Motivational political films
I have to admit that until the Iowa caucus, I wasn’t paying much attention to the Presidential campaigns. The trauma of the last two Presidential elections and the ensuing constant frustration has left me hesitant to pay close attention. But with Super Tuesday coming up and a long campaign ahead, it’s time to wake up.
I’ve started making a list of things to watch to reignite the proud citizen inside. I only have a few obvious titles so far:
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington–Of course.
State Of The Union–Spencer Tracy plays an aircraft mogul running for President. Katharine Hepburn plays his wife who discovers he may be having an affair with a newspaper giant (Angela Lansbury as a villian!) but stands by her man. Lessons about love, marriage, citizenship and corruption are delivered in a way only Frank Capra could.
The West Wing–After last week’s State Of The Union address (couldn’t Bush have mentioned Mars or animal-human hybrids or given a shout out to the creator of Baby Einstein or something to spice things up?), I watched the episode “He Shall, From Time To Time…” that focuses on Bartlet’s first SOTU, then I continued with the episode after that and so on through the first season. Only six more seasons to go.
American President–Aaron Sorkin’s preamble to The West Wing includes this great moment.
Bob Roberts–Who doesn’t enjoy a good folk song?
I know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Please post back here with suggestions. In the meantime, I’ll be watching this and this.
Tags: Stella Discussion
3 comments for “Motivational political films”
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I think you are forgetting Billy Jack Goes To Washington, which is technically superior to Mr. Smith goes to Washington because it’s the same thing plus one karate fight. Seriously though, I actually enjoy that movie, corny as it is. I would vote for Senator Billy Jack’s re-election.
I realize that the following aren’t “motivational” but they still make for good viewing between now and November 4th.
Tanner 88 always rocks and contains some of my favorite Altman stuff. The scene with Alex Tanner and Alexandra Kerry (in 2004’s Tanner on Tanner) felt like a treat when it first appeared on my tv screen.
Bobby isn’t a great movie (and the Weinstein/Blockbuster deal was annoying), but it’s definitely worth a view, especially since people are always making Obama/Kennedy comparisons. I liked the historical footage (poverty tour, speeches, etc.).
It’s more of a conspiracy movie rather than a political film, but The Parallax View earns a mentions just because of the Space Needle’s cameo. And one can make it a Warren Beatty double feature night by Bulworth. (Supposedly Aaron Sorkin worked on the Bulworth script.)
Medium Cool, for the footage of the ‘68 DNC rioting.
Bail Organa Goes to the Galactic Senate probably would have been a motivational political film if it actually existed.
Some oldies but goodies are
American Madness
Gabriel Over The White House
and, of course, Duck Soup
Bad politicians do good and good politicians (is that even possible???) do bad. What a frustrating world we live in. But it makes for some good movies though.