James Frazier has a piece in today’s Washington Times on the favorite movies of our presidential candidates. For what it’s worth, the choices, in the order in which they appear in the article, are:
Herman Cain: The Godfather
Michele Bachmann: Braveheart, “or maybe Saving Private Ryan”
Newt Gingrich: “Probably” Casablanca
Rick Santorum: Field of Dreams
Ron Paul: “I don’t watch many movies”
Gary Johnson: Dr. Zhivago
Mitt Romney: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Rick Perry: Immortal Beloved
Barack Obama: Casablanca, The Godfather, Lawrence of Arabia, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
I am not sure how much we learn from this, other than that Perry’s pick is the most unexpected and that Paul, typically, is playing a different game than everyone else. I have written before on the movies presidents watch, and found that presidential movie selections are both unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of a president’s public persona. I doubt that anyone would have guessed that Jimmy Carter watched an astounding 480 movies during his one term in office. Still, it is a fun exercise, and good to know that Gingrich and Cain each share a favorite movie with Obama. It will give them something to talk about if they ever run into each other on the campaign trail.
These answers are generally meaningless, because when asked, people always try to list things which they think will make them appear in a certain light -- smart, edgy, connected, avant garde, whatever.
My favorite, sincerely: "Ghostbusters." Says nothing whatsoever about me other than I really love "Ghostbusters."
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"These answers are generally meaningless, because when asked, people always try to list things which they think will make them appear in a certain light -- smart, edgy, connected, avant garde, whatever."
It's Vertigo for me. Don't know how it makes me appear, but that's what it is.
Did that sentence make sense? Anyhoo, Immortal Beloved? That is a jaw-dropper.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYeah, that one stood out to me too. I guess it was a decent movie, if somewhat forgettable.
So far as composer biopics go, it doesn't hold a candle to Amadeus (although I do think it's among Gary Oldman's best performances...and he's given some great ones).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRE: "It's Vertigo for me."
The Shawshank Redemption for me. What that has to do with my political ideology, I haven't a clue. I hate the views of the lead actors, for sure, and hardly think noble criminals are common, let alone the rule.
The laundry room shenanigans didn't even taint my views on gays in the military, but I guess they could have. "The Sisters have taken a real shine to you, Private Newguy, yes they have..."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, my respect for Mitt Romney just took a step up. I wouldn't go so far as to say that "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is my favorite Coen Bros. movie, let alone my favorite overall. But, still, I kind of appreciate that he'd pick something quirky and offbeat rather than something obvious like Casablanca or The Godfather (great films, tho' those art).
"We.....thought......you......wuz......a....tooooooad."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou just recited the line from my favorite moment of many great moments.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is the first thing I really like about Mitt Romney. Maybe he's not candidate-robot after all.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy list would be a bit different:
Herman Cain... "Mission Impossible"
Newt Gingrich.. "Million Dollar Baby"
Mitt Romney... "The Running Man"
Rick Santorum... "No Sex In The City"
Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann... "Dumb and Dumber"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's flick should be Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Tiffany's.
Okay, cheap shot
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse8-1/2
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI recall Mr. Reagan was a big movie viewer as well. No count for him?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI wish Paul would have responded with Dr. Strangelove, that way the neocons here at NR could have had a months worth of columns to write about his foreign policy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse- That's the most interesting thing I've ever heard from Gary Johnson.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse- Rick Perry's choice says something good about him. What, you say? Heck, I don't know.
- Obama? Four "favorites". Somehow that's just what I'd expect from him. Kind of Clintonian though.
Hmmmm.... "Casablanca" is ok, and "Braveheart....
I get the joke with Cain saying "Godfather", but, ummm.... Well, I suppose I wouldn't be disappointed with hearing that Amadamnanutjob woke up to a horse head in his bed.
"Field of Dreams"?
Not a single answer of "Princess Bride"? Losers.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse(OK - "Ghostbusters" would be high up in the running, too. If for no other reason than the three scenes with "d*ckless".)
How any presidential candidate, let alone all of them, offered such a perfect opportunity to illustrate metphorically his ideals of American character and leadership, could fail to pick something like "Sergeant York" (which actually is an outstanding movie as such), but instead to answer such a leading question in a simple pop culture movie critic fashion, is unfathomable.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo you're saying they should take a class and study the appropriate political answer to "what's your favorite movie?" as Herman would say...lighten up dude.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRE: "Herman Cain: The Godfather"
Is that some sort of word-association answer for Cain? Favorite fruit? Tomato. Favorite dairy item? Mozzarella. Favorite encased sausage product? Pepperoni. Favorite movie villain? The fat dude from Space Balls...
RE: "Mitt Romney: O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Are we to conclude that Romney was interviewed by George Clooney or some other such interested party?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFits like a glove...
Herman Cain: The Godfather
Michele Bachmann: Braveheart, “or maybe Saving Private Ryan”
Mitt Romney: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Rick Perry: Immortal Beloved
Barack Obama: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
GWB :-D
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDisappointed no one picked Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. I saw that in the theater when it came out, knew then it was an instant masterpiece, and saw it again the same day. Never done that with any other movie before or since.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSuggestion for Obama: "The Great McGinty", although I wonder if he is capable of introspection.
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