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Arts & Entertainment

Beware Greenbelters Review 'The Ides of March'

Anna Socrates and Mark Stenson are this week's movie reviewers.

Welcome Patch's Tugwell Theatre Group, where Greenbelt movie buffs share their thoughts about films at the . With four pops being the best rating a movie can grab, find out how popcorn-worthy your neighbors deem this week's show.

Anna Socrates
4 pops: ☼☼☼

George Clooney leverages his personal charm and reputation as a liberal do-gooder to create a chillingly amoral Frankenstein’s monster out of our collective need for political leaders who are supermen and saviors...

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See full review below

Mark Stenson
3 pops: ☼☼☼

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What the film lacks in story it makes up for in great acting and gorgeous scenery that contributes to the pessimistic world. It’s predictable but still an exceptional film.

See full review below

ANNA SOCRATES REVIEW

“The most frightening horror movie I’ve seen all year,” is how a friend described The Ides of March. An apt characterization of the political thriller—directed by George Clooney—that rips the mask off the carefully constructed rhetoric and imagery of contemporary political campaigns to expose the monster within.  The milieu seems disturbingly familiar, and it should:

  • From the Shepard Fairey “Believe” poster of candidate Clooney
  • to the cameos by Charlie Rose and Rachel Maddow
  • to the sordid political scandal that implodes the campaign
  • to the callous dismissal of those who have become political liabilities.

The story holds few surprises, but the performances are revelations. Ryan Gosling’s face reflects his metamorphosis from a genial and idealistic campaign operative into a cynical, dead-eyed player. Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman are memorable as senior campaign managers from opposite camps, whose Byzantine machinations come straight from Machiavelli’s playbook on political gamesmanship.

George Clooney leverages his personal charm and reputation as a liberal do-gooder to create a chillingly amoral Frankenstein’s monster out of our collective need for political leaders who are supermen and saviors with none of our faults and frailties. And that need is, perhaps, the most terrifying monstrosity of all.

This deserves 4 bags of popcorn for making you think.

MARK STENSON REVIEW

The Ides of March is a great film that has George Clooney’s handprints all over it. George Clooney writes, directs and acts in this cynical political tale. The Ides of March is the story about Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) an up and coming campaign press secretary for a presidential hopeful, Mike Morris (Clooney). Conflict arises, when Stephen finds himself caught in the middle a career altering political scandal that could end his career and shatter Morris’ chances at the presidency.

The story is a bit cliché for my liking but is forgiven because it’s good at what it is — a very good drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The main characters are more dynamic than those in a typical cliché film, making you want to switch which side you’re rooting — creating a semi-thought provoking film. George Clooney is surprisingly better behind the camera directing with gorgeous cinematography then in front acting. His writing on the other hand is almost a mess, being sub par with a cliché story line. But this is without a doubt an actors piece —with all-stars like George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Evan Rachel Wood — giving it their all and selling their lines with such believability. 

The film is not the Oscar contender everyone made it out to be but its pretty close to it. The story and writing is predictable and cliché, but has a satisfying ending. What the film lacks in story it makes up for in great acting and gorgeous scenery that contributes to the pessimistic world. It’s predictable but still an exceptional film.

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