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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK
The Anarchist Cookbook

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The Anarchist Cookbook (2003)

39%
33%
40%
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39 %
Reviews Counted: 18 Fresh: 7  Rotten:11 Average Rating: 4.2/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Rated: R [See Full Rating] language, sexuality and drug content

Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins

Theatrical Release: Jul 18, 2003 Limited

Synopsis: Inspired by the legendary 1960s radical handbook of the same name, this debut film from director-screenwriter Jordan Susman tells the coming-of-age story of a group of friends living in a slackerish, anarchist commune in Dallas, Texas. The film is narrated in voice-overs from the film's... Inspired by the legendary 1960s radical handbook of the same name, this debut film from director-screenwriter Jordan Susman tells the coming-of-age story of a group of friends living in a slackerish, anarchist commune in Dallas, Texas. The film is narrated in voice-overs from the film's antihero, the group leader, Puck (Devon Gummersall). Puck is a genius college dropout who inspires the group with a relatively low-key, utopian view of radical existence. Together with pranksters Double D (Steve Van Wormer) and Sweeney (Johnny Whitworth); sexy swinging feminist Karla (Gina Philips); and aging hippie Johnny Red (John Savage); Puck rails against globalization, Starbucks, and other stereotypical anticapitalist concerns. Their idea of anarchy is primarily about freedom and fun; more peace than protest. That is, until their commune is invaded by newcomer Johnny Black (Dylan Bruno), a nihilistic anarchist who favors a more violent, guerilla-warfare approach. Toting explosives, Johnny Black turns Puck's peaceful utopia upside down. Black's influence sets off a series of violent events, which land Puck in his hometown of Plano, Texas under house arrest. Once there, he meets and falls in love with Jody (Katharine Towne), a sexy Young Republican. Together with Jody, Puck plots the downfall of Johnny Black in a darkly comic and satirical finale. [More]

Genre: Comedies

Starring: Devon Gummersall, Dylan Bruno, Katharine Towne, Steve Van Wormer, Johnny Whitworth

Director: Jordan Susman
Screenwriter: Jordan Susman
Producer: Robert Latham Brown, Amy Greenspun, Jordan Susman
Composer: Josh Kramon

DVD Info

Release:

Jan 6, 2004

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Snap Case
  • Anamorphic Letterboxed Widescreen - 1.78
  • Single Layer

Additional Release Material:

  • Commentary - 1. Jordan Susman - Director

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Filmographies

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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1 - 18 (sorted by date)
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4/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
09/25/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
3/10

Jordan Susman a su transformer idéologies humanistes et mouvements activistes en une vulgaire parodie de leur propre silouhette

Full Review | comment Comment
08/06/05
Jean-François Vandeuren
Panorama
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D-

Offers not feast but famine...at its core Susman's film, despite its subject, is utterly conventional and as eager to please as a puppy dog.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/14/03
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion
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B

This movie is sharp. It makes you think.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/11/03
Katherine Leal Unmuth
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

The film feels as loose and unfocused as the collective's political beliefs, at times veering dangerously close to Animal House territory.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/03
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
0/4

A lame contemporary comedy about a radical Dallas commune operating out of a bookstore.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/22/03
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
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Ratings Image
3/5

The Anarchist Cookbook bristles with wit and ideas.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/22/03
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2/5

The Anarchist Cookbook strains for a jazzy, Oliver Stone-ish look, but at its heart it is a placid and conventional moral tale about the dangers of wandering too far off the pathway.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/21/03
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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3/5

Stylistically inventive and really well acted.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/20/03
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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C-

You'll feel burnt by this one.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/19/03
E! Online
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B-

Think of it as Fight Club Lite; the film may not fully explain Generation-Next ennui but it does have is a winning immediacy and agreeableness -- and Gummersall, who... delivers a crisp performance.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/18/03
Brent Simon
Entertainment Today
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N/A

It's so devoid of a personal imprint that either Susman doesn’t have very clearly formed opinions himself or he isn't much good at getting them across to the audience.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/16/03
Scott Foundas
L.A. Weekly
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N/A

Because it never develops its characters beyond types, it comes off as flat and forced throughout.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/15/03
Mike Miller
Village Voice
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1/5

There's a good film waiting to be made on this subject. This isn't it.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/22/03
Empire Magazine
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1.5/5

he film aims to be thought-provoking and funny, but this reviewer only laughed twice, and was only provoked into one thought: How do you go from The Deer Hunter to this?

Full Review | comment Comment
04/27/03
Jeff Schwager
Boxoffice Magazine
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4/5

Susman has put together a well-crafted, witty commentary on corporate culture and the deals all of us make with ourselves to come to terms with modern existence.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/15/03
Pete Vonder Haar
Film Threat
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2.5/4

Whatever your politics, you'll find the film funny.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/03/03
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews
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by: Skylax 9/1/03

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• The Anarchist Cookbook at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Anarchist Cookbook at AskMen
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