Movies people SHOULD be seeing instead.

[porphyrian]

OK, we get which major corporate network miniseries is a lying piece of shit already. Let's list some movies people should be watching instead. Here are some that I can think of off the top of my head to get the list started:

Punishment Park - another fake documentary, but this time about a fascist government sending "dissidents" to "punishment parks" as an alternative to prison. Made in 1971, and scarily pertinent today.

The Corporation - a real documentary about corporations, what they are, their motivations, and how disturbingly similar their behavior is to a psychopath.

WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception - a real documentary about how we were conned into Iraq.

Uncovered: The Truth About the Iraq War (or its shorter incarnation, Uncovered: The War on Iraq) - a real documentary about the Iraq war.

Unconstitutional - a real documentary about fear, civil liberties and the Patriot Act.

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media - a real documentary about the role of the media in our country (from 1992, but still pertinent).

OK, what else?

[momzno1]

1. Aaron Russo's film

America: from freedom to fascism
downloadable on the net. You will never be the same...

http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3519240

[porphyrian]

7. Haven't seen that one yet, but I will now. - n/t

[porphyrian]

2. I just thought of some more...

Bowling for Columbine - a real documentary about the effect of the weapons industry combined with fear on America.

Farenheit 9/11 - a real documentary about the 2000 presidential election, 9/11 and this administration's actions relating to all of it.

Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election - a real documentary about what happened in Florida.

[TahitiNut]

3. More ...

Outfoxed - Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism
Control Room
Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
Good Night, and Good Luck

[porphyrian]

8. Ooo, yeah, good ones. - n/t

4. "One Bright Shining Moment" is another excellent DOCUMENTARY,

as in a factual documentation, of the previous coup carried out, primarily, by the Democratic Party establishment against the progressive movement. It is very revealing and shows how we ended up in this Tweedle-Dee Tweedle-Dum appearance of choice.

It is also timely in that Ryan just got 6 1/2 years for carrying on the family tradition in Chicago.

[porphyrian]

9. Heh, that'll piss off a few here...

...but it's on my list now. Thanks, and welcome, newbie.

[leveymg]

5. Some more must see war movies and related

Werner Fassbinder's 16-hour German TV series about the rise of Nazism - Berlin Alexanderplatz

Also by Fassbinder:
The Tin Drum
The Marriage of Maria Braun
The American Soldier
Germany in Autumn

Luchino Visconti:
The Damned
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

Stanley Kubrick:
Dr. Strangelove
Paths of Glory
A Clockwork Orange

Gillo Pontecorvo:
The Battle for Algiers

Costa-Gavras
Z/State of Seige
Missing

John Landis:
Spies Like Us

Orson Wells:
The Third Man

David Lean:
The Bride Over the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia

[porphyrian]

11. I love that you included Spies Like Us! Thanks. - n/t

[leveymg]

15. Who wouldn't love a movie that featured Costa-Gavras as

a border guard and a large blow-up photo of John Foster Dulles? A treasure.

And, yes, after a 16-hour Fassbinder marathon, one might beg for comic relief. B-)

In the same silly but smarter than it looks category, see John Candy's last film, Canadian Bacon.

Has anyone ever made a funny movie about terrorism, torture and secret police? See Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

[porphyrian]

16. Right, Canadian Bacon! Moore declared war on Canada before...

...the South Park guys.

[leveymg]

17. A would also add another Moore film to the list:

I surprised the others didn't. F-911

Also, it's funny (at places), so it makes both lists.

Butter on your popcorn?

[porphyrian]

18. Overlooked the obvious. Thanks. - n/t

[leveymg]

19. DU should have a film fest.

I think we have the lineup. Skinner has to buy the beer.

[ChicagoRonin]

6. Everyone put their money where their mouth is . . .

If you all really care, buy as many copies of the films folks have been listing (even one will do) and donate them to a local school, church or community organization that can give a free screening to folks, especially families and children.

Or hey, if you happen to own a copy, hold a movie night followed by a group discussion. Keep in mind: you'll not be accomplishing anything if you only invite folks you know will agree. Get a few fence-sitters and RWs if you can.

[porphyrian]

12. Hell yeah.

For those of you who are more guerilla, sneak copies into conspicuous places where people will find them, like on public transportation, public restrooms, whatever.

[Nutmegger]

10. Loose Change I and II [nt]

[porphyrian]

13. Definitive 9/11 work, once considered conspiracy fare...

...now not so unplausable. Thanks.

[porphyrian]

14. Some more...

Brazil - a dark comedy by Terry Gilliam with a disturbingly-familiar, if surreal, government.

Wag the Dog - a great movie, and also disturbingly-familiar.

[Lisa]

20. if you want laughably-bad propaganda, watch "DC 9/11: Time of Crisis"

Better yet, rent the DVD, which has a cringe-inducing commentary!

I felt kind of sorry for Timothy Bottoms ... it's difficult to do a sympathetic portrayal of Bush, when you're being asked to show forcefulness by uncapping a magic marker with your teeth. (And then they ruin the ending by subbing in shots of the real guy doing a speech.)

[porphyrian]

22. Anything propagandistic with George Takei in it has my vote.

Some of the comments about it on IMDB.com are great.

[Lisa]

32. at times I suspect the actors were rolling their eyes ...

The dialogue is so contrived and hokey -- Bush comforting a distraught Cheney, and snapping into action to issue complex orders and directives. Being professionals, George Takei and the rest of the cast do their best -- not their fault that it's undermined by such poor writing and direction.

Another SF reference ... it reminds me of the scene in the "Red Dwarf" TV series, where the rest of the crew find a tape made by the obnoxious Arnold Rimmer, showing the world from his perspective (with him as the hero and everyone else as adoring sycophants).

On the DC 9/11 DVD, the director and producer are so busy patting themselves on the back that Timothy Bottoms is reduced to commenting on the skin rash he had during filming ... when asked in interviews about his thoughts on playing Bush (in the Comedy Central series and this TV movie), he frankly admitted that he was having a difficult time finding acting roles, and needed to put his kids through college!

[Sacajawea]

21. "Judgment at Nuremberg" and "A Man For All Seasons"

The former, lest we forget the necessity of doing the right thing (as opposed to following orders).

The latter, to remind us what it means to stand up for one's beliefs.

[porphyrian]

23. Excellent choices. - n/t

[bluedog]

24. "the day after"

showing the nuclear fallout after weapons are released

excellent movie

[porphyrian]

25. Right! I'd also add Miracle Mile, another good nuke movie. - n/t

[Philosoraptor]

26. V FOR VENDETTA

[porphyrian]

27. Definitely, even if it's cheesy to some. - n/t

[GumboYaYa]

28. Shameless self-promotion, but my movie CAN MR. SMITH GET TO WASHINGTON

ANYMORE?.

View the trailer here www.mrsmithmovie.com.

We open in DC on September 22nd (E Street Theater) and at theaters around the country soon after that.

[porphyrian]

29. I'd rather promote your film than network pap. Thanks. - n/t

[FearofFutility]

30. Syriana n/t

[porphyrian]

31. Another Clooney winner. - n/t