If Richard Nixon means anything or is a topic of interest, I think Ron Howard's Frost / Nixon is one of the finest political character views on the infamous president. Frank Langela as Richard Nixon is very authentic.
The movie is actually quite a bit like the first Rocky. It's a boxing match without fighting. The focus and the tension builds to the David Frost interview of Nixon.
I also recommend Primary Colors where John Travolta makes an absolute top notch role as the slick presidental candidate who's a carbon copy of a certain true life ex-president accidentally staining secretary dresses.
Still haven't seen W, but I've heard Josh Brolin really gets the essence of Walker.
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It's very simple to make things complicated, and it's very complicated to make things simple.
Frost/Nixon - good acting and the usual professional direction from Ronnie. If you ask me he makes the most mediocre choices when it comes to what films to direct (considering he can probably do what he wants.)
Primary Colors - I read the book way back when. It's kind of a dumb premise. Why fictionalize Clinton with the illegitimate child story? Or is he saying that really happened? Or is that a fill-in for the Gennifer Flowers thing? And Travolta and Kathy Bates were both too hammy.
Don't get me wrong. I liked the movies. I'm just kind of tired of these presidential caricatures. They're gimmicky. Really, who gives a squid about these guys - it's really what happened during their presidency that we really care about. I liked Thirteen Days more than either of these movies. It was about a specific situation and how it was handled (although I guess the same can be said of Frost/Nixon but not a relevant presidential situation - just the revelation that Nixon was a jackass.)
By the way, W only got 1 squid. It was stupid for Stone to make this while Bush was still the prez. It wasn't that great either. But check it out just for a few good scenes and Brolin's decent acting job.
Artcinco, I didn't see the Nixon on Doctor Who episodes... but I always enjoyed Nixon's head in a tube on Futurama episodes.
Squid, I agree that Thirteen Days was weighty in the Cuban Missile Crisis, but I thought Oliver Stone's JFK still stands as the ultimate thriller. Kevin Costner in both movies... coincidence?
After JFK Oliver Stone's movies have been soft ****ters without any tension. Suppose W is soft without any punch lines. I watched some parts of Platoon recently and it was still as cool as it ever was. Tom Berenger is the ultimate douchebag sergeant.
It's almost like Stone was persuaded in the recent years to become part of the Hollywood establishment. What a letdown, but still not as disappointing as Elton John acting as a poodle for royal elite.
Frost / Nixon worked well for me, because I love the first Rocky and it reminded me of that movie for some reason.
-- Edited by Kasari on Monday 2nd of May 2011 08:40:12 AM
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It's very simple to make things complicated, and it's very complicated to make things simple.
