It happens over and over. I’m in the theater, hoping to enjoy a new film. And then – we get a reference to conservative “hate mongers.” The failed policies of George W. Bush. As a conservative, it’s really frustrating. Here are some films from the past decade I can recommend because they actually champion the freedoms and foundations of our great nation that we conservatives love.
1. The Lives of Others
Yes, it’s in German. But if you can get past the subtitles, this is a film that will stay with you for a long, long time. It shows the huge cost that East Germans paid during the era that they lived under communism. You may even feel paranoid that you’re being watched after seeing this film, so pervasive is the surveillance of the East German secret police.
William F. Buckley Jr. proclaimed, “I think that this is the best movie I ever saw.” You’ll appreciate our freedoms as Americans even more after watching it.
2. The Dark Knight
Can a Batman movie promote conservatism? It’s not too much of a stretch here. As you watch Batman relentlessly work to hold back the Joker, you’ll see him earn public ire. Batman does what it takes to stop the Joker’s reign of terror, even when those measures make him unpopular with the press. Sound familiar? You just might draw some parallels to recent events in our nation.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
This Will Smith film, based on a true story, is a tribute to the American Dream. Although facing major challenges and hard times, Smith’s character never gives up, rejecting the welfare state in favor of personal responsibility and hard work. It’s hard not to feel good after watching him work so hard to better himself and create a better life for his son.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Based on C.S. Lewis’ popular book, Narnia is a delight for Christians and conservatives alike. The message throughout is that good will prevail, although evil is always lurking. The Christ figure (Aslan the lion) triumphs in the end, but not before major obstacles are thrown into the road by the evil white witch with her authoritarian aspirations.
5. Master and Commander
This film, in which Russell Crowe depicts a British warship captain, has been called “one of the greatest odes to leadership ever committed to celluloid” by the Telegraph. Life on the H.M.S. Surprise is built on a framework of duty and customs, with no tolerance for modern sensibilities and wishy-washiness. It’s a conservative’s dream.
SOURCES:
National Review: The Best Conservative Movies
Newsmax, March 2010
