An engrossing, disturbing portrait of the perversion of our political process -- a victim of our collective disdain and disinterest that we let it get dragged down this far.
Bush's Brain (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:48
Fresh:30
Rotten:18
Average Rating:6.1/10
Consensus: Most of the evidence is more circumstantial than conclusive, but it's still a disturbing portrait of misuse of political power.
Theatrical Release:Aug 27, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Not to be mistaken for an exploration of the 43rd US President's gray matter, BUSH'S BRAIN takes a look at the shadowy figure of the man behind George. W. Bush's rise to the Oval Office. Karl Rove... Not to be mistaken for an exploration of the 43rd US President's gray matter, BUSH'S BRAIN takes a look at the shadowy figure of the man behind George. W. Bush's rise to the Oval Office. Karl Rove may be an unfamiliar name to many, but to the Bush family he is an invaluable political ally who has worked in a carefully disguised capacity for many years. Rove ghosted his way through Bush Sr.'s presidency with such silent ease that a mention of his name would have been met with indifferent shrugs and feverish head scratching. His attempt to pull off the same trick twice when Bush Jr. was elected almost came to fruition, until the publication of James Moore and Wayne Slater's startling exposé of Rove in their 2003 book, also titled BUSH'S BRAIN. Filmmakers Michael Shoob and Joseph Mealey quickly picked up the baton from Moore and Slater, producing this damning filmic indictment of Rove and the Bush presidency. From political cover-ups, to an uncanny ability to manipulate facts and figures, the directors leave no stone unturned as they dig up the dirt on the little-known political aide. A scary, thoughtful film, BUSH'S BRAIN paints a worrying picture of Bush Jr.'s presidency, positing the believable theory that all has not been as it seems behind the walls of the White House. [More]
Starring: George W. Bush, Karl Rove
Starring: George W. Bush, Karl Rove
Director: Joseph Mealey, Michael Paradies Shoob
Director: Joseph Mealey, Michael Paradies Shoob
Producer: Joseph Mealey, Michael Paradies Shoob
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Reviews for Bush's Brain
A chilling study in political power and how it's employed to get, well, more of the same.
Offers little proof, beyond the circumstantial, to convince anyone outside the hallelujah chorus of its accusations.
Nowhere near as entertaining or incendiary a piece of filmmaking like Fahrenheit 9/11, but it's extremely involving and raises many disturbing questions about the ethically questionable tactics Rove uses in his 'win at any cost' brand of politics.
Pushing creepiness into horror -- and giving the movie its sting -- are the recollections and insights of folks who've tracked the handiwork of Rove, this summer's scariest movie monster, for more than 30 years.
Examines Rove's rise to power within the context of politics-as-usual. Such perspective adds power to the movie's punch.
A modest documentary that is little more than filmed journalism and pales in comparison with more ambitious recent non-fiction films such as Fahrenheit 9/11 and The Corporation.
It succeeds in generating discussion, but leaves you with a distasteful feeling. If you ignore the content and look merely at the quality of the film, it's lacking in focus.
I'm not sure that depicting Rove as a demonic Wizard of Oz does much more than stir righteous indignation among the already indignant.
The film poses an interesting question ... but few of the Texas witnesses to Rove's reign and Beltway insiders interviewed here offer much of an answer.
One of the better political documentaries flooding into theaters after Fahrenheit 9/11 and before the election.
The movie feels like a rush job and at times its tactics are as suspect as those attributed to its subject.
This politically damning profile chronicles the rise to power of Karl Rove, the brilliant, nerdy chief aide to President Bush.
You may not agree with its perspectives, but you'll always know where it stands, and it's amazing how many Republicans the filmmakers have found to spill the beans on a politico who considers himself in the same camp.
Politics as usual, until that devastating conclusion with the dead Marine's family.
Some believe that the evil genius behind our unelected maximum leader is Dick Cheney. The filmmakers argue that it's 'co-president' Rove (installed, we learn, in Hillary Clinton's old office).
A technically modest but persuasive documentary arguing that Bush's political Svengali is, to use terminology even the president can understand, an evildoer.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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