By Mary Montserrat-Howlett

HOLLYWOOD (RushPRnews) 01/22/09–In the spirit of a new chapter in political history, RushPRnews pays tribute to President Barack Obama and takes a look back at some of Hollywood’s greatest movie presidents. With all the pressures and demands, the decisions and actions, the role of president, even in a movie, isn’t one we trust with just anyone. Alas, here are some of our favorite movie presidents; those who have inspired, struck fear, or brought us laughter and will go down in presidential movie history.
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10. President George W. Bush (Josh Brolin) ‘W.’ (2008)
Oliver Stone’s “W” is the first biopic of an incumbent president, and stars Josh Brolin in the role of President George W. Bush. Chronicling his life, from the wild college years, the military service, to his four year, presidency term, Brolin’s performance as the highly controversial leader, remains tasteful and believable throughout.

9. President Joseph Staton (Dennis Quaid) – “American Dreamz” (2006)
Having happily ignored any news or newspapers through his first term, President Joseph Staton (Dennis Quaid) gives the news a second chance after getting re-elected and suffers a nervous breakdown. In order to help the President’s image, his chief of staff signs him up as a judge on the “American Idol”-like TV show: “American Dreamz”. Though the film did poorly at the box office, Quaid’s performance is nothing short of hilarious.

8. President Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman) “Absolute Power” (1997)
President Alan Richmond is the ruthless cut-throat politician that won’t let anyone stand in his way. Just leave it up to Gene Hackman to make sure it gets done right. Trying to stop word from getting out about the murder of his mistress, President Richmond is the face of corruption and Hackman makes you shake in your boots with his magnetic abilities.

7. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson ) “Mars Attacks!” (1997)
Jack Nicholson plays President James Dale in Tim Burton’s dark comedy and homage to 1950’s alien movies. Dale is smart, but incapable of effectively taking care of the Martians that are going around killing everybody. Thinking it’s best to deal with the Martians peacefully, the Martians have more sadistic thoughts in mind and President Dale’s naivety comes back to impale him.

6. President William H. Mitchell (Kevin Kline) “Dave” (1993)
This is a quirky story, about an average guy named Dave Kovic (played by Kevin Kline) who happens to have an uncanny resemblance to the president (also played by Kevin Kline). When the real president falls into a coma , Dave is forced to fill-in and has to make crucial decisions in a role he is far from prepared for. Charming and funny.

5. President Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman) “Deep Impact” (1998)
President Tom Beck has to give the speech no President wants to deliver. Imagine having to tell your country that a giant comet is coming towards the earth and there isn’t much anyone can do about it. And who better to act calm and distinguished in the face of a worldwide disaster than Morgan Freeman.

4. Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) “Primary Colors” (1998)
In this political satire, inspired by former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, John Travolta brings us one of the most dead-on impersonation of Clinton yet. Though the story was written anonymously, Newsweek later on revealed that reporter Joe Klein had been following the campaign and drew the story from his experiences.

3. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) “The American President” (1995)
Micheal Douglas plays U.S. President, Andrew Shepherd in “The American President”. Reiner’s film shows the two sides of a President: the strong, charming and effectual politician; the most powerful man in the world; but also, a widower who happens to be falling for a lobbyist that could threaten his career. Douglas has all the traits of a convincing President and definitely goes down as one of the great Presidents in movie history.

2. President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) “Air Force One” (1997)
Maybe it’s the roles that he’s cast in, but there is definitely something about Harrison Ford that makes you trust that he could save you from a burning plane. Or even a plane being hijacked by Russian terrorists, as is the case for his character, President James Marshall, in “Air Force One”. Marshall is the kind of President you could only wish for in a high intensity situation. Ford puts on his hero-suit once again, and plays his character with conviction.

1. President Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers) “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) President Merkin Muffley wants to save the world after unwisely agreeing to provide the Russians with information on the flight paths of American planes. Though Muffley is by no means a role-model President ; watching Peter Sellers play this role, in addition to his two characters in the film: Captain Lionel Mandrake and, of course, German wheelchair-bound mad scientist, Dr Strangelove; this is Sellers at his best. He is even said to have improvised and adlibbed most of his dialogue throughout the film.