1. “Nixon”
This is another film like “W.” that does not condemn a president’s behavior, but genuinely tries to understand it. Director Oliver Stone and Anthony Hopkins as Nixon take a mature and objective approach to the material. The film shows all sides of Nixon including his infamous Watergate days, but also his sadly lesser known accomplishments such as his establishment of diplomatic relations in China and formation of a treaty to limit strategic nuclear weapons in Russia. This film shows that when it comes to political stories, it is possible to be fair and balanced.

3. “The Contender”
This film about a female vice presidential candidate suffering from unpopularity and scandalous accusations is more relevant now than ever. At the time of its release, “The Contender” heavily mirrored the story of Bill Clinton’s Monica Lewinski debacle with its exploration of scandals and rumors bringing down politicians. Now, the film mirrors Sarah Palin’s situation. This proves that this film will remain relevant for years to come with its universal themes.

4. “Bulworth”
A hilarious and greatly underappreciated film, “Bulworth” is about a presidential candidate that can’t seem to keep his mouth shut or stop trying to be hip. He even raps about socialism at one point. This film, directed by its star Warren Beatty (“Reds,” “Dick Tracy”), is a brilliant satire on politicians’ desperate desire to be celebrities. Like “The Contender,” this film’s satirical material proves timeless especially after seeing Barack Obama dancing on “Ellen” recently as well as Sarah Palin’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live.”

5. “Good Night, and Good Luck”
Although it is more about powerful journalism than politics, this film exposes government paranoia and political prejudice with its story of Edward Murrow’s defiance of McCarthyism. The CBS reporter’s attack on Senator Joseph McCarthy exposed dangerous flaws in politicians and made for a proud moment in television history. This is a hard-hitting film that inspires us to question politicians.

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