Movies About Technology

From Laura Poitras, starring Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, William Binney, Jacob Appelbaum
Rated R

Citizenfour is a 2014 documentary film directed by Laura Poitras and co-produced by Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy, and Dirk Wilutzky. The film follows the story of Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who exposed the US government’s mass surveillance programs. It chronicles his journey to Hong Kong in 2013, as he prepares to meet with journalists Glenn Greenwald, Ewen MacAskill of The Guardian, and filmmaker Laura Poitras to discuss his plans to leak classified information. The film also covers the media response to the revelations and the subsequent debate over privacy, security, and the limits of governmental power. Citizenfour provides an intimate portrait of Snowden, including his family background and motivation for his decision to leak the documents, as well as his thoughts on the implications of his actions. It ultimately paints a complex picture of a complicated man with a complex mission.

From Brian Knappenberger, starring Aaron Swartz, Tim Berners-Lee, Cindy Cohn, Gabriella Coleman
Rated Not Rated

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz is a 2014 documentary film directed by Brian Knappenberger that chronicles the life and legacy of internet activist, programmer, and hacktivist Aaron Swartz. It examines his groundbreaking work in social justice and technology, from his involvement in the creation of RSS and Reddit, to his fight against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). The film follows Aaron’s personal struggles and his ultimate suicide, highlighting the government’s prosecutorial overreach. Aaron’s story is told through interviews with those close to him, as well as through archival footage and computer animations depicting his rise to internet fame. The film’s message of free access to information and its exploration of the consequences of prosecutorial overreach make it both an inspiring and heartbreaking story.

From Morten Tyldum, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech
Rated PG-13

The Imitation Game is a 2014 British biographical drama film directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Graham Moore. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, a British cryptanalyst and pioneering computer scientist who is credited with helping to crack the German Enigma code during World War II that helped the Allies to victory in the war. The film also stars Kiera Knightley as Turing's closest confidant and fellow code-breaker, Joan Clarke. The film covers the events of Turing's life leading up to his eventual arrest and conviction for homosexuality in 1952, as well as his pivotal role in the breaking of the code. The film is an exploration of Turing's life, his struggles with his sexuality, and his incredible achievement in the face of adversity.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a romantic science fiction drama directed by Spike Jonze. It follows the story of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely man who buys a highly advanced operating system designed to meet his every need. He soon develops an unexpected connection with the sophisticated artificial intelligence (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), and finds himself in a unique relationship that blurs the boundaries between man and machine. The film explores themes of love, technology, and identity, as Theodore and his AI companion journey together to discover the true meaning of companionship.

From Seth Gordon, starring Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell, Mark Alpiger, Adam Wood
Rated PG-13

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 documentary directed by Seth Gordon that follows the story of Steve Wiebe's quest to become the world record holder for the highest score on the classic 1983 video game, Donkey Kong. The film follows Wiebe's journey as he takes on the reigning champion, Billy Mitchell, and the tight-knit "Kong" gaming community that has sprung up around the game. Through the eyes of Wiebe and the interviews of the various eccentric people connected to the game, the film examines the nature of obsession and competition in the world of classic gaming. The film culminates in an epic showdown between Wiebe and Mitchell for the highest score. The King of Kong is a hilarious, gripping, and often emotional look at the world of classic gaming.

From David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Rated PG-13

The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the Harvard student responsible for launching the groundbreaking online social network. Set during 2004-2005, the story follows Zuckerberg's creation of the website, his subsequent legal battles, and his ongoing struggle to maintain control of the company. Along the way, Zuckerberg meets influential figures such as Napster founder Sean Parker, who would go on to become a key advisor to Facebook. As Zuckerberg's constant changes to the website bring him both wealth and power, he ultimately learns the true cost of success. Ultimately a story of ambition, betrayal, and triumph, The Social Network is a riveting look at the power and impact of modern technology.

From Jack Bryan, starring Vladimir Putin, Jeremy Bash, Nina Burleigh, Alexandra Chalupa
Rated PG-13

Active Measures is a 2018 documentary film directed by Jack Bryan that investigates the connections between Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and the rise of political figures such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Through interviews with journalists, intelligence officials, and other experts, the film examines how Trump and Putin were linked together in business dealings, including a controversial Trump Tower Moscow Project, and how Russia utilized cyber warfare, espionage, and propaganda to influence the election. It also looks at the long history of Russian interference in US politics and the life-long relationship between Putin and Trump, as well as its implications for the future of US-Russian relations. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that there is much more to the story than meets the eye.

From Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky, starring Jonathan Blow, Brandon Boyer, Renaud Bédard, Anthony Carboni
Rated Not Rated

Indie Game: The Movie is a 2012 documentary film directed by Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky about the video game industry and the independent video game developers behind it. It follows the lives and struggles of four independent game developers as they develop, produce, and market their video games. The four developers featured in the movie are Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes, creators of Super Meat Boy, Phil Fish and Renaud Bédard, creators of Fez, and Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid. The film focuses on the personal stories of each developer, their origins, and their successes and failures, exploring the long and often difficult process of creating a video game. It also looks at the unique relationships between the developers and their fans, as well as the ever-changing landscape of the video game industry. The movie was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for a few awards.

From Christopher Kenneally, starring Derek Ambrosi, Michael Ballhaus, Andrzej Bartkowiak, Dion Beebe
Rated Not Rated

Side by Side is a 2012 documentary film directed by Christopher Kenneally that explores the history, process, and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation. Through interviews with directors such as Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, David Fincher, and Christopher Nolan, as well as cinematographers, film historians, colorists, scientists, and other specialists, the film delves into the many possibilities of digital filmmaking and explores the impact that digital technology has had on the industry. It looks at the technical and conceptual elements at play, such as the debate over the superiority of digital film over photochemical film and the use of digital intermediates. It also examines the evolution of the art of filmmaking and the impact of digital technology on the industry as a whole.

From Directors: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg, starring Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin, Jordan Zain Weiner, Barbara Morgan
Rated R

Weiner is a 2016 American documentary film about Anthony Weiner, an American politician and former congressman, and his unsuccessful campaign for Mayor of New York City. The film follows Weiner's journey as he attempts to rebuild his political career and public image after being forced to resign from Congress due to a sexting scandal. With exclusive access to Weiner’s campaign, the film reveals the human side of political life and the consequences of public shame. The documentary is an intimate portrait of Weiner's public and private life, and his efforts to keep his political ambitions alive despite a rapidly deteriorating public image.

From Aneesh Chaganty, starring John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La
Rated PG-13

Searching is a 2018 American thriller film directed by Aneesh Chaganty and written by Chaganty and Sev Ohanian. The film stars John Cho, Debra Messing, and Joseph Lee as family members searching for a missing high school student. The film follows David Kim (John Cho), a father trying to find his daughter, Margot (Michelle La) after she goes missing. Using technology and social media, he discovers secrets about her life that lead to a deeper mystery. With the help of a detective (Debra Messing), David must go through every digital clue to unravel the truth about his daughter's disappearance. The film explores the impact of technology and social media on modern life and shows the power of technology to both unite and divide people.

From Directors: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve, starring David Farrier, Dylan Reeve, David Starr, Kevin Clarke
Rated R

Tickled is a 2016 documentary directed by David Farrier and Dylan Reeve that explores the strange and mysterious world of competitive tickling. The film follows Farrier, an entertainment reporter, as he discovers an underground competitive tickling circuit and explores its strange origins. He quickly finds himself immersed in a world of manipulation, power, and secrecy, and must confront powerful forces in order to uncover the truth. Through interviews with former participants, experts, and those involved in the industry, Farrier discovers a dark story of power, greed, and exploitation. As he delves deeper, he discovers a complex web of lies, revealing a shocking truth about the people behind the industry.

From Henry Alex Rubin, starring Jason Bateman, Jonah Bobo, Haley Ramm, Hope Davis
Rated R

Disconnect is a drama exploring the disconnection between people in modern life and the consequences of this disconnection. It follows several different characters who are all connected in some way, with each character’s story showing how the growing disconnection in the world affects them. The main characters include: • Jason (Jason Bateman), a struggling single father and a lawyer who is trying to balance his work with caring for his son. • Nina (Paula Patton), a journalist and former drug addict struggling to make ends meet. • Kyle and Lydia (Max Thieriot and Andrea Riseborough), a teenage couple whose relationship is beginning to suffer due to their increasing reliance on technology. • Rich and Linda (Alexander Skarsgård and Hope Davis), a married couple dealing with a personal tragedy and the challenge of adjusting to life after it. • Mike (Colin Ford), a high-schooler who is the victim of cyber-bullying. The stories of these characters intertwine in unexpected ways, and as the film progresses, it shows how alienation and disconnection can have serious repercussions for each of them. Disconnect ultimately celebrates our need for human connection and its power to heal, help, and offer hope

From Oliver Stone, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto
Rated R

From Cullen Hoback, starring Max Schrems, Moby, Mark Zuckerberg, Orson Scott Card
Rated Not Rated

From Steven Spielberg, starring Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Sam Robards
Rated PG-13

From Brian Knappenberger, starring Anon2World, Anonyops, Julian Assange, Aaron Barr
Rated Not Rated

From Ondi Timoner, starring Josh Harris, Tom Harris, Carlos Alvarez, David Amron
Rated Unrated

From Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman, starring Nev Schulman, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, Angela Wesselman-Pierce
Rated PG-13

From Richard Linklater, starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr., Rory Cochrane
Rated R

From Roger Spottiswoode, starring Nick Nolte, Ed Harris, Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy
Rated R

From David Schwimmer, starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Liana Liberato, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Alex Winter, starring Mike D, Henry Rollins, Noel Gallagher, Cindy Margolis
Rated Not Rated

From Joshua Michael Stern, starring Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas
Rated PG-13