Movies on political intrigue

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, Kirsten Dunst

Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Robert De Niro ("Raging Bull," "Godfather: Part II") and Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman ("Rain Man," "Kramer vs. Kramer") star in a tale of politics, power and Hollywood so outrageous it could be true! Two weeks before re-election, the President of the United States is accused of accosting a girl scout. Before the news reaches the media, his advisors call in a political consultant specializing in image rescues. What to do? Hire a Hollywood producer to create a war -- distracting public attention from the scandal and rallying Americans to their President in surge of patriotic fever. Also starring Denis Leary, Kirsten Dunst and Woody Harrelson. Directed by Academy Award and Emmy Award-winner Barry Levinson ("Rain Man," TV's "Homicide: Life on the Street"). Based on the novel American Hero by Larry Beinhart.

Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

From DreamWorks Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln — with an all-star ensemble cast including Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This inspiring and revealing drama focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final four months in office as this visionary leader pursues a course of action to end the Civil War, unite the country and abolish slavery.

Actors: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie

A Bolivian presidential candidate failing badly in the polls enlists the firepower of an elite American management team, led by the deeply damaged, but still brilliant strategist "Calamity" Jane Bodine (Bullock). In self-imposed retirement following a scandal that earned her nickname and rocked her to her core, Jane is coaxed back into the game for the chance to beat her professional nemesis, the loathsome Pat Candy (Thornton), now coaching the opposition. But as Candy zeroes in on every vulnerability-both on and off the campaign trail-Jane is plunged into a personal crisis as intense as the one her team exploits nationally to boost their numbers. Dramatic, rapid-fire and laced with satire, Our Brand is Crisis reveals the cynical machinations and private battles of world-class political consultants for whom nothing is sacred and winning is all that matters.

Actors: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco

His life changed history. His courage changed lives. Academy Award® winner Sean Penn stars in this stirring celebration of Harvey Milk, a true man of the people. Based on the inspiring true story of the first openly gay man elected to major public office, this compelling film follows Milk's powerful journey to inspire hope for equal rights during one of the least tolerant times in our nation's history. With a stunning all-star, cast including Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna and James Franco, it's the emotionally charged story that was proclaimed the Winner of The New York Film Critics Circle Best Picture Award!

Actors: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Emily Blunt, Amy Adams

Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this compelling and witty film from Oscar®-winning director Mike Nichols and Primetime Emmy®-winning writer Aaron Sorkin. Based on the outrageous true story, Charlie Wilson's War shows how one congressman who loved a good time, one Houston socialite who loved a good cause and one renegade CIA agent who loved a good fight conspired to bring about the largest covert operation in history.

Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Lea Thompson, Dermot Mulroney

During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. Through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe. His methods were at once ruthless and heroic, with the admiration of the world his most coveted, if ever elusive, prize. Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets-particularly those of others-and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation. Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable.

Actors: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Ben Kingsley

Academy Award-winner and Golden Globe-nominee Kevin Kline and Academy Award and Emmy-nominee and Golden Globe-winner Sigourney Weaver star in the critically acclaimed comedy about an ordinary guy named Dave who is asked to double for the president of the United States. What is supposed to be a one-time stint turns into a permanent masquerade when the president is stricken mortally ill, and Dave finds himself caught between the ambitions of a group of powerful people and his own basic ideas of right and wrong. In a country where anybody can become president, anybody just did! Directed by Emmy-nominee Ivan Reitman and co-starring Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley, Charles Grodin, Frank Langella, Ving Rhames, Laura Linney, and a host of cameos from real-life celebrities, reporters and U.S. senators. Siskel & Ebert give "two thumbs up" to the film Newsweek calls "Ivan Reitman's best comedy since 'Ghostbusters'."

Actors: Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Jeff Goldblum