Control Room
Control Room Image
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Directed by Jehane Noujaim, an award-winning Arab-American filmmaker who has lived within and embraced both worlds, Control Room re-examines what is perhaps the pressing question of: "is America radicalizing or stabilizing the Arab world?" By providing a balanced view of Al-Jazeera's presentation of the second Iraq war to their worldwide Arab audience, it calls into question many of the prevailing images and positions offered up by the U.S. news media. (Magnolia Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    A riveting new documentary about the Arab-run Al Jazeera network, reminds us that news programming can vary so widely from place to place that journalistic myths of "objectivity" and "impartiality" seem more naive than ever.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    80
    Remarkable and timely film.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    80
    If any film can be considered required viewing as the conflict in Iraq continues to drag on and be reported, surely this among them.
  4. The New Republic
    Reviewed by: Stanley Kauffmann
    60
    It is easy to point out gaps in Noujaim's account. (What, for instance, about the rebuilding that tries to go forward in Iraq?) But the prime importance of this film, I'd say, is that it is not an eye-opener. Of course this change in reporting, this bilateralism, has occurred so far only in wars where the U.S. was the overwhelming superior in force.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. [Anonymous]
    1
    A very bias movie favoring Al Jazeera, a known supporter of terrorism. It is a shame that we have to commit so many good soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines to defend other nations from their own criminals. What a waste of Great Americans. God Bless America!… Expand
  2. ThomasR.
    0
    Why is it that Al-Jazeera acts as the voice of Islamist terrorists, broadcasting their messages, their decapitation tapes, their threats, and their hate speech? Do you think a legitimate news service would ever dream of doing such a thing? I think there should be an investigation into exactly how this network gets the "inside scoop" from these individuals. They seem to be the "minister of information" for Islamic terror. As far as the movie goes, I was extremely unimpressed. Not nearly as good as her last film. Not at all even-handed. I wouldn't call it a documentary as much as puff piece. Don't bother with this film.… Collapse

See all 18 User Reviews

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