CBS News
Has Hollywood abandoned the political movie?
Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” … Frank Sinatra in “The Manchurian Candidate” … Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in “All the President’s Men.” Big political movies with big stars have long been part of the Hollywood playbook.
Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images
Playing the chief of staff to President Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen got his first taste of a fictional White House in 1995 in “The American President.” Four years later, Sheen became the small screen’s most famous commander-in-chief, as President Jed Bartlett on “The West Wing.” He described the role as one of the best moments of his life, “as an actor, as an American.”
“The West Wing” premiered 25 years ago this month. But getting it on the air in today’s contentious political climate would be tricky. “Today, with where we are in our, you know, divided politics, sure, it would be very difficult,” Sheen said. “You have to tell the truth. And nowadays there’s all these questions about, ‘Whose truth?'”
Despite the intense interest in this upcoming election, Hollywood appears to have largely stopped making political movies. “If they’re making them, they’re not showing them to me,” said Michael Lynton, a former studio executive (he ran Sony Pictures Entertainment for 13 years). Show business, he says, is a bottom-line business that today is more risk-averse than ever, relying on big-budget global franchises to drive profits.
Running a studio, Lynton said, makes him answerable to his bosses and his shareholders: “Very much so. And, you know, they want a return, understandably. And that’s a huge piece of the equation. They want a financial return.”
What they don’t want is controversy. Consider “The Apprentice,” the new film tracking Donald Trump’s rise to power in the 1970s and ’80s. It took months for producers to find a distributor. No one wanted to touch the film, especially after the Trump campaign threatened to sue.
Watch a clip from “The Apprentice,” featuring Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan as his protégé Donald Trump:
Producers and studios have long had an obsession with the bottom line (plus a healthy fear of political controversy). But that didn’t stop them from making films with bold political themes, like 1957’s “A Face in the Crowd,” starring Andy Griffith as a folksy entertainer who manipulates his way to the top.
“I think ‘A Face in the Crowd’ is an excellent film, and terribly relevant for our own times,” said Columbia University film professor Annette Insdorf. “We actually get to see the rise of someone who assumes power, and it is not because he is particularly gifted, idealistic, or has a vision; it’s because he’s plucked from a certain kind of obscurity and managed, until he ends up managing the others.”
Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images
Mankiewicz asked, “So, does that leave us in a bad place, where we are absent Hollywood churning out [political] films?”
“The relationship between Hollywood and Washington is not a static one; it swings, back and forth,” Insdorf said.
Michael Schulman, who writes about culture and the arts for The New Yorker, said, “I think most of the time, politics comes through in movies through metaphor. Movies refract more than they reflect.”
He says robust political messaging still thrives in the subtext of great movies. “One of my favorite movies from the ’50s is ‘High Noon,’ a western about a sheriff in a small town who has to face his enemy alone because all of his allies abandon him. This is a movie about the blacklist, about the cowardice of people in Hollywood during the Red Scare.
“‘Planet of the Apes is,’ of course, about a planet of apes. But it’s really – surprise! – about how humanity is destroying itself and the threat of nuclear annihilation,” he said.
20th Century Fox
Many of the biggest hits of the last five years, says Schulman, convey deeply political ideas: “What’s more political than ‘Joker,’ which kind of captured the white male disaffection and isolation of the Trump era? What’s more political than ‘Barbie,’ which, you know, is about feminism, and how difficult it is to be a woman?”
“Movies are always, even subconsciously, capturing something about the politics of their age,” said Schulman
Michael Lynton, the former studio boss, misses those daring films of the past (like the ’70s thrillers “The Conversation,” “The Parallax View,” and “Three Days of the Condor”), though he understands the current challenges of making and marketing politically-charged movies. “I ran a business, and I understand why business would be fearful of it,” he said. “And I’m not advocating, by the way, that businesses should change their practice. I’m just observing what’s going on.
“On the other hand, it’s just a shame, I think it’s shame that right now we’re not hearing from some of the people we really should be hearing from,” Lynton said.
Martin Sheen agrees. He wants to hear from those filmmakers, too: “I think we’re entitled to different opinions, and to the courage of writers, producers, directors, actors, all the creative people to say that they declare or that they reflect the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in what they’re doing.”
Mankiewicz asked, “So, you think maybe this is the exact time to start making a political story?”
“This might be the most critical time,” Sheen replied.
For more info:
Story produced by Gabriel Falcon. Editor: Joseph Frandino.
See also:
CBS News
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Getty Images
The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Getty Images
The New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in a game today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Patriots have had an uneven season so far, coming into the game with a record of 3-8, including a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 17. The Dolphins, however, haven’t fared much better this season as they enter the game with a record of 4-6, although they are coming off two wins in a row, the latest against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even without cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today
The New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The football game will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ and the platforms noted below.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too for the Patriots-Dolphins game. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more