Calendar
W.
Oliver Stone’s W., which is as much edited as it is directed, working from a script by Stone buddy Stanley Weiser, has a patchwork chronology that takes as its central pattern the run-up to the Iraq War and ensuing search for the missing weapons of mass destruction, while pushing two theses regarding the nature of its eponymous antihero: One, that the younger Bush (played crudely by Josh Brolin) became president to take revenge on the elder, and two, that Dubya actually has a powerful insight into American politics. Cable news won’t be able to resist the movie’s most outrageous scenes, and such blatant Bush bludgeoning should compel a few Republican pols and right-wing pundits to rise to their maligned leader’s defense. Many more people will see W.’s choice moments as de facto campaign ads on TV or YouTube than will ever sit through the movie. W. may be opening at a good time but it doesn’t exactly promise one. Stone omits the stolen 2000 election, stops short of the 2004 campaign, and spares us the second term, but this is still a painful movie to endure. I blame history more than Stone for that—it’s a shame that when the filmmaker contemplated the nature of imperial hubris four years ago, the gods decreed he should unleash Alexander rather than this. Back then, W. might actually have made a difference.
Oct. 31-Nov. 20, 2008
more by
- The Green Zone: Mission finally accomplished
- Alice in Chains
Tim Burton's Wonderland is not nearly curiouser and curiouser enough.
- Alice in Wonderland
- Inglourious Basterds
- A Town Called Panic
Write Your Comment
*indicates required fields. Please enable browser cookies before filling out this form. All reader comments are subject to our Terms of Use. By clicking Add Comment, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to these Terms.
Comments may take a few minutes to process and appear on the site. Please do not click the "Add Comment" button again while your comment is being added.
Music Recommendations
AbsintheSan Francisco, CA |
Pier 23 CafeSan Francisco, CA |
Beach Chalet Brewery & RestaurantSan Francisco, CA |
Tommy's JoyntSan Francisco, CA |
Cha Cha ChaSan Francisco, CA |
21st AmendmentSan Francisco, CA |
Most …
-
Girl Game A world-famous pickup artist tried to teach single women to attract decent guys in S.F. It was harder than he thought.
- Korea Attacks! Korean junk food has established a tasty foothold
- List: The S.F. subway to nowhere
-
The Eyes of the Hurricane She's been called the female Manny Pacquiao. But can Ana Julaton make people care about women's boxing?
-
Turning the Tables Police have made a number of arrests and seizures of DJ equipment at underground parties and clubs. Is it enforcement or harassment?
SF Weekly on Digg
