The much anticipated 'Irresistible' comes out later this month, a satirical movie telling the story of a retired Colonel running for mayor with the help of a political consultant. For those of us out there needing something to tide us through until the release 'Irresistible', try out these political satires.
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Thank You For Smoking
- 2006 Movie
- 4.2/5
‘Thank You for Smoking’ is movie that deals with what happens when the person you are trying to be for your children is not in line with the job you have. Nick Naylor is a suave, smooth talking spokesman for Big Tobacco, often using less than moral methods to ensure that the industry has a strong and positive public image. As anti-tobacco campaigns grow, Naylor resorts to further immoral actions. When his son sees him paying off a man with cancer caused from smoking, Naylor must confront the sort of behaviour he is modelling for his child. This movie cleverly questions how far we are willing to go for money, the responsibilities of companies and consumers and who we want to be for our children. An often-underrated movie, this political satire is well worth a watch.
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Look Who's Back
- 2015 Movie
- 4/5
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name this satirical German movie explores the idea of what would happen if Hitler reappeared today. After waking up in his bunker, Hitler re-enters the world to discover that it is now 2014. Plotting to once again rise to power, Hitler becomes entangled in a movie production and aims to use this platform to bring his ideals to the modern world. Mixing scripted scenes with unscripted interactions with people on the street, the film explores how people interact today with the horrors of the Second World War and the danger that fostering and supporting ideas of divide, blind nationalism and hate have in any time.
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The Day Shall Come
- 2019 Movie
- 3.3/5
Only released in 2019, 'The Day Shall Come' is a comedy satire starring Marchant Davis, Anna Kendrick and Dennis O’Hare. It follows the story of Moses, a preacher of a small religious commune living in poverty in the Miami Projects. After being picked up on the FBI's radar through his online sermons, he is unwittingly entangled in an FBI plan to turn him into the fall guy of a fake terror plot. The all-star cast in 'The Day Shall Come' give amazing performances portraying the characters as multidimensional figures in a complicated and often absurd situation. 'The Day Shall Come' is a movie that cleverly mixes comedy with serious underlying themes surrounding law enforcement, corruption, mental health, and terrorism.
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The Death Of Stalin
- 2018 Movie
- 3.9/5
The 2017 film ‘The Death of Stalin’ is a dark comedy satire based on the events following the 1953 fall of Joseph Stalin. A frantic power struggle ensues in the Russian government over who will be the next leader of the Soviet Empire after the unexpected death of Joseph Stalin. Among the contenders are the wily, the weak and the head of the Secret Police. Heading this all-star cast are great performances by Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor and Simon Russell Beale, bringing a satirical take on the back-stabbings, mishaps and arguments during the struggle to find the next soviet leader during this turbulent time in history.
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Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb
- 1964 Movie
- 4.4/5
A blast from the past, this 1964 black comedy is a satire film based on the fear of nuclear war during the Cold War period in America. Having been coined by some critics as one of the best comedies ever made, ‘Dr. Strangelove’ tells the tale of an unstable American military officer who puts the world on the path of nuclear annihilation when he sends a bomber plane to Russia without telling his superiors. As panic ensues politicians and army generals scramble to stop a nuclear war. The movie satirises many of the themes present in society during the Cold War era, such as the threat of nuclear war and the idea of mutually assured destruction. Still rated as one of the all-time best comedy this is a fantastic political black comedy that you simply shouldn't miss.
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Man Of The Year
- 2006 Movie
- 2.3/5
Tom Dobbs, the host of a satirical news program, decides to run for president of the United States of America. After a struggled campaign he unexpectedly wins the election. However, his win is due to a technical glitch in the voting system. The company running the electronic voting wants to keep the glitch a secret to protect themselves while others want the scandal exposed. Starring the legendary Robin Williams, this clever comedic satire exploring the American political system and the roles and responsibilities of both big companies and individuals in shaping the political landscape is one not to miss.
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In The Loop
- 2009 Movie
- 4.4/5
‘In the Loop’ is a 2009 black satirical comedy directed by Armando Iannucci and based loosely on the televisions series The Thick of It. When US and UK political leaders plan to create a war, an American army general and British Secretary of State take it upon themselves to try to prevent the countries going to war. This dark comedy satirises themes and events in western politics, such as the invasion of Iraq. The film has been popular with both critics and audiences and seamlessly offers quality dark comedy content mixed with serious political themes to create an enjoyable, clever and entertaining film.
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The Great Dictator
- 1941 Movie
- 4.3/5
A classic movie from one of the all-time film making greats, Charlie Chaplin. Nominated for five academy awards and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance, this movie is a must see. ‘The Great Dictator’ condemns fascism, antisemitism, and the Nazis through the satirical portrayal of a ruthless dictator, in a parody of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. Legendary actor Charlie Chaplin plays both leading roles of the movie, the ruthless dictator and a persecuted Jewish barber. A classic movie that since its first release in 1940 has been highly acclaimed by critics and audiences around the world, ‘The Great Dictator’ is an entertaining, thought provoking movie and one of the all-time greats in the political satire genre.
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The Campaign
- 2012 Movie
- 3.2/5
This 2012 political satire starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis tells the story of two political rivals both running for the same seat, both willing to stop at nothing to ensure that their campaign is successful. After long-term congressman Brady has a public mishap before the election, local businessmen take it into their own hands to try and get one of their own candidates elected to gain influence over their district. As their unlikely candidate begins to gain traction in the election, a bitter war ensues between the two parties as both candidates fight to win the election by whatever means necessary. Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, both being comedy heavyweights, really make the show. 'The Campaign' may not be high end viewing but is an entertaining political satire.
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Jojo Rabbit
- 2019 Movie
- 4.2/5
One of the latest movies from acclaimed director Taika Waititi, 'JoJo Rabbit' is a satirical black comedy set in World War Two Germany. Told from the point of view of ten-year-old JoJo as he confronts and reconciles with his own skewed world view when he discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Lonely and unsure of himself, JoJo must navigate a rapidly changing and complicated world. Aided by his loving mother on one side and his imaginary best friend, Adolf Hitler, on the other he must decide what he is willing to fight for and what he believes is right. The movie seamlessly mixes comedy with the horrors and hardships of the Second World War to give viewers a very unusual movie experience.
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