Moviefone Editorial

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  • Best Movies About American Presidents

    Bill Pullman in 'Independence Day'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Bill Pullman in ‘Independence Day’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Monday, February 17th is President’s Day in the United States. Coinciding in the same month as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays, the holiday is now used to celebrate all U.S. Presidents, past and present.

    Over the years, there have been many great movies to feature U.S. Presidents, both real and fictional. From Bill Pullman‘s President Thomas J. Whitmore fighting aliens in ‘Independence Day,’ to Daniel Day Lewis‘ Oscar winning performance as “Honest Abe” in ‘Lincoln,’ now is a perfect time to look back at the greatest movies about American Presidents of all-time.

    Let’s Begin!

    25. ‘White House Down‘ (2013)

    (L to R) Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx in 'White House Dead'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (L to R) Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx in ‘White House Dead’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl (Joey King) with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it’s up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

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    24. ‘Hyde Park on Hudson‘ (2012)

    The story of the love affair between FDR (Bill Murray) and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley (Laura Linney), centered around the weekend in 1939 when the King (Samuel West) and Queen (Olivia Colman) of the United Kingdom visited upstate New York.

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    23. ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter‘ (2012)

    President Lincoln’s (Benjamin Walker) mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers.

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    22. ‘LBJ‘ (2017)

    The story of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson (Woody Harrelson) from his young days in West Texas to the White House.

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    21. ‘Nixon‘ (1995)

    A look at President Richard M. Nixon (Anthony Hopkins), a man carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders while battling the self-destructive demands from within—spanning his troubled boyhood in California to the shocking Watergate scandal that would end his Presidency.

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    20. ‘Elvis & Nixon‘ (2016)

    (L to R) Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon in 'Elvis & Nixon'. Photo: Amazon Studios / Bleecker Street.
    (L to R) Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon in ‘Elvis & Nixon’. Photo: Amazon Studios / Bleecker Street.

    In 1970, a few days before Christmas, Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) showed up on the White House lawn seeking to be deputized into the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs by the President (Kevin Spacey) himself.

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    19. ‘The Butler‘ (2013)

    A look at the life of Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) who served eight presidents as the White Houses head butler from 1952 to 1986 and had a unique front-row seat as political and racial history was made.

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    18. ‘W.‘ (2008)

    The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush (Josh Brolin), his struggles and triumphs how he found both his wife and his faith and the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.

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    17. ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘ (2025)

    After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

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    16. ‘Frost/Nixon‘ (2008)

    For three years after being forced from office, Nixon (Frank Langella) remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting David Frost (Michael Sheen) as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost’s team harboured doubts about their boss’s ability to hold his own. But as the cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted.

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    15. ‘Primary Colors‘ (1998)

    John Travolta in 'Primary Colors'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    John Travolta in ‘Primary Colors’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton’s 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton (Adrian Lester) is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta). Burton is pulled into the politician’s colorful world and looks on as Stanton — who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall — contends with his ambitious wife, Susan (Emma Thompson), and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton).

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    14. ‘Dick‘ (1999)

    Two high school girls (Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams) wander off during a class trip to the White House and meet President Richard Nixon (Dan Hedaya). They become the official dog walkers for Nixon’s dog Checkers, and become his secret advisors during the Watergate scandal.

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    13. ‘Reagan‘ (2024)

    Told through the voice of Viktor Petrovich (Jon Voight), a former KGB agent whose life becomes inextricably linked with Ronald Reagan’s when Reagan (Dennis Quaid) first caught the Soviets’ attention as an actor in Hollywood, this film offers a perspective as unique as it is captivating.

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    12. ‘Vice‘ (2018)

    George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) picks Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney’s impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and Defense Secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.

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    11. ‘Olympus Has Fallen‘ (2013)

    When the White House Secret Service Code “Olympus” is captured by a terrorist mastermind (Rick Yune) and the President (Aaron Eckhart) is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) finds himself trapped within the building. As the national security team scrambles to respond they are forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House save the President and avert an even bigger disaster.

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    10. ‘The Contender‘ (2000)

    Jeff Bridges in 'The Contender'. Photo: DreamWorks Pictures.
    Jeff Bridges in ‘The Contender’. Photo: DreamWorks Pictures.

    The vice president is dead and as the president (Jeff Bridges) makes his choice for a replacement as a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival. When Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) is nominated as the first woman in history to hold the office hidden agendas explode into a battle for power.

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    9. ‘Thirteen Days‘ (2000)

    The story of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the nuclear standoff with the USSR sparked by the discovery by the Americans of missile bases established on the Soviet-allied island of Cuba.

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    8. ‘Independence Day‘ (1996)

    On July 2, a giant alien mothership enters orbit around Earth and deploys several dozen saucer-shaped ‘destroyer’ spacecraft that quickly lay waste to major cities around the planet. On July 3, the United States conducts a coordinated counterattack that fails. On July 4, a plan is devised to gain access to the interior of the alien mothership in space, in order to plant a nuclear missile.

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    7. ‘The Apprentice‘ (2024)

    A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry scion of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé—someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

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    6. ‘Dave‘ (1993)

    A sweet-natured Temp Agency operator and amateur Presidential lookalike (Kevin Kline) is recruited by the Secret Service to become a temporary stand-in for the President of the United States.

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    5. ‘Air Force One‘ (1997)

    Harrison Ford in 'Air Force One'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    Harrison Ford in ‘Air Force One’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    When Russian neo-nationalists hijack Air Force One the worlds most secure and extraordinary aircraft the President (Harrison Ford) is faced with a nearly impossible decision to give in to terrorist demands or sacrifice not only the country’s dignity but the lives of his wife (Wendy Crewson) and daughter (Liesel Matthews).

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    4. ‘The American President‘ (1995)

    Widowed U.S. president Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), one of the world’s most powerful men, can have anything he wants — and what he covets most is Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), a Washington lobbyist. But Shepherd’s attempts at courting her spark wild rumors and decimate his approval ratings.

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    3. ‘All the President’s Men‘ (1976)

    During the 1972 elections, two reporters’ (Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman) investigation sheds light on the controversial Watergate scandal that compels President Nixon to resign from his post.

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    2. ‘JFK‘ (1991)

    Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner).

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    1. ‘Lincoln‘ (2012)

    Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Lincoln.' Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Lincoln.’ Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    The revealing story of the 16th US Presidents tumultuous final months in office In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) pursues a course of action designed to end the war unite the country and abolish slavery With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come

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  • Jared Leto in Talks for JFK Thriller ‘Assassination’

    Presenter Jared Leto arrives at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.
    Presenter Jared Leto arrives at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.

    Preview:

    • Jared Leto is nearing a deal to join JFK thriller ‘Assassination.’
    • Barry Levinson is directing the thriller.
    • Al Pacino, Jessica Chastain and Brendan Fraser are already in the cast.

    Even as Christopher Nolan (for his mysterious new movie) and Steven Spielberg (for his) appear to be vacuuming up all the actors in Hollywood, other projects are still able to snag those remaining.

    One example? Barry Levinson’s latest movie, which will dig into the JFK conspiracy from a new perspective.

    Titled ‘Assassination,’ the new film (per Deadline) has Oscar winner Jared Leto in talks to snatch one of its lead roles.

    Related Article: Oscar Winner Jared Leto Talks New Marvel Movie ‘Morbius’

    What’s the story of ‘Assassination’?

    Taking as its inspiration the infamous slaying of President John F. Kennedy in Texas in 1963, ‘Assassination’ will dig into the issue of who truly orchestrated the killing.

    The film focuses on ground-breaking female crime reporter Dorothy Kilgallen played by Jessica Chastain.

    When she suspects that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone, she uses her fame and influence to find President John F. Kennedy’s real killer. Kilgallen’s journey will put her up against the CIA, mafia bosses and the FBI, all who would love nothing more than to make her and this story disappear.

    Levinson has financing for this one and is busy putting the pieces together. He’s looking to start the cameras rolling early next year in Boston.

    Who else is in ‘Assassination’?

    Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
    Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

    In addition to Leto –– assuming he actually locks in his deal –– and Chastain, the cast will include the starry likes of Al Pacino, Brendan Fraser and Bryan Cranston.

    And on the creative team front, the script is co-written by David Mamet, who in a rare case of collaboration, worked with Levinson and ‘Elvis’ writer Sam Bromell.

    The new movie is produced by Corey Large and Jason Sosnoff, with Large also providing financing. John Burnham, Bernie Gewissler, Pia Patatian and Jordan Nott are the executive producers.

    It’s quite a team and sounds intriguing, though it’ll have to go some to compete with the likes of ‘JFK’ and ‘Parkland.’

    What else is the ‘Assassination’ cast working on?

    'Tron: Ares.'
    ‘Tron: Ares.’ Photo by Leah Gallo. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Leto is one of the leads in the new ‘Tron’ movie, ‘Tron: Ares,’ which will be in theaters next October.

    He’s also attached to be part of the cast for ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ co-director Kemp Powers’ new film ‘Lunik Heist’ and will be seen in Darren Aronofsky’s new horror movie ‘Adrift.’

    Bona fide legend Pacino has a number of movies on the way. He’s in the cast for Johnny Depp’s directorial debut, ‘Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness’ and has the likes of ‘The Ritual,’ ‘Killing Castro,’ ‘Hand of Dante,’ ‘Easy’s Waltz’ and ‘Billy Knight’ making their way through post-production.

    He’s more personally involved in his next Shakespeare-based film, starring in and producing a new adaptation of ‘King Lear’ called ‘Lear Rex,’ directed by Bernard Rose. That movie should be in theaters later in 2025 and also features Chastain.

    Talking of, she’s starring in Michael Franco’s new crime drama pic ‘Dreams’ and is a producer on a variety of other projects, including ‘Losing Clementine’ and ‘Wayland.’

    On the TV front, she’s starring in a new series called ‘Savant’ about a deep-cover investigator who infiltrates hate groups and looks to bring down the nation’s most violent men.

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    Fraser, who scored an Oscar for his performance in ‘The Whale,’ has ‘Rental Family’ on the way and is at work on new World War II drama ‘Pressure,’ in which he plays President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

    ‘Breaking Bad’ veteran Cranston is keeping busy, with a role on new Seth Rogen comedy TV series ‘The Studio.’

    He’ll also be seen in comedy drama movie ‘Everything’s Going to Be Great,’ which will be out next year.

    Perhaps most excitingly, he’ll reprise the role of Hal in a limited series revival of sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ with co-stars Frankie Muniz and Jane Kaczmarek also returning for a four-episode update of the family’s story from original series creator Linwood Boomer.

    The new episodes will appear on Disney+, but a date has yet to be set for that one.

    When will ‘Assassination’ be in theaters?

    Despite having funding in place and a shoot date, the film is still locking in a distribution home and has yet to secure a release date.

    Director Barry Levinson. Photo: Golden Globes.
    Director Barry Levinson. Photo: Golden Globes.

    Movies Similar to ‘Assasination’:

    Buy Barry Levinson Movies On Amazon

  • Acting Legend Donald Sutherland Dies Aged 88

    Donald Sutherland for Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'.
    Donald Sutherland for Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’.

    Preview:

    • Donald Sutherland has died.
    • He was 88.
    • The actor will be remembered as a redoubtable performer and for roles both comedic and dramatic.

    Donald Sutherland, a man who established himself in the firmament of stalwart, accomplished actors, has died. He was 88.

    Sutherland was known for his distinctive voice and commanding screen presence. He worked with some of the most respected directors in the industry and left a lasting impact on the world of cinema and television.

    Related Article: Dabney Coleman, the Actor Who Specialized in Curmudgeons, Dies Aged 92

    Donald Sutherland: Early Life and Career

    Donald Sutherland in 'M*A*S*H.'
    Donald Sutherland in ‘M*A*S*H.’ Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Sutherland was born in St. John, Canada in 1935.

    As a child, he battled various illnesses, including polio, hepatitis, and rheumatic fever. Despite his health challenges, Sutherland pursued his education at the University of Toronto, where he earned dual degrees in engineering and drama. But once the acting bug bit, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before landing roles in British TV shows and movies such as ‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Saint.’

    ‘Saint’ star Roger Moore recommended him to the producers of ‘The Dirty Dozen’, taking his movie career to the next level.

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    Donald Sutherland: Film Work

    Kevin Costner and Donald Sutherland in 'JFK.'
    (L to R) Kevin Costner and Donald Sutherland in ‘JFK.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

    The success of ‘The Dirty Dozen’ led to his iconic role as Hawkeye Pierce in the critically acclaimed ‘M*A*S*H’ in 1970, which cemented his status as a leading man. Throughout his career, Sutherland has showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles in films such as 1971’s ‘Klute’, where his work and relationship with Jane Fonda sparked his activism, horror ‘Don’t Look Now’ (famous –– or perhaps infamous –– for the speculation of the reality of his sex scene with co-star Julie Christie), ‘Ordinary People’, ‘JFK’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘The Italian Job‘ (2003) and the 1978 version of ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’.

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    More recently, he garnered attention and a new generation of fans for his portrayal of the villainous President Snow in the ‘Hunger Games’ movies.

    Sutherland scored Golden Globes and Emmys for his TV work, and while he was never nominated for an Oscar, he did receive an Honorary Oscar in 2017.

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    Donald Sutherland Dies: Son Kiefer Sutherland’s Statement

    Kiefer Sutherland in season 1 of '24'.
    Kiefer Sutherland in season 1 of ’24’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    Sutherland had five children: sons Kiefer, Roeg, Rossif and Angus, a daughter, Rachel.

    Kiefer is the best known among them, since he followed in his father’s performing footsteps. The duo starred together in projects several times throughout the years, including the movies ‘Max Dugan Returns’, ‘Forsaken’ and ‘A Time to Kill’.

    Here’s what the younger Sutherland had to say about his father’s passing:

    “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.”

    Sutherland was married three times, firstly to Lois Hardwick, from 1959 to 1966. His second, to actress Shirley Douglas, spanned 1966 to 1971 and produced Kiefer and Rachel. He’s survived by his third wife, Canadian actress Francine Racette, with whom he had Roeg, Rossif and Angus.

    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.'
    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.’ Photo: Lionsgate.

    Donald Sutherland Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Donald Sutherland Movies On Amazon

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  • New JFK Movie ‘Assassination’ Lands Barry Levinson To Direct

    Director Barry Levinson.
    Director Barry Levinson. Photo: Golden Globes.

    Preview

    • Barry Levinson is going to direct ‘Assassination,’ a new film about the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
    • Writer David Mamet was initially set to direct the picture himself before stepping aside.
    • Starring Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen, and others, the movie will focus on the theory that JFK was taken out by members of the Mafia.

    The murder of President John F. Kennedy, along with one of the major conspiracy theories about who was behind it, is coming back to the big screen for the first time in over 30 years.

    Announced earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie ‘Assassination’ has landed a director in Barry Levinson, according to Deadline.

    David Mamet, who wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Celozzi, was slated to direct the film, but has now stepped away from that role and turned it over to Levinson. The latter is known for films like ‘Good Morning, Vietnam,’ ‘Bugsy,’ and ‘Rain Man,’ as well as more recent efforts like the Hulu miniseries ‘Dopesick,’ on which he executive produced and directed two episodes.

    Who is in the cast?

    Al Pacino at the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
    Al Pacino at the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

    Levinson will oversee a cast that includes Al Pacino, John Travolta, Viggo Mortensen, Shia LaBeouf, and Courtney Love. Pacino will play Tony Accardo, a powerful figure in the Mafia’s Chicago organization, known as the Chicago Outfit.

    And yes, in case you didn’t get the hint from that casting, ‘Assassination’ will focus on the theory that the Mafia, specifically Chicago boss Sam Giancana, was behind the murder of JFK in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

    According to speculation, the Mafia wanted revenge after supposedly helping to get Kennedy elected, only to see his administration go after organized crime with increased fervor.

    Related Article: 20 Best John Travolta Movies of All Time

    Standing in the shadow of ‘JFK’

    Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison in director Oliver Stone's 'JFK.'
    Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison in director Oliver Stone’s ‘JFK.’

    The last major American motion picture to chronicle the assassination of President Kennedy and present it as the result of a massive conspiracy was Oliver Stone’s 1991 masterpiece, ‘JFK.’

    The film, which was nominated for Best Picture, starred Kevin Costner as New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison, who attempted to prove that alleged lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald did not shoot the president and was instead the fall guy for a plot – a coup d’état — that reached into the upper echelons of the CIA and the U.S. military.

    Stone’s movie downplayed the involvement of the Mafia, suggesting that organized crime was at best a supporting player in the conspiracy. The controversial film launched a debate and outcry that actually led to the release of nearly all classified files related to Kennedy’s murder by 2017.

    Since the release of ‘JFK,’ only a few fleeting films, such as ‘Ruby’ (1992), Stone’s own ‘Nixon’ (1995), and Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ (2019), have touched on the idea that others beside Oswald were behind the death of Kennedy.

    As for ‘Assassination,’ this marks the third time that Levinson and Mamet have worked together, with Levinson directing 1997’s ‘Wag the Dog’ from Mamet’s script and executive producing the writer-director’s 2013 HBO movie ‘Phil Spector.’

    Levinson has also directed Pacino in three earlier pictures, including ‘The Humbling,’ ‘You Don’t Know Jack,’ and ‘Paterno.’ There’s no word yet on when filming for ‘Assassination’ will begin, pending the resolution of the current SAG-AFTRA strike, and no release date or distributor has been set.

    Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
    Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

    Movies Similar to ‘Assasination’:

    Buy Barry Levinson Movies On Amazon

  • Singer and Soundtrack veteran Tony Bennett Dies

    Singer Tony Bennett serenades Honorary Award recipient Eli Wallach during the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13.
    Singer Tony Bennett serenades Honorary Award recipient Eli Wallach during the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13. Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Tony Bennett, a crooner of the highest order, who was able to re-invent himself several times through the decades, and whose music is all over movie soundtracks, has died. He was 96.

    Early Life

    Award-winning singer Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96.
    Award-winning singer Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96. Photo courtesy of Grammy.com.

    Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born on August 3rd, 1926, in Queens to a father who died when he was 10. His mother worked as a seamstress while raising three children. Bennett sang at family gatherings and listened to Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby in his teens before serving in the Army infantry during World War II. He was 18 when he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate a concentration camp at Landsberg, Germany.

    His military experience informed his political activism after he was reprimanded for spending Thanksgiving with the family of a black fellow soldier.

    In New York after the war, Bennett held a series of odd jobs — elevator operator, grocery delivery boy, singing waiter — while using the GI Bill to study voice at the American Theatre Wing, the organization that sponsors the Tony Awards.

    He was working under the name Joe Bari in 1949 when comedian Bob Hope invited him to be his opening act at New York’s Paramount Theater. Just before the young singer went onstage, Hope asked him what his real name was. It was Hope who suggested he use the name Tony Bennett, and history was made.

    Related Article: Legendary Singer and Actress Tina Turner Has Died at the Age of 83

    Music Career

    Singer Tony Bennett serenades Honorary Award recipient Eli Wallach during the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13.
    Singer Tony Bennett serenades Honorary Award recipient Eli Wallach during the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13. Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Bennett’s first chart-topping hit was 1950’s ‘Because of You’, and he was a performer very much in the Sinatra mold: an old-school crooner whose back catalogue includes such memorable music as ‘Rags to Riches’, ‘Cold, Cold Heart’, and the iconic ‘I Left my Heart in San Francisco’.

    A multiple Grammy winner, Bennett rode a turbulent life and career marked by failed marriages and drug abuse, and re-invented himself more than once, most famously alongside Lady Gaga, proving he could stay relevant and successful through different eras.

    Elton John was among the many who paid tribute:

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    Film Crossovers

    Tony Bennett, Julius Tennon, and Viola Davis arrive for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012.
    (L to R) Tony Bennett, Julius Tennon, and Viola Davis arrive for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012. Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Bennett has a few film appearances on his resume, including 1966’s ‘The Oscar’ about a snooty actor who becomes even more full of himself when he’s nominated for the titular award.

    He also has credits in the likes of ‘Analyze This’, ‘Casino’, ‘The Scout’, ‘Bruce Almighty’ and ‘Muppets Most Wanted’. And his music has appeared on the soundtrack of too many movies to count, but some memorable examples include ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’, ‘Swingers’, ‘JFK’ and ‘Raging Bull’.

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    Here’s what music historian John Edward Hasse had to say about Bennett:

    “Tony Bennett possessed one of the great voices and singing careers of the last 60 years. Not very many singers, much less musicians, have achieved that kind of durability. He’s got a jazz musician’s phrasing and sense of timing, as well as a feeling for spontaneity. These are classic, timeless aesthetic values that he personifies.”

    Singer Tony Bennett at the as the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13.
    Singer Tony Bennett at the as the 2010 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 13. Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Movies Or Specials Featuring Tony Bennett Or His Music:

    Buy Tony Bennett Music on Amazon

  • Chris Pine to Play Walter Cronkite in JFK Assassination Drama ‘Newsflash’

    Chris Pine to Play Walter Cronkite in JFK Assassination Drama ‘Newsflash’

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    Chris Pine is about to become the most trusted voice in America.

    The “Wonder Woman” and “Star Trek” star is attached to play iconic CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite in the drama “Newsflash,” according to Deadline.

    “Newsflash” takes place on November 22, 1963, the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas. The movie looks in depth at the day that television network news came of age, and that Cronkite became the most trusted TV newsman of America.

    Mark Ruffalo is attached to play Don Hewitt, Cronkite’s producer, who helped navigate the chaos in an unimaginably tragic day in America.

    The movie will also feature Dan Rather,  then a young reporter who happened to be in Texas and was among the journalists who frantically dug for truth after reports went over the wire that gunfire rang out in vicinity of the president’s motorcade.

    No director is attached yet.