Customer Reviews

The Anarchist Cookbook

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

This independent film, directed by Jordan Susman, gets its title from an infamous book from the 1960s which advocates every conceivable kind of rebellion against authority. This film, on the other hand, is basically apolitical, despite its title and theme. It starts off in an extremely lighthearted manner, showing a group of "anarchists" who are more like a harmless hybrid between hippies and slackers. They live communally in a large, rundown house in Dallas. The cast features Devon Gummersall as Puck, a likable, mild-mannered sort who seems to have drifted into this lifestyle by accident and John Savage (the only well known member of the cast) as an older veteran of the counterculture. The anarchists start out as a comical group who could be members of a fraternity. The story is rather unfocused and not very much happens for the first two-thirds of the film. Puck leaves the community for no apparent reason and later returns; an improbable romance between Puck and a girl who belongs to a Republican group fills some space; there is an amusing but familiar sequence of Puck and a friend working in a Starbucks-type cafe and, naturally, getting fired promptly. When a newcomer named Johnny Black (Dylan Bruno) challenges the group to do more than talk and protest, the film takes a turn into darker territory. Johnny Black joins forces with some right-wing militia groups, which raises some interesting questions about political ideology --questions which the film ultimately abandons. If The Anarchist Cookbook has a message, it is a very vague one, especially considering its provocative title. Even when the anarchists discuss politics, there is an avoidance of anything too controversial. Although the film was apparently released in 2002, there is no indication of the actual contemporary atmosphere --e.g. 9-11, War on Terror, Iraq, etc. It seems to be taking place in a more innocent era. The film seems to be saying, in its very indirect way, that when you take the idea of anarchism to its natural conclusion, you end up with someone like Johnny Black, who turns out to be violent and amoral. At the end, Puck makes the heavy-handed observation that "freedom without responsibility is a myth." This may be a valid message, but this meandering film does not back it up. I have to give it some credit, however, for being, at times, interesting and thought-provoking and for at least having the courage to tiptoe around material that other films would not touch with a ten-foot pole.

This movie to me really just felt like a new version of the movie SLC Punk. Besides having the nihilist in the Anarchist Cookbook, there are countless parallels between the two movies. Best friends, tragedy, group of counter-culture hacks, counter-culture hacks disappear, etc. etc.

It was ok I guess and mildy entertaining, but not something worth purchasing. If you can rent it or buy it used for under $5 then sure, it might be worth checking out.

It's kind of a goofy movie. Nothing like what I expected. It's neither a comedy or a drama. A little of both. It follows a group of young people (well except the leader is old) who want to change the world but really just living haphazardly. More like hippies than anarchists. It's a group that looks out for each other...until Johnny Black comes into their lives and remakes the group into his idea of how it should be. Which is very destructive. Most leave. Puck doesn't like the changes and leaves but returns to take care of the remaining original members.

I really disliked the ending. It was interesting in a mildly entertaining way but I can't recommend this movie.

I think those that gave this film a bad review genuinely don't understand it. I rented it, and was blown away. If you thought the Matrix was brilliant, you won't like this film, but then again, you would not understand filmmaking.

This film was created by people that understand the medium. If you truly understand and appreciate film, you will appreciate this one. Definitely a must see for those interested in exploring the edge of filmmaking.

This movies is almost exactly like SLC Pink same style with the voice over and goofy characters. Except its set in Dallas Texas instead of Salt lake city utah.

Dallas, Plano, and the suburbs are what Puk thought he despised the most. He believed in freedom, no order, and self rule. Then life changed when Jonny Black came into the picture. Full of hidden little puns and quirks (Jonny Red vs. Johnny Black) ect... this film tells a tale of cautionary woes on who to value as friends, and what to truely believe in. I think this movie was a bit ahead of the times, poking fun at the republicans and the way that they were stearing the country at the time (look at the election results), but it also reminds us to not go to far the other direction either, because both extremes can have problems.
"Take A Hit", see this film, interesting enough to kill some time on a cold winters day.

First of all i really do not see the whole "right wing propoganda" that everyone else sees. I do believe that democrats are against anarchy as well. The only reason that this movie does not get a higher rating is because of the simple point that anarchist were represented very wrong, they are not hippies (well not totally, they are like angry hippies). And i don't think anybody should be represented in bad fashion (hippies). The plot did linger a bit, but the story was there. The reason it gets a 3 is because entertainment value was good (but only for a rental). If your looking for a good movie to buy about anarchy i would suggest SLC Punk, very well done. As for the ending, anybody who didn't like it is probably just some sad teenage anarchist that wishes they could live this life forever and not grow out of it. The fact is that anarchy will get you nowhere grow up and deal with it. Puck did.

I tried so hard to give this movie a chance. Right away, I noticed similarities to movies such as 'Fight Club', 'SLC Punk', and even 'Suburbia'. I recommend any of these three films, but can't do so for this one. Now that I think about it, it even features a basketball game that smacks of a scene from 'American History X'.
From the first couple of minutes on, this film offered nothing original. From a technical standpoint, the shots are static and seem to go on too long. The writing is pitiful. The dialogue is unbelievable and made me roll my eyes so much that I memorized the inside of my eyelids.
The extras are scarce; only a commentary from the director. I'd be willing to bet that there were enough goofs to warrant a gag-reel. With one of those, this may have scored two stars.
Bottom line: the movie is distant, plodding, and predictable. The actors bring nothing original to the table. Some scenes seem meant to shock but fall short.

This mess is easily the worst attempt at portraying the punk/anarchist movement ever made. Add the horrible acting and idiotic conversation, and you got......just what you'd expect. Nothing Worth Watching! Boring soundtrack adds to the nauseating affect this will have on the viewer. Geez, tough lead character. Wears a pink button down shirt. The scenarios are crap, and sometimes border on preachy. Garbage through and through. Nothing funny in their attempts at humor. There's nothing going for this thing at ALL!! You gotta watch it just to see how horrendous and dull it actually. is. I warned you. Rent, do not buy. Unbelievable. SLC Punk thrashes this feeble attempt. One star for the gorgeous young ladies in this and the other star out of pure charity because I'm in a good mood.

The movie is largely a first person narration by a man who calls himself "puck." He is part of a lame group of people who call themselves "anarchists." They have no rules except, no smoking, no violence, no hurting animals etc. They are lead by an old hippy named Johnny Red. They do protests in hope to generate awareness and media coverage. Puck speaks mostly in clichés, bumper sticker slogans, and quotes lines at random from cult movies.

Then one day enters Johnny Black. Johnny Black uses the popular "Anarchist Cookbook" (which the group outside of Johnny Red have never heard of it) to generate bombs, drugs etc. in order to bring down the man. He also uses cyberspace attacks. Johnny Black takes over the group.

Meanwhile Puck gets involved with a young Christian Republican woman who is everything he is not, but ironically seem to have the same core values. Puck struggles between saving the planet from governments and corporations against rescuing his friends and pursuing love and normalcy.