President

"The House of Cards": A Panorama of Washington Politics

Sarah from Alaska: A Tale of Ambition and Polarization

In a striking comparison, the celebrated African-American author Toni Morrison once dubbed Bill Clinton as "America's first Black president," attributing to him nearly every stereotype associated with African-Americans: raised in a single-parent household, born into poverty, the child of a working-class family, a saxophone player, and a fast-food lover. This reference is evoked in light of the movie "Game Change," where Culvahouse, responsible for vetting Sarah Palin, marvels to McCain about Pal

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Sarah from Alaska: A Tale of Ambition and Polarization

House of Cards: A Masterpiece of Power, Ambition, and Persuasion

The allure of "House of Cards" is built upon a solid script, which is a product of a rich storytelling lineage. The American series is adapted from a BBC miniseries that dates back 23 years, which in turn was based on a British political novel by Michael Dobbs. Dobbs, who once served as the Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party in the UK, drew from his political career to weave tales of intrigue and manipulation in the British Parliament. "House of Cards" also draws inspiration from Shakespe

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House of Cards: A Masterpiece of Power, Ambition, and Persuasion

A Grand Imagination About Politics

In "The West Wing," there's a scene where a congressman has just passed away, leaving a vacancy. Sam Seaborn, the Deputy Communications Director at the White House, passionately convinces his old friend, a Democratic prosecutor, to run for the position, claiming that the White House will provide all the support. During the campaign, it was revealed that the candidate has potential racial biases, diminishing his chances of winning. The White House immediately withdraws consent without any explana

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Personality Swap and Courtroom Drama

“Frost/Nixon” stands out in terms of narrative and character development. Firstly, in terms of narrative, the director skillfully employs a documentary-style approach, repeatedly interspersing interviews with the two participants, who are also staunch opponents of Nixon. There is a clear intention to portray a semblance of restoring the true face of history. However, the interview follows the formulaic pattern of American courtroom dramas: a young, inexperienced lawyer (occasionally a washed-up,

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“Frost/Nixon”: Is it a Meeting of the Unfortunate or a Win-Win for the Wise?

"I let down the American people." In a close-up shot, Nixon's face, filled with wrinkles, appeared weathered and tired. Previously exposed by the Watergate scandal for installing wiretaps in his opponent's room, he was ousted from the presidency. Despite trampling on the Constitution as president, he never publicly apologized until now. David Foster, the British talk show host sitting in front of him, prompted him to say these words. Amidst the disdain and surprise of all American journalists, F

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“Frost/Nixon”: Is it a Meeting of the Unfortunate or a Win-Win for the Wise?

The Awakening from a Political Fairy Tale

In May 2006, the NBC primetime drama series "The West Wing" is about to air its final episode, concluding a seven-year run. The show, which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series four times, can be considered triumphant in its exit. But where exactly is its success? Characters like the White House Deputy Chief of Staff can eloquently discuss Rowl's "curtain of ignorance" principle without worrying that viewers would switch channels due to boredom. TV drama investors might pull their hai

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The Awakening from a Political Fairy Tale

After All These Years, I Still Can't Help but Praise 'Independence Day’

What makes a good movie? Is it the one with 8 stars on IMDB? The one that reflects social reality? The one that contemplates human nature and ultimate care? The one that baffles the mind? The one that gives a startling ending? The one that keeps you awake at night, speculating on the director's techniques and intentions? It's too complicated. So-called good movies can be broadly categorized into three types: clever, skillfully made, and wise. Whether they are commercial, inspirational, artistic,

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After All These Years, I Still Can't Help but Praise 'Independence Day’

All The King's Men: Unraveling the Political Epic

"You must vote, or you're nothing at all!" In that moment, Sean Penn's portrayal of the impassioned cry from a typical hero left a lasting impact. Initially perceived as an uplifting propaganda piece celebrating American democracy, the film takes an unexpected turn in its latter half. Suddenly, it becomes a reflective exploration, peeling back the layers of a political giant's collapse. Rather than diminishing my interest, this shift adds a layer of complexity that intrigues me further. The decl

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All The King's Men: Unraveling the Political Epic

Mr. President, You've Crossed the Line – "The Pelican Brief"

Two Supreme Court justices are assassinated, prompting Darby Shaw, a brilliant law student and lover of one of the professors, to investigate the case. Darby delves into libraries, archives, interviews, and reviews various case files and documents. Using her meticulous legal logic, she compiles a report pointing directly to the fact that the justices were not killed due to terrorism or personal vendettas but driven by underlying interests. Both judges were environmentalists. The report discusses

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Mr. President, You've Crossed the Line – "The Pelican Brief"

"Jackie": the Destruction of the Art of Acting

"Jackie" received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. I was initially drawn to it because of its Best Screenplay win at the 2016 Venice Film Festival. However, upon watching the film, I realized it was another example of a movie crafted to showcase a lead actor's performance, commonly referred to as a "star vehicle" in North American media. These films, once driven by commercial success at the box office, have shifted their focus to winning prestigious awards like the Oscars in recent years. T

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"Jackie": the Destruction of the Art of Acting

"Good Night, and Good Luck": Farewell to McCarthyism

The success of the film Amidst the increasing encroachment of the Bush administration, with its efforts to manipulate American public opinion, tighten media control, and enforce the "Patriot Act," "Warner Independent Pictures" released an alternative film titled "Good Night, and Good Luck." This film's premiere was marked by its distinct theme, style, and pace, setting it apart from the mainstream American films of its time. In contrast to the prevailing trend in Hollywood towards entertainment

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"Good Night, and Good Luck": Farewell to McCarthyism

The Art of Political Thrillers

Political thriller is a transnational concept that has played a crucial role in the development of European cinema, especially when it comes to Italian films. The origins of this genre can be traced back to "thrillers filled with political intrigue and lawlessness", such as Fritz Lang's "Spies" (1928), Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934) or "The 39 Steps" (1935). Political thrillers became a prominent type of filmmaking in Hollywood as a product of social issues abroad and poli

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'V for Vendetta': Terrorism or the Battle for Justice?

Controversies at the Premiere: Shadowed by the London Underground Bombings Initially scheduled for release in November 2005, "V for Vendetta" was delayed until spring 2006 due to the horrifying London Underground bombings on July 7, 2005, which resulted in 56 deaths. Some elements in the film, such as the use of the subway to transport explosives and the destruction of iconic buildings in the city, raised concerns as they could evoke associations with terrorist attacks. So, what is the film real

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'V for Vendetta': Terrorism or the Battle for Justice?

'Thirteen Days': Trust in the Prisoner's Dilemma

Discovering the term "Prisoner's Dilemma" on Wikipedia initially made me realize that the nuclear brinkmanship between the United States and the Soviet Union could be seen as a classic case of this dilemma. For humanity, trusting one another has always been a formidable challenge. As the Bible tells it, God divided humankind with various languages to prevent people from building the Tower of Babel, leading to quarrels, alienation, and the erosion of trust. In modern times, amid the grand narrati

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'Thirteen Days': Trust in the Prisoner's Dilemma

‘Taxi Driver’ vs. ‘Joker’: Divergence of Personal Fate and Epochal Crisis

At the 29th Cannes Film Festival in 1976, "Taxi Driver" was awarded the Palme d'Or. Fast forward 48 years to today, "Joker" claims the Golden Lion at the 76th Venice Film Festival. Moreover, the creative inspiration for "Joker" is rooted in "Taxi Driver," and Robert De Niro, the lead in "Taxi Driver," is ironically shot by Joker in the latter film. This intertextuality across time and space adds an intriguing layer. While both films share similarities in themes, acting, and cinematography, a clo

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‘Taxi Driver’ vs. ‘Joker’: Divergence of Personal Fate and Epochal Crisis

‘The Ides of March’: George Clooney's Political Masterpiece

In this latest endeavour by the clever and captivating George Clooney, who adds another high-caliber piece to his repertoire as a writer, director, and actor, political aficionado Clooney turns his attention to the Broadway play "Farragut North." He adeptly refines and adapts it for the screen, releasing it at a time when Americans are grappling with disillusionment with the political landscape. Clooney skilfully shapes an insider's perspective and a cautionary tale, employing light and shadow t

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‘The Ides of March’: George Clooney's Political Masterpiece

‘Taxi Driver’: The Hippies

Martin Scorsese's name has been widely discussed in the media for two main reasons: firstly, his statement that Marvel movies are not cinema but rather theme parks sparked a primary Hollywood debate, and secondly, his critically acclaimed film "The Irishman" received minimal attention at the Oscars, leaving many astonished. Today, let's set aside these complexities and appreciate the masterpiece of this maestro, "Taxi Driver." Leader of "New Hollywood" The name Martin Scorsese is likely familiar

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The Favourite: Leisure and Entertainment in the 18th Century

When watching "The Favourite", I paid special attention to the unusual entertainment of the upper-class in the 18th century. 1. British Hunting Hunting has a rich history in England, dating back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The hunting tradition of the Norsemen was introduced to England, particularly embraced by the nobles of the upper class, who considered it a paramount outdoor leisure activity. Every spring and autumn, these nobles would convene in rural England to partake in th

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