Mock the Vote / Don't Mock the Vote

List creator: ZenBones Created on: August 3, 2004 - 5:00 PM PDT Description: Politicians are absurd, campaigns are high kitsch, and corruption is very, very real. All the more reason for us to rally around democracy! Here are some great satires on campaigning [also, rent Gore Vidal's "The Best Man" on video] GET OUT AND VOTE!!

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election (2002)			Not Rated
It's easy to be cynical, but if you are so discouraged by politics that you feel it's not even worth voting, here is a film that will open your eyes to how much your vote matters and how sacred the political process is. A MUST SEE!!!!
	The Candidate (1972)
Redford's best performance is of an idealist turned jargon-spinner politician. One of the first and best and most realistic movies to depict the machinations of politics. [Based slightly on Jerry Brown]
	Bob Roberts (1992)
Bob will do anything to get elected. Sounds kinda like Bush, but this guy's smarter AND he can sing! Tim Robbins' film brilliantly skewers money-worshiping young republicans, and hosts a plethora of cameos and amusing music videos.
	Bulworth (1998)
What would happen if a politician told the truth? Pressure, depression, and lack of sleep creates truth serum-like effects in Warren Beatty's creation of a political fantasy we'd all like to see.
	The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
I'm including both versions cause even though the level of credibility is low (powerful politicians brainwashing someone to be an assassin), we all know that in this world, anything is possible. The '62 version is better, but they're both good.
	Election (1999)
Think back... did the first person you ever voted for win your vote because of their popularity? Because of their anarchistic principles? Because they gave you a free cup cake? Hilarious look at our first lessons on populism and manipulation.
	The War Room (Criterion) (1992)
An amusing but often chilling look at the inside of the circus known as campaigning, in this case, the 1992 race between Clinton, King George I and Perot. Another good look at this campaign is Robert Downy Jr.'s "The Last Party".
	A Perfect Candidate (1996)			Not Rated
Eeww! It's still too much in my recent memory to not retch at the sight of Oliver North, but if you want to feel reeeeally cynical about politics, and can laugh without puking, check out this look at the 1994 Virginia senate race.
	1776 (1972)
The first votes cast in this country were by our founding fathers. Their votes shaped and phrased our very democracy. Although the music in this film is not very good, the dialogue and performances are. A VERY inspiring film!
	Shampoo (1975)
The campaign in this film takes a back seat to the main story, but there are some great scenes, including a fundraising dinner with an under-the-table uh, caucus. This film deftly shows us where the public's head was at that time (double pun!).
	The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993)
Murder and politics are unfortunately, not strange bedfellows, but when the candidacy in question is for head cheerleader?. Michael "The Candidate" Ritchie's satire on this real life story is hilarious, and Holly Hunter is brilliant!!
	Primary (1960)
This raw B&W documentary was the first to get in the trenches of campaigning. You'll get tired of hearing the song "high hopes" but the film creates a riveting impression of one of the most pivotal events in our history.
	The West Wing: Season 1 (Disc 1 of 4) (1999)			Not Rated
"Let our legacy be that we raised the level of debate in this country", says President Bartlet, and that's what this show does, with great wit, intelligence and humanity. Included throughout the series are several political races.
	Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
It's not about campaigning, but it is about your vote. Don't get caught up in the film's controversy, just look at what's at stake in the world and our role in it. Then go out and vote for a new direction of hope over the old direction of antipathy.