Decision 2004: In a Flix

Now this is an election everyone should have a say in.

Turner Classic Movies has rounded up 30 of the most memorable political movies and put them in a free-for-all, no-reels-barred poll for anyone who surfs across their website (or now, my blog) to vote on. Some of the titles are definitely are the equivalent of "seat-fillers" at the Academy Awards: makes the list look full, regardless of talent." (I think that's how Kirstie Alley keeps showing up at these things.) But most of the titles are well-known, and know well how to intertwine political plot with impressive story telling. And in the case of Head of State, Chris Rock yelling. For a while. The whole freakin' movie. Wow.

Well, for once, America has gotten in right! Why so surprised, you may ask? Let's review, very briefly, our voting public's track record:

1. Last Comic Standing (circa last night) - Voting out Rob Cantrell over Tess?!?! Come on, people! Rob brings the funny, and Tess just compliments herself.
2. Survivor All-Stars - We gave the extra million dollar prize to Rupert? I LOVE giving my million dollars to the guy who is the nicest.
3. IMDB - We have all three LOTR movies in the Top Ten Movies of All Time? One maybe should be 9 or 10, but that's it.
4. American Idol - I am sad to say it, but Claiken makes a better pop star. Ruben makes a better pot roast.
5. Blue M&Ms? Communists!

But not this time. I'm proud of you, America. At the time of the post, I can stand fully behind Our choices for the Top 5 Political Movies of All-Time.

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - This was my choice. No movie better exemplifies the American political system more. Also one of the most memorable acting performances not just from Jimmy Stewart, but in history.
2. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - The greatest political thriller of all time. Remaking it, no matter how good the new one was, detracts from this movie's greatness.
3. Citizen Kane (1941) - I've never seen this, often argued as the best movie of all-time. I think it's time that I did. (I mean, seriously, how many more times can I watch Cool Runnings without seeing one of its major influences???)
4. The American President (1995) - There's a line in High Fidelity where Barry accuses Rob of slipping in a bit of a new record into a list of old safe ones in order to declare its neo-classic status. This one is worthy of being said neo-classic.
5. All the Presdient's Men (1976) - It's Nixon. It's Watergate. And it's much better than Dick.

Had we included non-American flicks in the poll, I'd make a case for Triumph of the Will, but this is a sweet list indeed.