Control Room

Name: Control Room
Genre: Documentary
Released: May 21, 2004
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 79

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 21, 2004

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 worldwideDirected 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

Director: Jehane Noujaim

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Rick Kisonak

Here's the sliver of hope: In contrast to everything we've been told, the people who run Al Jazeera turn out to be decent and level headed. Read full review

100

Jonathan Curiel

One of the year’s most significant films. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Control Room ends by acknowledging that independence, accuracy and even truth itself may be illusory. Read full review

Nathan Rabin

Remarkable and timely film. Read full review

Rick Groen

More illuminating than not. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The film's buried message is that there is a reservoir of admiration and affection for America, at least among the educated classes in the Arab world, and they do not equate the current administration with America. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

[Anonymous]

Dec 25, 2005

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!

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ThomasR.

Jun 23, 2004

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 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.… Expand

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