Search - Wag the Dog (New Line Platinum Series) on DVD

Michel D. (michelann) from WALNUT GROVE, MO
Reviewed on 8/24/2018...

Love this incredibly fun movie about politics and the goings on in Washington! Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro are two of Hollywood's best and combined they make movie magic! Watch for a small but very funny role played by Woody Harrelson too!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Edgar R. (edgarshoe) from CALEXICO, CA
Reviewed on 8/17/2010...

This is the 2nd time I watch this film and I think I remembered it was way better. Although still a humorous, yet scary look at politics and Washington.

Jason G. (DVDominator) from SAINT LOUIS, MO
Reviewed on 7/8/2010...

I love how a writer will form a screenplay that gives a passionate middle finger to society and a vast majority of the people in that society have no idea that they're being insulted. Wag the Dog is a true example of how expressing your insulting opinions doesn't have to be insulting if you handle it correctly.

The movie follows the media-related staff of the President of the United States. An unfortunate incident occurs and a powerful distraction needs to be created. Most powerful distractions come from Hollywood and the staff finds a famous producer to create their masterpiece.

WTG is supported by an "A" list of performers and their acting is award-worthy. The movie flows nicely and the complications the characters run into provide the fascination and the humor needed to create a well-balanced picture.

There are a number of one-liners that are strictly inserted to create a laugh while failing to add to the script or depth of the characters. Regardless, the storyline and presentation still deliver and you find yourself intrigued by how it all will end.

Jon B. (starlostchild) from RALEIGH, NC
Reviewed on 6/15/2010...

This movie is just as relevant today than when it was made. Smart yet tongue-in-cheek, it is a statement on politics that makes me question every news story I see and read.

"Mr. Fix It"

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 07/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This review refers to the New Line Platinum Series DVD "Wag The Dog"....

The Preisdent of the United States has just been acussed by a "Firefly Girl" of improper advances to her, right in the Oval Office, no less. The story is about to break, and all hell will break loose. The President has 11 days until election day to gain the Public's favor in order to gain re-election. What to do?It's time to call in the big guns.Enter "Mr. Fix-it". He will put a spin on the situtation that will take care of everything.Sound familiar? Art imitating life? Or could it be the other way around, as Hollywood meets Washington for a poltical satire, that may not be so far off base.

Robert DeNiro heads an all star cast as Conrad Brean, the most sought after spin-doctor in D.C. He always"working on it", as he heads the public off the bad publicity and onto the President's campaign trail.He hires a big time Hollywood Producer(Dustin Hoffman) to "Produce" a war. Who will we go to war with? How bout Albania? Albania????,you ask. Why Albania? Well.. why
not? And this is not to be some little Independant production. This will be big time. Like the big Hollywood studios, they pull out all the stops. Complete with a theme song, logos, a hero and some great publicity. If things seem to be going wrong, i.e., the opposition and the C.I.A. are on to them, don't worry cause Connie "Is working on that".

The film is great fun and is loaded with talent.A great screenplay as expected from David Mamet and Hilary Henkin.At the helm is the wonderful Barry Levinson, and also lending their charms are Anne Heche, Denis Leary, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson,William H Macy, Craig T. Nelson and Kirsten Dunst.

All this fun is presented on a terrific DVD. The picture(widescreen or fullscreen) and colors qualities are excellent. The sound in Dolby Dig 5.1(English or French) very good. Tons of extras. Commentary, featurettes, an essay, and filmographies.

Enjoy and don't sweat the politics..cause.."Connie's working on
it.."...Laurie

also recommended:
Primary Colors
"

Ahead of its time...literally

jon | NJ | 05/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A lot of people knocked this film for being a rip-off of current events. Nothing could be further from the truth! What makes this satire so amazing is that its all coming true. For example:1) This movie was made BEFORE the lewinsky/clinton scandal but the details were frighteningly similar2) It told us the war of the future would be against dissident terrorists plotting against the US from camps in some remote country...years before we had heard of al Qaeda, 9/11, or a war in afghanistan3) Watching Willie Nelson leading the 9/11 Tribute to Heroes telethon in singing "God Bless America" seemed like it was a rip-off of this movie.To many, the premise of this movie may have seemed absurd when it was released. But each passing year reveals how closer it is to the truth than we think. For a scary, thought-provoking satire of Hollywood and Washington, check this movie out.
If it was a 2002 film, people would say it was a clever satire. That it was made in 1997 qualifies it as an absolute classic."

NIPPY AND TRUE-TO-LIFE POLITICAL SATIRE!

Shashank Tripathi | Gadabout | 06/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This riveting media yarn with some big acting stalwarts is so dead-on in the way it balances biting humor with its life-like pizzazz that PR trainers could almost use it as a training film. It is above all a satire, but it makes no bones about including every American voter, reporter and politician in the cross-hairs of its comic cannon. The slyest farcical element of the film is the fact that the president is wholly irrelevant. (He's not even a character, short of being an unheard voice on the other end of phone calls making superfluous suggestions, like that the cat should definately be white.) No matter what your political persuasion, or how cynically you regard the goings-on in the White House (or any other political helm), you will surely find something entertaining in this hilarious yet very, very intelligent film. 6 out of 5 stars in terms of recommendation. In other words, buy it."