For a Movie Buff, What Is There Not to Like About This Film?

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2013)

This has been the year for terrific and terrifically suspenseful films built out of stories we already know the endings to.
First, Steven Spielberg made the ratification of the amendment abolishing slavery nearly 150 years ago actually sort of exciting in "Lincoln." Now Ben Affleck has made a palm-sweat-inducing thriller out of the story of six hostages who were rescued out of Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis.
That they were rescued through a ruse involving the fake production of a "Star Wars" rip-off allegedly being filmed in the Iranian desert is like icing on the birthday cake for this reviewer and huge movie buff. This is the kind of story that has to be true because it's too wild for anyone to invent. Clearly, giving the reception of the film in the movie industry, it's irresistible to the film community as well. I won't be at all surprised if, lack of director nomination aside, "Argo" is announced Best Picture when the final envelope of the evening is opened at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Affleck himself stars in the movie, but it's the supporting cast, led by Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston, who you'll most likely remember.
And am I the only person who wishes the film "Argo" (which is the name of the movie ostensibly being made by Affleck's fake movie crew) had actually been made?
Grade: A+