-Now, throughout the years
there have been many classic award-winning movies
set in newsrooms,
specifically at newspapers, and this year is no different.
However there is one movie out there about an intrepid group
of reporters that really stands out from the pack,
and I think it could definitely be a contender
at this year's Oscars.
Let's take a look.
-This winter, from the people who brought you
"All the President's Men," "The Post," "Spotlight,"
and the fifth season of "The Wire" comes a movie about
a brave team of journalists risking it all
to break the biggest news story in history.
-I think this goes straight to the top.
-"Newspaper Movie,"
featuring men in bad ties and short-sleeved collared shirts,
gross styrofoam coffee cups,
and a tense scene where two people sit on a park bench
staring straight ahead, trying not to seem suspicious
while they exchange a manila folder
even though that's literally the most suspicious way to do it.
-Hey! What the hell are you two cooking up?
Is it in the folder?
What's in that folder?
Come back here!
-Hey, you, what's in that briefcase?
-Yeah, you're not off the hook.
-Tell us what's in the briefcase!
Is it more folders?
-Featuring an early-morning shot of a stack of newspapers
wrapped in twine being tossed out
the back of a delivery truck,
the copy editor who thinks that
because this story could bring down the president
it's important to get the grammar right.
-Um, it's actually "whom."
-And taking place in a world where everyone in the country
seems to read this specific newspaper.
"The Los Angeles Times" says "'Newspaper Movie'
is a nonstop thrill ride
if your idea of a thrill ride is seeing middle-aged white people
typing for two hours."
"The Hollywood Reporter" says, "'Newspaper Movie'
is a tour de force of people talking about sources,
anonymous sources,
and the importance of protecting sources.
In fact, the word 'sources'
is said over 6,500 times in this movie."
"Variety" says, "'Newspaper Movie'
lays on all that journalistic integrity stuff pretty thick."
-We have a constitutional right to publish this story.
We are the fourth estate,
and we will hold the powerful accountable.
-Wait, what's the fourth estate?
-Us. The press.
-And everyone knows that?
Because I feel like people always say the fourth estate,
but they don't actually know what it means.
-I think everybody knows what it means.
-I thought the fourth estate was time.
-That's the fourth dimension.
-I thought the fourth estate was Georgia.
-No, not state, estate.
You thought I was saying we're the state of Georgia?
-Yes.
-And "The Washington Post," says, "Our entire newsroom
went totally ape[bleep] for this movie."
Featuring a lot of stuff with phones, like, a lot,
like that thing where a guy puts the phone
in the crook of his neck
so that he has his both hands free to type,
and then he snaps his fingers three times
to signal to his colleagues that this is the call
they've been waiting for,
and then, because he needs to rush out and meet his source,
he stuffs a bagel into his mouth, puts on his jacket,
confirms the meeting time all while still on the phone,
and it's just way too many things.
-Looking forward to it.
-Also so...much...smoking.
Featuring imposing shots
of iconic Washington, D.C., buildings
to convey the power of longstanding institutions
and one aerial shot of people
rowing down the Potomac River at dawn because why the hell not?
This thing,
muffled arguing behind glass doors,
and a lobbyist gorging himself on soft shell crab
while explaining that this is how Washington works.
-This is how Washington works, pal.
Help yourself.
-And don't forget the obligatory scene
where the workaholic main character
returns to his sparsely furnished apartment
to convey his personal life is empty.
He opens the refrigerator, and there's nothing there
but a leftover Chinese container with several loose noodles
and a carton of milk which he takes from the refrigerator,
smells, and then winces because the milk is spoiled,
and then, because he's a grizzled reporter,
he drinks the milk anyway,
which grosses the audience out as if this isn't a movie,
and they'd actually make an actor drink spoiled milk.
And you can bet your sweet ass
there's a scene with a very long pregnant pause
while everyone waits for the editor to say, "Run it."
-[ Clears throat ]
♪♪♪♪
Run it.
-Whoo! -Let's go!
♪♪♪♪
-"Newspaper Movie," based on a true story
where if you Wikipedia the real people,
they look nothing like the actors in the film.