First, I would like to mention that I love documentaries, especially the ones concerning the world of computers. But I was really disappointed, this is not a good doc and by far!Seriously, this movie look like a bunch of teens not even prepared for the interviews, a pointless roadtrip to companies (ones that pursue Mitnick) where they cant speak to even the receptionist.I was really disappointed, it was like Micheal Moores of the poors kind of doc... In the positive side, some key facts about the lacks of evidence of system justice for pursuing Mitnick.See Hackers Wanted instead!!

Freedom Downtime is basically a personal video record of the "Free Kevin" campaign to free notorious hacker Kevin Mitnick. It's not really about hacking at all and the comparisons to Michael Moore are only appropriate in that the filmmaker confronts those who have been deemed as bad guys. Other than that, Freedom Downtime shares nothing in common with Michael Moore films and is an interesting, albeit scary, look at the justice system in the USA.It should be an interesting film for anyone who remembers the "Free Kevin" campaign that was once so prevalent on the internet. It's full of that dry humor so appreciated by hacker culture, which adds a little hacker flavor to an otherwise serious subject. Those not familiar with Mitnick may not appreciate the film as much, but they'll still come away with an inside glimpse into serious problems with the justice system and the corporate media's willingness to ignore the truth when it wishes to do so. Of course, this won't come as a big surprise today, when trust in the corporate media is at an all-time low and people have turned to the internet as a result.

Spoilers herein.Consider this the evil twin to `Takedown.'In true hacker tradition, you start with the files, in this case something that really happened. Then you have two parties breaking into the sanctity of journalistic truth and hacking them for their own purposes.First we have the shameless version by Shimomura. I know scores of people who really work for the good guys - many brilliant minds. We are all ashamed of his version, which has been cracked and shredded from truth. And Miramax should today be castigated for trumpeting itself as the good guys (because of its distributing Micheal Moore's entertainments).But that doesn't justify this similar hatchet job. It does feature an embarrassing interview with a dumb journalist - as if we were supposed to be surprised. And it raises clear gaps between what Kevin might have done and what some wildeyed prosecutors claimed. (Kevin was more a talented con man than cracker.) But none of this was harmless prankstering, and this hacking of the truth is as sullied as Shimomura‘s.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

I was fortunate enough to see this film at its first screening at HOPE2000 in New York City. The first release was not the final and it had some minor problems. I watched the finished version at the NY Film and Video Festival at the Sutton Theatre. There were many interesting changes, mostly for the better.The movie is about the life of "SUPER HACKER" Kevin Mitnick. It explains why his case was flawed and the propaganda the media released about the trials. The narrator, Emmanuel Goldstein, goes on an adventure with some of his friends from NYC to various places relating to Kevin or the Hacker world.There are scenes thrown in just for fun and also very serious messages about the government's misuse of power. An X-Con, Bernie S, explains his chilling experience in jail and how it nearly cost him his life. All of this over a box of crystals that could be used to steal telephone service.The movie is funny and educational. It should appeal to all members of the hacking community and those who wish to become informed. The film doesn't end at the credits.