Suggestions with trailers: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; Norma Rae; Just Mercy; 42; Loving; The Trial of the Chicago 7; On the Basis of Sex; Darkest Hour; All Quiet On the Western Front; W; Charlie Wilson's War; Chappaquiddick; Pride.
Documentaries: Operation Varsity Blues; Get me Roger Stone; War Room; W; Charlie Wilson's War; The Most Dangerous Man in America (Daniel Ellsberg); Best of Enemies; War Room.
Journalism: The Post; Spotlight; All the President's Men; Frost/Nixon; Broadcast News; Good Night and Good Luck; Network. More ideas here and here.
Thank You for Smoking "follows the efforts of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who lobbies on behalf of cigarettes using heavy spin tactics while also trying to remain a role model for his 12-year-old son."
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. This film is essential for understanding America's political culture, with insights into the popular image of the filibuster, political machines, the Press, and cynicism about "Washington politics": the swamp. It was "loosely based on the life of Montana U.S. Senator Burton Wheeler, who underwent a similar experience when he was investigating the Warren Harding administration.... Considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, the film was selected by the Library of Congress as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1989, for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
All the Way. Tells the story of how LBJ got the 1964 Civil Rights Act through Congress, past the Southern bloc and Sen. Richard Russell. RT consensus (87%): "Anchored by Bryan Cranston's phenomenal performance as LBJ, All the Way is an engrossing portrayal of a complicated man during a pivotal moment in US history" (Highly recommended).
April 17: On the Basis of Sex. RT consensus: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's "extraordinary life makes a solid case for itself as an inspirational, well-acted biopic."
April 24: Sorry to Bother You. This film (rated R) asks ambitious people to answer the question from the old labor anthem: "Which Side are you On?" RT: 93%.
May 2 (Tuesday): TBA (Room 209).
The concept of superheroes is political because "we've learned to treat politics like a damned superhero movie: good versus evil, redemption arcs, the good ones always prevail. It's all black and white, with no room for nuances."
Since, according to room 210, everything is political, we can watch any film at all on political film night. Who needs politics when Batman will solve our problems for us? (Room 210)
We ended up watching The Dark Night. The political message seems to be that people are generally good, though some are unbelievably bad. Emphasis on "unbelievable." Actually, it's wrong on both counts.