Rating: 
Summary: Horrible! Gross!! Thumbs down!!!
Review: Lots of political action ... too bad it has to be so biased. If you are a normal, decent American, you will hate this film because it puts down decency and morality at every turn. If the producers want the movie characters to play politicians who do not like to "be in people's bedrooms", then at least do it with some class. Have them say "Americans have a right to privacy", not something like 'You are the new version of McCarthy' or 'My past has nothing to do with my going for this job'. Sound familiar, America? (Hint: Clinton)
Rating:
Summary: Boomer narcissism ...
Review: See Joan Allen give her stirring confirmation speech touting all the current left-wing goals(no guns, no smoking, no religion, pro-choice, pro-campaign finance reform, yadda yadda) But when asked why she changed from a Republican to a Democrat she states it was the party that changed, not her. Huh?...Her defiance to answering any questions on her supposed past indiscretions rests on the lofty principle that women should also have the freedom to participate in fraternity orgies and not have it reflect on their character. Oh yeah, and anyone who expects more from their leaders is a hypocrite. Joan Allen does a great job promoting moral relativism, acting earnest, and looking great in an evening gown.
Rating: 
Summary: An insult to my intelligence
Review: Pretentious and preachy script ruined the excellent premise and the first 30 minutes of intriguing beginning. I am a BIG fan of films on politics (just ask my wife), but this movie simply failed to deliver any subtlty and inspiration. As entertainment, it succeeded by having first rate actors executing well (Gary Oldman was wonderful as usual). But as a film of art, this movie was pretentious and simple-minded, and characters have black & white-like stereotypes with absolutely no convincing development. What a waste as I had such high hope and high expectation :(
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: You've got to be kidding me. Is this supposed to be an ad for the liberal leftwing democratic(socialist) party? What a bunch of biased garbage. Don't waste your time on this one. Too bad, because I love Gary Oldman, or at least I used to.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong, Appealing, Smart!
Review: There are a few words to paint a picture that "The Contender" painted, and those words would be strong, appealing, and smart. Having a great sense of humor and a twist ending (one of the few endings of movies I actually called before the ending hit), "The Contender" is a breathtaking thrill ride that comes out on top. One of the bet screenplays of the year! The stars of this great film shine brightly.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, not great.
Review: Joan Allen plays the vice-presidential nominee who refuses to relent to the scrutiny of the media. It's an Oscar nominated performance but in the end a bit heavy handed. Not as entertaining as Wag the Dog or as suspenseful as Thirteen Days, it's an adequate political thriller, competently made.
Rating: 
Summary: Vote Joan Allen for Prez!
Review: First, put aside one's ideological differences-- the movie isn't about ideology (and even I can't necessarily subscribe to all the beliefs of Allen's character). That is all beside the point. Joan Allen plays someone of integrity, conservative, liberal, whatever. This is more than just a political thriller-- it is about the character of a person who is not willing to engage in political mudslinging-- it is beneath her. Realistically (unfortunately), Allen's character enters office not through election but through the 25th amendment. Unrealistically, while integrity such as Allen's character in this movie is at least presumably valued by many Americans, mudslinging may be necessary to get in such a high office as VP, by election, committee or however. But then, Antigone was a mythical character too. But at the core of this movie, it is Allen's performance amid the political machinations of others that is stunning-- her refusal to be anyone but who she is-- a universal theme. Her loyalty to perform her duty as a public servant is not bound by political parties, but by her own thinking and living. I suppose if we can't have a role model for integrity on C-span (i.e. Clinton, et al), we can at least have it on film. After seeing Joan Allen in Pleasantville, I knew this movie would be great. --I'm looking forward to seeing her in more films in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Not for Extremists
Review: Any movie about sex, politics, religion and society is going to garner extreme reactions from, well... extremists. In the case of "The Contender" the far left liberals may see this as a battle cry in their fight against all that is wrong in the world. On the other hand, the far right conservatives will probably see this as a _product_ of everything that is wrong in the world. However, those of us who are more 'centrally' minded will just see this as an entertaining, well-acted and well-made movie. ...and you have to realize that, whether or not you agree or disagree with it's answers, it's a significant question and ignoring it will not make it get better and will not make it go away.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible Film
Review: This movie was so terrible I couldnt stand to watch it after awhile. I was rather insulted that the lame speeches the president made in the film were coupled with rousing music and cheers from those playing the senators. I kept wondering If the writers of the movie really thought I would believe that nonsense just because they wanted me to. Anyway, there are far better movies to spend your money on besides this garbage. Too few that are better than this to name.
Rating:
Summary: Too Intelligent For Some
Review: This film does a fine job of demonstrating that Hollywood can still give us films of substance. This film is deemed to be too focused to one sort of view that it is unfair or biased. All i have to say to this is, give it a break. If you really think that they were trying to make an outrageous political statement with this film, then you were over thinking, or just plain not thinking. This film has the sole intention of giving across an highly engrossing story, with the plot relying on the power struggle of those in Washington. This film succeeds on the basis that it is made for the intelligent, and those are the people that will take away the most from this film. The film is not a piece of fluff, it has a lot of substance, but it also comes across as a film that performs so well due to those in the pivitol roles. Joan Allen definately deserves her nomination. Jeff Bridges is the same way. It is a shame that Oscar overlooked Gary Oldman, he really gives a strong performance as the man you are supposed to hate. This film is made for all of us that are in the market for a movie that does not insult our intelligence and try to make us dumber for having seen it. This is just a movie. It was not made to have you go out and have a different view on politics.
|
