4th of July Special: Your Top 5 American Movie Presidents

So, it's 4th of July weekend. For most of the nation, this means time spent outside, with fireworks and grilling. However, let's suppose that there's a fireworks ban where you live, it's over a hundred degrees out so you risk heatstroke if you stay out more than fifteen minutes and your history of chronic migraines makes it impossible to enjoy the outdoors what with the blinding sunlight and the general lack of musical taste in your neighborhood. So, what do you do? You go inside where you can control the temperature and the light source and enjoy this marathon of great American movie presidents in film. So, in no particular order...

The American President, President Andrew Shepard played by Michael Douglas

With a brilliant script by Aaron Sorkin, this film is the precursor to The West Wing (because we're talking movies, not TV, that's a whole other can of worms, people). It's the same great mixture of gravitas and humor that made that series such a success, along with the necessary Capra-esque elements.



Seriously, can't explain it. Go watch this movie, I love it.

Dave, President Bill Mitchell/Dave Kovic played by Kevin Kline


In this film, Kevin Kline, plays the dual roles of President and guy who looks like the President with a stellar supporting cast in this take on the Prince and the Pauper. Ordinary guy Dave is called upon to replace the President when the real one has a stroke. There are so many great parts in this movie, especially Sigourney Weaver as an embittered First Lady and the great part when Dave tries to cut the federal budget. Why can't real presidents be more like that?



Head of State, President Mays Gilliam played by Chris Rock

This is one of those movies that just fires on all cylinders. This script is so dense, writer/director/star Chris Rock leaves no opportunity for comedy wasted, but he never leaves behind the truth that is the hallmark of his stand up work. Once again, we have another brilliant supporting class including the late great Bernie Mac, Lynn Whitfield and a recurring odd Tracy Morgan.



Also, Mays' presidential opponent is genuinely funny. Not to mention Stephanie March as a new breed of super whore meant to quash political scandals. You will be quoting this film for days. Seriously, go watch it now.

American Dreamz, President Joseph Staton played by Dennis Quaid

This is a film you probably haven't seen, so I feel it's worth mentioning. I had a huge disappointment earlier this year when I rented The Special Relationship just to find out Dennis Quaid was playing Bill Clinton and not George Bush. What the hell? Michael Sheen was still playing Tony Blair, why wasn't Dennis Quaid playing Bush? Anyway, this film has a lot of things to enjoy, a terrorist in training who loves show tunes, Mandy Moore as a narcissistic singer who will stop at nothing for fame, Hugh Grant as pretty much Simon Cowell, but chief among these is Quaid as a Dubya-like president who is struggling through an existential crisis.



Independence Day, President Thomas J. Whitmore played by Bill Pullman


I think you know what I am going to say. So, here is my case for this film:



And don't forget to check out the alternate Master Pancake version of that speech here! Bill Pullman's Alternate Speech

Happy Independence Day! Since we are celebrating the birth of the nation, please feel free to use your First Amendment rights to make a comment and tell me where I screwed up.