Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, Alona Tal, Natalie Martinez & Kyle Chandler
Written by Brian Tucker
Directed by Allen Hughes
An ex-cop is hired by a corrupt mayor to discover the identity of his wife’s lover.
It’s not great, but let’s
be grateful that Russell Crowe
doesn’t sing in this.
Grade: C+
c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Broken City is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/30/13.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235522/
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd & Brian Cox
Screenplay by Shawn Harwell & Chris Henchy
Directed by Jay Roach
Two corrupt corporate bigwigs attempt to oust a long-term congressman by backing a naive family man to run against him.
Have a good laugh at
these politiclowns; the real
ones will make you weep.
Grade: B+
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Campaign is playing now in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790886/
Starring: Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ed Harris & Sarah Paulson
Written by Danny Strong
Directed by Jay Roach
John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign is both invigorated and challenged when Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is chosen to be the vice presidential candidate.
Moore’s great, you betcha!
Do you think Palin can see
regret from her house?
Grade: A-
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Game Change is now playing on HBO.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1848902/
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei & Jeffrey Wright
Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
Directed by George Clooney
An ambitious campaign staffer for an idealistic presidential candidate gets a crash course in dirty politics.
The system is flawed,
and so is this thriller, but
it still gets my vote.
Grade: B+
c2011
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Ides of March is now playing in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/
Starring: John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow & Dennis Franz
Written & directed by Brian de Palma
A sound-effects man believes he has accidentally captured a political assassination on tape.
A blown tire, a mic
De Palma tries for his own
The Conversation.
Grade: B+
c2011
By Daniel J. Hoag
Blow Out is available on Criterion Collection Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082085/
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery & Terence Stamp
Screenplay by George Nolfi
Directed by George Nolfi
When a politician falls for the perfect woman, a mysterious cadre of men who manipulate the universe threaten to keep them apart.
Damon, Blunt smolder
Solid, though its ending needs
*ahem* adjustment.
Grade: B
c2011
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Adjustment Bureau is now playing in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385826/
The Haiku Review 