Orwell Rolls in His Grave (2004)
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79% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(1,122 ratings)
Directed by Robert Kane Pappas, Orwell Rolls in His Grave questions whether the bleak, feverishly regulated world of author George Orwell's 1984 is no longer a dire fictional account of government power gone wrong but a creeping reality of recent American media trends. The film focuses on the… More Directed by Robert Kane Pappas, Orwell Rolls in His Grave questions whether the bleak, feverishly regulated world of author George Orwell's 1984 is no longer a dire fictional account of government power gone wrong but a creeping reality of recent American media trends. The film focuses on the media's least covered topic -- itself -- in an effort to trace the process by which newsworthy stories are either dismissed entirely or distorted into something more politically suitable for the heads of various media conglomerates. It also studies how influential politicos became responsible for an industry that was largely created in order to keep political abuse in check. Among the interviewees include legal scholar and former L.A. prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, film director and author Michael Moore, and Danny Schechter, a former producer for ABC and CNN. Pappas also covers the expansion of the news media and examines whether the onset of competitive 24-hour news stations has actually led to a nationally less informed public. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
- Directed By
- Robert Kane Pappas
- Written By
- Robert Kane Pappas
- Genres
- Documentary, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Oct 23, 2003 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 7, 2005
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
For some, Pappas' film will simply confirm everything they've suspected of the fourth estate. For others, it will be a reiteration of points they make themselves. Those who've never thought about these issues may be in for the shock of their lives.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Comes across as a political science course videotape rather than a movie to fully engage a general audience.
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Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times
Enlightening, at times disturbing, and always provocative.
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Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The war against the neo-fascists still goes on, and the outcome at this point is far from certain. Mr. Pappas' film does its part.
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Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Every incident mentioned in the film was reported in the media, sometimes ad nauseam, and the polls show that about half of Americans like where things are going.
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