Life, Liberty, blah blah blah: Alternative Films for Independence Day

Today's Independence Day in the good ol' U.S. of A and you're probably getting your grills and illegal stash of fireworks out of the basement for your celebrations. But have you ever noticed around the 4th of July the essence of America seems to get diluted to the same, flavorless buzzwords? Freedom. Democracy. Budweiser. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that the USA is way more than liberty, flags and bald eagles. That's why today's collection shows the complicated side of this big crazy country of ours. The movies in this collection are quintessentially American, but Prez Obama is probably not going to be popping them on after the fireworks. These movies show America in all of it's weird, complex glory: the good, the bad, the ugly (and the naked). Celebrate tonight with a film from this collection, and you'll definitely be the most interesting patriot at the neighborhood BBQ.

Return to Collections

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

Watch Now

Collection Worthiness

While some of the films in this collection represent some of the ugly truths about America, Frank Capra's classic is one of the best examples of what America does right. It features a moving performance by Capra fave Jimmy Stewart as Jefferson Smith, a naïve ranger leader appointed to Senate. Soon after he gets to the capitol, Smith uncovers corruption and uses his right to filibuster in order to protect the citizens he represents. The film was controversial at the time: senators accused Capra of being communist and anti-American. But today the film's message stands as an uplifting example of US democracy in action.

Return to Collections

There Will Be Blood

Watch Now

Collection Worthiness

P.T. Anderson's sprawling epic, There Will Be Blood deals with one of America's biggest obsessions: oil. With haunting performances by Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano, this movie indicts the American entrepreneurial spirit by showing the greed, bloodlust and vengeance that goes into creating an oil empire. In the film, oil is intrinsically tied to religion (...another great American pastime) as Dano's character, Eli, is an evangelical preacher. There Will Be Blood is beautiful, menacing and a bad ass feat of filmmaking. Oil, Jesus and the promise of fortune in the West: it doesn't get more American than that.

Return to Collections

Naked States

Watch Now

Collection Worthiness

In this unique doc, you'll see a side of America you've never seen before (and probably never wanted to see). The film follows artist Spencer Tunick as he goes across the country getting all types of Americans to take their clothes off for his camera. We swear, this isn't anything like Girls Gone Wild. Tunick is creating art that captures Americans in their natural, most free state. Throughout the film he faces opposition from police, critics and conservatives while giving his viewers great insight into how Americans feel about their bodies and nudity. Maybe we're not the land of the free after all.

Return to Collections

Thank You For Smoking

Watch Now

Collection Worthiness

This biting satire targets "Big Tobacco" and lobbyists, two American forces to be reckoned with. Starring Aaron Eckhart as a smarmy, morally corrupt Tobacco lobbyist, Thank You For Smoking perfectly captures the confusing spin and rhetoric lobbyists employ and the large influence they have on American politics. The movie is darkly funny, and makes you wonder how much power lobbyists have over the US government and our daily lives. If you watch this before your celebrations, maybe you'll think twice about lighting up at your holiday picnic.

Return to Collections

Harlan County USA

Watch Now

Collection Worthiness

Barbara Kopple's documentary is a must-see for fans of social action and political films, but it also tells the classic American story of tensions between union workers and big business. Kopple and her crew received unprecedented access to both sides as they captured a coal miner's strike in Kentucky. The history of organized labor in the US is bound to politics, freedom and the concept of the American dream. Kopple's powerful first directorial effort puts us right at the front lines of the strike and gives us incredible insight into both sides of the debate, something that is rare in today's bi-partisan political journalism.

12345

RETURN TO COLLECTIONS

What to Watch. Where to Find it.

Login and Get Social With Us