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Intelligent introduction to one of our most interesting thinkers 2010-05-09

Reviewer: K. Gordon

Often fascinating, if arguably overlong (167 min of talking heads). While it only scratches the surface of Chomsky's many ideas, this is a worthwhile introduction to both the man, and one particular element of his theories - namely that all major US media is only serving the interest of the corporate/government oligarchy. Never boring, but sometimes repetitive. Gets brownie points for being willing to clearly present intelligent opposing points of view, despite the film's obvious siding with Chomsky. Loses brownie points for stylistically doing some of the very sort of manipulative story-telling Chomsky is railing against, and for focusing on certain aspects of his ideas too long at the expense of others. Another DVD where the extras (especially the complete creepy/fascinating face-off between Chomsky and William Buckley) are sometimes even more exciting than the film itself.

The Important Thing Is To Be Good At Looking 2010-02-19

Reviewer: M. Southwood

This is a well considered portrait of a man whose implausible name is globally respected and disdained in equally fervent measure. Noam Chomsky is professor of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 'arguably the most important intellectual alive'. Apart from his incomparable contribution to the academic field of linguistics he is perhaps better known for his disarmingly erudite pronouncements and well supported arguments about the political and social culture at large.The success of his rhetoric (apart from very often being self evidently incontrovertible) is that he creates a context in which the listener can think and an environment in which the listener/reader can enjoy insightful and important ideas as their own.

His detractors are usually characterized by bilious invective, aimed not at his ideas but at the man himself, and so offer no intellectual value. For example one William F Buckley Jr's thoughtful response to Chomsky's musings comes as a threat to 'smash him in the Goddamn face'.

This film is bristling with refreshingly original thought and a kind of politically principled, dynamic enthusiasm for the ideas being expressed, that when set against the dumb utterances more commonly heard in public may appear to some as subversive. But then as Wilde once said 'Public opinion exists only where there are no ideas'. Chomsky's encyclopaedic knowledge is compelling to witness and enables quite complex notions to be framed in tangible simple and pertinent references. No conspiracy theorist, Chomsky's arguments don't speculate over the unknown. Rather they strip away the facade of the known to examine the methods and techniques a modern state employs to maintain general consensus, obedience and complicity from it's people. Never exclusive or elitist, yet fascinatingly persuasive and absorbing this insight into stimulating idea is the perfect antidote to the mindless cheery distractions so endlessly peddled as entertainment today. It's also very reassuring to hear informed articulation of so much you have always had a sneaking suspicion about. You really should see this.

Even though its 3 hours, you will keep rewatching it 2010-01-24

Reviewer: Gerardo Arnaez

...So I keep watching and feeling my mouth is open in shock, without my mouth actually being open. It's his steady, calm patter of words, describing horror after horror with a detachedness rivaling *HAL*, that generates a feeling of being both hypnotized and skewered at the same time...


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Better than Michael Moore 2009-06-30

Reviewer: B.Friendly

While Michael Moore movies such as Roger and Me have its place, something a bit deeper would be this movie about the influence the media has on our thinking and perception of the world, especially world events. This is a long, two-part documentary with very interesting information about Vietnam and East Timor. The movie makers also let a lot of Chomsky critics speak, so the viewer really does have to make his own decision whether or not Chomsky is too radical in his analysis. Great movie for group discussion. Also allows for a closer look at Chomsky the man. He does remind me of Woody Allen at times, though of course so much more profound, no?! William F. Buckley being at the beginning of the star list is rather misleading, but you do see the editor of the New York Times here quite a bit.

Timeless classic. 2009-02-11

Reviewer: P. Sokol

I have seen this documentry many times before and even if it has been made in the early 90's, It's content is still very relevant today on how the media functions and of unchanged US foreign policy. The film goes much deeper then snipets of Noam Chomsky's many talks around the world, it also goes into his upbringing and inluences which led him to be the much loved dissident he is today. This film is a must see, whether you are a fan of Noam Chomsky or not.