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"This film proposes a future world in which pre-crime is punished.
Of likely interest to libertarians, especially in the post 9/11
environment. Tom Cruise is great." --M.H.
"It's close this year but I will have to go with 'Minority
Report.' Among other libertarian aspects I found it quite Randian
in flavor in the slavery of 'people of ability.' It showed people
with a 'talent' expected to use it for the benefit of society. I'll
let others comment on the other aspects." --J.L.
"Yeah, this is the best libertarian film." --C.M.
"Not the film I liked best personally--'Rabbit-Proof Fence'
was more engaging--but 'Minority Report' is going to reach far more
people because of the cast and distribution. To me, the spread of
the message is more important, and giving the award to 'Minority
Report' may get it even more attention than it's received."
--K.B.
"A touching and inspiring film from Australia that tells the
true story of a young Aborigine girl who escaped a government camp
intended to train her for service in White society. A useful lesson
in recent history and a satisfying watch. The Aussies make such
good films!" --J.O.
"This should be the winner. Not only is this a great libertarian
film, it's a great film period. The acting is wonderful. The music
is wonderful. The scenery is wonderful. And the story is so touching."
--E.G.
"I walked out of the theater with tears in my eyes. It's been
awhile since a movie affected me so much. Thank you so much for
the recommendation." --W.D.
"After reading so many favorable reviews of this film, I drove
40 miles to see it and I'm glad I did. Terrific libertarian history
lesson." --O.N.
"This is an excellent portrayal of government at its worst.
I truly am happy it was nominated here for such a prestigious award
(it dwarfs the 'Academy,' and its' bounding society." --D.R.
"I feel that this moving story demonstrates that government,
although seemingly well intentioned, often uses force unwisely."
--B.W.
"Each year I am pleased with the ever increasing libertarian
themes evident in mainstream films. This year's 'Rabbit Proof Fence'
is another such example that combines a good story with good film
making and a freedom quest that is unmistakeable!" --L.D.
Barbershop
Home Page
/ Ari
Armstrong Review/ IMDB
Link/ More
Reviews
"I nominate 'Barbershop.' This charming Ice Cube movie is
a paean to personal responsibility and community. And it's great
fun.. " --A.R.
"Barbershop is a great libertarian film that explores the virtues
of entrepreneurship and community involvement. The film isn't afraid
of controversy -- one character argues against reparations for slavery
and another questions the leadership role of Jesse Jackson." --A.A.
"After reading these enthusiastic comments above, I watched
this film. It has something of a pro-entrepreneur angle, but it's
certainly not the best libertarian film of the year. Nonetheless,
I enjoyed it." --T.H.
"I'm voting for 'Barbershop' as best film. The irony of Jesse
Jackson trying to boycott a film about African-Americans, made by
African-Americans, and made for a primarily African-American audience
is too good. Extra points for that!" -J.W.
Das Experiment
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Page/
IMDB Link/ Miss Liberty
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Reviews
"This German film about a psychological experiment in which
test subjects are divided into 'prisoners' and 'guards' is a great
illustration of the dangers of unconstrained power. [Released in
Germany in 2001, but didn't hit the theaters in U.S. till 2002]"
--J.O.
"A powerful film. It was based on an experiment done at Stanford
University in the 1970s. Rings all too true." --S.H.
"I don't normally go for foreign films, but this one was a
winner." --V.C.
"'Das Experiment' is my choice. I remember from the original
experiment (Stanford connections), and think that the German story
is accurate and stunning. Think about what makes us human: The issue
of people having their good will being taken advantage of is one
of the most important of all instincts -- more important than learned
responses, which lead to addiction." --L.L.
"Yes, this is the one. A parable for modern times." --P.P.
"I worked as a Correctional Probation Officer with the Florida
Department of Corrections for six years and it is absolutely uncanny
how realistic 'Das Experiment' is. Human nature is such that when
people are given power over others, they invariably abuse this power,
exactly as in government. This has to be the winner." --D.H.
Equilibrium
IMDB Link/ Miss Liberty
Review/ Ari
Armstrong Review/ More
Reviews
"This dystopian vision of the near future, in which the government
forcibly drugs the population to keep it passive (passion leads
to war and violence, it is argued), seems to be striking a very
strong chord with libertarians." --J.O.
"The first filmic dystopian masterpiece since the end of the
Cold War, and the first of the new millennium. It should be in consideration
for the Prometheus Award, if not the Hugo." --N.S.
"The primary clash in 'Equilibrium' is between individualism and
collectivism, the notion that each person is an end in him or herself
and the theory that the individual exists only to further the interests
of the state. In 'Equilibrium,' the side of 'feelings' -- the side
that promotes painting, music, and literature -- is the side of
the sovereign individual. This movie deserves to become a cult classic."
--A.A.
"Yeah, great libertarian message, but this is no masterpiece.
Just an OK film and not one I would go out of my way to see."
--P.L.
"Ditto. Reminded me of '1984.' Totally anti-authoritarian.
I enjoyed it but 'Rabbit-Proof Fence' would be a better pick for
'Best Libertarian Film.'" --T.H.
"I really liked your comment on 'Equilibrium.' But unfortunately
you missed out on the most strikingly obvious predecessor for this
movie: 'The Matrix.' Not only in choreography of the fighting scenes
but as well in the background settings it is clearly quoting the
Wachowski brothers' masterpiece. Even though the background story
resembles '1984' a great deal more than it does the one of 'The
Matrix,' the aesthetics (dressing style, 'cool' personae etc.) are
derived from there." --N.M.
Ararat
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Page/
IMDB Link/ Miss Liberty
Review/ More
Reviews
"Most people have *never* heard of the Armenian holocaust,
but something like a million people were killed by the Turkish government
in 1915. To my knowledge this is the first film on the subject.
About time." --R.R.
"It took some effort to see this film, as it wasn't playing
everywhere. It's the only film on this subject, but it doesn't really
do justice to a million dead." --E.R.
Bloody Sunday
IMDB
Link/ More
Reviews
"This film does an excellent job of portraying how the callous
militarism of the British armed forces in Northern Ireland resulted
in a cold-blooded slaughter of civilian protestors on January 30,
1972. British military claims that the shootings were justifiable
homicides (they claim to have been under attack) are countered by
graphic images of unarmed people brutally gunned down as they attempt
to assist wounded comrades. The British government is clearly implicated
in the film, which also shows elements of the cover-up after the
incident. Also commendable is the portrayal of the ineveitable backlash
against the shootings - widescale enlistment in the IRA by young
Irish men. " --D.A.
"This is one part of the story, not the whole thing. There's
a history here that makes it more complicated." --T.G.
"What's going on in Northern Ireland is a civil war, with
atrocities on both sides. Not what I would call a libertarian film."
--G.F.
"Not a libertarian film?! Aren't government atrocities of
interest anymore, or are they so common that we accept them?"
--D.E.
Evelyn
Home Page/
IMDB
Link/ More
Reviews
"In case you've missed it, a 2002 movie called EVELYN should
be included on any future list of libertarian films. It stars Pierce
Brosnan and it's the story of the Irish father of three whose wife
abandoned him; authorities took away the children to an orphanage
and he sued the government to get them back. It necessitated changing
the law of Ireland to do so. Heroic!!." --A.R.
Guilt by Association
Court
TV Press Release/
IMDB Link/ New
York Post Review/
ETOnline
Review/ Houston
Chronicle Review/ TV
Guide Review/ Drug
Policy Alliance Press Release/
"A touching film that reveals the injustice of mandatory minimum
sentencing." --L.K.
"This is Court TV's first foray into made-for-TV movies, and
it was very favorably reviewed. The premiere of this film was viewed
by one million households, Court TV's highest-rated night of programming
to date in 2002." --J.O.
"Court TV needs to learn to show their films more than twice.
It's not available as of this moment anyway on video, and I missed
it. I doubt that many saw it as it just wasn't shown much. Too bad.
Sounds good." --J.R.
The Interrogation of Michael Crowe
Home
Page/
IMDB Link/ News-Star.com
Review/ Houston
Chronicle Review/ Ventura
County Star Review/ Sun-Sentinel.com
Review/
"First I cried, then I got angry. This true story, about a
14-year old boy who was coerced into making a false murder confesion
by police, will rip your heart out." --E.B.
"Court TV has produced another successful made-for-TV movie.
This film is based on the 2001 Court TV documentary 'The
System: The Interrogation of Michael Crowe,' which won the 'Alfred
I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast
Journalism.' A terrific argument for mandatory videotaping of confessions,
currently required in only two states." --J.O.
"Again, this is another Court TV film that was probably great
but that I will never see because they only show them a couple of
times and then don't put them on video. C'mon people, get it together."
--J.R.
"A very real feeling story about a subject too misunderstood
by the general public. We all are at risk!" --S.S.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Home Page/
Miss
Liberty Review/ IMDB
Link/ More
Reviews
"Set in 1893 in a small farming village. Farmers complain
about the excessive land tax ('lagaan') imposed by the British and
collaborating rajah. ('We grew the grain, why should they get a
share?'). The snotty British military officer in charge offers them
a bet: no tax for three years if you can beat us in a cricket match,
triple tax if you can't. The hothead who accepts the bet then has
to assemble and train a team. It helps if you like cricket. The
movie was nominated for an Oscar as best Foreign Language Film.
Tip: Start watching it early in the evening. It's almost four hours
long, and halfway through you won't want to leave the rest for tomorrow."
--L.W.
"'Lagaan' means 'tax' in Hindi. This is a movie made in India
and has an incredible Libertarian theme. It is a musical, which
usually is not a plus for me, but the music and dancing are all
from India which made them different from Hollywood musicals and
to me, much more enjoyable. The music in this one is great. Also,
you won't hear people singing that taxes are 'slavery' and 'tyranny'
in Hollywood movies, but that's what they sing in this movie. The
movie is mostly in Hindi with English subtitles but there is some
dialogue in English. The subtitles are good enough, though. You
don't need to speak Hindi to enjoy this movie thoroughly."
--C.C.
"Very entertaining film. Excellent review Miss Liberty!"
--J.W.
[Released in India in 2001, but didn't hit the theaters in U.S.
till 2002]" --J.O.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
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Page/
IMDB Link/ More
Reviews
"Last year's LOR was the #1 pick among readers for libertarian
movie of the year, based on its 'power corrupts' theme. This is
a terrific continuation of the story." --J.O.
"Yeah, a great film and a good continuation of the original
story, but not as focused on the libertarian thing as the first
one." --J.S.
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"Yet another fine John Stossel documentary in the defense
of freedom. This is a wonderful summary of the case against the
War on Drugs, and won praise from all corners of the political spectrum."
-J.O.
"John Stossel does such great documentaries. This one makes
a really good case against the drug war. I found it very persuasive."
"This documentary helped me to make up my mind about the so
called war on drugs. It is an utter and shameful failure."
--B.W.
"Can't beat Stossel-great stuff and a wide audience."
--R.S.
Bringing Down a Dictator
Home
Page / UnivCalgary
Review/ IDA
Award/
"This terrific documentary about the revolution that brought
down Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia is inspirational and is a great
testament to the power of civil disobedience." -A.F.
"This movie is phenomenally inspirational...a modern tale
of non-violent citizen revolution. It will come in handy as an instructional
video for U.S. revolutionaries if the trend toward totalitarianism
here continues another decade or two." --L.B.
[Released in 2001, but didn't premiere on PBS till 2002]"
--J.O.
Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World
Economy
Home
Page /
Laissez-Faire Books Review/ IMDB
Link/
"Tells the story of how capitalism overcame socialism. A must
see for libertarians and a really well-made documentary." --R.G.
"I'd like to second the nomination of 'Commanding Heights:
The Battle for the World Economy.' It is an excellent educational
documentary that does an outstanding job of creating viewer sympathy
with the situation of free-market reformers while still remaining
fairly objective." --D.A.
"There has never been a documentary that changed the way I
teach until this one (and I use many Stossel clips). This video,
integrated with Brink Lindsey's 'Against the Dead Hand' and Hernando
de Soto's 'Mystery of Capital' now are the second half of my course
in the economics of developing economies." --K.B.
"'Commanding Heights' for best documentary. PBS surely must
be feeling the heat for 'equal time' to points of view other than
socialistic economics. Well done." --J.W.
"A very effective multipart series easily understood, although
the title is misleading and may make people relate to Withering
Heights or a war movie." --S.S.
Hype
Laissez-Faire
Books Review/
"It's not exclusively of interest to libertarians, but this
great documentary about the failure of media to get it right will
appeal to many freedom-oriented types." -H.E.
"Another wonderful John Stossel documentary. This one skewers
the mainstream media for hyping stories for the sake of viewership."
--J.O.
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