January 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 19 Tale of political intrigue tops list of new releases is a crafty person, less transparent than his boss, Zara. Their methods and priorities differ, leading to conflict. Stephen is perhaps too independent, as he sometimes fails to see the total picture of his actions and campaign decisions. Outstanding supporting performances are provided by Paul Giamatti as the campaign manager for Morris’ political opponent and Marisa Tomei as aggressive newspaper reporter Ida Horowitz. “The Ides of March” is a movie for people who savor good writing. Like the TV show “The West Wing,” “The Ides of March” is more about the people who surround the Big Man than about the man himself. It shows the machinations, deals, disappointments, and split-second calls that must be made in a campaign, portrayed on screen as an entity all its own, requiring nurturing every minute of the day. Blu-ray extras include commentary by Clooney and writer Grant Ryan Gosling stars as a campaign worker in ‘The Ides of March.’ Heslov and several featurettes. “Traffic” (The Criterion Collection), based on a British mini-series, is an ambitious project that looks at individuals involved in or affected by the illegal drug trade between Mexico and the United States. The movie is composed of various episodes. Two border cops (Benicio Del Toro and Jacob Vargaz) intercept a truck full of illegal drugs. Along the road, they are stopped by their superior, General Salazar (Tomas Milian), who relieves them of their haul and prisoners. The cops realize that Salazar is on the payroll of a powerful drug cartel. The scene shifts to Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas), the president’s new anti-drug czar. Ironically, Wakefield and his wife (Amy Irving) are suddenly confronted with the addiction of their daughter, Caroline (Erika Christensen). Two undercover agents (Don Cheadle (continued on page 26) by Dennis Seuling “The Ides of March” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is set during the Ohio Democratic presidential primary. One of the major contenders is Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney), a career politician who can field questions with an ease reminiscent of John F. Kennedy. His campaign manager, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is assisted by Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gos- ling), who tends to the details of the campaign, such as microphone sound levels, the height of teleprompters, and finding negative details about rival candidates. Stephen is an idealist who believes Morris can make a positive difference to the country. Despite Clooney’s more radiant star, Gosling’s Stephen is the central character in “The Ides of March.” He shoulders much of the movie and conveys self-assurance, cynicism, and pragmatism as required. Stephen