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The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

Name: The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
Genre: Biography, Crime, Documentary, News
Released: June 27, 2014
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Aaron Swartz

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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The Internet's Own Boy: The Story Of Aaron Swartz

Movie Details & Credits

Participant Media | Release Date: June 27, 2014 | R

Starring: Aaron Swartz

Summary: The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz's help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz's groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing combined with his aggressive approach toThe story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz's help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz's groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing combined with his aggressive approach to information access that ensnared him in a two year legal nightmare. It was a battle that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Aaron's story touched a nerve with people far beyond the online communities in which he was a celebrity. This film is a personal story about what we lose when we are tone deaf about technology and its relationship to our civil liberties.… Expand

Director: Brian Knappenberger

Genre(s): Biography, Crime, Documentary, News

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

100

Richard Roeper

Jun 26, 2014

This is a film that left me marveling at Swartz’s beautiful mind, and shaking my head at the insanity of the system he knew was badly fractured. Read full review

Geoff Berkshire

Jun 25, 2014

The Internet’s Own Boy is a beautifully crafted film that opens a window on a world not everyone has entered yet, and exposes ways in which both the legal system and the U.S. government is lagging hopelessly behind technology. Read full review

The Guardian Leslie Felperin

Oct 26, 2015

Essential viewing for anyone interested in what freedom of information means in the digital age, this passionate, fascinating, unapologetically partial but fair documentary celebrates Aaron Swartz. Read full review

Nick Prigge

Jun 23, 2014

The film is far from a technical matter, fiercely promoting Swartz's legacy and challenging us with the same questions its central subject was compelled to ask. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Jun 26, 2014

Knappenberger’s documentary is smart and focused, homing in on a recurring theme of independence. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Jun 25, 2014

While Swartz almost certainly would not have been sentenced to 50 years in prison, a system that tries to scare harmless do-gooders into submission does America no credit. In this case, it succeeded all too horribly well. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jun 26, 2014

Melancholy, often muddled documentary. Read full review

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User Reviews

12karatechop

Jul 29, 2014

Watched this a recently and was moved by the story. Swartz story could be seen as a cautionary tale. This film seemed more focused than Knappenberger's previous documentary about Anonymous. Both must-sees for the Internet generation and anyone interested in the current politics ofWatched this a recently and was moved by the story. Swartz story could be seen as a cautionary tale. This film seemed more focused than Knappenberger's previous documentary about Anonymous. Both must-sees for the Internet generation and anyone interested in the current politics of information technology. Great filmmaker, can't wait to see what's next.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

charlesk57

Feb 19, 2015

The audio in this film is atrocious. I had to stop about 20 minutes in and make a major equalization just so those watching could understand the dialogue. No closed-captioning, which is an industry standard (almost all low-budget films have closed-captioning) and no subtitles, again anThe audio in this film is atrocious. I had to stop about 20 minutes in and make a major equalization just so those watching could understand the dialogue. No closed-captioning, which is an industry standard (almost all low-budget films have closed-captioning) and no subtitles, again an industry standard. These penny-pinching Scrooges have done a great discredit to the memory of Aaron Swartz and he certainly deserved better. Shame on them. The film was a 10 but a great story with words you can't understand is a zero. I give it a 5.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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