Thursday Movie Picks #38: Journalists/Reporters for Print/TV

Read Time:1 Minute, 9 Second

After another 2-week hiatus, sinekdoks returns to Thursday Movie Picks series hosted by Wandering through the Shelves. This week, we talk about Journalist/Reporter for Print/TV—quite a tough theme, but with a little help from the internet, I could recall some of my favorite movies containing journalist/reporters.

So, here’s my picks for my Top Journalist Movies. 

01. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) and his iconic news buddy are the first one to come in mind. Imagine what if a real TV channel has a set of anchorman, sportscaster, weatherman, and field reporter as sloppy as them; then, there’s where you cannot stop chortling a guilty feeling laugh.

02. Zodiac (2007)

This is where journalists become the ace of spades in this based-on-true-event serial killer case—in which journalist Paul Avery (Downey Jr.) works with SFPD inspector David Toschi (Rufallo) and newspaper cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) to decipher message from the titular killer.

03. Frost/Nixon (2008)

And this one is my favorite: reenactment of the famous interview between journalist, David Frost (Michael Sheen), and American controversial former president, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella). With typical strong “confrontation” script by Peter Morgan and Ron Howard’s virulent direction, Langella becomes a monster and, as usual, Sheen ends up being my favorite.


Any thing to say? Hit the comment button now.

28 responses

  1. Anchorman – I love it. It’s endlessly quotable. Zodiac is a great choice as well, but it’s been years since I’ve seen it.

    1. Glad you liked em too. They’re both a quite old movie (not that old though), but sometimes, old is gold 🙂

  2. Ack! I forgot all about Anchorman, great choice. Zodiac cropped up on my researching and I was shocked that it was the first time I’ve heard of it, especially as it’s got Jake Gyllenhaal in (I’m on a mission to watch anything/everything he’s in) so that’s on my watch list now 🙂
    – Allie

    1. Thanks! Glad you liked it too. Zodiac is even my most obvious choice for the picks. Gyllenhaal’s amazing there but so are Rufallo and RDJ.

  3. I love Anchorman! I used it once before so I was kind of irked I couldn’t use it again this week. I chose Zodiac too, but I never got around to seeing Frost/Nixon

    1. Oh that’s wise 🙂 I’m glad you also picked Zodiac. Frost/Nixon came to my attention recently after I watched some performance from Michael Sheen.

  4. I picked Zodiac too. It’s one of my favourites. And I was glad to see a vote for Frost/Nixon. I completely ignored my hate for Ron Howard when enjoying it.

    1. So delighted knowing you picked that too. I think Frost/ Nixon’s one great work of Peter Morgan’s work instead of merely Ron Howard’s direction. Morgan’s best at confronting two strong individuals.

  5. SO GLAD you picked Frost/Nixon. I almost did this week, too. Both Sheen and Langella are just spectacular in reprising their stage roles and the film is really underrated.

    1. True that! It’s a bit underrated, but you cannot miss Sheen and Langella here!

  6. Surprised this is first time today I’ve seen Anchorman on a list. Love it!

    I like Zodiac, but the 3rd act was dreadfully slow.

    Love Frost/Nixon. Langella was so perfect.

    Great post!

    1. Thanks, Wendell! Perhaps, Anchorman is too obvious. The other’s a bit slurry so I guess they’re not so obvious.

  7. Great picks! Anchorman was pretty funny, and I still need to see your other choices.

    1. Indeed Anchorman is hilarious. And I love the sequel as well. Thanks for reading 🙂

  8. Anchorman! Yes, totally obvious, upon reflection.

    1. Indeed, it is. Always among first thoughts.

  9. Oooh, great pick w/ Zodiac, why didn’t I think of that? I still need to see Frost/Nixon, I love both actors too.

    1. Perhaps cause the serial killer’s charm overshadows the journalist’s role in the conflict.
      Anyway, that’s one reason I picked Frost/Nixon: Michael Sheen.

  10. I put off seeing Anchorman until this year because of my disdain for all things Will Ferrell but so many people told me they enjoyed it I broke down and gave it a look. I didn’t love it but it was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated and it fits well in this week’s theme.

    Your other two choices though I found much better. Zodiac was unsettling but since it was designed to be I didn’t mind that and the acting is superior.

    Frost/Nixon is my favorite of your three and it interrelates to one of my all-time favorite films, which I’ve seen turn up on several lists today, All the President’s Men. Both Sheen and Langella are amazing in the film but it also has a very strong supporting cast with Oliver Platt and Matthew Macfayden the standouts there. For what is basically a talk piece it is endlessly rewatchable.

    1. Well, among those three, Anchorman indeed is the lightest. But, you’re entitled to the opinion which I can get the point 🙂
      Zodiac and Frost/Nixon indeed are more serious. Zodiac has the power of atmosphere and the acting for surw, but so does Frost/Nixon. I’m so glad you acknowledge those picks too.

  11. I was wondering if anyone would pick The Anchorman:) I have to say it is not one of my favourites but it has its moments. Love Zodiac-this is quite the true story and also scary because it’s true. I still have to see Frost/Nixon but I heard Langella was great

    1. Then I’m the one 🙂 glad you liked Zodiac, it’s always compelling as it should be.
      Frost/Nixon is a strong movie, I highly recommend it 🙂

  12. LOL! Anchorman! That’s such a perfect choice. Love that you went there.

    1. I’m surprised that nobody went for it, really. It’s on my mind all the time.

  13. I also have Anchorman on my list. Haven’t seen the other two, but really want to check out Zodiac

    1. That makes two of us. I think you should check Zodiac and Frost/Nixon, they’re amazing.

  14. I so almost picked Anchorman. GREAT PICK! Zodiac would’ve made my list as well, if I hadn’t already used it for another post. Frank Langella is unreal great in Frost/Nixon, but that’s about all I dug about it. Great picks!

    1. Oh it’s great knowing that you almost had it, although you’re not. Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!