Gang, the idea is to pick a pair of things in the same category, then explain *why* you think they are overrated and underrated.
For example....
Category: Movie Presidents.
Sure, we can think of lots of these off the top of our heads. Hollywood loves political intrigue, as well as putting total n00bs into the Oval Office for comedic value. But who is Overrated, and who is Underrated?
Overrated: James Marshall,
Air Force OneEvery list of "Best Movie Presidents" has Harrison Ford near the top. Sure, he's a fine actor. But here, he's playing an action hero and not a President. We know nothing of his political beliefs, other than that he wants to get tough on terrorists. What about his domestic policies? What was he doing in Russia? he could have given his anti-terrorism speech anywhere. The only bit of real political 'intrigue' we get in the movie is a reference to the Twenty-Fifth Amendment (the one on Presidential Vacancy, Disability, and Inability - you know that one, right?). As far as the main thrust of the movie goes, it could have been anyone on any plane. But that's
Passenger 57 or
Con Air...
Underrated: Jordan Lyman,
Seven Days in MayPoor President Lyman. If getting stuck with a wimpy name wasn't bad enough, the sweeping arms reduction treaty he negotiated with the Soviet Union turns out to be very unpopular. Aside from demonstrations in the streets from people who think the USSR is playing us for suckers, the military obviously doesn't like it either. General James M. Scott conspires with a number of other members on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a few key people in the media and Congress to seize control of the nation's emergency command centers (think NORAD) and take control of the government. President Lyman and an aide to General Scott have to work carefully to uncover the plot without tipping their hand.
Here's where Lyman wins, in my book. He is given evidence of an extra-marital affair by Scott - and doesn't use it. As far as the coup goes, he finds out the details just in time. Does he go ballistic and demand the heads of the treasonous conspirators? No. He gives them a way out, by asking for/demanding their resignations. The reason can be "irreconcilable differences" over the treaty. When you're president, you
do not get to bully people. You need tact and diplomacy.
And how can you not like the movie anyway? Kirk Douglas! Burt Lancaster! Frederic March! Ava Gardner! Directed by John "The Manchurian Candidate" Frankenheimer! Screenplay by Rod Serling!
Watch the last fourteen minutes of the movie
here, and see if you won't vote to re-elect President Lyman.