We’re only 27 days away from electing a new president, and eight away from the release of Oliver Stone’s W. And while on paper, I understand Lionsgate’s reasoning for choosing an October 17 release date — after all, the whole country is experiencing a case of presidential fever; why not capitalize on all the free publicity for a film about our current Commander in Chief? — if I’m being honest, I’d rather be subjected to a Beverly Hills Chihuahua-Lakeview Terrace-Nights in Rodanthe triple-header (shudder) than shell out $12 to see W.
Seriously, the current race for the White House between Barack Obama and John McCain consumes enough of my time and emotional energy right now — I don’t think I’ve had a single meal or phone call with family or friends in the last month where the presidential race didn’t come up — so why exactly would I really want to go watch Josh Brolin, Richard Dreyfuss, and Elizabeth Banks (among others) hammily act out the roles of folks who are still (at least peripherally) in the public eye?
Reaction to the most recent W. trailer was mixed among my friends and EW colleagues — some can’t wait to see it, others share my decided lack of enthusiasm — and it got me wondering about what kind of voter turnout we can expect when the movie hits theaters next weekend. Check out the trailer then vote in our poll and let us know if W. (the movie, obvs) gets your vote.
More on ‘W.’ and politics:
Entertainment Weekly’s first-look cover story: ‘W,’ Oliver Stone’s Bush Biopic
Who is your favorite ‘SNL’ politician?
How and where did you watch the vice presidential debate? (Or did you?)
People’s Choice: 16 Political Films We — and You — Voted For
Comments (1-30) of 82 Add your comment
Hi Michael, I do not know if I’m going to see it. BUT CAN YOU PLEASE PUT A WORD IN THE POPWATCH OFFICE SO WE CAN HAVE A WELL DESERVE PRIVILEGED MINI POPWATCH
That show really deserves it
We’ve had to endure 8 years so what’s two more hours?
Since this is Oliver Stone’s position (http://tinyurl.com/3hnuj9), I think this is DEFINITELY the time for “W.”
You nailed again, Slezak. This election is so important, I’d hate to see another lipstick pig conversation drive away really important issues. And Stone, with his vast PR machinery, will do his best to see that this happens. I think most people already know who they’re voting for. I’d hate to think this stupid movie, or the idiot discussions around it, would sway the undecided (aka stupid).
I second Paula’s request for a Privileged mini-watch….and Pushing Daisies while we’re at it.
I can go either way on the movie. We were all hoping Farenheit 9/11 would get W out of office 4 years ago and look what that did.
Right now, I need a good laugh. And while Tina Fey brings it to me in 5-11 minute snippets every week as Palin, this will provide 2 hours of great laughter.
Well, I’m the one undecided voter left in America, but this movie won’t influence me at all, since I won’t be seeing it. Looks like the usual Oliver Stone self-indulgent, Boomer-centric bombast. Inspired use of the Talking Heads song, though.
The trailer makes it look like a tragic comedy, which I won’t object to, and is probably the most appropriate direction for a Bush biography. I can also understand Oliver Stone’s reasoning for making this film. Even with all this, the timing seems very off. At least the 9-11 waited a little while before it came out. I’d rather it be released once this nation’s at least several years past Bush’s current era. Seeing the current economic mess we’re in and the soldiers fighting for their lives in Iraq, it’s not the best time to release this. It’ll anger the public more than anything else.
I wouldn’t mind watching it though, but I’ll wait until DVD before I do that.
Whoops. Slight correction on the 9-11 statement (so I won’t unintentionally offend anybody).
*At least the studios waited for a while before the 9-11 films were released
Since Oliver Stone and George Bush were together at Yale at the same time before the Vietnam War and Stone going and not Bush, I am not surprised that Stone made this movie about a former schoolmate. It is Bush’s doing that it looks like a comedy.
Any film that could even remotely embarrass or humiliate George W. Bush is a film I welcome with open arms!
I loved Oliver Stone’s JFK and NIXON. I’m sure I’ll love W.
I will wait and catch it on PPV. At this point, I need a 12-step program to get off CNN. All I’ve done for 2 weeks is watch CNN, MSNBC, and Fox (to see all sides). I already know Bush is an idiot, so this movie will teach me nothing. In general, I don’t think Hollywood should try to influence the electorate. If it’s being released at this time to make more money, well, I understand, but it doesn’t make it right. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The election process is janked up enough without help from Hollywood. My 2 cents.
this looks fantastic, can’t wait!
I’m sure this movie will accomplish Oliver Stone’s goal of persuading people not to vote for George W. Bush on November 4. This movie looks so powerful, I predict that W. will get few, if any, votes.
I’m going to a press screening next Tuesday night in Philly. Its hard for me, cause I don’t really like politics but obviously we’ve been bashed over the head repeatedly this year, first with the election and now the financial crisis. I hope this movie resonates with viewers, but I doubt it will reach a younger audience that may not be quite aware just what the world view of America has become these past few years.
IS THIS A DRAMEDY BECAUSE IF THAT IS THE CASE I REALLY WANT TO GO SEE IT.
IT WAS TRAILER TO CHOKE. I COULD NOT STOP FROM LAUGHING!!!
They have made movies about presidents for years, but it has to say something about your time in office if they make one before you even get out. Sooo much material, sooo little time. There will probably be many more to come.
This movie looks hilarious. But “that’ll do, pig” as Papa Bush seems pretty weird. Come on, they could’ve gone with Dana Carvey, he has nothing else to do.
This movie looks good to me. I want to know more about GWB because I need to understand the man behind the madness.
I cannot wait to see this movie! Anything that makes fun of George Bush is fine by me!
Come on, Michael. I hardly think that the
release of the movie “W.” is going to have any effect on voter turnout Nov. 4th. You’re giving Hollywood way to much power. Do you honestly think that people who see this movie are going to be swayed to vote for Sen. McCain because the movie depicts George Bush in an unflattering way (“Gee, that Oliver Stone is making fun of George Bush so I’ll vote for McCain ‘cuz, gee whiz, it’s not fun to make fun of a Republican president.”) or be swayed to vote for Sen. Obama because the movie depicts George Bush for what he really is (“Gee that Oliver Stone is right on the money about George Bush. So, golly, I’m gonna’ vote for Sen. Obama.”) To me, I think that Oliver Stone’s “W.” looks like one long, two hour “Saturday Night Live” sketch and is nothing to worry about. Michael, maybe you need a break from the Obama/McCain consumption.
This looks fascinating. The trailer got me hooked when I saw Ioan Gruffudd (A&E’s Horatio Hornblower) as Tony Blair. Josh Brolin is a talented actor (he’ll also be SF supervisor Dan White in “Milk”)
It’s sardonic social commentary,and good entertainment. Why not vote for that?
i think its an outrage to make a movie mocking our president while he is still in office. I guess that is the way of the democrats. I guess I who spent 8 years in medical school should make the same amount as the bum on the street. The biggest threat to life in america is the democratic party.
McCain/Palin 08
You are deranged and misguided if you think that lying toad McCain and his moose-murdering cohort Palin are the best thing for this country. And it’s not okay to mock Dubyah while he’s still in office? Ha ha, go tell the entire free world that, cause they’re all mocking his arse with sheer abandon and glee. Go crawl back under your rock.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think its disrespectful to the office of the Presidency to have a movie like this come out while the President it portrays is still in office. I’m well aware that Oliver Stone has his usual axe to grind, and that GW Bush makes for an easy target, but why not wait until the man at least leaves office in just a few months to savage him the way this film evidently does? I make no apologies for Bush, and think he is deserving of all the satire and derision he gets and will continue to get as history judges him, but by releasing this movie now, in this political climate and with the election just weeks away, smacks of just another heavy handed political attack.
Thank you for agreeing with. And F**k you whoever responded to my comment. you are probably a low class northerner who likes free money, gay rights, and legal abortions. Where do people who have no job get off thinking I have to support them. You have no idea of how dangerous obama is. He is going to raise all taxes. Jobs will be lost and the economy will never be fixed. I guess you cant ask stupid people to understand that though. You keep on thinking obama is right for the country. After all he has such good friends that he surrounds himself with.
I will absolutely be seeing the movie. Can’t wait. By the way, I think they did that satire on Clinton while he was still a sitting president. I will see the movie W just because I’d like to more fully understand how we got into such a misguided mess. I have always had the feeling that Bush was not necessarily a bad guy, just not that bright and a puppet of greedy, creepy people. If you “follow the money” of who got rich from his policies, it seems obvious.
I am not surprised that you, in your infinite wisdom, have totally bought into the BS rhetoric that McCain is shoving down your all too willing throat. You probably believe, like that ignorant old woman, that Obama is an Arab terrorist. Goody for you. You really are as dumb as you sound. And good luck paying for those taxes McCain’s gonna put on your healthcare benefits, etc. etc. Unless you make over $250,000 a year. Judging by your brilliant posts, doesn’t seem too likely. Seeing as you’re about as educated as a puddle of mud. And I “have no idea how dangerous Obama is”? Clearly, you have NO CLUE how dangerous McCain and Palin are, thinking that dried up old piece of Republican adulterer cr#p and that pathetic moose-slaughtering hockey mom who got mercilessly booed at the Flyers-Rangers game (HA HA, GO PHILLY FANS!) are even remotely qualified to lead a PTA meeting, let alone this country. You ignoramous Right-wing nutjobs are the joke of the USA.
you are so misinformed and stupid yourself. Maybe you didnt read my first comment you idiot, but i am a doctor. Where do you get off saying that i have to pay for you and all the bums on the street. You are retarded and i refuse to argue with you aby longer because it is going nowhere. Obama will raise all taxes. A democrat doesnt lower taxes you idiot. The small busines tax will raise and a rezult will be less jobs. The economy will never be fixed. In response to Obama. he is dangerous. But according to Wright he is the Messiah. He is no Messiah. He is nothing but a socialist.