Forget neoconservative junk like Zero Dark Thirty. Closed Circuit is the real deal – or, anyway, as close to it as a major motion picture is likely to get in the present climate. After a 7/7-reminiscent terrorist bombing in London, attorneys Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall are assigned the task of defending Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto), the alleged “mastermind” of the attack. It soon becomes clear, however, that nothing is as it seems in this self-described “conspiracy thriller”, as Bana discovers that the case is “being managed” from above and that the “suicide” of the previous barrister handling Erdogan’s defense might actually foreshadow his own demise. Unremittingly grim and realistically paranoid, Closed Circuit moves at a healthy clip, sustained by the lead actors’ earnest performances, and suffers principally from its anemic chromatic palette and visual drabness.
[WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS]
4 out of 5 possible stars. Ideological Content Analysis indicates that Closed Circuit is:
7. Anti-marriage. Bana is going through a divorce.
6. Feminist. Hall portrays an assertive, tough, and detail-oriented professional woman.
5. Anti-drug. Government patsy Erdogan is a heroin addict who, in the great Islamic fundamentalist tradition, has a drunk driving arrest on his record. The poor quality of the horse made available to him in prison causes him to be nauseous.
4. Anti-racist/multiculturalist. An East Indian complains that he is regularly stopped by police. The War on Terror, Closed Circuit suggests, has exacerbated racial prejudices. The multicultural wealth of London’s Turkish population proves to be an asset to the investigation.
3. Media-skeptical. The British press is characterized as unscrupulous. Closed Circuit strains credibility, however, in suggesting that The New York Times, of all publications – the “newspaper of record” that, for instance, covered up the Holodomor – would be the beacon of honesty in such a scenario, and that one of its reporters (Julia Stiles) would risk assassination to bring the truth about synthetic terrorism to the public.
2. Anti-state. Closed Circuit performs a modest service in mainstreaming the concept of government-instigated terror, with “national security” considerations only masking the cover-up; but the movie stops short of accusing western intelligence agencies of actually commissioning false flag terror attacks. Instead, Closed Circuit presents a story in which MI-5, through “incompetence”, has lost control of its counterterrorism operation.
1. Defeatist. “We’re not strong enough to fight them, are we?”
I heard about this movie but didn’t watched, this movie is totally forgotten because is close to the truth.
Here’s one that needs a review:
Here’s another treasure I just found:
Class of 1984 is one of my favorites. I was talking about it recently with my Aryan Skynet comrade Don Logan and recommended it to him. If you can believe it, I showed this movie to my father once and could tell he was enjoying all the action, but when it was over he said he didn’t like it because the violence offended him. If you like Class of 1984 and want more, others you might want to check out are Savage Streets and 3:15. Savage Streets is an over-the-top teen vigilante movie with Linda Blair, and 3:15 is like a C-grade Class of 1984 ripoff.
I’ve heard of American Drive-In, but haven’t seen it. I may not do a proper Ideological Content Analysis Review, since that’s a treatment I generally reserve for newer, more contemptible, and Judeo-degenerate movies; but I am making an effort to cast a vast net and watch a dizzying array of movies and genres as research for the book that I’m slowly compiling, so I’ll make a point of seeing American Drive-In and checking whether or not it yields pertinent material.
Actually I saw Class of 84 in the theater when it came out.
I remembered all the violent parts, but I completely forgot EVERYTHING else about it.
Have you ever seen Andy Warhol’s Bad? It’s got the same star, Perry King, who plays the music teacher in Class of 1984. I think it would probably be up your alley.
What a curious phrase, “Up your alley”. Wonder who first said that?
Probably some bathroom-stalking homo with a penchant for punnery.
Possibly.
No, I’ve not seen it, but I seen his ‘Frankenstein’. It was HORRYBOOL!
What can I say? I’m a fan of the films Paul Morrissey made for Warhol, like Trash and Heat and Blood for Dracula and Flesh for Frankenstein. Bad was made by another guy, Warhol’s boyfriend at the time, I believe. I honestly think you’d like it, though; and it’s got some serious moments that you probably wouldn’t expect from something with Warhol’s name attached. It’s also pretty funny.
OK. thanks
I just saw another totally typical 80’s film called ‘Tuff Turf’. Lotta people gettin beat up in that.
I like Tuff Turf. I saw that one for the first time just a few months ago. (I also like how Hollywood had to put a crucifix necklace on the bad guy for that extra-evil gentile look.) Movies like that or Class of 1984 are the sort of thing I put on when I just feel like relaxing (as opposed to viewing for purposes of research).
Have you seen 1969 ( 1988 Kiefer Sutherland )? Is it any good?
I’ve not seen it; but I’d always much rather watch a movie that was actually made in the 60s or 70s than one that’s supposed to take place during that time period, like The Ice Storm or American Hustle. I enjoy viewing movies as antiques or historical artifacts. Anway, that’s when I’m viewing for pleasure. Sometimes forcing myself to watch a newer movie is more like work.
I guess you’re familiar with the shooting of Yvonne Fletcher, blamed (wrongly, I believe) on Libya. By the way, The Ripple Effect is good on 7/7.
I haven’t studied it in depth, but I’m aware that doubts have been raised about the official story. I don’t pretend that Gaddafi’s representatives abroad were little angels, however. Libyan students and Jamahiriya representatives abroad were sometimes accused of being spies and assassins, and I don’t find that too far-fetched. Mostly, Gaddafi was concerned with dissidents plotting against him abroad, as there were multiple coup attempts against him.
Just watched Blood for Dracula, and it was great. But then I’m a fan of all of Warhol’s movies. Just didn’t know about his Morissey collaboration. Next to watch is the Frankenstein one. Thanks for the tip.
The films Flesh, Trash, Heat, Flesh for Frankenstein, and Blood for Dracula were all Paul Morrissey’s work. Warhol only produced. The “films” Warhol made himself were just tedious, plotless experimental exercises.
Morrissey. D’Oh!
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/cult-filmmaker-paul-morrissey-on-lady-gaga-andy-warhol-and-comrade-osama-obama-6504578
Hates Chaplin, too! I’m bonding with the guy.