The Pittsburgh public school administrators have made it mandatory for teachers to give their students, regardless of how poorly they perform, a minimum grade of 50 on homework, tests and grading periods. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, some students have said that they'd rather take the 50 than do any work.
Everyone occasionally has spit-take moments over the morning news. For some people, the New York Times story, "China Losing Taste for Debt From U.S.," is one of them. But for many more, that headline probably didn't even register. It is, after all, kind of dull on its face.
Political movies can be a great spark for public engagement – a way of looking at issues, ideals and dreams without the inconvenient barriers posed by reality. We're sharing our favorites – check out our list for some eye-openers. Now it's your turn – tell us some of your favorite movies about politics. We can't wait to read all about it.
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Three of my favorites are :
1. The Last Hurrah with Spencer Tracy (1958) (also a great book)
2. True Colors (1991) now that's how to be a congressional staffer
3. City Hall (1996) not be confused with Spin City
1) The Good Shepherd
2) Dick
3) Arlington Road
4) The Manchurian Candidate
5) The Patriot (more historical than anything else)
1) American President
2) True Colors
3) Election (its a metaphor--show the love)
4) The Good Shepherd
The American President
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
I love Thirteen Days, which explores the Cuban Missile Crisis during JFK's presidency -- or does it explore JFK's presidency through the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Favorite has to be "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".
Others include "Dave" and "The American President".
I know this will sound silly, but my vote goes to TEAM AMERICA. Great satire with a lot of truth.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Citizen Kane
- Awearness Blog
Lots of wonderful choices mentioned already. One that hasn't been listed yet but is worth mentioning is The Best Man, with Henry Fonda. It's not a great movie - a political procedural about a battle between two potential presidential candidates, but it's saved by the moment at the end when Henry Fonda (as the higher minded of the two contenders - no surprise) acknowledges that one day America will have a black candidate for president, and that this will happen before a woman gets the top nomination.
My Top Favorite Political Movies Are:
1. The Man: "When the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse, and the Vice-President declines the office due to age and ill-health, Senate President pro tempore Douglas Dilman (James Earl Jones) suddenly becomes the first black man to occupy the Oval Office. The events from that day to the next election when he must decide if he will actually run challenge his skills as a politician and leader."
2. Dick
3. Dave
4. The Manchurian Candidate (both versions)
5. Three Days of the Condor
*6. A short-lived TV show called Hail to the Chief that featured the tribulations of the first female president! "Julia Mansfield is the first woman to be elected President of the United States. In addition to dealing with the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, spies in the cabinet, and personal attacks by a conservative religious leader, she also has to handle such personal problems as an impotent husband and a sex scandal involving her son. "
The Battle of Algiers was a great movie.
One of my favorites was "Protocol"! I also liked "Dave." Watching these movies, I am momentarily buoyed up by the notion that perhaps someone in politics is really committed to public service. But since I grew up in Washington, I know that's not really true, and most of the people who go into government are power-hungry, money-grubbing, or both. Oh well.
As for political reality, I tend to watch Frontline. Or C-SPAN. Movies don't tend to capture political reality, because it's so damn tedious.
I am surprised no one mentioned BEING THERE with Peter Sellers.
You are absolutely right. One of the all time great satires.
All my favorites are already there with these exceptions:
House of Cards Trilogy
Set in Britain's Houses of Parliament, this political satire follows the career of a ruthless MP (Ian Richardson) whose election campaign has been plagued by a number of mysterious deaths. The politician's scheming knows no bounds, and he manages to ensnare a member of the royal family in his quest for power. This series was controversial in Britain for its close depiction of Prince Charles's actual life.
Parallax View
Alan J. Pakula's 1974 film ostensibly about political assassination conspiracy, but effective at raising the specter of secret cabals of the powerful that stop at nothing to maintain power and covert rule of our country. Warren Beatty and Hume Cronyn are the good guys.
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