George Clooney’s thriller ‘The Ides of March’ set for November

THE IDES OF MARCH

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

On the same day I wrote about my pick for the Top Five Political Films, Sony Pictures released the trailer of George Clooney’s new political thriller: “The Ides of March.”

The film, about presidential politics, is perfectly timed to coincide with the 2012 presidential race. The cast includes Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and Ryan Gosling.

“The Ides of March” is based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon. The play, in turn, is loosely based on the 2004 presidential primary campaign of Howard Dean.

The film is set to open Oct. 7. Here is the trailer.

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‘JFK’ raises serious questions about John F. Kennedy’s death

JFK (1991)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

The best American political films make you think, challenge you and present old information in a new light – which is exactly what Oliver Stone’s 1991 movie “JFK” does.

Stone is a sometimes heavy-handed, preachy director who often leaves audiences feeling like they’ve been hit over the head with a ton of bricks. But in “JFK,” Stone found the perfect vehicle to channel his film making style. “JFK” is his finest motion picture and the screen’s best political film.

Kevin Costner stars as New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, the only person to bring criminal charges related to Kennedy’s assassination. Although Garrison failed to win a conviction in his case, his lengthy investigation allows Stone to revisit a pivotal point in U.S. history.

Garrison, a loose cannon in New Orleans politics, was ridiculed by the many people who thought his efforts were an embarrassing waste of time. Stone, though, uses the Garrison investigation to examine any and every conspiracy theory about Kennedy’s death.

Top Five Week continues at Sneak Prevue, and today I look at the Top Five Political films. “JFK” leads the list at No. 1.