politics aside:
Presidential Flicks Picks

It’s become a well known pop culture tidbit or some sort of twisted urban legend that Mit Romney’s favorite movie is Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.

I’ve seen this factoid a handful of times in various articles, so I’m going to have to believe it’s true.  

Besides, it’s on Wikipedia.

I’ll stay away from my personal opinion, although clearly Fargo is a superior film and The Big Lebowski would get him some major cool factor.  

I can guarantee George Clooney wants him to pick another title.

But, really, you can tell a lot about a person from their personal movie favorites.  I’m not saying you should vote based on this criteria, but let’s just take a little look back on Presidential past picks…

PRESIDENTIAL MOVIE FAVES
(in no particular order)

BARACK OBAMA

Obama likes the first two Godfather films, but not the third, which not only gives him impecable cinematic taste, but the balls to dismiss it’s a trilogy.

CINEPHILE FACTOR: RIGHT ON

JOHN F. KENNEDY

Spartacus has been mentioned to be one of his favorite films, although I get the impression that was in reaction to the time the question was asked.  All I know is… Kennedy. Kubrick.  ‘Nuff said.

CINEPHILE FACTOR:  GENIUS

RICHARD NIXON 

Strangely enough, Nixon loved All the President’s Men and was known to watch it every Fourth of July until his passing.  Ok, maybe not.  Again, it’s believed to be a movie released during his Presidency – Patton.  Great film, for certain, but it’s 

CINEPHILE FACTOR:  PREDICTABLE 

BILL CLINTON 

Prez Bubba liked Gary Cooper in High Noon.  And instead of going with a more typical Western, which is what you would expect. So, although there’s no cool saxophone solo in the main theme, this is a really respectable choice.  It’s arguably one of the darkest Westerns ever made, and truly cinematic. For the record, this was also one of President Eisenhower’s favorites too.

CINEPHILE FACTOR:  HIP

GEORGE W. BUSH

At the end of his presidency, Bush claimed Saving Private Ryan is his favorite film.  Other sources say it is Austin Powers.  That’s quite a range, but ultimately not really that well informed in terms of classic cinema.

CINEPHILE FACTOR:  SIMPLE

JIMMY CARTER

Though unknown what the specific movie favorite is, President Carter didn’t make high school class Valedictorian due to playing hooky at the movies on April 1, 1941.

CINEPHILE FACTOR:  SNEAKY