Customer Reviews

Noam Chomsky - Rebel Without a Pause

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Noam Chomsky is one of the most important social critics of our time. In this DVD, the filmmaker captures candid Chomsky at his best.

Among the focus of this film is an important discourse on 9-11 where Chomsky illuminates the dark machinations of the Bush government with his razor sharp knowledge and intellect. The filmmaker brings us a well balanced look at a man who is the intellectual's Michael Moore. Find out in this DVD the role that Noam Chomsky's wife plays, why his life may be in danger and why Noam Chomsky is one of the most important living intellects in America today.

"Rebel Without A Pause" is a must-see DVD that shines a spotlight on the cause & effects of 9-11 and how the media is manipulated by government and corporate entities. Find out what drives Chomsky, what inspires him, and why he is one of the most censored voices in America today. Open your mind and heart and watch this DVD with open eyes as the film treats you to a wonderfully open and novel treatise on Chomsky that will leave you both thrilled and disturbed.

I saw this film at the Amsterdam Documentary Film Festival. The theatre was sold out and we were lucky enough to have a Q and A with the director. With a miniscule budget the filmmakers set out to follow Chomsky on a week when he was lecturing in Canada. The director admitted to not being a Chomsky fan at the time he started the film but was won over but Chomsky's charm, intellect and sly sense of humor (some of which you can see in the film). I think he called Chomsky "the best read grandfather alive" and told us about Chomsky's 18-hour days lecturing and doing interviews and would often lose his voice by dinner time, but would always try and have something left for talking with the people who follow him around wanting to ask him about some issue or another.

Often, Chomsky is seen talking about dour issues (war, government oppression, etc), so it was nice to see a film that shows him with his sarcastic sense of humor and a profound love and respect for others who are passionate about the world we live in. I have seen all the Chomsky films and what sets "Rebel" apart from the others is that you actually learn what makes Chomsky tick, what makes him the most active and important intellectual around and what makes him so interesting. I have read his books but found that this film actually gave me an insight into Noam Chomsky that I never had before. What were quite profound were the stories his wife (and manager) tell about how he reads six newspapers a day and how when he cites a source it's using something close to a photographic memory. His mind is a database of articles, interviews, lectures, policy speeches, etc and he can pin point an argument with precision. In "Rebel" you see him talking about September 11th and the war in Iraq among many topics and often he gets into discussions with other academics and students on various issues and its as if people want to out-argue him, but you can't. He's too prepared, too well researched and too smart to get beaten. His story about how the mainstream media has essentially blacklisted him (or been asked by higher powers to keep him off the airwaves) is quite telling. I had no idea that NPR would bow to a call from Washington and cancel a live interview with him moments before it was scheduled to happen. That is just one of the great stories in this little gem of a documentary. Another is the story about how the Cuban Missile Crisis should have been the start of WW3 but for the disobedience of a Russian submarine captain who refused an order from Moscow to fire his missiles when his submarine was being depth charged by the American navy. I had cheers when Chomsky told the story (all true). Chomsky was right when he said the Captain should be receiving every prize known to humanity for refusing to launch his missiles.

For those who don't know Chomsky, "Rebel Without A Pause" is a good overview of the man and his topics and unlike some other films about Chomsky, gives you a glimpse into Chomsky and what makes him the intellectual and cult figure he is.
Highly recommended!

I can start by saying that I was never a fan of Noam Chomsky's. I don't care for politics. My husband does however and we went to see this film (his turn to buy). I walked out afterwards and was thinking about the film for days afterward. Chomsky has an ability to put in clear context, backed by facts and references to articles and newspapers the events of the last few years and to analyse what is going on in the world like few people can. This film is a great look at what Chomsky is into and while the film doesn't say he's right or wrong, it does let you hear what Chomsky has to say and balances it with those who know him (critics, fans and his wife most especially!) The film does show that Chomsky is a rock star for many. People hang on his every word, while others try to out debate him (you can't). What this film does is present Chomsky's most recent work on what is happening in Iraq, on government control of the media, the war on Terrorism (what you read in the papers versus what is actually happening) and a host of other topics. Inbetween he gets pretty candid about some things and his wife (who doubles as his manager) is quick to offer her take on what drives him to read six newspapers a day and what compells him at his late age to talk to so many people and give so many lectures. I have since watched some of the other Chomsky films and I'm looking forward to seeing this one again. Unlike the others that just have Chomsky lecturing for two hours, this film actually gave me an insight into the man himself and into his motivations at a time when most of his contemporaries are retired and playing golf. Chomsky doesn't do it for the money. He does what he does because he's angry at the lies in the media, angry at the state of the world and angry at how our governments are quietly seperating fact from fiction and trying to pass off manipulation and hypocrisy as truth. He believes the public activism and challenging our leaders to be more accountable are important in this day and age an d cites many examples over the last 50 years when "the people" have actually made a difference and influenced the course of events in America and elsewhere. Well worth watching even if you aren't a big Chomsky fan. Guaranteed you'll come out of the experience wiser about the world.

Having read many of his books over the years I can spake to Chomsky's views with a bit of experience. This film provides an wonderful ovierwiew, analysis and synthesis of Chomsky's last two books "9,11" and "Hegemony or Survival" and is well worth watching. Looking at Chomsky's views on America before and after September 11th, "Rebel Without A Pause" provides a strong glimpse into the causes and effects of September 11th and how they are rippling around the world. Other chapters in this film include (if memory serves), Iraq, the war on terrorism, and how the media has become a mouthpiece for the powerful and the rich (and by extension our own governments). Chomsky unleashes his withering sarcasm and intellect on the world in this film and its interesting to watch him do this and then learn about the man and why he does this. In some ways, this is the film's greatest strength - it takes us behind the scenes into Chomsky's world and we learn more about him - how he works, what he reads, and what motivates him to keep taking on the establishment. Interesting, his stories of being censorsed on TV are almost as poweful as his attacks on Bush and company. If you've ever wanted to know more about Chomsky, what he's about and what it all means in the great scheme of things then this film will no doubt give you that and more.

Chomsky is not for everyone. This film was on the film festival circuit and I was lucky enough to see it twice (I admit to liking Chomsky's voice). Here is a man that is smart, articulate, well read and passionate. With so much spin in the media its nice to get a refreshing and frank assessment of the world from someone who is still passionate about our society. I have seen a few Chomsky films (he can have his own film festival now) and "Rebel Without A Pause" is probably the most current and relevant. "Manufacturing Consent" was great but its fifteen years old now and East Timor isn't an issue these days. "Rebel Without A Pause" has Chomsky waxing poetic on 9-11, Iraq, US global imperialism and about organizing and the role of the media in western society. All important stuff. This film breaks each down into specific topics so if you aren't interested in something you can move to the next section. What is really interesting is how others perceive him which refreshingly in this film makes it more about Chomsky and his passions then just about what he's writing about. This film could easily be a film companion to "Hegemony or Survival" and "9-1"' (Chomsky's latest books) as the film covers both of those books in quite detail. This film is worth checking out. I can't rate the DVD extras as I haven't seen the DVD yet, but the film is great and you don't have to really know Chomsky to be able to watch it. In fact, this film may be the best way to get to know his work.

Amazingly well-researched, Chomsky knows his stuff. This film really gives a showcase of Chomsky and his views and puts in in context of America in the Bush era, the terrorism era, the mess in Iraq, etc. I've been a fan of his for some years now but this film taught me things I had no clue about. Carol Chomsky (Noam Chomsky's wife) is actually his manager and acts as his "gaurd" on tour keeping autograph-seekers at bay and keeping him on schedule. Her insight into her many decades with Noam is one of the most fascinating parts of this film as is the reflections, comments and criticisms of his fans, fellow intellecutals and even his critics. The bit about how with the state of America today, that Noam's "life might be in danger" is scarier in what it tells us about dissent and critiquing the Bush government in today's society. A must-have if you are a Chomsky fan or are interested in the war of terrorism and what is happening in Iraq and in Latin America. Looking forward to seeing what the bonus features are. Apparently 40 additional minutes are included on th DVD.

I don't know much about Noam Chomsky but did read an essay of his in university as part of course. I saw this recently in France at a film festival and the man and what he had to say blew my mind (I'm not exaggerating). Noam Chomsky tells an amazing story about how September 11th has changed America (and the world) in profound ways - the curtailing of freedom of speech, government crackdowns on opposition and dissenters, and the list goes on. Nice to have a film open your eyes for a change.

I was so excited to see another Noam Chomsky film, but terribly disappointed with this particular collection of snippets. The editing was so distracting and disconnected that I stopped watching the piece. There are silly cut aways just for "art's sake", the cameras go in and out of focus and shift angles for no reason, and the order of the lecture bits didn't make any sense to me. Chomsky's ideas are hard enough to follow if you don't have background info. on his subject, but it is fun and challenging to try to follow him as he explains the agendas behind our news, our reporting, our politicians, etc.... This film makes that kind of challenge almost impossible. (at least for me) Chomsky is, in my opinion, a genius and this film did not convey his coherent thoughts and eloquent speeches. I recommend Manufacturing Consent if you are new to Noam.

This documentary shows bits and pieces of a big speaking engagement of Chomsky and two talks he is giving to activist groups. The only thing was, the documentary was kind of short - like 1 hour and 10 minutes. But it was good. Here are some highlights:

- When the Russians invaded Afghanistan, the U.S. press gave sharp criticism to the Russians. However, since the U.S. press has a U.S. audience why doesn't the press tell Americans what is happening with their tax dollars and what they can do to fix their mistakes. An example at this time was U.S. funding for death squads in El Salvador and Indonesian funding for the massacre of Timorese. It is cowardly for our criticisms of Russians, when we as Americans have no control over them, but we do have control over what we do and ourselves.

- The media was most free during the mid nineteenth century, this was before media started getting advertising in it. Once advertising started to happen, media could not say certain things the advertisers did not like.

- Run up budget deficits by giving massive tax cuts that benefit the wealthy, then cut social programs. Then eventually get rid of Social Security and public education. Getting rid of public education and Social Security just eliminates solidarity and sympathy with others.

- If your pension is tied up in stocks - stocks go up when people lose their jobs, that is against your own interests and all worker's interests.

This Chomsky documentary was more entertaining than the previous made ones. If a person does not pay attention to foreign policy, they can still grasp the concepts and ideas that are presented in this documentary. This documentary provides plenty of ammo to help people think and get active. Watch it and have house parties or let a bunch of politically passive friends watch it.

Not very familiar with Noam Chomsky's work but I have listened to many people say that he has very strong arguments. This film is proof of those arguments. Noam Chomsky has facts, refers to original sources, provides context and analysis and leaves you feeling that you have heard a very solid and well-research argument. This film is a collection of such arguments on issues and events affecting many of us in the world. America's invasion of Iraq, the war on terror and what is behind it other than 9-11, and other topics are rich and insightful. This film provides a nice balance on Chomsky by giving us some insight into HIM which is interesting. I find him more fascinating now than I did as a skeptic who was challenged to actually read his material. This film gives those new to Noam Chomsky's books an excellent overview of the issues and events that he has written about in the last five years or so. After watching this film I went out and read 9-11 and his latest book. While good, the film gives us the same information but in a more direct and candid manner.