I know that since this is a movie, it would suggest the appropriate forum would be Arts and Entertainment, but then of course the movie is so much more political then it is art, and this is the forum for the free discourse of ideas, so I'm going to talk about the movie here.
First off, don't worry, I won't give away any of the particularily exciting scenes, parts which are more dramatic to be seen at the theaters, however, I would first warn that the movie does contain several scenes of violence and gore, as there is footage from the front lines, which is often rather grisley around bomb-sites and the like.
Ok. The thing I came away with after seeing this movie is that the cores of truth are completely impossible to argue with. Michael's points are made on the testimonies of those involved, or using facts which could not be faked unless a complicated system of forgeries and deceit rivaling the one he tries to bring to light was put into place. Anyone who sees this movie with an open mind will have learnt enough and agreed with enough points to see the last four years for America as a horrific tale of political manipulation and woe.
However, not everyone will go see it with an open mind. There are those, the Limbaughs and O'Reillys who will ignore the facts, and concentrate on finding individual elements whos evidence can be doubted. Or, in the case of many critics I've heard on TV or in Newspapers, by making very general claims such as "Moore is a liar and Unamerican!" Without backing it up with facts or trying to disprove his core points and issues. They would rather attack the man then the points, and I can see why. It is nigh-impossible to argue the facts of the case, and sure, Moore does a lot of emotional spots which don't actually prove anything directly concerning Bush, but he also reveals a massive amount of anger and displeasure over the war that the Media doesn't usually cover.
But the work of these people, I feel, is a drop in the ocean. No matter what the hardcore say, the vast majority of people who see this movie, no matter what they feel their political leanings are, will not be able to shrug it off. The points are too important, the accusations too huge. Either he has literally MADE UP almost everything, or there is undeniable truth. So, in response, right-wingers and certain White House officials have been doing their darndest to keep the movie from seeing light and - after failing - are now trying to keep as many people from seeing it as they can. Because the more people see it, the more realize he's telling the truth.
The most important thing I urge people to do is at least see the movie. It is an hour and fifty minutes, not that long really. If you're a left winger, go see it so you can be informed. If you're a fence-sitter, go see it so you can make a decision. And if you right-wingers arn't watching it because you think its' just going to be left-wing propaganda crap, I implor you to see it anyways. If you're so confident its' going to be propaganda crap, then by seeing it you'll be able to argue about it and prove yourself right. It'll at least make you look less like a fool for slandering a film you've never seen.
Anyways, the film itself is excellent. It follows the entire Bush administration, covering the election debacle (It really just touches on it, but its' enough to leave you with suscpiscion) then the first months of Bush's Presidency, where it shows he isn't really doing much. Then 9/11, and it tells you about the Saudis, and then Afghanistan and Unocal, and the Taliban and more. It covers soldiers at the beginning of the war in Iraq and their bravado, then later on and their depression. It shows the fearfull presence of the American Elite (And you actually see them, hear them talking, in manners that just shock you).
The best parts of the film are not Moore's comments, which when you consider how some media sources chat are actually fairly infrequent. Nor are they the heartfelt words of widows, activists, victims, soldiers, and the average Americans, though they show amazing insight into the nation. The best comments, the best facts, all come from the White House itself, and its' representatives. George talking to the elite, the meeting of corporations deciding how much they could make rebuilding Iraq. The censored and uncensored documents that reveal connections they'd rather keep quiet. Everything. It reveals a poorly hidden aristocracy of sorts that is at times even contemptuous of the common people (really. Watch the movie, some of the things they say...).
Anyways, I think everyone should watch the movie. Even if you watch it, hate it, and feel even more sure Moore is a lying, cheating villain, at least you'll have made the effort to hear the other side of the fence out.
First off, don't worry, I won't give away any of the particularily exciting scenes, parts which are more dramatic to be seen at the theaters, however, I would first warn that the movie does contain several scenes of violence and gore, as there is footage from the front lines, which is often rather grisley around bomb-sites and the like.
Ok. The thing I came away with after seeing this movie is that the cores of truth are completely impossible to argue with. Michael's points are made on the testimonies of those involved, or using facts which could not be faked unless a complicated system of forgeries and deceit rivaling the one he tries to bring to light was put into place. Anyone who sees this movie with an open mind will have learnt enough and agreed with enough points to see the last four years for America as a horrific tale of political manipulation and woe.
However, not everyone will go see it with an open mind. There are those, the Limbaughs and O'Reillys who will ignore the facts, and concentrate on finding individual elements whos evidence can be doubted. Or, in the case of many critics I've heard on TV or in Newspapers, by making very general claims such as "Moore is a liar and Unamerican!" Without backing it up with facts or trying to disprove his core points and issues. They would rather attack the man then the points, and I can see why. It is nigh-impossible to argue the facts of the case, and sure, Moore does a lot of emotional spots which don't actually prove anything directly concerning Bush, but he also reveals a massive amount of anger and displeasure over the war that the Media doesn't usually cover.
But the work of these people, I feel, is a drop in the ocean. No matter what the hardcore say, the vast majority of people who see this movie, no matter what they feel their political leanings are, will not be able to shrug it off. The points are too important, the accusations too huge. Either he has literally MADE UP almost everything, or there is undeniable truth. So, in response, right-wingers and certain White House officials have been doing their darndest to keep the movie from seeing light and - after failing - are now trying to keep as many people from seeing it as they can. Because the more people see it, the more realize he's telling the truth.
The most important thing I urge people to do is at least see the movie. It is an hour and fifty minutes, not that long really. If you're a left winger, go see it so you can be informed. If you're a fence-sitter, go see it so you can make a decision. And if you right-wingers arn't watching it because you think its' just going to be left-wing propaganda crap, I implor you to see it anyways. If you're so confident its' going to be propaganda crap, then by seeing it you'll be able to argue about it and prove yourself right. It'll at least make you look less like a fool for slandering a film you've never seen.
Anyways, the film itself is excellent. It follows the entire Bush administration, covering the election debacle (It really just touches on it, but its' enough to leave you with suscpiscion) then the first months of Bush's Presidency, where it shows he isn't really doing much. Then 9/11, and it tells you about the Saudis, and then Afghanistan and Unocal, and the Taliban and more. It covers soldiers at the beginning of the war in Iraq and their bravado, then later on and their depression. It shows the fearfull presence of the American Elite (And you actually see them, hear them talking, in manners that just shock you).
The best parts of the film are not Moore's comments, which when you consider how some media sources chat are actually fairly infrequent. Nor are they the heartfelt words of widows, activists, victims, soldiers, and the average Americans, though they show amazing insight into the nation. The best comments, the best facts, all come from the White House itself, and its' representatives. George talking to the elite, the meeting of corporations deciding how much they could make rebuilding Iraq. The censored and uncensored documents that reveal connections they'd rather keep quiet. Everything. It reveals a poorly hidden aristocracy of sorts that is at times even contemptuous of the common people (really. Watch the movie, some of the things they say...).
Anyways, I think everyone should watch the movie. Even if you watch it, hate it, and feel even more sure Moore is a lying, cheating villain, at least you'll have made the effort to hear the other side of the fence out.
