Candidates appearing in television adverts. Non-stop analyses by different networks. And some interesting debates. But there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes away from the public glare.
Election time is fun as the bigwigs hire the best in the country to run their campaigns and influence people like us. These political thrillers will give you a glimpse what all happens during an election that you may be completely unaware of.
Recount
Recount is an HBO original that came out in 2008. It is based on the 2000 Bush vs. Gore election and all the conspiracies and debates around the counting of votes in Florida.
Recount (2008)
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Bob Balaban, Denis Leary
The movie covers various topics including the possibility of faulty paper ballots, the actions of Florida’s Secretary of State Katherine Harris, and the opposing rulings given by Florida’s and United States’ Supreme Courts.
With strong performances by Kavin Spacey, who has topped it with House of Cards and Tom Wilkinson, the movie will give the thrill of your life.
Frost/Nixon
Another movie released in the 2008 election year tells thestory of interviews between British journalist Frost and and President Nixon in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon
Agreeing to pay a hefty sum to Nixon for the interviews, Frost involves private buyers and agrees to syndicate the interviews with different networks. Still unsure of what the interviews should cover, he zeroes in on getting a confession from Nixon. Will he get that priceless confession?
Welcome to Mooseport
While most of these politically charged movies will generate raucous debates, some movies like Welcome to Mooseport can be a lot of fun.
Welcome to Mooseport (2004)
Director: Donald Petrie
Stars: Gene Hackman, Ray Romano, Maura Tierney
Watch Welcome to Mooseport Now
Love and Marriage can make you do things you may not otherwise do. Former President of United States, Monroe Cole decides to stnd for the position of Mayor in the small town of Mooseport, Maine. His reason, to save his house from the divorce settlement. Harry, a local plumber, is pushed into race, against his wishes. But then sees this as an opportunity win back his girlfriend of six years.
Can the local plumber stand up to a former President and win?
Head of State
This movie came long before Barack Obama became the President of the United States. Mays Gilliam, an alderman, is chosen by his party to be their presidential candidate after the two front runners die in a freak plane accident.
Head of State (2003)
Director: Chris Rock
Stars: Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Lynn Whitfield
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With election defeat all but sure, Mays is chosen as the perfect candidate to take the fall. But as Mays begins to rise up the polls, the presidential dream seems real. Will the party loyals allow Mays to win or will they try to sabotage his race to the head of state?
Nixon
This 90s biographical movie tells the story of Richard Nixon. The movie begins with Nixon listening to the Watergate recordings and keeps shuffling between the past and present.
Nixon (1995)
Director: Oliver Stone
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen, Powers Boothe
It covers Nixon;s childhood and young days. The movie also explores all the important events during his presidency and hints at prescription drug abuse and various health issues.
All the President’s Men
There’s a break-in at the Watergate Complex. No big deal. The Washington Post assigns Bob Woodward and newbie to cover the story. But when the five Cuban-Americans in the court are represented by a pricey lawyer and bugging equipment is produced as evidence, Woodward suspects there is more to it than just burglary.
All the President’s Men (1976)
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden
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The paper editor assigns Bernstein, another reporter, to the story and tasks them with finding more information if they want to splash the front page.
Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford capture the viewers and give us a spellbinding investigative journalism film.
Ides of March
Governer Mike Morris has decided to run for the presidency. His campaign manager is a stickler for rules and complements the idealistic Mike Morris. But before he can run for the presidency, he must battle it out with Ted Pullman.
The Ides of March (2011)
Director: George Clooney
Stars: Paul Giamatti, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Scandals, shady deals, betrayal. The movie has it all. A somewhat usual political story is enacted with a thrilling, intense grip over viewers. George Clooney and Ryan Gosling give realistic performances in this tale of morality.
Primary Colors
Based on the book written by Joe Klein, Primary Colors cover the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign. When you run for the highest office, there is nothing private about your life. Adopting a strategy that aims to exploit each others’ past makes the campaign more of a slug-fest than a debate of ideas.
Primary Colors (1998)
Director: Mike Nichols
Stars: John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates
The movie makes a brilliant depiction of this strategy as Governor Stanton is inundated by one scandal after another. As a response, he chooses to use the same tactic against his opponents. A response that costs many lives and leave the young staff disillusioned.
Swing Vote
Democrats vote for democrats and Republicans vote for Republican candidates. But when both are tied equally, what really matters is the swing vote.
Swing Vote (2008)
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Stars: Kevin Costner, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer
An apolitical Bud Johnson is forced to think and update his political understanding as the results of presidential elections hinge on his one vote. The Comedy-Drama shows how leaders can flip-flop between ideas and the lengths they can go to woo the all important vote.
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