All the President's Men (1976) - 2/5

This is a very boring docudrama about reporters and the Watergate scandal. The pacing is impressively bad, so much so that it’s ubiquitously unclear what key persons of interest mean to the investigation at large, and the goalposts keep moving without resolution. The film seems to think it’s a thriller but has no teeth, even including one confusing jumpscare with nobody there in an empty parking garage. Presumably it may make more sense to someone know knows the subject matter very well, but that philosophy is antithetical to the fundamental concept of filmmaking.

Content warning: language

Closest comparison: It’s like Kill The Messenger by way of ‘Good Night and Good Luck’.

Setting: Journalism
Plot: Investigation
Tone: Drama

Rudy - 5/5

This is THE ‘kid’s got heart’ movie. It’s a straightforward, down-to-earth story of overcoming odds and pursuing a dream, beautifully executed with tangible stakes and devil-may-mock attitude shining in the face of the haters. It confidently executes a by-the-numbers plot, unashamedly reveling in its sincerity and putting in the legwork to make the ending feel earned. There’s no substitute; this film simply does this type of story better than any other.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Pursuit of Happyness by way of Remember the Titans.

Setting: Sports Drama
Plot: Overcoming Adversity
Tone: Inspirational Drama