Movie critique essay/political science

Assignment: Imagine that you are a film critic for a major newspaper. Watch and write a 3-4 page critique of one of the films listed below being certain to include a discussion about how the film portrays the role of the media. Be sure to support your conclusions with evidence and logical arguments. This should not be a simple summary of the movie but rather a critique and an analysis. You might want to check out Link (Links to an external site.) before you get started.

All the President’s Men (1976)(Available at the library; Amazon streaming and Netflix DVD) This movie describes how two young reporters from the Washington Post broke and pursued the story of the Watergate scandal (1972 – 1975).

The Insider (1999) (Available at the library and on Amazon streaming) this film describes the efforts of a disgruntled tobacco company executive and of a producer at CBS news to bring the activities of the tobacco industry to the attention of the public. The movie also describes the interference with the exposé by CBS management and how the producer had to go around management to break the story.

Spotlight (2015) (Available at the library, Netflix, Amazon streaming and on Demand) Based on the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a massive cover-up of child molestation within the local Catholic Archdiocese

Wag the Dog (1997) (Available at the library and on mutiple streaming services.) The movie’s story line involves a sex-obsessed U.S. president in the middle of a reelection campaign whose advisers stage a fake war in Albania to distract voters from the scandal.

The Post (2017) (Available at the library and on multiple streaming services.)This film based on a true story tells the story of how Katharine Graham publisher of The Washinton Post, and hard-nosed editor Ben Bradlee join forces to expose a decades-long cover-up. But the two must risk their careers –– and their freedom –– to bring truth to light in this powerful film with a celebrated cast.

General Guidelines

Review should be 3-4 pages long, typed and double-spaced. No outside research or commentary on the film is required. However, if outside sources are utilized, proper citations must be used. All papers must be the student’s own work. Pay attention to spelling, grammar and usage as they form part of your final grade. I will give a one day grace period in which I will accept the assignment the day after the due date with a ten percent late penalty assigned.