In the near future a wealthy senator combines politics, religion, and virtual reality to create a dangerous authoritarian cult hell-bent on world domination—opposed only by “libertarians.” [ Wild Palms credits: Dir: Peter Hewitt, Keith Gordon, Phil Joanou, Kathryn Bigelow/ James Belushi, Dana Delany, Robert Loggia, Kim Cattrall, Angie Dickinson/ 278 min/ SciFi-Fantasy, Drama/ … [Read more...]
The Experimenter (2015)
In 1961, Yale University researcher Stanely Milgram tests human willingness to obey to authority, with highly disturbing results. [ The Experimenter credits: Dir: Michael Almereyda/ John Palladino, Anthony Edwards, Jim Gaffigan/ 98 min/ Drama, Biography/ Working for government, Democide, Government as torturer] External Reviews "Smart and unsettling exploration of … [Read more...]
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
A run-away orphan is pursued in a nationwide manhunt by Child Services. [ Hunt for the Wilderpeople credits: Dir: Taika Waititi/ Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House / 101 min/ Comedy, Adventure/ Individualism, Abuse of power] “Part of the humor here is that the orphan boy's past misdemeanors are treated with absurd weight by authorities, which gives the … [Read more...]
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE AIDS patient Ron Woodroof defies the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to smuggle unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into the U.S. in order to treat fellow victims of HIV. Based on a true story. [ Dallas Buyers Club credits: Dir: Jean-Marc Vallee/ Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto/ 117 min/ … [Read more...]
Amazing Grace (2006)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS Inspired by Christian teachings against slavery, William Wilberforce leads an arduous but ultimately victorious life-long battle to abolish the slave trade. [ Amazing Grace credits: Dir: Michael Apted/ Ioan Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney/ 111 min/ Drama, Biography/ Anti-slavery, Law & the Individual] “Wilberforce’s story … [Read more...]
Still Mine (2012)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS When a rural farmer builds a new home as a kindness to his ailing wife, a government bureaucrat threatens to tear it down for building code violations. Based on a true story. [ Still Mine credits: Dir: Michael McGowan/ James Cromwell, Ronan Rees, Geneviève Bujold/ 102 min/ Drama/ Anti-regulation, Individualism] “It would be hard to … [Read more...]
Sons of Liberty (2015)
A group of young men–Sam Adams, John Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock and Dr. Joseph Warren–secretly join together to oppose British domination, and end up sparking the American Revolution. [ Sons of Liberty credits: Dir: Kari Skogland/ Ben Barnes, Marton Csokas, Ryan Eggold/ 87 min/ Drama, History/ American Revolution, Resistance to Tyranny] “Sons of Liberty transforms … [Read more...]
Herod’s Law (1999)
An innocent janitor appointed mayor of a small Mexican town gradually succumbs to the temptations of power and is transformed into a small-time despot. Also listed as La ley de Herodes. [ Herod's Law credits: Dir: Luis Estrada/ 120 min/ Comedy/ Corrupt government, Power corrupts/ Mexico] External Reviews "The title of Herod's Law refers to a governing principle of … [Read more...]
Leviathan (2014)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM When the mayor of a Russian coastal town uses eminent domain to seize a home, the owner fights back--but he can't win against the corrupt and all-powerful Leviathan state. [ Leviathan credits: Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev/ Aleksey Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova, Roman Madyanov/ 140 min/ Drama/ Eminent Domain, Corrupt … [Read more...]
Court (2014)
When an Indian folk singer is accused of singing lyrics that encouraged a young man to commit suicide, he is held for trial indefinitely in India's meandering court system. [ Court credits: Dir: Chaitanya Tamhane/ Usha Bane, Vivek Gomber, Pradeep Joshi/ 116 min/ Drama/ Law & Liberty, Incompetent Government] External Reviews "There are courtroom dramas, and then … [Read more...]