Tag: Control Room

Iraq War Documentaries

I’ve noticed recently that there have been many documentaries released about the War in Iraq. This isn’t unusual or shocking, after all film is one of the earliest forms of propraganda and protest. It seems more common than ever to produce a documentary about something your against.

If you’re interested, here are some of the docs I’m talking about and some to look out for.

Gunner Palace – [review] US Troops living in Uday Hussein’s former pleasure palace.

Control Room – [review] It’s about Al-Jazeera, the news network’s often controversial principles and the network’s relationship with Western countries, specifically the US.

Uncovered: The War in Iraq – [from imdb.com] In this documentary feature, filmmaker Robert Greenwald chronicles the Bush Administration’s case to invade Iraq following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The film examines the administration’s argument for war through interviews with U.S intelligence and defense officials, foreign service experts and U.N. weapons inspectors — including a former CIA director, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and even President Bush’s Secretary of the Army.

Iraq for Sale – currently in the preproduction stages. Also directed by Robert Greenwald

WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception – like Control Room, this documentary is also about the somewhat deceptive media coverage of the war.

Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War – also directed by Robert Greenwald. [from imdb.com] Interviews with varied U.S officials and experts offer a deconstruction on the Bush administration’s case for war in Iraq in the wake of 9/11.

Homefront– which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival

The Blood of My Brother – about the family of an Iraqi shot by a U.S. patrol. It also premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival
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Whatever your political view may be, these documentaries are vital records of the current political situation and should be watched.

Two Documentaries: Control Room and The Aristocrats

This past weekend I watched two different yet equally controversial documentaries. The Aristocrats and Control Room.

The Aristocrats (2005)

From directors Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette, over one hundred comics, famous and unknown, tell the same obscene joke. It sounds boring doesn’t it? Not really. It is a fascinating look at the joke shared by comics since the Vaudeville era. Pretty much the joke begins like this “A man walks into a talent agents office and says that he has an act …” then you add every grotesque thing a human possibly could do and you have “The Aristocrats”.

It is a hysterical comedy. Highlights include Bob Saget, shedding his good guy image; Sarah Silverman, giving a completely different spin on “The Aristocrats”; and Gilbert Gottfried, never funnier, lightening the mood after 9/11 by telling the joke at the Friar’s Club Roast of Hugh Hefner. Other comics include: George Carlin, Phyllis Diller, Drew Carey, Robin Williams, Judy Gold, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, and many more.

8.5/10

Control Room (2004)

This documentary looks into not only the foundation and principles of Al-Jazeera but also how the network views the United States during the early stages of the war in Iraq. It is a competely different prespective on the war, one that many Americans probably won’t care to see. Despite that, this is an intelligent, well-crafted, and thought-provoking film that should be viewed by anyone and everyone. Yes, there is a pro-Iraqi (not pro-terrorism) bias,but you should watch this insightful movie. You’ll rethink your opinions.

10/10