Godzilla returns to attack Japan, but this time with an unlikely ally: a sclerotic Japanese government that is disastrously slow to respond. [ Shin Godzilla credits: Dir: Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi/ Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara/ 120 min/ Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi/ Incompetent Government, Individualism/ a.k.a. Godzilla Resurgence/ Japan] “This film … [Read more...]
Die Hard (1988)
When robbers seize hostages in an LA high-rise, an off-duty cop fights alone to save them, including among the hostages…his wife. [ Die Hard credits: Dir: John McTiernan/ Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia/ 131 min/ Action-Adventure, Thriller/ Individualism] “It would be easy to view Die Hard as a simple action film, but anyone attuned to the culture wars going on … [Read more...]
Sully (2016)
When a plane suddenly loses power after takeoff, the pilot follows his own judgment instead of established procedure and saves the lives of all on board -- but he is besieged by skeptical investigators, and his own self-doubt. Based on a true story. [ Sully credits: Dir: Clint Eastwood/ Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney/ 96 min/ Biography, Drama/ … [Read more...]
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
#1 HIGHEST-GROSSING FILM OF 2016 When political pressure mounts for the Avengers to submit themselves to UN control, Captain America refuses, leading to a violent split among the superheroes. [ Captain America: Civil War credits: Dir: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo/ Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson/ 147 min/ Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi/ Individualism, … [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...]
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...]
Atlas Shrugged Movie Trilogy (2011, 2012, 2014)
Atlas Shrugged Part 1 (2011) Creative and hard-working entrepreneurs fight government red tape and interference to build a railroad that will save the country…but are harried by a secret enemy who is somehow convincing the most talented workers to quit. [ Atlas Shrugged credits: Dir: Paul Johansson/ Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden/ 97 min/ Drama/ Ayn Rand, … [Read more...]
The Giver (2014)
When a 16-year-old boy discovers that the "perfect" managed society in which he lives is simply a drugged potemkin village, he must decide whether its superficially happy character is worth the price in terms of foregone human experience and lost liberty. [ The Giver credits: Dir: Phillip Noyce/ 94 min/ SciFi-Drama/ Individualism, Government enforced morality, Equality & … [Read more...]
Dancing With Style (2012)
A fourteen-year-old boy pursues his love of ballroom dancing and classical music, despite bullying and peer pressure. [ Dancing With Style credits: Dir: Xander de Boer/ 17 min/ Documentary Short/ Individualism/ Netherlands] Note: the full film, "Dancing With Style," may be viewed online here. Dancing With Style is just a short 17-minute film, but it sums up in its few … [Read more...]
2081 (2009)
In a future America, all exceptional human intelligence and achievement is stamped out in order to eliminate the destructive consequences of envy. Based on the Kurt Vonnegut story, Harrison Bergeron. [ 2081 credits: Dir: Chandler Tuttle/ James Cosmo, Julie Hagerty, Armie Hammer /25 min/ Short Film, Drama, SciFi/ Equality & Envy, Individualism] Note: the full film can … [Read more...]