In 1971, a top-secret, massive four-presidency Vietnam War cover-up is exposed by the New York Times, but after they get taken down, the Washington Post not only gets a hold of the source of the exposure, but many more documents that the government covered up . Katherine Graham, the first female publisher of the major American newspaper, the Washington Post, editor Ben Bradlee and the rest of the newspaper staff must make a choice to publish the classified secrets about the war and expose the dark truth, even if it risks everything they have ever worked for. “The Post” stars Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee, Meryl Streep as Katherine Graham and Bob Odenkirk as Ben Bagdikian.

The main idea of fighting for free speech and freedom of the press was done greatly. There were moments that made me almost tear up like a 14-year-old watching “13 Reasons Why.” Steven Spielberg is and always will remain one of the greatest directors of all time.

Tom Hanks was the standout actor. Every little thing involving Bradlee blew me away. When he came on the screen, he brought so much energy to Bradlee that I really thought that I was seeing the real Ben Bradlee and not Tom Hanks.

Meryl Streep was phenomenal, as usual. I loved everything about her character, and while Tom Hanks was the show-stealer, Streep was the one who brought the most heart and soul to this film. Out of any of the cast, I can see her winning an Oscar. Bob Odenkirk as Ben Bagdikian was great. As well as Tom Hanks, he brought so much energy to his role. It was very surprising to see Odenkirk hold his own with well-known and award winning actors such as Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.

David Cross surprised me. The man who played the villain in the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movies and Tobias in “Arrested Development” shows up in this movie with hair and looking thicker,  nothing like his typical character which is bald and skinny.

Overall, this film is surprising, inspiring and hopeful. It is a masterfully crafted statement on the right of free speech and freedom of press. I give this film 10 out of 10 David Crosses being attacked by CGI chipmunks.