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If You Don't Like These Films, You're Fired! Donald Trump Picks Five Favorite Flicks For Movieline

  • Frank DiGiacomo

    • Ever wonder where Donald Trump got his take-n0-prisoners executive style?  Well, based on his favorite movies, it's part Corleone family, part Tommy DeVito, part Rhett Butler and part Blondie from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, although, frankly, it was Clint Eastwood who could have used a little of the Donald's mojo when it came to that lame-ass speech the actor-filmmaker gave at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

    After the Today show aired an unseen GOP convention video on Wednesday that featured the real-estate tycoon and reality-TV-show host firing President Obama Celebrity Apprentice-style — check out the video after the jump — Movieline got to thinking about what  films Trump might like to watch when he's not the one on camera. We inquired, and he graciously provided us with a list that, if you ask me, provides an interesting glimpse into his business philosophy. The son of the late real-estate developer Fred Trump, Donald didn't just follow in his father's footsteps, he built the Trump name into an internationally recognized brand and became a hip-hop idol in the process. Given his beginnings, it's not surprising that one of his picks deals with another type of family business. Another choice, reveals that for all the firing he does, Trump is a romantic at heart.

    Herewith, are Trump's five favorite movies, along with commentary from the man himself.

    1. Citizen Kane (Director, Orson Welles; 1941):  "It is one of the greats of all time. The acting, the story, the production values are all superb. The fact that it was Orson Welles’ first feature film is also impressive, and the mystery of Rosebud in the midst of a narrative about a business power play gives it further resonance. Hard to beat."

    2. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Director, Sergio Leone; 1966) "It’s tough. It'’s real. It’s well done. The music is unforgettable. The characters are well developed and sometimes remind me of some of the types I’ve had to deal with over the years in business. No weak points here."

    3. Gone with the Wind (Director, Victor Fleming; 1939): "It’s a classic. It has stood the test of time. For me, it’s a love story combined with a time in our country’s history that was pivotal in our evolution. The scope of the storytelling is tremendous."

    4. GoodFellas (Director, Martin Scorsese; 1990):  "Great entertainment, with a stellar cast and terrific direction.  The intensity propelled the story forward and the 'business’ and how it was handled was impressive."

     5. The Godfather (Director, Francis Ford Coppola; 1972): Another classic, as was The Godfather: Part II.  The story is riveting and the characters were perfectly cast and directed. The family aspect intrigued me as did their business and history.

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