Movie Night:

24 presidential flicks for a hot summer weekend

YT&Twebzine
24 presidential flicks for a hot summer weekend

  This is the perfect weekend for driving to the beach, hiking in the mountains or heading for an amusement park -- unless the weather ruins all that. Then it's one long movie night.

   Numerous flicks feature a U.S. president: action adventures, historical dramas, thrillers and goofy buddy flicks. In one case, the president is a kick-butt vampire-hunter.
   Think you’ve seen them all? Take our quiz here.  
   For those who want to study first, here's our list:

Presidential campaign flicks:

Primary Colors: This movie is based on a book originally signed Anonymous -- later identified as journalist Joe Klein. Although the film is fictional, the characters immediately brought to mind Bill and Hillary Clinton. The movie loses some of the book's charm, but it's worth watching if only to see John Travolta channeling Clinton. Emma Thompson is also splendid as the candidate's wife. 

The Ides of March: Revelations that a charismatic presidential candidate (George Clooney) impregnated a campaign intern (Evan Rachel Wood) rock a capable young campaign manager (Ryan Gosling). Performances by Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who portray political operatives, make this a must-see for political junkies.  

Swing Vote: In an improbable twist of fate, a presidential election is stuck in a tie, and a slacker from the sticks (Kevin Costner) is the deciding vote. The movie’s best (alas, brief) moments come when the candidates cut campaign commercials specifically for Costner’s character.

Wag the Dog: When a president running for re-election is caught up in a sex scandal, a political spin doctor (Robert De Niro) and a Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman) concoct a fake war to distract the public.

                                  --Next: Romantic and Presidential--