Movies Every Journalism Grad Should See

News-Editorial:

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN- (1976) This very important journalism movie tells the true story of Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein, played by Dustin Hoffman, and Bob Woodward, played by Robert Redford, and the investigative journalism they conducted that led to President Nixon resigning after the Watergate scandal.

A reason to watch: The story shows what the power of the press can be.

SHATTERED GLASS- (2003) Before Jayson Blair and the NY Times, there was Stephen Glass and The New Republic magazine. This movie tells the true story of Stephen Glass, played by Hayden Christensen, who made up all or part of 27 of the 41 stories that were published in The New Republic. The story is told through a narrative of Glass supposedly talking to a classroom of kids about his time on The New Republic, but in a nice twist this story teaches journalism students what not to do.

A reason to watch: Peter Sarsgaard and Hank Azaria's performances as Glass' editors Chuck Lane and Michael Kelly

THE PAPER- (1994) This film shows the life of Henry Hackett, played by Michael Keaton, a metro editor for a fictitious New York tabloid. While investigating the apparently race-related killing of two white businessmen, Hackett discovers a conspiracy by the police involving the falsely arrested black youths. But his editor, Alicia, played by Glenn Close, questions his findings and refuses to print the story.

A reason to watch: Jason Alexander's performance as a corrupt public official being targeted by the paper.

FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS- (1998) Johnny Depp plays journalist Raoul Duke, a pseudo name for Hunter S. Thompson, who heads to Las Vegas to cover a race, bringing along his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo, played by Benicio Del Toro, in this film based on the book by Thompson. Duke and Gonzo spend the time in Vegas completely high on an assortment of drugs and never really cover the story.

A reason to watch: Thompson invented the subjective style of Gonzo journalism and as crazy of a ride this film is, he was a pop culture icon in journalism.

SUPERMAN-(1978) Christopher Reeve plays Clark Kent a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, that's right, reporter. What does one of the top super heroes do when he isn't saving lives and the world? He meets deadlines, interviews subjects and covers beats around the city.

A reason to watch: One of the most iconic journalists to ever grace the screen.

Public Relations:

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING-(2006) Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, the public spokesman for Big Tobacco. Naylor's opponent is Vermont senator Ortolan Finistirre, played by William H. Macy, who is calling for the government to place a skull and crossbones and the word poison on all cigarette boxes. At the same time, Naylor is sent to Hollywood to make a deal with agent Jeff Megall to get more stars to smoke in movies.

A reason to watch: Eckhart's performance as Naylor might not showcase the ideal ethics of public relations, but he is good at what he does.

WAG THE DOG- (1997) After a sex scandal comes out just days before the presidential election, the president struggles to save his campaign for reelection. One of his advisers, played by Robert DeNiro, contacts a top Hollywood producer, played by Dustin Hoffman, to manufacture a war that the president can heroically end.

A reason to watch: This came out before the Clinton scandal ...maybe it was an omen of what was to come.

THE QUEEN- (2006) This film follows Queen Elizabeth II, played by Helen Mirren, after the death of Princess Diana. It shows how the Queen deals with her public image after it was damaged when she refused to talk to the public after the accident.

A reason to watch: This film shows how fast a public image can go bad and what public relations strategies can be used to fix it.

I HEART HUCKABEES- (2004) This quirky film follows Albert Markovski, played by Jason Schwartzman, as he follows a series of coincidences that make him question life as we know.

A reason to watch: Jude Law plays the public relations guy at Huckabees department store.

HANCOCK- (2008) Hancock, played by Will Smith, is not an average superhero. He saves the day in a very unique way that has the public not liking him. But when he saves public relations agent Ray Embrey, played by Jason Bateman, he gets a new twist on his life when Embrey works with him to improve his public image.

A reason to watch: Everyone can use some advice on how to improve their public image to be better liked.

Information compiled by Lindsey North