Bob Roberts
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.98 You Save: $7.00 (70%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.83 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Bob Roberts
Movie Review: Wickedly funny; incisive commentary; political hot potato
Summary: 4 Stars
.In this pseudo-documentary (think "This Is Spinal Tap"), Tim Robbins plays a Republican candidate for the U.S. senate. Bob Roberts doesn't suggest platforms or programs, so much as just express feelings. And, because he's a folk singer of conservative songs (such as "The Times Are Changin' Back"), he doesn't give speeches -- at any time -- so much as sing songs in political concerts. So his candidacy is largely sheltered from close scrutiny. Despite the time period being an era when incumbents almost always win, Roberts makes it close against his Democratic incumbent opponent, played by Gore Vidal. Vidal's character is hampered by allegations, and the whole thing is a funny, ironic roller coaster.
In his screenplay, Robbins introduces hard questions about political corruption, the military industry, and the demonizing of world leaders in order to support military funding. Today, this is reminiscent of President Bush's "axes of evil" declaration, and the politics may anger some (especially since Saddam Hussein is repeatedly shown as the Evil of the Day). But if you can set that aside, I think you can enjoy this political satire for all that it accomplishes.
A special treat is the myriad actors who float by the screen - - you'll have a lot of fun there, just as you might have enjoyed in "This Is Spinal Tap." In addition to all those who are in the credits (and the list is long!), I think I -also- saw Broadway actor Chip Zein (the Baker from the original "Into The Woods") with a brief line in a crowd scene towards the end. But there are perhaps a good dozen others you'll recognize from other movies (I was about to list them, but stopped in order to maintain some surprise for you).
My one reservation, and it's considerable, is that I think the sound needs to be re-mixed. A number of funny side conversations are lost, and you need to skip back and crank up the volume. This, of course, breaks up the continuity.
Extras include commentary by Robbins and Vidal.
Movie Review: Scathing look at politics
Summary: 4 Stars
A documentary filmmaker follows the campaign of folk singer-turned-senatorial candidate Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins). Roberts is ultra-conservative, espousing a return to pre-hippie values and saying it's okay to be rich and successful. His crazed fans idolize the flag-waving Bible-thumper but there's one man who casts aspersions on him: Small-time journalist Bugs Raplin (Giancarlo Esposito) claims he has evidence Roberts is involved with shading dealings, and Roberts' handlers don't like that one bit.
Tim Robbins wrote and directed this mockumentary, filmed in shaky-cam. It races from one campaign scene to another, painting a picture of a wholesome, inspired candidate who is above reproach - but if you know Robbins, you know it's all done sarcastically and in fact, shows Roberts to be a slick, prepackaged, underhanded liar at best and a law-breaking criminal at worst.
This film makes right-wing politicians out to be nasty and even dangerous hypocrites, so how much you'll like it depends pretty much on your own political slant. For me, it was okay, 3.5 stars. Bottom line: It's a good movie to watch during this election year.
Movie Review: truer today than when it first came out
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this film when it first came out in '92, and thought it was okay, but rewatching it during the 2004 election season I was appalled by how many of the absurdities depicted had come true, with cynical pandering and manipulation at every turn. The only thing it's missing are voting machines that count backward! The title character, played by Tim Robbins (who also wrote and directed), is a right-wing folk singer pursuing a senate seat, running against an incumbent played by Gore Vidal. The songs and album covers are very funny, and there are many cameo appearances.
DVD extras include three commentary tracks, 22 minutes of deleted scenes, stills, 3 music videos, cast notes, production notes, a trailer and tv spots.
Worthwhile viewing, good extras.
Movie Review: References to other documentaries
Summary: 4 Stars
To better appreciate this movie, it's good to know that it makes references (many, in fact) to the 1966 Bob Dylan documentary "Don't Look Back." If you haven't seen this earlier movie, naturally you won't pick up on these references (which are funny). What's interesting, though, is that at about the same time "Bob Roberts" was being made, the director of "Don't Look Back" was making a documentary (or perhaps had made ...), similar in nature to his earlier film, about Bill Clinton's campaign for the presidency called "The War Room." Cinema verite, no doubt.Movie Review: ultimate election night party DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great DVD to watch with friends during an election year. We had a group of 15 people howling with laughter. You have to love a politician who closes a letter to a 7-year-old Vermont girl with the admonition "Don't do crack; it's a ghetto drug."