lot of intrigue and action they entertain me, but just politics not so much. Real politics are far more interesting and entertaining to follow and these days what is happening is stuff that you'd be hard pressed to make up and have people believe the story.
ReplyDeleteI've seen all three of your picks, but I can't say that I cared that much for any of them except for the Jimmy Stewart film. For me Lincoln was a bore, but maybe I need to see it again. It's just that I've seen other films about Lincoln that I found to be more enjoyable to watch.
Gosh, I'm not coming up with many strictly political films that I've liked. Election maybe? The one with Reese Witherspoon? As I recall I think I liked that film, but it was about high school politics and not actual history.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Election is excellent even if it takes place in a high school. Yes, my mouth is agape just about every day with the nuttiness of your politics.
DeleteOooh, all very good picks here.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love Dave and Mr. Smith, but I haven’t seen Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteI’m like you, I don’t talk relit politics because no matter what you say you will not change anyone’s mind.
To me, it’s a waste of life energy.
I will see if I can find Lincoln.
You are very right in what you say about people’s views on these 2 topics and, many times, most are so passionate on their views that trying to talk about wither of those 2 topics brings out the worst in people. I like Lincoln a lot and found it a thinking man’s movie
DeleteI really enjoyed Dave:)
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you did
DeleteI think I might have seen Dave, but I definitely I saw Lincoln, unfortunately I remember nothing.
ReplyDeleteINSTEAD OF GETTING A LOAN,, I GOT SOMETHING NEW
ReplyDeleteGet $5,500 USD every day, for six months!
See how it works
Do you know you can hack into any ATM machine with a hacked ATM card??
Make up you mind before applying, straight deal...
Order for a blank ATM card now and get millions within a week!: contact us
via email address::{Universalcardshackers@gmail.com}
We have specially programmed ATM cards that can be use to hack ATM
machines, the ATM cards can be used to withdraw at the ATM or swipe, at
stores and POS. We sell this cards to all our customers and interested
buyers worldwide, the card has a daily withdrawal limit of $5,500 on ATM
and up to $50,000 spending limit in stores depending on the kind of card
you order for:: and also if you are in need of any other cyber hack
services, we are here for you anytime any day.
Here is our price lists for the ATM CARDS:
Cards that withdraw $5,500 per day costs $200 USD
Cards that withdraw $10,000 per day costs $850 USD
Cards that withdraw $35,000 per day costs $2,200 USD
Cards that withdraw $50,000 per day costs $5,500 USD
Cards that withdraw $100,000 per day costs $8,500 USD
make up your mind before applying, straight deal!!!
The price include shipping fees and charges, order now: contact us via
email address:: {Universalcardshackers@gmail.com}