In LBIW's opinion, one reason this secret wire-tapping issue has struck a cord with Americans of every stripe is due to a popular culture that has educated us never to trust those who secretly watch us. In American lore, inevitably the watcher will abuse his or her power.
With that in mind, we give you LBIW's top 6 surveillance movies of all-time.
The Enemy of State. In an odd coincidence, this Will Smith vehicle actually features brutes from the NSA as the villains.
Minority Report. Based on the book by sci-fi master Philip K. Dick, Tom Cruise faces off against a younger Colin Ferrell in a future where criminals are arrested before they even commit the crime.
The Truman Show. Jim Carrey's stars in the title role as a man who without even knowing it, was raised on the set of TV show, 100% under surveillance.
Brazil. This classic by Terry Gilliam of Monte Python fame stars Robert DeNiro and envisions a bizarre retro-future where a totalitarian government monitors every aspect of it’s citizens lives but nothing else seems to work.
1984. This is actually the second of 3 versions filmed versions of George Orwell novel. LBIW would pick this one due to a great perforamce from the comly Charlotte Rampling.
The Conversation. Starring Gene Hackman and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this movie is that rare example of a surveillance movie where the hero is also the spy. And its the best of the bunch.
Rent them, but be warned, they will make you even more paranoid.