Bob King

A movie that anyone interested in American history simply must see. Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Lincoln is beyond superb, playing him as full of wisdom and kindness, but yet a politician capable of deceit, intimidation and corrupt side deals to achieve his objectives. The movie poses the question of whether there are times when a righteous end can ever justify immoral means, as well as whether we dare allow another POTUS to ever wield such unchecked monstrous power again. I would say that Mr. Spielberg was kind to Lincoln in the way he portrayed him, as one might expect of the ultimate hero of our politically correct society. Spielberg exposed as many of Lincoln's flaws as anyone in Hollywood could have dared to do. Lincoln was no angel, though in being assassinated on Good Friday he has been forever elevated to a Christlike status in our lore. Lincoln started and prosecuted the bloodiest war in our history, using his disdain for constitutional limitations to keep the unpopular war going until finally the South bled to death. Today we are expected to believe all of Lincoln's excesses were worthwhile, and perhaps they indeed were; but we should all pray that no American president ever again emulates Lincoln's tactics (some portrayed in this tremendous film, and others which Spielberg dared not illuminate). We are unlikely to have another POTUS filled with "the better angels of our nature". Tremendous film that every high school student in America should be made to watch in their civics classes.

This is my favorite Clint Eastwood movie and I think it’s one of the finest stories ever told. Not sure Hollywood ever created a character as internally beautiful as Maggie (Hilary Swank), who melts the audiences hearts just as he did that of a crusty old boxing trainer. How this film switches in an instant from “Rocky” to the most gut-wrenching morality play imaginable is its genius. Two films in one, and both magnificently well done. Critics may argue that Clint Eastwood films deliver morality in outdated black and white rather than in modern nuanced shades of grey, but some messages about what is right and what is wrong need to be conveyed. Clint is almost alone in Hollywood for standing for old school virtues. We need more of that.

Fantastic. I am sure I will see it at least another time or two, to catch some of the dialog that I missed. (Caution: English, Spanish, Italian, Latin and German are all spoken in this film). Two theological antagonists, an extreme right winger (Ratzinger) and an extreme left winger (Bergolio), through the power of the Holy Spirit, listen to one another and come to respect and even love one another. A hopeful prescription for what ails us today.