Recount
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.70 You Save: $16.28 (81%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.35 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Recount
Movie Review: Taking the count...
Summary: 5 Stars
GOP members of Amazon wave an imperial hand and call this film "fair," on balance. That is missing the point. This was a catclysmic national tragedy the result of which many people are dead today -- leaders do matter. If 20,000 African-Americans were not thrown off the rolls, if punch card machines were not counted, bizzarely enough, by automated machines which tended to push the chads back in, if thousands of people were not confused by a ballot into voting for a candidate they despised (Pat Buchanan, who took their side), the world would be a very different one today. As usual, the tragedy was enabled by the dithering of stupid Democrats, who scared away at the first band of staged protesters, or first critical article in The New York Times.
I will say that the mimicry of the Florida atmosphere, the media circus, the direct excerpts from the opinions of the court, and the dead on impressions of Christopher, Boies, Harris (from scene one a nincompoop) and Baker are eerie. Even if a few scenes have been thrown in for dramatic effect, no one is a monster and all are scrambling for self-interested political gain. It happens that right was on the Democratic side. They had no clue how to use it. (Change, much?)
Taking the longer view, the very narrow establishmentarian means and methods flashed by both parties (corporate media, politicized courts, hired protesters, some vague abstraction called the hoi polloi out there, for which this is all being done for), go a long way toward explaining the mess we are in. Find a decent 3rd party, because the parties who brought us this, the Iraq/Afganistan wars, the bailout and the meager "recovery" will not do...much longer.
Movie Review: HBO Does It Again With A Gritty and Smart Original Film
Summary: 5 Stars
HBO consistently gives new meaning to original film programming. "Angels in America", "Wit", "Elizabeth", and the list goes on. On top of it, Jay Roach from the "Austin Powers" and "Meet the Parents" films attacks this based-on-true-story telefilm with gusto and panache. A wonderful cast and screenplay makes this work perfectly. It has the suspense, drama, and humor that rarely happens in most political films. Kevin Spacey plays the central character, Ron Klain, who gets the most air time. He constantly battles with the James Baker character played wonderfully by Tom Wilkinson. Both Denis Leary and Laura Dern adds humor as Michael Whouley and Katherine Harris respectively.
People may think after watching that it paints the Bush recount team in an unfavorable light. The Gore team looks almost desperate to grab more time and votes. However you may feel in this whole chaotic scene of events, it shows how our system was certainly challenged. First, it was at the county level, state level, and finally federal level. Fingers are pointed at each other. Battles lost and won. Who really won is still up to debate. This film gives not only entertainment value but serious reflection on our voting process. Interpretation is a dangerous area which can lead to serious consequences.
This DVD has a boat load of extras which probably didn't make it on HBO. The conversations between the actor and the real life characters are fun to watch. There is also commentary from Jay Roach as well. Let's hope that HBO continues to push the envelope with these smart films.
Movie Review: The Dirty Details Of A Stolen Election
Summary: 5 Stars
It was a decisive moment in American History but most voters had no idea what was really going on behind the scenes. Recount is a fascinating retelling of the 2000 Presidential election as it twisted and turned through the country's fastest changing state - Florida. The movie depicts what appears to be the last grip of Jim Crow politics as it played out through dimpled chads, incomplete election laws and in the face of a radical conservative uprising. While many fine actors give excellent performances the movie itself appears to stay away from the darker dramas that sprung forth from this unfortunate outcome. I can remember what it was like because I was there.
The remaining story took place after the recount was over. Black box voting machines were forced on the various counties, millions of dollars in backroom deals spread the wealth to mostly republican operatives who prepared for Jeb Bush's re-election in 2002 and George W's re-election in 2004. Both elections far surpassed 2000 in their level of deceit and manipulation.
If you want a good grasp about what happened in Florida you need the whole story. Recount is a good place to start but then pick up my novel Purple State which turned out to be an accidental sequel picking up where the movie left off. Together they tell a tale of how our once lofty ideals of democracy can so easily be distorted by the shadowy ambitions of a few determined individuals.
Movie Review: We was ROBBED!
Summary: 5 Stars
I got a copy of HBO's movie "Recount" and I hadn't worked up enough emotional internal fortitude (I knew it was gonna make me very, very vexed) until now. and sure enough, I *AM* vexed!
The recap of the recount is even more despicable now, with the benefit of panoramic vision and hindsight, than it was then. Unlike the "victors" of the subject election, the made for HBO movie, interwoven with actual News footage, legitimately wins its Emmy as Outstanding Made-for-TV Movie. Laura Dern deserved an Emmy, and the Golden Globe voters gave her their vote, for her spot-on performance as the preeningly vapid, vampy Katherine Harris, Florida Secretary of State, "Good Soldier" in the Bush Army. Repulsive Republican dirty tricks abound. and watch Joe Lieberman who was, even then as Gore's running mate(!) working to serve himself (potential 2004 run) and the Republicans.
Watch the movie (again, if you've seen it before) - it'll fire you up!! Remember what Santayana said:Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer
Movie Review: Recount: a historical re-enactment worth a re-watch
Summary: 5 Stars
Like the " movie Titanic" we all know how this one is going to end. But don't let that stop you from watching Recount. Spacey, as always, delivers a believable and realistic performance. His presence somehow demands your attention. Laura Dern is completely transformed and becomes Kathleen Harris, the Florida Secretary of State. Her performance is by far the best.
There are details and personality involvements that even the most politically active person was probably not aware of that the production reveals, making it worth your time and attention. No matter how many hours you watched CNN when this historical drama unfolded, you will learn things about the Florida recount that you did not know.
If you are a history buff, you will want to add this to your collection. It is right up there with "Missiles of October."