By Kristy Puchko | Lists | December 18, 2014 |
By Kristy Puchko | Lists | December 18, 2014 |
Sony caved to terrorists yesterday by cancelling their release of the Seth Rogen’s The Interview. We’re still reeling from the news, along with much of Hollywood. Now all talk of showing patriotism by patronizing a stoner comedy on Christmas day is all for not.
But if you want to stick it to tyranny, we suggest marathoning this collection of movies that tell tyrants loud and clear, “Fuck you!” (Sometimes literally.)
Team America: World Police (2004)
Paramount may be pulling it from theaters, but it’s still online! South Park Matt Stone and Trey Parker mercilessly mocked dictator North Korean Kim Jong-Il, presenting him as a pudgy puppet with loneliness-inspired plans of world destruction. America: fuck yeah!
Stream it on Netflix.
The Dictator (2012)
Sacha Baron Cohen parodied the mindset of tyrants with his fish-out-of-water comedy that throws an insanely cruel and petty dictator into the heart of New York City, where he finds love, hipsters, and begins to understand the drawbacks to his oppressive regime.
The World’s End (2013)
Sometimes tyranny can seem well-intentioned. Who doesn’t want communal harmony? To forever young? Super sweet advanced tech? But if the price we pay is being overrun by an insidious extraterrestrial plot:
Snowpiercer (2014)
South Korean writer-director Bong Joon-ho made his English language debut with this searing action-thriller about a revolution set on a train that carries the last of mankind through a desolate wasteland of ice and death.
Stream it on Netflix.
The Great Dictator (1940)
World War II was raging when Charlie Chaplin dared to make a joke of the genocidal Adolf Hitler, who turned his iconic tramp’s mustache into a symbol of anti-semitism. Here Chaplin stepped out of silent cinema to really speak out with his first ever talkie.
Stream it on Hulu Plus.
Braveheart (1995)
Before Mel Gibson imploded his career by spewing hatred, he directed and starred in this biopic about Scottish warrior William Wallace, who led his people in a war against the tyrannical English monarchy.
Street Fighter (1994)
Because Jean-Claude Van Damme gives one of the best “fuck tyranny” speeches the world has ever known.
Rent it on iTunes.
The Matrix (1999)
The blue pill or the red pill? Complacency or revolt? Bring on the red pill…and those leather dusters.
Rent it on iTunes.
Footloose (1984)
We’re just like Kevin Bacon!
V For Vendetta (2005)
Remember remember this Natalie Portman vehicle that has her playing a bald and bold freedom fighter.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
In this sequel, Katniss Everdeen fights for her life, her friends, and—whether she knows it or not—the future of the nation of Panem. Real-world regimes have begun to fear this franchise, shutting down the movies as well as protesters who found inspiration in Katniss’s cause.
Stream it on Netflix.
The Lego Movie (2014)
Everything is awesome in this movie except for President Business’s plan to turn Taco Tuesday into the death of creative expression. This is way too relevant.
Did we miss your favorite “fuck tyranny” movie? Share it in comments.