Top Priority: The Terror Within (2012)

Really Surprised!

An Exercise In Nonsense

A Major Disappointment

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

From the time the film started, the lies and layers of complicity unfolded. It broke my heart to watch a very personal account of grave injustice. Not only has there been incessant harassment, the sheer overkill and resources used to incriminate Julia Davis were grossly inappropriate. The government will stoop to the lowest depths of depravity in an effort to hide their lies. Lies that are painfully obvious, yet apparently what they were trying to hide came with a steep price. Unnecessary deaths, tragic brutality - for no just cause. I have been deeply moved by this film. It would be my hope that Americans will see the exact nature of what is going on in the states at the hand of their government, and prepare accordingly.

One generally tags a documentary as just that, a documentary, but the chills swimming upstream my spine argue that some factual films deserve a second tag. In the case of "Top Priority : The Terror Within", there's no more fitting a second category than horror, being that this, the chilling chronicle of a young innocent woman discovering the dark and, well, unpublicised side of the US government, might just be the scariest bit of celluloid you'll watch all year.Like Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911″, director Asif Akbar's "Top Priority" exposes the big pussy wart concealed by the government – in particular, the government that history's most controversial president George W. Bush governed.We're constantly reminded that the terrorists or the bad guys, if you will, are based in countries like Iraq or Afghanistan. With their films, Moore and now Akbar say otherwise. Both "911″ and "Priority" shock us into a false sense of security, letting us know that the so-called terrorists and bad guys actually lease zip codes. According to the filmmakers, our biggest threat are locally-based and likely the ones we've been fooled into trusting the most.Unlike Moore's film, "Top Priority" doesn't so much rely on snazzy visuals, a cheeky host and a lot of guess work to compel the viewer. Nope, this one's got a case of the Joe Friday's – in that it's 'just the facts'. And the facts, as you'll discover, are just as attention-grabbing and arguably more disturbing than an animated conspiracy theory.The facts are : Julia Davis, while serving as a Customs and Border Protection Officer, did her job and reported a potentially threatening hiccup to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force involving a mass of illegal aliens gaining entrance into the United States. Furthermore, it was on the date of July 4th 2004, a date that intelligence chiefs believed a terrorist attack may be hatched by Al-Qaeda , that Davis recognized the potential breach. The film chronicles how the Department of Homeland Security, seemingly egg-faced and embarrassed, retaliated against Davis for exposing their weak system. With their endless supply of resources, the government used every scare tactic and smear tactic in the book to get their revenge against Davis – and anyone connected to her. Blackhawk Helicopters were dispatched to her property, armed DHS Agents and a US Marshal conducted warrantless searches of the Davis's property, and those linked to Davis – including her parents and husband, veteran Hollywood stuntman B.J Davis – were treated in an equally frightening, ill fashion.There's a second, very Hollywood headline grabbing story captured within the distressing film too- and that's one of the mysterious death of Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy.Most of us were led to believe by the authorities, and in turn the glossies, that Murphy was an out-of-control wild child of Hollywood whose addiction to illusive drugs and mental issues led to her downfall. The filmmakers say that's far from the truth – not only did Murphy not have a drug problem, nor was she as "insane" as she was made out to be, but she too was a victim of a government smear campaign. One that may have ultimately led to her death.According to the film, the government would hurt "Clueless" star Murphy's name and career, put men in black on her tail at very corner (of every film set) and cleverly cover up any involvement or link they had to the woman's death. The film, accompanied by the words of the actresses father Angelo Bertolotti, clears Murphy's name ten-fold aiding the viewer to not only develop a new appreciation for an actress that was sickeningly thrown into the 'Looney' corner and labelled a drug addict, when she seemingly wasn't, but hope for some kind of upper vengeance. It's very disturbing. You'll ache and rumble with the filmmaker's descriptions as to what was purportedly done to the talented Hollywood star (and husband Simon Monjack, who also passed away under suspicious circumstance) and yearn for more answers. Nothing is certain, nor is there a definitive cause of death here, but one thing is for sure – any man or woman that stood by Julia Davis would pay the price either physically or emotionally; Murphy was no exception. It's tragic to say the least.Beyond the splashy opening credits (a little much at times, with the lengthy Stephen J.Cannell-esque opening credits and lightning bolts, I will admit – if only because it's a film that's story, not bells and whistles, will hook the viewer) there's a startlingly frightening, touching and well structured story here. You'll cringe as you hear of the Davis's treatment by the Government, cry as the shady politicos play a part in the death of four innocent people (and also, rather horribly and shamefully, an innocent family pet), appal at the amount of tax payer money, lies and bastard behaviour that went into merely covering a leader's ass, and most notably, walk away terrified that this could happen to you. This girl, for one, couldn't sleep after watching the film (which premiered last week at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood)."Top Priority" is a remarkable film that'll make you question your leaders, and those whose jobs it is to supposedly protect us, but mostly, it'll make you fist thump and push a windswept hug in the direction of the brave and long-suffering Julia Davis and her significant others.

I had the honor of attending the premiere of Top Priority - the story of Julia Davis and her husband BJ Davis endure the full wrath of the federal government - simply because Julia did her job. Most folks who have not been a whistleblower or had to deal with government wrongdoing have a hard time accepting the concept of U.S. government wrongdoing against its own citizens - but it happened here in a severe case. Julia was targeted by the senior leadership of Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) simply for following official procedures given her by her leadership and notifying the DC Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) of a breach of security at our southwest border...for this act she was persecuted - she and her husband BJ charged with false felony charges - endured a raid on their residence which resulted in the death of Julia's father - and because of the government's desperation, federal officers likely had a role in the death of BJ and Julia's friend - Brittney Murphy...Until it happens to you (and I'm speaking from experience here - I've been thru the grinder of the Federal Government machine) it is hard to believe officers who take the Oath of Office can behave in illegal and unconstitutional ways - but they do - and this documentary exposes their illegal acts - often in their own words...I honestly wonder how they sleep at night...I HIGHLY recommend you see Top Priority when it hit general or limited release - it is not only shocking due to the facts, it is a well made movie that grabs the viewer (and - no - I am NOT just saying this because BJ and Julia are friends) - this is an outstanding movie - one that exceeds every other modern documentary I've seen...and indicates that we are only steps away from "Three Days of the Condor" - if they can do this to the Davis' there is nothing holding back these government officials, with the new federal authorities, to engage in the next step of such wrongdoing: targeting for death of citizens they deem 'dangerous'.One last note - we should all be grateful for Julia and BJ - for having had the courage to endure the painful turn of events where the government of our nation not only turned its back on them - it did everything it could to destroy them - and still, they have been able to tell their story - to expose the wrongdoing of the federal bureaucratic for what it is...they are true patriots, and I am proud to call them friends.

BY: Alan Premel, the Clandestine Comic I had the pleasure to review the documentary 'Top Priority, the Terror Within' last Wednesday at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, home of the Academy Awards (Oscars). The retaliatory undertones ring loud and clear in Top Priority - Silence, Discredit and Destroy. After watching this well written and equally well directed docu-drama you will agree that no one understands the misfortune of being silenced, discredited and destroyed as well as Julia Davis.Directed by rising star Asif Akbar, Top Priority reserves no punches as it bravely tells the unbelievable real-life story of National Security Whistleblower Julia Davis who once served our country as a Customs and Border Patrol agent under the guise of the Department of Homeland Security. Davis' reward for drawing attention and shedding light on a real-life breach of national security was to be arrested, discredited and branded a domestic terrorist by DHS.They say real life is stranger than fiction and if that mantra holds true than you will be left saying "You cannot make this stuff up", as what seems so wildly unbelievable, far-fetched and exaggerated is shown and proved to be a reality. The amount of government wrongdoing, oppression and discrediting will leave you shocked and dismayed. Such brutal law enforcement tactics and retaliation would have been expected from a 1930's pre-FBI and Prohibition era law enforcement and not the system of checks and balances and oversight we have 2012. There is no shortage of intrigue in Top Priority, when the plot thickens a young Hollywood star is dead, Julia Davis is the target of 56 unlawful investigations and there are more suspicious and untimely deaths. By the time you would imagine the story is ending the mafia gets involved and the story, again, bravely charges on. At every twist and turn during the feature you will find yourself shaking your head in dismay at the overwhelming evidence presented by first hand audio and video interviews.The highlight comes when government officials lie on tape about actions, orders and their knowledge of wrongdoing presented and exposed. At this turning point, the audience, now in Julia Davis' corner all collectively jeered and laughed as official government documents are shown side by side blatantly showing false testimony. It's shock and awe at its best and it gives an outsider a glimpse into how lethal the case was. Director Asif Akbar and legendary Hollywood stuntman BJ Davis, husband of Julia Davis, were both masterful in the presentation and execution of this highly controversial case. Top Priority is a blitzkrieg of truth and vindication that continuously pummels and humiliates the DHS for 95 minutes.As the screen fades to black, the pants of DHS are squarely around their ankles. The Davis' leaving them in a compromising position with zero wiggle room to defend themselves. Just as the ending credits start to roll my friend on my left says "Oh my God!" and my cousin on my right exclaims, "Wow!" This was followed by an eruption of thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Top Priority accomplishes what every movie strives to do by stirring the emotions of each viewer. You leave Top Priority with an overwhelming and profound sense of emotion that is hard to explain. On one side of the token you feel the fear of the actions which were inflicted on someone in real life. While on the other side, you have a deep sense of sadness for those who died suddenly and unexpectedly from the governments mishandling of the case.In the end, you are presented with the saddest fact of all. Throughout everything Julia was subjected to, an arrest warrant was never issued for Julia. The laundry list of crimes and violations presented were not done by a whistleblower but were done at the hands of a government agency whose sole purpose is to protect each and every one of us.Top Priority was the first documentary ever allowed to premiere at the academy for its opening debut and it is fitting because if the ballots went out today, Top Priority would be bringing home an Oscar for Best Documentary. My only real advice for watching 'Top Priority, the Terror Within' is to bring a pillow because your back will hurt from sitting at the edge of your seat! I give 'Top Priority, the Terror Within' 9.5 out of 10 popcorns.