Being somewhat out of the cultural loop, I have no idea that this year marked the seventh annual Butt-Numb-A-Thon, which, as far as I can tell, is basically the night a bunch of people involved with Aint-it-Cool News get together for a massive movie marathon.

Now, the very fact that this is called, officially, "Butt-Numb-A-Thon" is alone reason for me to consider all these reviews suspect. But, hey, what review isn't without its own bias?

So let's thank Ain't It Cool News for supplying, not one, not two, not even three reviews, but seven different people reviewing (among many other films) V for Vendetta. Almost every review comments on the "terrorism" angle and presents their theories on what the general reaction to a movie about a terrorist will be. That every review extolls the stories ideas about freedom and resistence shows that, if nothing else, the movie was seen by its target audience.

So enjoy some biased, cherry-picked snippets of each review, then make with the clicky to read the full details:

Maria Von Trapp: This movie was so close to home, it was TRULY scary. [. . .] As you watch this movie, you will undoubtedly find the connections to things in the movie and current events frighteningly obvious. A fabulous movie, a treasure visually and in its language. [. . .] I can't think of any reason why "it should be forgot."

Miya: Pleasantly surprised by this one, wasn't sure quite what to expect. [ . . .] Natalie Portman does well with the Evey role, but Stephen Fry was the standout for me as Gordon Dietrich.

Saffy: The film picks you up and shakes you it rattles your brain and scores your soul with the indelible words: STAND UP. (note that Saffy's reviews are halfway down the page, after a lengthy description of, ahem, BNAT 7.

Doc Falken: This will be the most talked about film in 2006. Or, it will disappear in three weeks after release and be dismissed as a cult film for academics to dissect in the future.

Nordling: For Alan Moore fans, let me say this: you're going to be happy. The film is extraordinarily close, in spirit and in text, to his graphic novel. [. . .] I heard that Alan Moore was upset at this adaptation of his work, and really, he has no right to be. I think of all the films based on his comics, this one is the absolute closest possible.

Victor Laszlo: I think it's fair to whip out the phrase TOUR-DE-FORCE for this complete and utter masterpiece [. . .] James McTeigue's direction is deft and graceful, [. . . the Wachowski's] wrote a damn fine script that skillfully balanced character and plot, while feeling totally complete as a film.

Massawyrm: This film is extraordinarily powerful. It is a genre fisted gutpunch that uses Science Fiction in the way it was originally intended – as an allegory for high-minded ideals. And while it is busy dissecting terrorism, it is also careful to illustrate the importance of simply showing up over the power of violence.