Video Six-Pack: Hollywood’s take on presidential elections

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star in "All the President's Men."

Americans will head to the polls on Tuesday to elect another president.

Either Barack Obama will continue to reside in the White House for four more years or Mitt Romney will try his hand as president.

Whoever wins will have a difficult task of dealing with a massive deficit, terrorism, possible nuclear weapons in Iran and economic uncertainty.

Hollywood has had more than its share of films devoted to the race for president as well as the men who have occupied the White House over the years.

Films about candidates with dark secrets have included the Bruce Willis action film “Red” about a candidate trying to cover up his involvement in a military cover-up. Dustin Hoffman stars as a spin doctor in “Wag the Dog” about a campaign of disinformation and manipulation when a candidate is caught having sex with a minor. Frank Sinatra stars in “The Manchurian Candidate” about a candidate (Laurence Harvey) who is a communist stooge after being brainwashed while a POW during the Korean War.

Fictional presidents have had their share of woes including Michael Douglas as a widowed president trying to do his job, run for re-election and woo a lobbyist in “The American President.” Hal March is a president who has to thwart a military coup in “Seven Days in May.” Kevin Kline portrays both a calculating president who dies while having an affair with a staffer and the good-natured imposter brought in to portray him in “Dave.”

Real-life presidents have had their problems, too. President John Kennedy faces off with the Russians over missiles in Cuba in “13 Days in October.” Before he was president, Dwight Eisenhower has to defeat Nazi Germany in “Ike.”

Presidents have been action stars, such as the gun-toting chief executive portrayed by Harrison Ford in “Air Force One,” while Abraham Lincoln moonlighted as a vampire killer in “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Killer.” Jack Nicholson’s president is chased out of the White House by bloodthirsty aliens in “Mars Attacks!”

Here are six films available on video, DVD, on-demand or streaming that have featured one way or another the campaign for the highest office in the land.Vote early and often (it's a Chicago thing).

“All the President’s Men” (1976) – This exceptional film about the two Washington Post reporters who uncover the Watergate scandal is a tribute to old school journalism and, unfortunately, a look at how paranoia brought down a president. Stars include Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards and Jane Alexander.

“Swing Vote” (2008) – A presidential election comes down to a single man’s vote in this political comedy that may be a more accurate observation of the average voter than we want to believe. Stars include Kevin Costner, Paula Patton, Dennis Hopper, Madeline Carroll, Kelsey Grammer and Nathan Lane.

“Primary Colors” (1998) – John Travolta stars as a Bill Clinton-like candidate stumping for the Democratic nomination for president who will stop at nothing to win. Other stars include Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester, Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney and Larry Hagman.  

“Shampoo” (1975) – The 1968 election between Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey plays in the background for this film about a hair dresser (Warren Beatty) trying to find financing for his own shop while he beds just about every woman he encounters. Other stars include Goldie Hawn, Julie Christie, Lee Grant, Jack Warden and a young Carrie Fisher.

“Man of the Year” (2006) – Robin Williams stars as a Jon Stewart-like television pundit who runs for president and wins because of a computer glitch that the voting technology company will do everything to keep secret in this twisted comedy. Other stars include Laura Linney, Christopher Walken and Lewis Black.

“Head of State” (2003) – A candidate for president dies and his party decides to replace him with a nobody (Chris Rock) in the waning days of the campaign in this comedy. Other stars include Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker, Nick Searcy, Lynn Whitfield and Robin Givens. 

Athletes and sports are the stars in Olympic films

British athletes train for the 1924 Games in the opening scene from "Chariots of Fire."

Few sporting events capture the world’s attention as do the Olympics, and few have its international flavor.

That makes sense considering 10,490 athletes from 204 countries are expected to compete in 26 sports for a chance to win one of 302 medals that will be given out at the London Games, which kick off Friday.

London is the first city to host the Games three times since they were revived in 1896. The British capital hosted the Games in 1908 and again in 1948.

Although the Olympics have not inspired filmmakers the way sports such as baseball or football have, there have been plenty of movies made about the Games and the athletes.

Cary Grant stars in “Walk, Don’t Run,” about a race walker at the Tokyo Games in 1964. “Wee Geordie” is about an undersized Scottish athlete training for the hammer throw at the 1956 Games in Melbourne. “It Happened in Athens” is a film about the effort to bring back the Olympics.

Many movies have focused on individual athletes and their lives or accomplishments. “The Bob Mathias Story” was a bio-pic about the 1948 and 1952 decathlon champ. He starred as himself. “Berlin 36” is a film about Gretel Bergmann, a female Jewish German athlete trying to compete in the 1936 Games in Berlin. “Forever the Moment” is a film about the South Korean women’s handball team that lost to Denmark in a shootout at the 2004 Games in Seoul.

Some movies about the Olympics are just plain silly or stupid. Chinese detective Charlie Chan uncovers a spy ring in Berlin while watching No. 1 son compete in the 1936 Games in “Charlie Chan at the Olympics.” Susan Anton is the daughter of an ex-Nazi scientist who has been pumping her full of secret drugs to make her an Olympic hero in “Goldengirl.” Dolph Lundgren portrays an American penthathlete who foils bad guys at both the 1992 and 1996 Games in "Pentathlon."

Here are six films about the Summer Olympics available on video, DVD, on demand and streaming that can get your juices flowing until the real Games start on Friday, or that can get you through the lean days of canoe slalom and synchronized swimming over the next two weeks.

Chariots of Fire (1981) – This is an epic film about two British track stars – one a Jew and the other a devout Christian – who take different paths to the 1924 Games in Paris. Stars include Ben Cross as Harold Abrahams, Ian Charleson as Eric Liddel, Ian Holm, Alice Krige and John Gielgud.

Running Brave (1983) – A heartwarming film about the shocking upset by U.S. Marine Billy Mills in the 10,000 meters race at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. Robbie Benson stars as Mills, a Sioux who must fight prejudice and his own coach to be a champion. Other stars include Pat Hingle, Graham Greene and Claudia Cron.

Without Limits (1998) – Billy Crudup stars as the University of Oregon track star in this film that traces his life leading up to the 1972 Games in Munich and his untimely death in 1975 at age 24 in a car crash. Other stars include Donald Sutherland as his college coach Bill Bowerman, Monica Potter and Jeremy Sisto. “Prefontaine” is another bio-pic starring Jared Leto as the runner.

Personal Best (1982) – Mariel Hemmingway stars as a talented but naïve pentathlete in this film about two young women fighting for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team leading up to the 1980 Games in Moscow. Complicating matters is that both her teammate and coach fall in love with her. Other stars include real-life pentathlete Patrice Donnelly and Scott Glenn.

The Jesse Owens Story (1984) – Dorian Harewood stars as the African-American athlete who demolished Hitler’s notion of Aryan superiority with a string of track victories at the 1936 Games in Berlin. Other stars include Levar Burton, Tom Bosley, Georg Stanford Brown and Norman Fell.

Jim Thorpe – All American (1951) – Burt Lancaster stars in this bio-pic of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, who won both the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Games in Sweden and then had his medals stripped when he was discovered to have played semi-pro baseball. Thorpe is considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20^th century. He went on to play college and pro football as well as pro baseball and basketball. In 1983, the International Olympic Committee restored his Olympic medals. Other stars include Charles Bickford as Pop Warner, Steve Cochrane and Phyllis Thaxter. 

Ernest Borgine, from Film Heavy to TV Funnyman

Ernest Borgnine won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a butcher in "Marty" in 1955.

Ernest Borgnine spent the better part of six decades as an actor and was performing almost to the end. 

He died last week of kidney failure. He was 95 and had recently finished work on “The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez,” a film about a bitter old man who finds fame among the Latino workers at a nursing home.

Perhaps best known as the conniving skipper of PT-73 in television’s “McHale’s Navy,” Borgnine had no trouble finding work in films and on television.

He moved back and forth between TV and film with relative ease.

He was often cast as a movie villain in his early years, but managed to take home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as an Italian butcher who somehow finds love in “Marty” in 1955.

His TV career included “McHale’s Navy,” “Airwolf” and “The Single Guy.” He also lent his voice to animated shows including “SpongeBob Square Pants.” In 2009, at age 92, he was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the final two episodes of “ER.”

Borgnine’s personal life was almost as remarkable as his film career. He was married five times including a 38-day marriage to Ethel Merman in 1964. Other wives included actress Katy Jurado.

Among his film roles was Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi in “Legend in Granite.” He also appeared as a general in all four “Dirty Dozen” films. Didn’t know there were three made-for-TV sequels, did you?

Other performances included “Bad Day at Black Rock,” “Johnny Guitar,” “Emperor of the North,” and “Ice Station Zebra.”

One of his funnier roles was as the cabbie that chose to stay in New York in the Kurt Russell adventure film “Escape from New York.”

He also appeared in a bit part as the record keeper in Bruce Willis’ spy adventure “Red” in 2010.

You can see how good an actor he was by checking out these six movies available on video, DVD, on-demand and through streaming services.

“From Here to Eternity” (1953) – Borgnine is a brutal MP who beats Frank Sinatra’s character to death in the stockade in this film about military life in Hawaii in the days leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Other stars include Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed and Jack Warden.

“Marty” (1955) – Borgnine took home the Academy Award for his performance as an Italian butcher who unexpectedly finds love in this wonderful film, beating out Frank Sinatra, James Dean, James Cagney and Spencer Tracy. Other stars include Betsy Blair and Jerry Paris.

“The Wild Bunch” (1969) – Borgnine stars as one of the title bunch who find themselves hunted after a robbery in this Sam Peckinpah Western bloodbath. Other stars include William Holden, Robert Ryan, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Strother Martin and L.Q. Jones.

“The Vikings” (1958) – Borgnine stars as Viking king Ragnar in this epic film about two brothers fighting each other as much as the English. Other stars include Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and James Donald.

“The Poseidon Adventure” (1972) – Borgnine is one of the survivors trying to find a way out after a luxury liner hits a tidal wave and capsizes in this epic disaster film. Other stars include Gene Hackman, Red Buttons, Jack Albertson, Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters and Pamela Sue Martin.

“A Grandpa for Christmas” (2007) – Borgnine stars as former song-and-dance man who discovers he has a granddaughter when he must take care of his estranged daughter after she’s in a car accident right before Christmas in the made-for-television Hallmark movie. Other stars include Tracy Nelson, Jamie Farr, Katherine Helmond and Juliette Goglia.

Andy Griffith was much more than Andy Taylor

Andy Griffith became a star as television's Sheriff Andy Taylor.

Although best known as folksy Sheriff Andy Taylor on television, Andy Griffith was a terrific actor who early on earned a Tony Award nomination for his work on Broadway and was downright mean and nasty in his film debut.

Griffith died Tuesday in his home state of North Carolina. He was 86.

Besides Andy Taylor, Griffith also is known for his performances as television’s Southern defense attorney Ben Matlock. Along the way, he starred in lots of so-so TV shows including “Salvage 1,” about a salvage operator who builds his own spaceship and flies it to the moon to salvage Apollo equipment left behind by NASA.

Griffith also appeared in numerous TV movies over the years, including two turns as Police Chief Abel Marsh.

Late in his life, he borrowed a page from Leslie Nielsen and starred as a crazy general bent on destroying the world in an over-the-top performance in Nielsen’s “Spy Hard.”

His legacy as a TV actor unfortunately overshadows his early film career in such gems as “A Face in the Crowd” and “No Time for Sergeants.”

Here are six films available on video, DVD, on-demand or streaming that are representative of Griffith’s non-Mayberry acting career and show that he was a far better actor than he was given credit for being.

Andy Griffith made his film debut as a
despicable reality star in "A Face in the Crowd."

“A Face in the Crowd” (1957) – Griffith stars as Lonesome Rhodes, a guitar-pickin’ nobody from Arkansas who becomes an overnight media sensation despite some well hidden demons in this Elia Kazan classic. This was Griffith’s first film and he delivers a powerful performance as the vicious and conniving thug who hides behind a wicked smile. Other stars include Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau and a very young Lee Remick.

“No Time for Sergeants” (1958) – Griffith stars as a naïve country bumpkin drafted into the Air Force who makes life miserable for his drill instructor (Myron McCormick). Griffith was nominated for a Tony for his performance as Will Stockdale on Broadway. Other stars include Nick Adams, Murray Hamilton and Don Knotts in his film debut.

“Onionhead” (1958) – Griffith stars in another service comedy, this time about a Coast Guard cutter on convoy duty during World War II. The title refers to a concoction Griffith uses to grow hair when he thinks he’s going bald. Other stars include Matthau, Felicia Farr, Claude Akins, Joey Bishop and James Gregory.

“Rustler’s Rhapsody” (1985) – Griffith plays against type as the evil cattle baron out to control everything in this Western satire by the man who created the “Police Academy” franchise. Other stars include Tom Berenger as the Singing Cowboy, Marilu Henner as his would-be girlfriend and G.W. Bailey as his faithful companion.

“Winter Kill” (1974) – Griffith stars as the sheriff of a winter resort town who has to track down a sniper killing the tourists in this made-for-television movie. Other stars include Nick Nolte, Tim O’Connor and Eugene Roche.

“Waitress” (2007) – Griffith has a small but key role as a persnickety customer of Keri Russell, who is trying to rebuild her life in this underappreciated film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, who was murdered during the filming. Other stars include Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto and Cheryl Hines.

Video 6-Pack: Hollywood has many ideas on doomsday

Mimi Rogers has a difficult decision to make as the world ends in "The Rapture."

Steven Carrell hooks up with Keira Knightly in the doomsday comedy “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” which opened at area theaters last week.

Carrell joins a host of actors and actresses who have had to deal with Hollywood’s take on the impending end of the world.

Bruce Willis leads a raggedy team of astronaut/miners in an attempt to blow up an asteroid the size of Texas threatening global extinction in the action-packed “Armageddon.”

Will Smith tries to find an antidote to a worldwide plague that has wiped out most of the population and turned the rest of humanity into some kind of zombie/vampires in the most recent version of “I am Legend.”

John Cusack stars as a worried dad trying to save his kids and ex-wife when Mayan predictions of the world’s end start to come true in “2012.”

Aaron Eckhart has a plan to jump-start the Earth’s core and save the planet with a series of nuclear explosions in “The Core.”

Gregory Peck captains an American submarine stationed in Australia in the aftermath of World War III as mankind waits for a radioactive cloud to finish off the species in “On the Beach.” Armand Assante has Peck’s role in a made-for-TV remake.

Jane Alexander is a suburban San Francisco housewife doing her best to make her family’s last days as peaceful as possible in the aftermath of a nuclear attack that has cut off their town from the rest of the world in “Testament.” This was originally made-for-TV but was released as a feature film.

Demi Moore is a pregnant woman who rents her garage apartment to a man she thinks is Jesus Christ bent on destroying mankind in “The Seventh Sign.”

James Arness and James Whitmore must stop giant ants from taking over the world in the sci-fi classic “Them!” Arness’ real-life brother Peter Graves has to stop giant locusts from doing the same thing in “The Beginning of the End,” which features the bugs munching their way from central Illinois to Chicago.

Gene Barry is a scientist who must figure out a way to stop invading Martians from wiping us out in less than a week in another sci-fi classic “War of the Worlds.” Tom Cruise stars in the remake that doesn’t compare to the original.

There are dozens more movies that portray life after some kind of calamity has taken place. Some are about rebuilding the Earth, such as “The Book of Eli.” Some are about hope in the future, such as “The Postman.” 

Others are very dark and doubt man will make it, such as “The Road.”

I’ve excluded zombie movies because they are mostly about the end of the world as we know it rather than the end of the world.

If you take doomsday seriously, check out these six movies available on video, DVD, on-demand and through streaming services. Hurry though, according to the Mayan calendar, our time is up in December.

“The Rapture” (1991) – Mimi Rogers stars as a bored and amoral telephone operator who quits her whoring ways and becomes born again with new husband David Duchovny. A series of events shake her belief right before the End of Days and she must decide what to do. This one makes you think. Also stars Patrick Bauchau and Will Patton.

“Miracle Mile” (1988) – Anthony Edwards answers a wrong number and learns he has about an hour before missiles will turn Los Angeles into a nuclear wasteland. He spends the time trying to track down a girl (Mare Winningham) he just met and get out of town. Also stars John Agar, Mykelti Williamson and Denise Crosby as a mysterious woman who seems to have an idea of what to do to escape the holocaust.

“When Worlds Collide” (1951) – A group of scientists and industrialists defy ridicule as they rush to build a space ship they hope will transport them as a kind of Noah’s ark to a new planet after a rogue star crashes into the Earth into this sci-fi classic. Stars include Richard Derr, Barabara Rush, John Hoyt and the late Frank Cady. I’d like to see this one remade using modern special effects.

“Last Night” (1998) – Canadian filmmaker Don McKellar stars in this film about some unexplained disaster that will end the world at midnight and looks at how different characters prepare for the end. Other stars include Sandra Oh, Sarah Polley, David Cronenberg and Genevieve Bujold.

“Believers” (2007) – Two paramedics answering a call are captured by a scientific cult that has calculated the world will end soon in a shower of fire and are planning a mass, ritualistic suicide in advance of the apocalypse. Stars include Johnny Messner, Daniel Benzali and Jon Huertas as a paramedic who sees the light and joins the cult.

“Twelve Monkeys” (1995) – Bruce Willis is a convict from the future sent back in time to gather research on a man-made virus that has mankind on the verge of extinction. The only problem is he’s six years too soon and the authorities jail him for being crazy. Other stars include Madeline Stowe as the analyst who starts to believe his story, Brad Pitt and David Morse.