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W; ...not the expected blockbuster
Topic Started: Oct 26 2008, 08:06 AM (224 Views)
panzer the great & terrible	Oct 26 2008, 08:06 AM Post #1
Mouth Breather Posts: 10,326 Group: Members Member #13 Joined: September 3, 2005	George Bush as James Dean, trying to win his father's respect. As usual with Oliver Stone, you can't tell what is true and what is invented, particularly creepy in a movie about a sitting President. On the extreme plus side, Richard Dreyfuss does an uncanny job of channeling Dick Cheney, and that character is well-written in a highly partisan way. On the very minus side, Stone can't bring himself to draw an unflattering portrait of Condi Rice so she's completely dull. Brolin is at times uncannily like Bush. There's one huge laugh, but only one. Our local reviewer wrote "It's a B movie with an A cast," and you have to wonder what he thinks a B movie is. What's hammered home is Bush's privileged upbringing, but why not? I't's not exactly in dispute. As Stone movies go, this one isn't as bad as the worst (Nixon), but it's nowhere near the best (Larry Flint). I give it about 2 1/2 tickets out of five. For all his technical skills, he has yet to make an excellent movie, and time is running out. See it if you have nothing better to do. Like I said, it has one huge laugh.
	We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater


igsjr	Oct 26 2008, 12:38 PM Post #2
Nostalgia blogger Posts: 1,228 Group: Members Member #40 Joined: September 7, 2005	panzer the great & terrible Oct 26 2008, 08:06 AM As Stone movies go, this one isn't as bad as the worst (Nixon), but it's nowhere near the best (Larry Flint). If by "Larry Flint" you mean The People vs. Larry Flynt--Milos Forman directed that one, not Stone. My favorite Stone film would be a toss-up between Salvador (1986) and Talk Radio (1988).
	"Life is in color--but black-and-white is more realistic..." -- Samuel Fuller, director So many DVDs...so little time...


Frank Hale	Oct 26 2008, 01:15 PM Post #3
Balcony Gang, Foist Class Posts: 828 Group: Members Member #59 Joined: October 6, 2005	I haven’t seen the film, but one on-line commentator certainly summed up my feelings about it: “After 8 years of this a**hole, who wants to spend another 2 hours with him?” It’s hard to separate Stone the film-maker from Stone the polemicist. Certainly he gets a few points for the iconic Gekko character in “Wall Street”.



Bonga	Oct 26 2008, 09:42 PM Post #4
Charter Member Posts: 109 Group: Members Member #19 Joined: September 4, 2005	I'd go for Talk Radio too, a one-of-a-kind, undeservedly forgotten film with great dialogue and performances. Salvador is a must if you're a James Woods fan who was following the news at the time but (it seems to me) may have limited appeal otherwise. I also like Wall Street, and think its interesting that Platoon's reputation has not survived its initial acclaim. So Paul, what is the one big laugh? You might as well tell, you won't be spoiling anything, I won't pay to spend 2 hours with Bush either.



panzer the great & terrible	Oct 30 2008, 11:48 AM Post #5
Mouth Breather Posts: 10,326 Group: Members Member #13 Joined: September 3, 2005	Sorry, Bonga, but Panzer doesn't do spoilers. No wonder I liked the Larry Flint movie. Forman's a fine director. Dunno where I got the idea it was Stone. Incidentally, when I saw W there was a preview of Gus Van Sant's movie with Sean Penn about Harvey Milk. It looks sensationally good. Cross your fingers...
	We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater


Laughing Gravy	Apr 6 2009, 05:17 AM Post #6
Revered in the UK Posts: 11,069 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 31, 2005	Well, last night I watched this film and kept waiting for the "one huge laugh" but didn't see it. There is a scene in which Bush and his advisors are walking around the Bush ranch discussing invading Iraq and they get lost; actually lost. That was the funniest thing in the movie to me. Or were you talking, Paul, about when W. refers to President Clinton as "Lard Ass"? I liked the film; maybe we just needed to get the asshole out of office for this to be appreciated. I don't understand those who criticized the film for not being hard enough on Bush - the man comes across as an idiotic Bible-thumper who is easily manipulated by the snakelike Cheney. The reason he never set any achievable goals during his Presidency is that he was convinced he was doing God's work and everything was gonna work out right. Too much of the film concentrates on what they call "psychobabble" between W. and his dad. And Laura Bush ain't nowhere near as adorable as depicted in the film by Elizabeth Banks. But W. is an entertaining movie and it held my interest throughout. Now that he's not Prez no more.



panzer the great & terrible	Apr 6 2009, 10:09 AM Post #7
Mouth Breather Posts: 10,326 Group: Members Member #13 Joined: September 3, 2005	I don't remember what made me laugh. I still think Stone was slack to give Rice a free pass. No matter what sex or color you are, wrong is wrong.
	We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater


Laughing Gravy	Apr 6 2009, 10:32 AM Post #8
Revered in the UK Posts: 11,069 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 31, 2005	Well, Ms. Rice comes across as the ultimate "yes man" and I didn't think she was too flattering. At one point, sucking up to the President she gets rebuked by Powell, who comes across as the closest thing to a hero in this movie. Incidentally, if you want to see something REALLY rough on Bushie - view the brief documentary called "Dangerous Dynasty" included as an extra on the DVD. Ouch.



panzer the great & terrible	Apr 6 2009, 10:37 AM Post #9
Mouth Breather Posts: 10,326 Group: Members Member #13 Joined: September 3, 2005	Oh, cool: I'll do that. To me, Powell's real-life story is dreadful. He got stampeded into making a fool out of himself in front of the whole world and destroying his chance at a political career by his own military code of loyalty to the commander in chief. Talk about a tragic flaw! You gotta like Stone for making him a good guy, even if it does sweep a few little facts under the rug.
	We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater


Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer	Apr 6 2009, 10:44 AM Post #10
Balconeer Creeper Posts: 14,166 Group: Members Member #244 Joined: July 6, 2007	I always thought Powell was pushed away from his position by Chaney and Rumsfeld, then jumped ship when things were supposed to go awry-like the fact that WMD in Iran was a lie to the American people. But then, like many Americans, I don't follow politics as closely as I should.
	"She's got style, she's got grace She's got long, long legs, she's got... Savoir Faire"


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