10 movies to watch before Election Day

By: Kip Mooney

Posted: 10/21/08

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939)
Directed by Frank Capra.
Not cheesy inspirational like many sports films, this movie goes all-in as it follows an inexperienced but good-hearted senator during his first term. It's part of a long line of great collaborations between Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra.
Why you should see it now: It proves that a glimmer of honesty can have a profound effect on corruption.

"The Candidate" (1972)
Directed by Michael Ritchie.
See if this sounds familiar: A fresh-faced, hard-working, liberal lawyer takes on a cold, wrinkly, conservative career politician. Though it's as dry as a cracker, the movie features a fantastic performance from Robert Redford.
Why you should see it now: Besides the timeliness, "The Candidate" shows the behind-the-scenes of campaign management - the good, the bad and the ugly - and how candidates have to make compromise after compromise to win.

"All the President's Men" (1976)
Directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman play Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the two real-life Washington Post reporters who brought down the Nixon administration.
Why you should see it now: It explains why no one trusts the president or the media anymore, and why the "gate" suffix is added to every scandal.
"The Crucible" (1996)
Directed by Nicholas Hynter.
When Arthur Miller wrote this play about the Salem witch trials, I'm sure he hoped the witch hunts of his day would be put to an end. Unfortunately, the same ruthless paranoia still thrives today. The mere fact that Joan Allen and Daniel Day-Lewis share screen time is worth the rental alone.
Why you should see it now: The unbelievable fear-mongering of the film (based on McCarthy's insistence of discovering Communist leanings) still rings true in this age of fear, where even folk singers can be placed on terrorist watch lists.

"Bulworth" (1998)
Directed by Warren Beatty.
Probably the lightest film on this list, Warren Beatty plays a disillusioned senator who decides to put a hit out on himself and spends the last week of his life speaking his mind instead of giving stump speeches.
Why you should see it now: It shows just how hungry the American people are for honesty from politicians.

"Primary Colors" (1998)
Directed by Mike Nichols.
Ten years before Josh Brolin did his best "Dubya" in Oliver Stone's biopic, John Travolta gave one of his best performances as Jack Stanton, the Clinton-like southern governor whose rocky road to the White House is plagued with innuendo and scandal. Emma Thompson does a spot-on Hillary, and Kathy Bates is absolutely magnificent.
Why you should see it now: It will let you determine if a candidate's vision for America is worth overlooking his seedy personal life.

"Wag the Dog" (1998)
Directed by Barry Levinson.
You may never trust your television set again after this biting satire about a media guru who creates a completely false war in eastern Europe to take the heat off a president in the midst of a sex scandal.
Why you should see it now: It will cause you to look at everything reported on the news with a more analytical eye.

"The Contender" (2000)
Directed by Rod Lurie.
When a vice president dies in office, Jeff Bridges must name his replacement. Joan Allen is his top pick, but she must be confirmed by a ruthless congressman (Gary Oldman) who is determined to bring her down at any cost.
Why you should see it now: It asks the questions: When do you stand up for your morals and values? Only when it's convenient? Only when it benefits you?

"Charlie Wilson's War" (2007)
Directed by Mike Nichols.
Though marketed as a comedy, Mike Nichols' second entry on this list examines America's tumultuous relationship with the Middle East. In the 1980s, the U.S. funded freedom fighters in Afghanistan to take on Soviet invaders, yet refused to pay to rebuild their infrastructure.
Toward the end, Tom Hanks hits the nail on the head: "These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world ... and then we f----- up the endgame."
Why you should see it now: It points out that decisions made to ally with someone, especially at the executive level, can have extreme repercussions, even if made with the right intentions.

"The Dark Knight" (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Just a comic book movie, you ask? Watch it again, and you'll see a movie filled with moral quandaries and spectacular writing, directing, acting, editing, etc.
Why you should see it now: It asks how far is too far to go in the name of justice. Should you invade people's privacy? Can you put them at risk to avoid a greater catastrophe?
Kip Mooney is a journalism sophomore. He can be reached at coldplayer1988@verizon.net.