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If you asked me to name the 10 most buzzed about screenplays of my lifetime, i.e. scripts that were considered so brilliantly crafted that they seemed like can't-miss blockbusters and/or Oscar contenders, David Self's "Thirteen Days" would be near the top of my list. A suspenseful page-turner about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, where President John F. Kennedy and his advisers won a nearly apocalyptic game of brinkmanship with the U.S.S.R. over the latter's deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba, it immediately captured the attention of A-list directors and movie stars. Steven Spielberg considered it. So did Lawrence Kasdan.

With Kevin Costner attached to produce and play the lead role of Kenneth O'Donnell (a Special Assistant to JFK), it soon became clear that a director with whom Costner was familiar would likely get the gig. It looked for a while that Phil Alden Robinson, who made...

The world of politics has long served as the basis for some of Hollywood's best films, from All the President's Men to JFK. Whether based on true stories of fictional events, these films can offer audiences a window into the world of government, tackling topics like corruption and war. Typically focusing on politicians, government agents and reporters, these films show how even the smallest of characters can make a big difference and challenge the highest rungs of power.

Political thrillers can cover anything from presidential assassinations to investigations into scandals, exploring the best and worst of government. The world of politics is practically defined by conflict, so making a thriller out of the genre often comes naturally, and appeals to fans of all ideologies. Ranging from conspiracies to the true stories behind key events in world history, these movies remain some of the most compelling of the genre.

The Sentinel...