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| Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star in "All the President's Men." |
Southland Savvy
Americans will head to the polls on Tuesday to elect another
president.
Either Barack Obama will continue to reside in the White
House for four more years or Mitt Romney will try his hand as president.
Whoever wins will have a difficult task of dealing with a
massive deficit, terrorism, possible nuclear weapons in Iran and economic
uncertainty.
Hollywood has had more than its share of films devoted to
the race for president as well as the men who have occupied the White House
over the years.
Films about candidates with dark secrets have included the
Bruce Willis action film “Red” about a candidate trying to cover up his
involvement in a military cover-up. Dustin Hoffman stars as a spin doctor in “Wag
the Dog” about a campaign of disinformation and manipulation when a candidate
is caught having sex with a minor. Frank Sinatra stars in “The Manchurian
Candidate” about a candidate (Laurence Harvey) who is a communist stooge after
being brainwashed while a POW during the Korean War.
Fictional presidents have had their share of woes including
Michael Douglas as a widowed president trying to do his job, run for
re-election and woo a lobbyist in “The American President.” Hal March is a
president who has to thwart a military coup in “Seven Days in May.” Kevin Kline
portrays both a calculating president who dies while having an affair with a
staffer and the good-natured imposter brought in to portray him in “Dave.”
Real-life presidents have had their problems, too. President
John Kennedy faces off with the Russians over missiles in Cuba in “13 Days in
October.” Before he was president, Dwight Eisenhower has to defeat Nazi Germany
in “Ike.”
Presidents have been action stars, such as the gun-toting
chief executive portrayed by Harrison Ford in “Air Force One,” while Abraham
Lincoln moonlighted as a vampire killer in “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Killer.”
Jack Nicholson’s president is chased out of the White House by bloodthirsty
aliens in “Mars Attacks!”
Here are six films available on video, DVD, on-demand or streaming
that have featured one way or another the campaign for the highest office in
the land. Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday.
“All the President’s Men” (1976) – This exceptional film
about the two Washington Post reporters who uncover the Watergate scandal is a
tribute to old school journalism and, unfortunately, a look at how paranoia
brought down a president. Stars include Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack
Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards and Jane Alexander.
“Swing Vote” (2008) – A presidential election comes down to
a single man’s vote in this political comedy that may be a more accurate observation
of the average voter than we want to believe. Stars include Kevin Costner,
Paula Patton, Dennis Hopper, Madeline Carroll, Kelsey Grammer and Nathan Lane.
“Primary Colors” (1998) – John Travolta stars as a Bill
Clinton-like candidate stumping for the Democratic nomination for president who
will stop at nothing to win. Other stars include Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates,
Adrian Lester, Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney and Larry Hagman.
“Shampoo” (1975) – The 1968 election between Richard Nixon
and Hubert Humphrey plays in the background for this film about a hair dresser (Warren
Beatty) trying to find financing for his own shop while he beds just about
every woman he encounters. Other stars include Goldie Hawn, Julie Christie, Lee
Grant, Jack Warden and a young Carrie Fisher.
“Man of the Year” (2006) – Robin Williams stars as a Jon
Stewart-like television pundit who runs for president and wins because of a
computer glitch that the voting technology company will do everything to keep
secret in this twisted comedy. Other stars include Laura Linney, Christopher
Walken and Lewis Black.
“Head of State” (2003) – A candidate for president dies and
his party decides to replace him with a nobody (Chris Rock) in the waning days
of the campaign in this comedy. Other stars include Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker,
Nick Searcy, Lynn Whitfield and Robin Givens.
Check out my other Video Six-Packs at What to Watch.
