Snowden movie will make you wonder how much privacy you really have

Movie Title:   Snowden            

Grade:  B

Rating:  R, 134 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a solid, thought-provoking performance in this controversial Oliver Stone biopic of an equally controversial man who affected how we view national security and personal privacy today.  Was Edward Snowden a hero or hacker?

If you don’t know much about Edward Snowden, this film will give you some background, as well as a fairly slanted view.

Uplifting theme: 

•  “The internet is technology that has the power to help everyone in the world understand each other.” – Snowden
• “One man can stop the motor of the world.” – Ayn Rand
• “I’m questioning our government.  That’s what we do in this country. That is the principle we’re founded on.” – Lindsay
• “Sometimes the more you look, the less you see.” - Hank Forrester
• What is justifiable for the greater good?
• Edward and Lindsay visit a Theodore Roosevelt memorial where this quote is etched, “A man’s usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can. It’s hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.  All daring and courage, all iron endurance of misfortune make for a finer, nobler type of manhood.” 

Things I liked:

• It’s a fascinating look at Edward Snowden’s life as it moves from being in the military to being recruited into secretive government agencies.  Laura Poitras won an Oscar for her 2014 documentary “Citizenfour”, which has been touted as being more straightforward, while Oliver Stone’s film has a softer touch, designed to inspire.
• It will make you think twice before you click on the terms and policy agreement of web sites and cell phones services. 
• You’ll probably put a small piece of paper on your computer web camera.
• You get to see video footage of the real Edward Snowden at the end, as well as some photographs of him and Lindsay.
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt nails Edward Snowden's voice and physical characteristics.

Things I didn’t like:

• Some good actors play very small roles, such as Shailene Woodley, Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Timothy Olyphant, and Zachary Quinto.
• Oliver Stone paints a picture of an idealistic hero without any flaws.
• It’s truly frightening what is being tracked by many of the governments in the world and the power they have over our lives.
• Oliver Stone sets patriotic music to the moment when Snowden betrays his country and leaks classified information to the press, an interesting choice for reflecting on the First Amendment.

The real Edward Snowden said about this trailer, "For two minutes and thirty-nine seconds, everybody at NSA just stopped working."

Interesting lines:

• “Bombs don’t stop terrorists; only brains will and we don’t have millions of them.” – Corban O’Brian
• “Where is your sin of choice?” – Hank Forrester
• “Ah, computers.” - Snowden

 Well then, Snowden.  You’ve come to the right little whorehouse.” – Hank Forrester

• “No matter what justification you’re selling yourself, this is not about terrorism.  Terrorism is the excuse.  This is about economic and social control.  And the only thing you’re really protecting is the supremacy of your government.” – Snowden

Funny lines:

• “Why do you want to join the CIA Corban O’Brian

“Ah, frankly, Sir, it sounds really cool to have top security clearance.” – Snowden

• In the movie, Snowden is asked about influences on his life.  He answers, “I’d say Joseph Campbell, Star Wars, Thoreau, Ayn Rand.”

Tips for parents:   

• Several F-bombs and other profanity.
• This movie is Rated R, because of the F-bombs and scenes with a lady in her underwear, topless photos on a computer screen, and an “exotic” dancer on a pole.
• Nudity during a pretty graphic sex scene.
• Snowden is shown having epileptic seizures.
• Two people shoot birds with hunting rifles.
• Social drinking and smoking.

The Walk HAS to be seen in 3D

Movie: The Walk

Rating: PG, 2 hours 3 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell: BEWARE: If you’re afraid of heights, this movie may not be for you! The movie poster alone will make your palms start to sweat.

The inspiring true story of French “wire walker” Philippe Petit is engaging and inspiring.  The film moves slowly at first in order to give you some background story (and fill enough time to make a feature film), but when the big moment arrives when Philippe walks on a wire between New York City’s former World Trade Center Twin Towers, it’s worth every minute.

You must see this one in 3D, IMAX if you can...unless you’re afraid of heights…..




Uplifting Theme: 
• Every dream begins with a single step.
*Persistence. Fearful and frozen on the wire, Philippe finally said to himself, “I will only leave my wires and towers in victory.”
• Oh what the human spirit can accomplish!
• “We did it. We showed the world that anything’s possible.” – Jean-Louis (played by Clement Sibony)

Things I liked:
 • Phillipe narrates his experience from the top of the Statue of Liberty, which is appropriate since Lady Liberty was a gift to the USA from France!
 • If you loved Hundred-Foot Journey like I did, you’ll be happy to see Charlotte Le Bon in this film.
• Ben Kingsley is always a welcome addition to any movie.
• Is it too soon to make a movie featuring New York City’s fallen Twin Towers? Audiences say no. In fact, this movie pays a loving tribute to them as much as it does to Phillippe Petit. I remember visiting the Twin Towers when I was a college student. I dined in the restaurant on the top floor and was wowed by the views. My heart broke on 9/11 as those two dignified buildings collapsed. Since that horrific day, I have taken my family to Ground Zero to pay our respects to those who perished on the site 14 years ago.
• You’ll see some fantastic views of New York City. She steals every scene she’s in.
• Moonlight Sonata plays when Philippe walks on the wire. I remember my mother playing that on the piano when I was a little girl.  I loved it when the clouds covered the street scenes below and it felt like he was almost walking to the moon.  Philippe even says, "The clouds – they’re like music.”
• The movie is not entirely in French. Don’t worry, there are subtitles throughout the movie, but they’re not distracting.

Things I didn’t like: 
* It's a little slow-moving in the beginning.
* The fact that Philippe tells us about his experience lets us know that he doesn't die in his attempt (in case we didn't already know.)
* Philippe called his amazing feat a "coup".  There may be some who worry that Philippe's defiance of the law (and gravity) might encourage young copy-cats to attempt other dangerous feats.



Interesting lines: 
• “People always ask me ‘Why do you risk death?’ For me, this is life.” – Philippe
• “What you did was something. I know I’ll never see anything like that again in my life. Good job.” – one of the cops who arrested Philippe after his illegal walk
• “Now every New Yorker loves the towers. Perhaps you’ve given them a life, given them a soul.” – Jean-Louis
• “You’ve accomplished your dream. Now it’s time for me to find mine.” – Annie (Charlotte Le Bon) • “I’m glad the towers called you.” – Annie
• “The dressing room…this is where the disguised impostor, the intruder, becomes the performer.” - Philippe



Did you know? 
• Director Robert Zemeckis wanted to find the most perfect 3D movie and this was what he came up with!
•Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks and speaks French with impressive believability.  He spoke French before the movie. He can also sing really well! He says that he gets more compliments from fans about his lip sync video of Nicki Manaj than any of his other work! Ha ha He has great poise in this film and almost dances across the wire with calm.
 • The movie that preceded this film was Man on Wire , an Academy Award winning documentary in 2008.

Tips for Parents: 
• A construction worker calls Philippe and his crew “Frogs”, which your kids may not know is a derogatory nickname for the French.
• At one point, Philippe jumps around on top of the tower completely naked, but it’s late at night and dark, so you don’t see any “naughty bits.”
• Audiences will learn French sayings like “the carrots are cooked”, which means “there’s no going back”. In a country that prides itself on its world-class cuisine, many of the sayings are food-related!

 Want to know more?