Recently I was able to catch ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN for the first time. As a cynical idealist who believes certain conspiracies exist this film was amazingly enjoyable for me (surprise, surprise). One part docudrama and one part journalistic X-File, this skillfully crafted film takes you inside the Watergate Scandal as Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncover a high-ranking illegal conspiracy in the Nixon Administration. As someone who knew a slight bit about Watergate, the film is not only entertaining but also informative. Unfortunately the film ends lacklusterly with only a hint of the stature of the conspiracy and a tidy recap of convictions and Nixon's resignation. It would have been stellar for the film to end with the conclusion of Woodward and Bernstein's piercing investigation but I'm guessing the studio heads were asked to soft pedal things. I'd be happy with at least something on the Nixon tapes. Nevertheless the film is wonderfully set in a noir-ish DC and revered screenwriter William Goldman injects some funny, memorable lines into a decently adapted script (what about the ending though Goldman!?!?! Hah.) Anyway, if Redford and Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein piques your curiousity you'll have a wonderful time with the film. Afterwards make sure to head on over to Wikipedia's Watergate Scandal article to pique your curiousity further. PS - I saw "Grey's Anatomy" again and I'm officially on the bandwagon. GA lives up to the hype and there's a lovely sweetness to it that you don't see very often on tv ... at least in a genuine sense. Usually there's a cloying fakeness to it. Not so with GA --- you go Shonda, you go. Hah, I can't believe I typed the "you go" bit ... I am sooooo gay.
PPS - Is "Sons & Daughters" not the funniest thing on tv right now?!?!?! (Hmmm, yesterday's "The Simpsons" was pretty damn funny) Like GA, there's an underlying sweetness ... greatly exemplified in last week's episode in which Cameron and Sharon's biological father returned. But it also has another thing going for it ... that it is bat-guano insanely hilarious.
PPPS - Watch tomorrow's FRONTLINE! It's on China and the extraordinary Tankman --- the protestor who stood infront of the procession of tanks. That man (whoever he is) is a personal hero of mine.
3 comments:
I saw All the President's Men when it came out--surprised they didn't try to make a few bucks and re-release it now that Deep Throat has been identified. Of course, since he's been on every talk show in the world, we now know that Woodruff isn't nearly as attractive
I saw All the President's Men when it came out--surprised they didn't try to make a few bucks and re-release it now that Deep Throat has been identified. Of course, since he's been on every talk show in the world, we now know that Woodruff isn't nearly as attractive
I love Herzog. You ever hear his quote that film is not the art of scholars but of illiterates?
Somedays I wake up and think he might be the best person on the planet.
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