It's an interesting documentary, but most of it, kinda does stray away from the title of the film. I really thought, coming in. That the movie was going showcase alternate history, where America does not exist in the world. Instead, the documentary directed by Dinesh D'Souza of 2012's 2016: Obama's America's fame, made a movie criticizing the people that promote the teachings of shaming America. Based on D'Souza's book of the same name, D'Souza defends America against various accusations that has surface in recent years. In his opinion, he believes that democrats, liberalism and progressives under the Obama administration are shaming the US through revisionist history to destroy America's imagine of Capitalism and usher a new socialism government. This claim is a bit off-putting for a documentary. Normally, a documentary is supposed to show something true in its true state. Instead, the director felt like trying to promote his point of view, and use scapegoating as a mean to an end. While, it's great that he point out some misunderstood facts about America's past; his information is really felt one-sided and preachy. The over patriotism cheese didn't help. The film does have a handful of dramatic not so historic reenactment that is in the level of History Channel type of a production. Most were well-done. The segments with Alexis de Tocqueville at the dinner table was very humorous. I found it, very funny in it's 'so bad, it's good'. I like when the movie makes American community organizer, Saul Alinsky sound like the devil. The forced evil music hypothetical dramatization tone that goes along with a reenactment sequence of a young Hillary Clinton meeting Saul Alinsky, laughably bad. D'Souza's knowledge is defective; due to the biased nature, of how, he present the information. He sounds educated, but his knowledge of American society and history are very shallow. He acts like Republicans only done good things for the nation, while democrats only made it worst, off. This is an understatement. Both parties have done some good and some bad. Even Capitalism has its good moments and its bad. He makes reform sound like the worst, thing ever. Think of a world without Social Security, Medicare, and Social Securities and Exchange Commission. The world would look like an awful game of Monopoly. D'Souza also understandably gloss over most his claims and the other person claims without thinking for once, that there are always two side of the story. There has to always been economy reform, and economy freedom. You can't do anything, without it. Also, there are things good about America's past, but there are moments that does bring shame to America. Usually, a documentary filmmaker is expected to adhere to reasonable standards of journalistic integrity and remember to do the research. The movie has a few bullet points, 'shaming' topics that are open to discussion here in the documentary. They are; did Americans steal land and cause genocide to the Native Americans and the Mexicans? Second is did American exploited African slave labor to build the American economy? Third is, does U.S. wars abroad have involved imperial and evil capitalism motives? The argumentation that D'Souza point out against those topics are very interesting. His claims are very well argument, but it's a bit whitewashing, to act like bad things don't happen in the US, too. I do not take sides. You'll find me quite ready to criticize both parties and any form of government. I do have to agree, that disease did killed most of the Native Americans, but also the government did play a role, in driving Native Americans from their lands. As for African slaves, D'Souza is content to point out that some whites were indentured servants and some blacks owned slaves themselves. This was very thought-provoking and indeed rarely talk about. Still, slave labor did build the U.S economy. Were Mexican territories conquered? Yeah, D'Souza submits to that, but then, he gets a Mexican-American Republican presidential candidate, Ted Cruz to say that Mexico is better off, being part of the United States, than its own. This has to be the most ridiculous statement in the whole movie. Despite their government problems, I think Mexicans are glad to have their own independence country. They have a lot of national pride. Yes, people from Mexico account for a large part of the undocumented population living in the United States, but their share has diminished in recent year since their economy has been getting better. Yes, certain immigrants to the United States are indeed better off here than in their old countries, but a lot of these old countries are now, develop countries of their own. Many have choice to stay in their own country because those countries chose to embrace the free market ideas. About U.S being kinda imperialism because of that. I have to agree with him, there is no reason for us to be apologetic for making the world, a better place. It's a little better than living in a fascism or totalitarianism type of a world. The worst thing in the documentary is that D'Souza claiming, he was set up, and shamed on purpose by the Obama administration when he was indicted in Jan, 2014, on charges of making illegal political contributions to a 2012 United States Senate campaign. It's really hard to believe his claim when the author has also been taken to court for embezzling money from his film projects to pay off his mistress and forced to resign his position as college president due to that scandal. It doesn't help, that he was forced to apologize for anti-Semitic quotations during it. Overall: The film did not perform as well as D'Souza's earlier film 2016: Obama's America. It tries to present the other side of the story and I give the movie, credit on that, but despite the somewhat higher production values and additional talking heads, the result still comes across as wishful thinking at best, manipulative and self-congratulatory at worst.
174 Reviews
America: Imagine a World Without Her is kinda misleading.
ironhorse_iv17 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Movie is more agenda driven than documentary
cglt197418 July 2014
I don't consider myself politically minded and went to see this movie hoping to learn something. I was hoping for a "big picture" unbiased view that laid out all the irrefutable facts and allowed the viewer to make their own educated decision, assuming that based on the title there would be more good than negative to sway most mildly intelligent viewers to a positive point of view. The first half seemed promising in this regard, but the by the time the movie was 2/3 done, I was growing bored and contemplating leaving.
Really all I heard were half-baked counterpoints to the common criticisms of America based on one man's opinions, which at the end of the day are only a small part of a much, MUCH bigger picture and really, nothing new. His viewpoints are largely hand-plucked out of that context in order to illustrate his own opinion of America. D'Souza is entitled to his opinion, but opinions are not always fact (and as we know, "everyone has one"), and should not be the basis of a "documentary". Mr. D'Souza's logic is hopelessly flawed, preferring to harp on very rare success cases than address the overwhelming circumstances that kept those cases rare. In trying to prove that suffering was/is either more universal or more avoidable than we previously thought, he effectively belittles it altogether. Sprinkle in a bit of "ooooh, the Government is spying on you" and you have this movie. This is not a historic documentary as much as a political agenda with too much to say to really say much of anything at all.
In the end, what he came up with is quite simply a very long anti-Democrat political campaign ad.
Any political debate will be polarizing and that is reflected in the reviews here. All this said, I did actually agree with a few points, but just like my middle-of-the-road political outlook, I'm rating it a square 5 of 10. I can discern fact from opinion, and I can make up my own mind when facts are presented to me... but this movie only presents the facts that support D'Souza's opinions which is again, only a very small part of a much bigger picture. I was less entertained or informed than I was annoyed, feeling like D'Souza underestimated my intelligence as the viewer.
Really all I heard were half-baked counterpoints to the common criticisms of America based on one man's opinions, which at the end of the day are only a small part of a much, MUCH bigger picture and really, nothing new. His viewpoints are largely hand-plucked out of that context in order to illustrate his own opinion of America. D'Souza is entitled to his opinion, but opinions are not always fact (and as we know, "everyone has one"), and should not be the basis of a "documentary". Mr. D'Souza's logic is hopelessly flawed, preferring to harp on very rare success cases than address the overwhelming circumstances that kept those cases rare. In trying to prove that suffering was/is either more universal or more avoidable than we previously thought, he effectively belittles it altogether. Sprinkle in a bit of "ooooh, the Government is spying on you" and you have this movie. This is not a historic documentary as much as a political agenda with too much to say to really say much of anything at all.
In the end, what he came up with is quite simply a very long anti-Democrat political campaign ad.
Any political debate will be polarizing and that is reflected in the reviews here. All this said, I did actually agree with a few points, but just like my middle-of-the-road political outlook, I'm rating it a square 5 of 10. I can discern fact from opinion, and I can make up my own mind when facts are presented to me... but this movie only presents the facts that support D'Souza's opinions which is again, only a very small part of a much bigger picture. I was less entertained or informed than I was annoyed, feeling like D'Souza underestimated my intelligence as the viewer.
It almost had me
bbickley13-921-5866417 July 2014
I guest it's impossible to make a balanced political documentary.
When I saw the trailer I thought this was going to be a narrative that fantasizes what the world would be like without America, or at best a full dramatization of that ideal, but I guest it's because I'm not familiar with the book it was based on that I though this.
The movie makes fair points about America. It goes over what would be considered by a lot some dark issues with America (Native Americans, slavery and capitalism to mention a few). Each American has a stake in one issue and with that stake should be how you judge all the information the filmmaker gives out, which I felt was honest and fair to both sides of the coin. For me it was not a matter of weather you agreed or disagreed with what is fact, it's more of a matter of how America should work,and how it does work.
I'll say this for the filmmaker, he made me believe in his love of America. That's the best part of the movie. The documentary tries to make you feel that you should not be ashamed of America's mistakes and the only way we can make amends is by moving forward and focusing on the ideals that America was built on.
But the documentary felt like this man's own personal fight with Obama, Not the President of the United States, but Obama himself. This is where the documentary fell off for me. It's not that what he said is not true, but just when I was convinced by his caused, he turned around and showed me that all this was because he hated one man.
I will not lie, I'm on our current President's side, and at the same time I did not like it when Micheal Moore bashed the Bush administration with his documentaries during his time in office. with me, it did not help his cause to see how one sided he is.
But I guess the focus on just the facts without these personal attacks would be asking too much for any American. I almost decided not to see the movie when I saw it was from the same guy who made 2016, so the movie works best if you fully believe in his views.
When I saw the trailer I thought this was going to be a narrative that fantasizes what the world would be like without America, or at best a full dramatization of that ideal, but I guest it's because I'm not familiar with the book it was based on that I though this.
The movie makes fair points about America. It goes over what would be considered by a lot some dark issues with America (Native Americans, slavery and capitalism to mention a few). Each American has a stake in one issue and with that stake should be how you judge all the information the filmmaker gives out, which I felt was honest and fair to both sides of the coin. For me it was not a matter of weather you agreed or disagreed with what is fact, it's more of a matter of how America should work,and how it does work.
I'll say this for the filmmaker, he made me believe in his love of America. That's the best part of the movie. The documentary tries to make you feel that you should not be ashamed of America's mistakes and the only way we can make amends is by moving forward and focusing on the ideals that America was built on.
But the documentary felt like this man's own personal fight with Obama, Not the President of the United States, but Obama himself. This is where the documentary fell off for me. It's not that what he said is not true, but just when I was convinced by his caused, he turned around and showed me that all this was because he hated one man.
I will not lie, I'm on our current President's side, and at the same time I did not like it when Micheal Moore bashed the Bush administration with his documentaries during his time in office. with me, it did not help his cause to see how one sided he is.
But I guess the focus on just the facts without these personal attacks would be asking too much for any American. I almost decided not to see the movie when I saw it was from the same guy who made 2016, so the movie works best if you fully believe in his views.
We are proud to be an American and we Loved this film
PacAtlanticPR-14 July 2014
100 years ago my Irish Grandparents made the sail across the Atlantic Ocean to come to this great country...and our eyes filled with tears several times during the negative comments from the people that hate her.
We knew that America was a special land because of everyone that had arrived before us and told us how beautifully rich the land was and about all the opportunity and freedoms abound.
This movie exemplifies and echoes the reasons and passionate feelings we still have today. Both of our Grandfathers an Fathers served our country with honor in the military and it irritates me when anyone says anything negative about the most benevolent country in the world.
If you don't like America leave...you will NOT find a better country.
We knew that America was a special land because of everyone that had arrived before us and told us how beautifully rich the land was and about all the opportunity and freedoms abound.
This movie exemplifies and echoes the reasons and passionate feelings we still have today. Both of our Grandfathers an Fathers served our country with honor in the military and it irritates me when anyone says anything negative about the most benevolent country in the world.
If you don't like America leave...you will NOT find a better country.
Revisionist Garbage marketed as being correcting revisionist history
thornsthorns15 October 2014
Revisionist Garbage marketed as being correcting revisionist history Anyone with a semblance of understanding of philosophy, history and logic can tell you the garbage this video puts forth.
It uses logical fallacies such as confirmation bias, circular reasoning, ad hominem attacks, begging the question,equivocation, false dilemma choice etc.
It regularly suggests there is only two options two possible outcomes, either what happened or a horrible second alternative, when in truth there are myriads of 3rd, 4th, 5th and multiple other sequences of events that could have happened or actions been done by America.
It regularly uses the argument everyone else was doping this evil, therefore this wasn't evil. Except any non-biased fool can tell you, two wrongs do not make a right, and evil will always be evil.
And that is the liberal argument, that this film with its slick message tries to discredit.
the liberal argument is not that America is worse than say Nazi Germany, USSR, British Colonialism, just that it is our modern present day remaining Colonialist Imperialist nation.
Throughout history there has always been one, committing horrible crimes on the weaker nations to devour their resources and increase its own imperial agendas. and now in the 20th and 21st century, that nation happens to be the USA. the only remaining nation.
All the other nations are too weak individually to do it, and suffer from the problem of Mutually Assured Destruction if they try to. So America leads the way, and the other nations follow like the sidekicks of criminals.
Sadly this program seems mind opening with its flash marketing skills, and the verbosity of its words, and deliverance, but when it comes to the staple of its argument it is deficient.
Much like modern American junk food, nutritiously non-existent, artificial, chemically laced, poisonous, and laced with hyper fat, hyper sugar, hyper stimulants, addictive agents and feel good compounds.
keep on a diet such as this and you will end up suffering from its consequences.
or you can wake up, and realise what this tripe is for what it is, accept the truth and improve your body, your nation.
Or leave it as it is, and let America the nation die of obesity, diabetes, hearth disease, liver failure and every other metaphorical example you can think of.
It uses logical fallacies such as confirmation bias, circular reasoning, ad hominem attacks, begging the question,equivocation, false dilemma choice etc.
It regularly suggests there is only two options two possible outcomes, either what happened or a horrible second alternative, when in truth there are myriads of 3rd, 4th, 5th and multiple other sequences of events that could have happened or actions been done by America.
It regularly uses the argument everyone else was doping this evil, therefore this wasn't evil. Except any non-biased fool can tell you, two wrongs do not make a right, and evil will always be evil.
And that is the liberal argument, that this film with its slick message tries to discredit.
the liberal argument is not that America is worse than say Nazi Germany, USSR, British Colonialism, just that it is our modern present day remaining Colonialist Imperialist nation.
Throughout history there has always been one, committing horrible crimes on the weaker nations to devour their resources and increase its own imperial agendas. and now in the 20th and 21st century, that nation happens to be the USA. the only remaining nation.
All the other nations are too weak individually to do it, and suffer from the problem of Mutually Assured Destruction if they try to. So America leads the way, and the other nations follow like the sidekicks of criminals.
Sadly this program seems mind opening with its flash marketing skills, and the verbosity of its words, and deliverance, but when it comes to the staple of its argument it is deficient.
Much like modern American junk food, nutritiously non-existent, artificial, chemically laced, poisonous, and laced with hyper fat, hyper sugar, hyper stimulants, addictive agents and feel good compounds.
keep on a diet such as this and you will end up suffering from its consequences.
or you can wake up, and realise what this tripe is for what it is, accept the truth and improve your body, your nation.
Or leave it as it is, and let America the nation die of obesity, diabetes, hearth disease, liver failure and every other metaphorical example you can think of.
America (spoiler alert )
katpow25 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This is the republicans and the tea party's attempt to convince Americans that President Obama has turned the United States into a socialist, pro-government country ... It starts out with the history of America and the genocide of Native Americans and the theft of of millions of acres of Indian land... Farmers, tobacco, cotton grower's need for free labor through forced slavery... The fact that we stole half of Mexico, etc... Somewhere in the middle of the film they began to justify and dismiss the gravity of this part of American history, somewhat like Governor Perry (Texas)wanting to change the school history books to make Texas's part in slavery less cruel than what it really was... I had had enough when they interviewed Ted Cruz for his ridiculous opinion... I finally got up, went to the manager, asked for a refund because I told him I was not financially supporting a film dismissing and diluting historical facts.. He refunded my money and I left..
shame. on. you
oldgirl20 July 2014
Poorly written. Poorly researched. Abysmal production values. Obvious propaganda. But what really, really enraged me was the head-wagging going on in the 100% white, middle-aged audience around me. How can so many people my age swallow this claptrap? Did something happen to their brains once they reached 45 or so that made them forget the vigorous, forward-thinking, terminally optimistic country that came through two world wars, the Civil Rights upheavals and Vietnam without rending itself to pieces? Is it fear of death that has somehow taken away their willingness to participate in our great, complex country? More importantly, is a multi-racial president all it takes to transform what used to be the progressive, 'can-do' people of my generation (yes, most of the yoiks in the audience were people my age) and turn them into xenophobic crybabies moaning 'waaa, I don't recognize my country any more!'? Lord, people, grow up! Our country is indeed exceptional, and is still exceptional, and the only danger we face is the danger of rolling up into a flag-draped ball of righteous fear and indignation because America right now is a whole lot more complex and diverse than you remember it from your childhood. (Um, it's actually always been more diverse. You were a child, then, and children don't see the big picture, you know). This film is appalling. And the audiences that love it need to get a grip and stop trying to hold back the future.
Will Make you Love This Country
cubsckc3 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I was kind of on my feat about what I was going to see yesterday. The beginning of the movie really felt like some Liberal Agenda type movie because it was at first primarily focused on the people who dislike this country and their reasons. However, as the movie progressed we see how the movie goes to scholars and identifies the flaws that many of the leaders of these groups, as political and other organizations try to make the United States look like an evil empire.
Dinesh D'Souza goes in great and complete detail with historians who have published false work and who are also unqualified as historians. And yet, their work is forced to be read as curriculum in many schools. It will definitely shine a new light with the many people who are trying to make a legacy for themselves as an expense to the history and greatness of this country.
No matter your political affiliation unless you really like hating this country, you will really enjoy and feel good about it after this movie. There has been a lot of propaganda about the "Imperialism of the United States" and its evil around the world. This is probably the most worked on, informative, and honest documentary I have ever seen. If you want to prove it yourself, go to the back of the Theater with you smart phone and google all the facts that are presented in this movie. I had to watch the movie three times, and did not find any discrepancies. Some things that are identified is the myth of genocide of the Native Americans, the evil of Capitalism, the stealing of work and resources from other people, and the association of the false historians that have spread their propaganda with politicians and terrorist organizations. It is completely mind blowing when you actually have recordings of what people have said. I have truly never seen so many facts and information put into one film. There are people that sadly read this review and think, none of those pieces of information can be true, but I would beg you to open your mind and look at the facts one more time. These are the facts, presented by third person point of view from people from other countries. It also makes you question where you got your original facts from and their political and social affiliations.
All in all, probably one of the best documentaries of all time! You must watch this movie! I think that it actually reaffirms love for this country which is really important. It makes you ask if this country is really evil or it is a great leader for this world. I think anyone no matter their political affiliation wants to love this country and this movie presents itself as an opportunity to do so!
Dinesh D'Souza goes in great and complete detail with historians who have published false work and who are also unqualified as historians. And yet, their work is forced to be read as curriculum in many schools. It will definitely shine a new light with the many people who are trying to make a legacy for themselves as an expense to the history and greatness of this country.
No matter your political affiliation unless you really like hating this country, you will really enjoy and feel good about it after this movie. There has been a lot of propaganda about the "Imperialism of the United States" and its evil around the world. This is probably the most worked on, informative, and honest documentary I have ever seen. If you want to prove it yourself, go to the back of the Theater with you smart phone and google all the facts that are presented in this movie. I had to watch the movie three times, and did not find any discrepancies. Some things that are identified is the myth of genocide of the Native Americans, the evil of Capitalism, the stealing of work and resources from other people, and the association of the false historians that have spread their propaganda with politicians and terrorist organizations. It is completely mind blowing when you actually have recordings of what people have said. I have truly never seen so many facts and information put into one film. There are people that sadly read this review and think, none of those pieces of information can be true, but I would beg you to open your mind and look at the facts one more time. These are the facts, presented by third person point of view from people from other countries. It also makes you question where you got your original facts from and their political and social affiliations.
All in all, probably one of the best documentaries of all time! You must watch this movie! I think that it actually reaffirms love for this country which is really important. It makes you ask if this country is really evil or it is a great leader for this world. I think anyone no matter their political affiliation wants to love this country and this movie presents itself as an opportunity to do so!
Big pile of propaganda, but well made.
fri130616 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It started out promising but then rather quickly showed that the target audience are not academics. Dinesh D'Souza starts out with a few accusation against USA, which he one by one explains and "proves" false. He does this with insufficient proof and without well made arguments. He has some good points but you have to take the documentary with a big pinch of salt (as we say in Sweden), because this is 90% propaganda. Do not expect this to be an objective view of what the world would be without USA. The first hour was at least a bit of what i thought it would be like. The second part was just right wing propaganda. The acting and the scenes are well made, but it is not enough to make the documentary good. I will not see another documentary by Dinesh D'Souza.
I Wish I would've made this Inspiring, Beautiful Film
MariannnnneKu4 July 2014
Being in the film & television Industry, I have to walk a fine line of how I reveal my morals, my values, my principles and my beliefs...but I'm afraid to.
I've seen some of the most detestable acts of anti-Americanism you could possibly imagine in Hollywood, by people who THINK they know better... and/or have a specific motive for what they say about our country and our history and our patriotic leaders.
There's only two ways to get money and power in our country...one, is to work hard for it.
The other, is to create victimization, so that they can take hard working people's money, by flapping their gums and claiming all sorts of victimization.
I love our country and I wish people would see this inspiring film.
I've seen some of the most detestable acts of anti-Americanism you could possibly imagine in Hollywood, by people who THINK they know better... and/or have a specific motive for what they say about our country and our history and our patriotic leaders.
There's only two ways to get money and power in our country...one, is to work hard for it.
The other, is to create victimization, so that they can take hard working people's money, by flapping their gums and claiming all sorts of victimization.
I love our country and I wish people would see this inspiring film.
This Movie Never Discusses What It Promises
brunoloui26 July 2014
America offers a view of what would have happened if Britain had won the American Revolution. It opens early on with a scene in which George Washington is shot and killed in a battle, and then never discusses how history would have changed.
It goes beyond mere revisionist history, declaring that Howard Zinn is not a historian, and then using Sen. Ted Cruz as a supposedly historical expert to provide the most simplistic and revisionary version of the basis for the Texas Revolution (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution); claims that Sol Alinski was trained by Frank Nitti (one of Al Capone's strongmen), that everything America has done is right, Hillary Clinton was corrupted by Sol Alinski in her youth, and America is in dire trouble if someone of the producer's status can be arrested for violating it's laws.
If I am going to be subjected to propaganda, I would at least expect to be saved paying the admission fee and being lied to about what I am getting.
It goes beyond mere revisionist history, declaring that Howard Zinn is not a historian, and then using Sen. Ted Cruz as a supposedly historical expert to provide the most simplistic and revisionary version of the basis for the Texas Revolution (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution); claims that Sol Alinski was trained by Frank Nitti (one of Al Capone's strongmen), that everything America has done is right, Hillary Clinton was corrupted by Sol Alinski in her youth, and America is in dire trouble if someone of the producer's status can be arrested for violating it's laws.
If I am going to be subjected to propaganda, I would at least expect to be saved paying the admission fee and being lied to about what I am getting.
Can you handle a challenge to your common assumptions?
jen_john9312 July 2014
Knowing this was a documentary was crucial. It is not a "docu-drama" nor mere polemic. It is gimmick-free and startlingly factual.
D'Souza comes from the perspective of an immigrant from the Third World (Bombay, India) who is in a unique position to compare the USA to other nations by way of personal experience.
By comparing the history of the human race to the history of the USA, D'Souza shows where America realistically fits in. He examines some claims of notable critics of the USA and deals with those claims in an intelligent, factual and fair-handed way.
An opening scene that portrays George Washington in battle against the British Redcoats kicks off the hypothetical question, what if America never existed? What would the world look like today - the good and/or the bad?
This movie will provoke thought and challenge your assumptions. Excellent pace, stimulating scholarship, well chosen topic material, spot-on narration, concise interviews with heavy-hitter scholars such as Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School, beautiful cinematography, solid musical score.
Take your family, talk about the movie afterward. You will be thinking about what you see - for a long time.
D'Souza comes from the perspective of an immigrant from the Third World (Bombay, India) who is in a unique position to compare the USA to other nations by way of personal experience.
By comparing the history of the human race to the history of the USA, D'Souza shows where America realistically fits in. He examines some claims of notable critics of the USA and deals with those claims in an intelligent, factual and fair-handed way.
An opening scene that portrays George Washington in battle against the British Redcoats kicks off the hypothetical question, what if America never existed? What would the world look like today - the good and/or the bad?
This movie will provoke thought and challenge your assumptions. Excellent pace, stimulating scholarship, well chosen topic material, spot-on narration, concise interviews with heavy-hitter scholars such as Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School, beautiful cinematography, solid musical score.
Take your family, talk about the movie afterward. You will be thinking about what you see - for a long time.
3 Top Reasons to see America: Imagine the World Without Her:
brentchastain-56-66732517 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
1. It obliterates the shame narrative that America-hating citizens have been trying to pervade U.S. culture with to harm the American spirit, then cathartically puts the past in the proper and truthful perspective so we can live shame-free in our American present and our American future.
2. Provides soul food for starving patriots. Imagery, music, and information combine to uplift those who believe there is hope for America, or perhaps those who have lost hope. If these ideas were internalized there is no doubt the American Dream and American Exceptionalism will not only survive but thrive.
3. Delivers compelling expositions from entertaining what-if contemplations to truly scary revelations that our top government leaders were mentored in political thought by someone who dedicated his writings to Lucifer (yes it sounds conspiratorial, but it's sadly factual).
Bravo Dinesh – Patriot Extraordinaire! Brent Chastain, Top3Films.com
2. Provides soul food for starving patriots. Imagery, music, and information combine to uplift those who believe there is hope for America, or perhaps those who have lost hope. If these ideas were internalized there is no doubt the American Dream and American Exceptionalism will not only survive but thrive.
3. Delivers compelling expositions from entertaining what-if contemplations to truly scary revelations that our top government leaders were mentored in political thought by someone who dedicated his writings to Lucifer (yes it sounds conspiratorial, but it's sadly factual).
Bravo Dinesh – Patriot Extraordinaire! Brent Chastain, Top3Films.com
Apologist tripe that continues to tell less than the whole story.
imdb-728-67700525 October 2014
I was actually looking forward to this piece of media. I cannot call it a documentary as it is no better than any other one sided story told by any one trying to tell their own story without recognising all the facts. Maybe it was a movie after all and just a work of fiction.
It fails in many ways to recognise there are many ways to be imperialist and that just because you do it in a new and different way, that does not make it excusable.
If you are a red, white and blue, stars and stripes died in the wool American or lover of all things American, you'll probably get the warm and fuzzies watching this. However if you have any sort of desire for something educational, informative and balanced, this is not it.
It fails in many ways to recognise there are many ways to be imperialist and that just because you do it in a new and different way, that does not make it excusable.
If you are a red, white and blue, stars and stripes died in the wool American or lover of all things American, you'll probably get the warm and fuzzies watching this. However if you have any sort of desire for something educational, informative and balanced, this is not it.
America - Imagine A World Without Movie Critics
tommyr-666-6596015 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Wow! A heart-warming film and an education at the same time. Whether you are a staunch Patriot or doubt that the United States is a great country, there is something to learn, take away and further research from the content of this film. There is a lot that we all don't know, especially having been educated in the U.S. in the last 50 years. The presentation is low key and the production is seamless. A favorite moment for me was the segment on Madam C. J. Walker - brought tears to my eyes. Even the elderly people in the audience (on the 4th of July showing) stood and listened to the rocking Star Spangled Banner at the end. Don't run out too quick! Not an attack film, but like many Americans, Dinesh disagrees with the intent and background of the current administration and its corollary to the assumed 'next' administration. Thank the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights for acknowledging your God given right to Freedom Of Speech. Any dissenters to that one?
Fox News on Steroids...
collinbarrow22 July 2014
This film (if I can even call it that) was terrible. Glenn Beck's ideas looks sane compared to some of the topics in this film. Save your money and buy yourself a real history book and a clue.
The film spirals out of control after laughable "reasoning" for how the film maker tries to connect Obama and Hillary Clinton to learning everything they know from Chicago mob bosses.
At the end of the day "America" isn't really about history or narratives, it's about arguing that any change in economic policy favoring the poor can only be traced back to people hating the United States of America.
The film spirals out of control after laughable "reasoning" for how the film maker tries to connect Obama and Hillary Clinton to learning everything they know from Chicago mob bosses.
At the end of the day "America" isn't really about history or narratives, it's about arguing that any change in economic policy favoring the poor can only be traced back to people hating the United States of America.
Don't see America movie
geisslerkaren17 July 2014
This movie is a disgrace to the American people and its government. One person in that whole movie says something profound and true about American life. The facts about our history are badly misrepresented and distorted. The life of Americans is not truthfully described. It misrepresents what actually happened in our past and is filled with this mans opinions which are based on his emotional outlook on our country. He has never lived the American dream because he does not know it. What is the American dream? You tell me is your life good, wholesome, kind and loving life actualized? That is the American dream! This movie should not be seen by anyone as it is too controversial and untrue. You cannot condone such idiosyncratic views and sell an individual view to the public.
WTF is THIS film???
bluefoxniner22 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I couldn't believe what I was watching....a 145 minute propaganda highlight reel from an immigrant who has become naturalised that then asks you to see ' both sides' of the story?
Nice try..I think a 30 second commercial advertising Dinesh D'Souza would be as equally distasteful, but mercifully shorter.
When D'Sousza says that as many blacks owned 1,000 or more slaves than whites in Louisiana, I actually wanted to vomit.
When he featured a lone black self made female millionaire as someone who is a symptom of the benefits of slavery, I had decided that I no longer wanted to spectate D'Souza's cloudy agenda and personal highlight reel.
Avoid this rubbish....seriously...just avoid it.
Nice try..I think a 30 second commercial advertising Dinesh D'Souza would be as equally distasteful, but mercifully shorter.
When D'Sousza says that as many blacks owned 1,000 or more slaves than whites in Louisiana, I actually wanted to vomit.
When he featured a lone black self made female millionaire as someone who is a symptom of the benefits of slavery, I had decided that I no longer wanted to spectate D'Souza's cloudy agenda and personal highlight reel.
Avoid this rubbish....seriously...just avoid it.
Must See
realteacher11 July 2014
Excellent presentation, backed with resources to investigate yourself. Some facts seemed incredible, but with some more research I found proved true.
Great visual presentation, full of amazing affects, graphics and video footage. Some of the re-enactments reminded me of HBO's Drunk History (in style only) cool stuff.
If you are someone who believes in conspiracy theories this will give you something to chew on. If you hate people who call themselves Patriots or Tea Party members, you may associated this documentary to that group of people. I'm still not sure why people hate a group of people who believe we are Taxed Enough Already, but to each his own haters will be haters.
Interesting presentation. We don't see one side of an argument, but two sides with actual interviews and footage with leaders and authors of opposing argument.
I like that he put in his own Federal crime and admits he made a mistake. I walked away thinking it is an amazing country where one can strive to succeed no matter the hardships that befall individuals. The footage of Bono was surprising and perfect.
Great visual presentation, full of amazing affects, graphics and video footage. Some of the re-enactments reminded me of HBO's Drunk History (in style only) cool stuff.
If you are someone who believes in conspiracy theories this will give you something to chew on. If you hate people who call themselves Patriots or Tea Party members, you may associated this documentary to that group of people. I'm still not sure why people hate a group of people who believe we are Taxed Enough Already, but to each his own haters will be haters.
Interesting presentation. We don't see one side of an argument, but two sides with actual interviews and footage with leaders and authors of opposing argument.
I like that he put in his own Federal crime and admits he made a mistake. I walked away thinking it is an amazing country where one can strive to succeed no matter the hardships that befall individuals. The footage of Bono was surprising and perfect.
Right wing evangelical Christian propaganda!
arnoldwb11 July 2014
Just a bunch of Right wing propaganda. So one-sided that I asked for and got my money back at the theater. The film starts out by asking the question "What would it be like if we didn't become a nation in 1776." It never answers that question. It goes on to propose that religion and politics go hand in hand to make a greater democracy. It then depicts the "Crimes" committed by America during her growth. This is followed by a portrayal showing that these "crimes" were not really crimes, but reasonable actions taken by a great people trying to create a standard for the world. The film shows interviews with only right wing conservatives giving their opinion. It takes a swipe at Hillary Clinton. (I guess in preparation for her possible run for the presidency in 2016.) Next come accusations and selected film clips critical of the current administration along with Fox news clips. It touts our participation in the Vietnam war and in the Iraq invasion as benevolent acts meant to ease the suffering of a downtrodden people. The film is laden with half truths along with obvious omissions. Don't waste your money!
Excellent Presentation of America's Accomplishments!
nospin19445 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This film begins with several indictments by Americans against America including genocide of the native Americans, slavery, wars for oil, American imperialism, etc. The film then explains in an entertaining and well documented way how these criticisms of America are incorrect, distorted, and championed by those who simply ignore the truth about them.
For example, while slavery is an unfortunate part of our history, it is a part of the history of many other countries, both ancient and current. But there is no other country where 300,000 men gave their lives to abolish it. By the way, did you know that there were several thousand black men who owned over 10,000 slaves before the civil war? I was not aware of this.
If you want to appreciate this great land and the things we have accomplished in the past 200 years, go see this movie.
For example, while slavery is an unfortunate part of our history, it is a part of the history of many other countries, both ancient and current. But there is no other country where 300,000 men gave their lives to abolish it. By the way, did you know that there were several thousand black men who owned over 10,000 slaves before the civil war? I was not aware of this.
If you want to appreciate this great land and the things we have accomplished in the past 200 years, go see this movie.
Leni Reifenstahl would be proud
ungy35712 July 2014
It's incredibly sad that the producer of "Schindler's List" is now working with a criminal to make films that are little better than Nazi propaganda. Full of lies and slander, "America", like its predecessor "2016" is not only reprehensible, it is dangerous.
More a laundry list of disproven ultra-right wing talking points than a film, "America" makes even the most one-sided Michael Moore project look like the pinnacle of fair and balanced political commentary. Happily, there is a very real chance he will be in jail soon, but until then it is vitally important that Dinesh D'Souza's work be boycotted and exposed for the fraud it is.
More a laundry list of disproven ultra-right wing talking points than a film, "America" makes even the most one-sided Michael Moore project look like the pinnacle of fair and balanced political commentary. Happily, there is a very real chance he will be in jail soon, but until then it is vitally important that Dinesh D'Souza's work be boycotted and exposed for the fraud it is.
A movie everyone should see
brimfin3 July 2014
Dinesh D'Souza is a man who obviously loves and admires this country and it shows in his work here. He presents a series of criticisms or "indictments" against this country - particularly concerning our past history. Then he counters this with arguments about the many good things about our country, and how important we are to the rest of the world. This is done through a series of interviews, news clips and some historical re-enactments. I found it fascinating to watch and learned some history that I was not aware of. My only criticism is that it was a bit long, particularly towards the end. But I think it's an important film that everyone should see, and that it would make them appreciate our wonderful country even more.
If You Don't Cry While Watching This Movie I Don't Want to Know You
Danusha_Goska8 July 2014
If you don't cry while watching "America: Imagine the World Without Her," I don't want to know you. "America: Imagine the World Without Her" is a slickly produced and entertaining documentary that attempts to fill a need in the US for a counter to hegemonic anti-American voices on the left in academia and media. It's a sober, responsible, and fact-based documentary, not at all sensationalistic or exaggerated. If anything, it is more low-key than it should be. It could have used more fireworks.
"America" features dramatic reenactments of historic personages and events. In this respect it is more like a feature film and less like a documentary. Much of the time you are not watching talking heads; you are watching fully costumed actors and fully realized sets. In the opening scenes, General George Washington is killed by the British. No, that never happened; that's the whole point. Imagine if the colonists lost the Revolutionary War. Other reenactments include the landing of Columbus' ships, life on a Southern plantation, Lincoln's assassination, Madame CJ Walker giving a speech, and Hillary Clinton working in a soup kitchen.
D'Souza opens with interviews with prominent anti-American spokespeople, including Charmaine Whiteface who wishes America did not exist, Prof. Michael Eric Dyson, a race baiter, and Prof. Ward Churchill, who advanced his own career and enjoyed many privileges and perquisites by falsely claiming Native American ancestry. Churchill is especially grotesque, arguing that he would like to nuke America.
D'Souza includes clips of Howard Zinn, Bill Ayers and Elizabeth Warren, yet another professor who advanced her own career by falsely claiming Native American ancestry. The anti-American voices outline the indictment: American stole land from Native Americans, enslaved Africans, colonized the world, and destroys its own people with capitalism.
D'Souza then responds to these charges. He points out that conquest was not unique to the conquistadors, that disease, not genocide, killed most Native Americans, and that similar population crashes occurred in Europe when the plague entered Europe from Asia. Slavery was not unique to the US. The US is unique in fighting a war to end slavery. Capitalism uplifts more people than any other system, while communism causes famines and shortages.
D'Souza veers from his own main thrust when he devotes a lot of time to identifying Hillary Clinton as a disciple of Saul Alinsky. Alinsky didn't start anti-Americanism. His book "Rules for Radicals" is an excellent primer in non-violent change. Demonizing Saul Alinsky is a dead-end.
I wish "America" were on the curricula of every student in America. It's a stirring corrective to the anti-American venom students are typically force-fed.
"America" features dramatic reenactments of historic personages and events. In this respect it is more like a feature film and less like a documentary. Much of the time you are not watching talking heads; you are watching fully costumed actors and fully realized sets. In the opening scenes, General George Washington is killed by the British. No, that never happened; that's the whole point. Imagine if the colonists lost the Revolutionary War. Other reenactments include the landing of Columbus' ships, life on a Southern plantation, Lincoln's assassination, Madame CJ Walker giving a speech, and Hillary Clinton working in a soup kitchen.
D'Souza opens with interviews with prominent anti-American spokespeople, including Charmaine Whiteface who wishes America did not exist, Prof. Michael Eric Dyson, a race baiter, and Prof. Ward Churchill, who advanced his own career and enjoyed many privileges and perquisites by falsely claiming Native American ancestry. Churchill is especially grotesque, arguing that he would like to nuke America.
D'Souza includes clips of Howard Zinn, Bill Ayers and Elizabeth Warren, yet another professor who advanced her own career by falsely claiming Native American ancestry. The anti-American voices outline the indictment: American stole land from Native Americans, enslaved Africans, colonized the world, and destroys its own people with capitalism.
D'Souza then responds to these charges. He points out that conquest was not unique to the conquistadors, that disease, not genocide, killed most Native Americans, and that similar population crashes occurred in Europe when the plague entered Europe from Asia. Slavery was not unique to the US. The US is unique in fighting a war to end slavery. Capitalism uplifts more people than any other system, while communism causes famines and shortages.
D'Souza veers from his own main thrust when he devotes a lot of time to identifying Hillary Clinton as a disciple of Saul Alinsky. Alinsky didn't start anti-Americanism. His book "Rules for Radicals" is an excellent primer in non-violent change. Demonizing Saul Alinsky is a dead-end.
I wish "America" were on the curricula of every student in America. It's a stirring corrective to the anti-American venom students are typically force-fed.
Waste of time and resources
ivanpkv23 October 2014
This documentary insults my intelligence! Totally rubbish. This is the republicans and the tea party's attempt to convince Americans that President Obama has turned the United States into a socialist, pro-government country ... It starts out with the history of America and the genocide of Native Americans and the theft of of millions of acres of Indian land... Farmers, tobacco, cotton grower's need for free labor through forced slavery... This is the funniest movie I've seen all year! (Saw it last night because I wanted to go see a movie and this was the one that worked for my time-frame.)It's incredibly sad that the producer of "Schindler's List" is now working with a criminal to make films that are little better than Nazi propaganda. Full of lies and slander, "America", like its predecessor "2016" is not only reprehensible, it is dangerous. This film is dangerously funny!
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