Run This | Town

It’s an ambitious debut from writer-director Ricky Tollman that attempts to mix Aaron Sorkin-style dialogue with 1970s thriller aesthetics, but it ultimately struggles to find a coherent point of view . The Song: "Run This Town" (2009)

Rihanna’s hook was praised for its anthemic quality, marking her high-profile return to the spotlight at the time. Kanye West was widely considered to have stolen the show , with his verse outshining Jay-Z’s more relaxed performance. Run This Town

A major point of contention was Damian Lewis’s portrayal of Rob Ford. Most reviewers found his prosthetics and fat suit "distractingly bad," often comparing him to the Austin Powers character Fat Bastard rather than a grounded human being. It’s an ambitious debut from writer-director Ricky Tollman

Critics largely panned the film's scattered focus. While the performances from Platt, Dobrev, and Massoud were seen as solid, many found the script's focus on "millennial malaise" a distraction from the far more interesting real-life corruption story. A major point of contention was Damian Lewis’s

Critics at Pitchfork felt the track was a bit "watered-down" and "autopilot" for artists of this caliber, though it was an undeniable commercial success and cultural staple. Perspectives from the Community

Produced by Kanye West, the track features a "military march" beat and a menacing guitar riff sampled from the Greek band The 4 Levels of Existence.