John Kerry Movies
- 2004
- PG13
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Douglas Brinkley's best-selling novel Tour of Duty follows 2004 presidential hopeful John Kerry's years in Vietnam and goes on to illustrate his contribution to peace advocacy groups after being honorably discharged from the Navy. Both of these events, according to George Butler, Tour of Duty director and long-time friend of Senator Kerry, had a profound impact on the politician's personal ideologies, and provided the foundation for Kerry's career. Kerry, who hired Butler as his press secretary during his 1969 congressional campaign, agreed to be interviewed for the film. Tour of Duty, in addition to a series of interviews, features an array of archival footage of Kerry dating from the 1960s to his presidential run. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Steven Rosenbaum's documentary Staffers shows how the political process affects the foot soldiers who go to work in various candidates' campaigns for the presidency. Included are interviews with and footage of the staffers who worked during the 2004 campaign for John Kerry, Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Lieberman, and General Wesley Clark. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Directed by Steven Rosenbaum, this addition to the slew of election-year political documentaries follows the triumphs and pitfalls of the John Kerry campaign trail in hopes of giving some insight into the personalities behind the media blitz, or political bubble, so to speak. Rosenbaum claims that mainstream news media only captures the candidate, as opposed to the person; Inside the Bubble attempts to encapsulate the human element of Kerry's part in the 2004 presidential campaign. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
In 1969, during the Vietnam War, Senator John Kerry was one of a handful of soldiers assigned to a "Swift boat," a small reconnaissance vessel that patrolled the rivers in search of North Vietnamese camps hidden in the thick jungles along the banks. Like most of the Swift boat crews, Kerry's company came under attack several times during its hitch in Vietnam, and the horrors of combat and the emotional weight of the war's legacy proved to be a great obstacle to overcome for these soldiers. Brothers in Arms is a documentary that profiles the men who served in the Swift boat crew -- Kerry is included, but not given particular emphasis -- and discuss in detail their experiences in Vietnam, the difficulties they encountered after returning home, and how they each came to terms with their traumas and moved on. Directed by Paul Alexander, Brothers in Arms was one of two films about John Kerry's Vietnam experiences scheduled to be released in the fall of 2004, as he was in the midst of a campaign for president. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Actors and political activists come together to take a long, hard look at the State of the Union during the 2000 U.S. Presidential election in this documentary, a follow-up to 1993's The Last Party, in which actor Robert Downey Jr. followed the 1992 presidential campaign. In The Last Party 2000, with Robert Downey Jr. unavailable due to drug convictions (he does make a brief appearance, and his legal problems as well as the current state of American drug laws are discussed), Philip Seymour Hoffman takes his place as he visits the 2000 Democratic and Republican National Conventions and talks to politicians and activists both famous and obscure as a pitched battle is fought between supporters of democratic candidate Al Gore, republican nominee George W. Bush, and the many voices who believed neither candidate represented a worthwhile or reasonable choice. Along with Downey and Hoffman, celebrities speaking out on the issues in this film include Courtney Love, Rosie O'Donnell, Reese Witherspoon, and David Crosby; the rock band Stone Temple Pilots also appear at a political rally. The Last Party 2000 was directed by actor and musician Donovan Leitch, who served as a producer on the first film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
As a determined collective of American and Vietnamese veterans collaborate for a sixteen day, 1,200 mile bicycle expedition across the very same landscape where they once vowed to kill each other or die trying, emotional scars cut deeper than any physical wounds. Nearly a quarter century after the last American officials were airlifted to safety from their Saigon embassy rooftop, the preparations are being finalized for The Vietnam Challenge: A grueling bicycle journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. An event organized by World T.E.A.M. (The Exceptional Athlete Matters) Sports, The Vietnam Challenge teamed able-bodied veterans with those who were wounded in battle to highlight the remarkable accomplishments that can be made by those suffering with disabilities. For some participants it was the physical aspect of the race that proved the most challenging, and for others the hardest part was moving out of the past and learning to embrace the future. Joining these exceptional veterans on their remarkable journey are Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts and U.S. Ambassador Pete Peterson. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Greg LaMonde, John Kerry, (more)
- 1993
- R
In this humorous documentary, Robert Downey, Jr. shares his views of politics, attitudes and himself while travelling across the country in 1992. He spends a special amount of time at the Democratic and Republican conventions. Downey includes brief interviews by such luminaries as Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, Jerry Falwell, and his father, Robert Downey, Sr. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Downey, Jr.
- 1992
Although Gary's Old Towne Tap is under new ownership, the gang at Cheers intends to reinvigorate its war of practical jokes against the rival pub. Alas, Gary's taciturn owner (Harry Guardino) doesn't find the pranks very funny -- but then, not too many mobsters are known for their sense of humor. Senator John Kerry appears as himself in the opening scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
