w.
Tina Fey said something really insightful on some talk show or other last week. I'm paraphrasing: "The thing I've realized about Sarah Palin is that she's exactly as smart as me. And I'm certainly not qualified to be the vice-president." It's true, right? I don't know about you, but I want someone in office who's way smarter than me, and who can comprehend all these complicated issues a whole lot better than I can. Seriously. Y'all are not ready for President Nayana.
That seemed to be the overriding message in Oliver Stone's new biopic about President Bush II. I think a lot of people saw Stone's name and thought, "Oh. Liberal Bush-bashing. Cool." But really, that's not what it was about. Obviously "Bushie" (as Laura calls him) is not the best president ever. Probably not even in the top 80%. But the message of the movie was that here's a regular guy, with a good heart and good intentions, who got in way over his head. Now you all know where I stand on this little election we're having (it's emblazoned on my sidebar), but I wonder... Obama gets slammed a lot for being elitist and intellectual. Now exactly what is the objection to that? I want someone who knows his ass from his elbow to represent me on the world stage. I don't think that's too much to ask for.
Back to the movie... it was really well done. The casting was fantastic, with the possible exception of Thandie Newton as Condie Rice (a tad caricaturish). Elizabeth Banks disappeared into the role of Laura Bush, Jeffrey Wright couldn't have been more compelling as Colin Powell... and Richard Dreyfuss was INSANE as Dick Cheney. That guy knows how to portray eeeeevil.
I guess it comes down to this: no matter what side of the political fence you're on, I recommend this movie as a reminder of what we want to avoid in our government. Maybe catch it before November 4. Call it election prep.
That seemed to be the overriding message in Oliver Stone's new biopic about President Bush II. I think a lot of people saw Stone's name and thought, "Oh. Liberal Bush-bashing. Cool." But really, that's not what it was about. Obviously "Bushie" (as Laura calls him) is not the best president ever. Probably not even in the top 80%. But the message of the movie was that here's a regular guy, with a good heart and good intentions, who got in way over his head. Now you all know where I stand on this little election we're having (it's emblazoned on my sidebar), but I wonder... Obama gets slammed a lot for being elitist and intellectual. Now exactly what is the objection to that? I want someone who knows his ass from his elbow to represent me on the world stage. I don't think that's too much to ask for.
Back to the movie... it was really well done. The casting was fantastic, with the possible exception of Thandie Newton as Condie Rice (a tad caricaturish). Elizabeth Banks disappeared into the role of Laura Bush, Jeffrey Wright couldn't have been more compelling as Colin Powell... and Richard Dreyfuss was INSANE as Dick Cheney. That guy knows how to portray eeeeevil.
I guess it comes down to this: no matter what side of the political fence you're on, I recommend this movie as a reminder of what we want to avoid in our government. Maybe catch it before November 4. Call it election prep.
October 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM
The problem is I hate politics, so I've relegated this movie to a possible DVD Netflix view, but not much more. I want my president movies to be fictional: Air Force One, The American President, even Independence Day.
I'm voting for Mickey Mouse this November.
October 22, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I love The American President.
Gotta disagree with you on the politics thing, though. It's a giant pain in the ass, but I think it's our duty to try to make an intelligent decision every couple of years.
October 22, 2008 at 5:53 PM
For months I've been saying, "I don't want a leader like me, I want someone smart and experienced." Imagine my glee when Fey said it! (I think it was on Letterman) The "everyman" tactic doesn't work for me when it comes to government. If you want to rule my world, be educated, experienced, enthusiastic, connected (in a good, ethical way), and surround yourself with all of the above. I agree that the film W. is a good example in "don't let this happen again". Good review, wild political climate.
June 23, 2010 at 3:06 PM
I like this quote from Tina Fey,
"Weirdly, of the three of us, Lisa Ann knows the most about foreign policy."- Tina Fey on Lisa Ann the porn star who portrayed both herself and Sarah Palin in Nailin Paylin