The 10 best satire flicks that I have ever seen.
Dec 23 '01
The Bottom Line the 70's were good for something after all..
While I can’t say that I go out of my way to watch political satire… I think that for one reason I must be attracted to the concept because I seem to love them. Most of the best satire movies came out long before I was ever old enough to care, but the message is still strong in them. The unique thing about many of these movies is that they are usually so weird that few people try to even understand them….so they fade away into obscurity. Well, for better or worse, this is my list of top 10 political satire movies.
The Great Dictator (1940)…with Charlie Chaplin. I think this movie is even funnier today than it was in its time. Imagine laughing at anything when you are caught up in the middle of a world war! This is Charlie’s first full-length talkie and it spoofs pre-WW2 Europe.
Metropolis-(1926) the classic satire of class struggle between the privileged elite and the impoverished working class. You have to really work at watching this one since it is a silent picture.
Catch 22 (1970) .. one of the many anti war movies that came out in the late 60’s and early 70’s. See a staggering array of cameos from your favorite 70’s stars as you get lost in the antics of an American army unit during WW2
Mash (1970) see Donald Sutherland in his only good role… hear the REAL words to the MASH theme song as you laugh with Hawkeye and Pierce in this anti-Vietnam war satire.
Dr Strangelove ,or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)- I would never know who Slim Pickens was if it weren’t for this movie. Explore the stupidity of the cold war arms race in this brilliant satire of politicians and their wicked ways.
The Planet of the Apes(1967) – a great satire about racial prejudice that came out in the middle of the civil rights movement.
Logan’s Run (1976) – an attempt to warn about the dangers of unrestrained technology and environmental abuse… it fails a little bit, but the message is wrapped up in a fairly good story.
Soylent Green(1973)- once again, Charlton Heston hopes to woo us with his political savvy with this satire on the dangers of overpopulation… If nothing else, Heston has a knack for getting the best one-liners.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)-one of my all time favorite movies. A great attempt to investigate the follies of “curing” criminals. This movie satires about a dozen things…sexuality, drug use, violence… its all there in a beautiful insane roller coaster ride. One of the few Kubrick films that I actually like.
THX1138 (1971) see George Lucas do something other than Star Wars. This movie satires the dangers of big government ( a’ la 1984).. it takes a good shot at religion too.
Honorable mentions Rollerball, Apocalypse Now (great, but gives me a headache), and Planet Earth
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Member: Bob K
Location: Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio, USA
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