Tag Archives: Michael Sheen

Flashback Friday: Frost/Nixon (2008)

In a democracy, an interview between a reporter and a political figure is a normal event.

The 2008 film, Frost/Nixon, written by Peter Morgan (The Crown), is based on the play of the same name. In 1977, the late American President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) sat down to a televised interview with British television host David Frost (Michael Sheen). It has been three years since the Watergate scandal and his ouster from the highest political office in the land. Over that period, he has not spoken publicly about his misconduct and its aftermath.

Up until that point, Frost’s reputation is not exactly that of a journalistic heavy hitter. Nixon hopes to use that reputation to revive his public perception and earn a hefty check in the process. For his part, Frost has to overcome the doubts that his team has in his ability to succeed. What neither knows is the game that the other will play and how challenging it will be.

This movie is fantastic. The acting is top notch and the story immediately pulls the audience in. Langella almost disappears into the character of Nixon. Though the makeup and prothesis helps, it is the actor who does the heavy lifting. For his part, Sheen as Frost, has the more difficult job. He has to prove that his character has the chops to take on one of the most infamous men in American history.

If there is one takeaway from this movie, it is that politics never changes. Though the narrative takes place nearly fifty years ago, it is a relevant today as it was then.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Frost/Nixon is available for streaming on Peacock.

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Filed under Flashback Friday, History, Movie Review, Movies, Politics, Television

Throwback Thursday-The Queen (2006)

It can sometimes be said that we show our true colors when the chips are down.

In the 2006 movie, The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) is facing a dilemma that no one saw coming.

The death of her ex-daughter in law, Princess Diana has left the country and the world devastated. For the sake of her family, Elizabeth believes the mourning in private is best. But the people are starting to ask why their Queen has not publicly addressed them. It is up to Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) to convince Elizabeth to speak to the public and address the overwhelming grief that they are all experiencing.

As a performer, Helen Mirren can do no wrong in my eyes. What I like about this movie is that it brings us back to that horrible summer when Princess Diana died and it normalizes the grief, especially for those whose feelings we can only speculate on.

I recommend it.

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Filed under History, Life, Misc, Movie Review, Throwback Thursday

The Critics Were Wrong-Laws Of Attraction

I’ve decided to start a new segment entitled The Critics Were Wrong, where I will explain why a movie or a television show is good, despite what the critics say.

The first movie I will be writing about is Laws Of Attraction, a movie which the critics skewered.

This movie completely opposite from what the critics say.

Audrey Woods (Julianne Moore) and Daniel Rafferty (Pierce Brosnan) are dueling divorce lawyers. Daniel and Audrey agree to take the divorce case of rock star Thorne Jameson (Michael Sheen) and his designer wife, Serena (Parker Posey). The only thing that both Thorne and Serena want is the castle in Ireland that they purchased during the marriage’s happier days. So off to Ireland Audrey and Daniel go. After getting drunk at a local bar, they wake up the next morning finding that they have married. But to retain their professional reputations, their marriage must be kept a secret.  

I enjoy this movie. It reminds me of the rom coms of old Hollywood. The type of rom coms that were funny and entertaining without being so predictable that the audience could figure out the ending half way through the movie.

I highly recommend this movie, despite what the critics say. It is funny and charming and exactly what a rom com should be.

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Filed under Movie Review, Movies, The Critics Were Wrong