Customer Reviews

Mastergate [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film should be mandatory viewing every time another national scandal errupts and pollutes our air-waves. Gelbarts use (or abuse) of the English language here is nothing short of brilliant. He has an uncanny ear for the power of "babble." But what I really loved was the careful production style that made this look exactly like the real thing. I had it on and it literally fooled everbody for several minutes into thinking that we were again being bombarded with yet another over-hyped media-saturated scandal. The cast's perfect comic timing on the amazing political triple-speak is wonderful to behold. It's like "Alice Through The Looking Glass" caught in the mine field of Washington's below-the-beltway politics-as-ususal. This piece really belongs in the Smithsonian.

In this brilliant satire of the congressional hearings on the Iran-Contra affair, Larry Gelbart has captured the ludicrous and inane extremes to which congress will go in order to gain publicity--while at the same time avoiding any attempt at responsibility. Words are spewed at typhoon volume and speed, and yet nothing is said. From the movie star treatment of the vice-president to the seance to contact the deceased director of the CIA, nothing is sacred--or beyond the realm of possibility--in this send-up of the follies of our political leaders.

I, PERSONALLY AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THOUGHT THIS TO BE THE MOST INFORMATIVE, AND POSSIBLY THE MOST ACCURATE OF ALL MOVIES MADE ON POLITICS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THE INS AND OUTS OF POLITICAL DEALING HAS NEVER BEEN SHOWN IN SUCH GRAPHIC DETAIL. COMBINE THIS WITH THE "PERFECT" SELECTION OF GREAT ACTORS, AND YOU HAVE A WINNER AND POSSIBLY ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MOVIES OF IT'S TYPE EVER MADE. I THINK IT SHOULD BE "REQUIRED VIEWING" BY ALL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

TO BETTER INTRODUCE THEM TO "REAL LIFE"

HARRY D. DUNCAN

I had first seen this film on HBO and I enjoyed it right away. I also thought that it was quite an ingenious idea for a movie. The idea to turn a Congressional Hearing for a scandal involving the President of the United States and members of his Cabinet into a political satire was very amusing. I personally enjoyed the subject of this film. It had both humorous and dramatic moments that were really exciting. This film was well-written and presented. It also had a great cast which gave convincing and effective performances. I really liked this film and I think that it's worth watching.

This is the BEST video spoof that I have ever seen! After about 10min. you begin to think this is REAL coverage. I watched it back in 1993 and just loved it! -