Mitchell
06-30-2004, 05:21 PM
Well, today was a day special to me for two reasons. I not only saw Farenheit 911, which finally opened in my local theater, and was packed, even at an 11am showing, but I also got my picture and comments posted in our local paper, the New Era. Apparently, all the furor over 911 first not being allowed here, and then finally opening, attracted the media's attention, and there were two reporters from the Era taking comments from theater patrons. I went to the movie with my friend Russ, (TMF member Russy) and my mom, and all three of us were quoted in the paper. That will be cool. I've never had my picture in the paper before, so of course I'll be picking up a copy tomorrow. Anyhow, enough fanfare. Let me cut to the chase of my impressions of the film:
While no doubt controversial, I greatly enjoyed F 911. The movie had some highly satarical and comical moments, but also some very important, and disturbing ones. Granted, Michael Moore did make plenty of derisive comments about George W Bush, many of them in jest and meaning to sound humorous. However, the film also conveyed a much deeper and more serious message, that being who our leaders and former leaders trust and do business with, and how their actions affect the country.
According to the film, W's father, former president George H. W. Bush, had close business ties with the Saudis, some of whom were members of the Bin Laden family. While of course the business partners of Bush who are members of the Bin Laden family, have no control over Osama, it is quite unsettling to know that a former president, and the current president's family, would have such close financial ties to the family of one of the world's most known and wanted terrorists.
Another very disturbing image of the film was our own soldiers treatment of people under the patriot act. Moore showed innocent Iraqs who were terrorized and harrassed by American soldiers, as well as an innocent American who was brought in for questioning, merely for expressing his views against the administration and the war. While the Patriot Act may be meant to protect, there is a very fine line, and Moore shows at times how it goes too far.
Moore admittedly makes certain very strong statements in the film, some of which Iam not going to post here, due to the fact that they are controversial, and would be subjected to mod editing. I will say that while the audience I viewed the movie with was admittedly mostly Democratic, (I found this out from listening to the interviews given to the paper) the paper which covered the movie, was the Republican afternoon local daily, and even the reporter I spoke to was disturbed by the film, and some of the messages conveyed. While each individual will make the decision about whether or not to see the film, I feel it is important to see, because it conveys a message, and may well serve to be an eye opener. While admittedly most who vote will likely stay loyal to their political party, regardless of the film, or its message, the people I spoke to, including the media sources, feel that it could well serve to aid in swaying certain undecided or independent voters who voted for Bush last time, into the Kerry column. Iam sure Iam going to get hammered, with people posting:" Mitch is bias, Mitch is an idiot, Mitch doesnt know what he's talking about" My response to that is that while Iam admittedly Democratic, I also tried to keep an open mind before viewing the film, and, after watching it, it made me more determined to vote for John Kerry, and served to strengthen my disdain for Mr George W Bush and the current administration. During my interview with the Era, I made a strong point that the most important issue for me when I made my comment to Regal cinemas about F 911 was the issue of censorship, which is why I spoke out as I did. The woman who interviewed me, who would not give her own political views, attempting to be impartial, agreed. By not showing the film, it was a violation of free speech, and freedom of the press.
In closing, I feel it is an important film. Those who are loyal Republicans, and plan to vote for Bush anyway, are best advised to stay away, because it does not paint the president or his associates in a very favorable light. If, however, you are undecided, for Kerry, or even perhaps Nader, and are not a staunch Bush loyalist, I highly recommend the film. It can be an eye opener, and, while it may be dismissed as a small, independent, insignificant film, might well serve to perhaps sway votes or even a close election, as certain undecided voters could well be swayed away from voting for Mr George W Bush after seeing this movie, and the message it conveys.
Mitch
While no doubt controversial, I greatly enjoyed F 911. The movie had some highly satarical and comical moments, but also some very important, and disturbing ones. Granted, Michael Moore did make plenty of derisive comments about George W Bush, many of them in jest and meaning to sound humorous. However, the film also conveyed a much deeper and more serious message, that being who our leaders and former leaders trust and do business with, and how their actions affect the country.
According to the film, W's father, former president George H. W. Bush, had close business ties with the Saudis, some of whom were members of the Bin Laden family. While of course the business partners of Bush who are members of the Bin Laden family, have no control over Osama, it is quite unsettling to know that a former president, and the current president's family, would have such close financial ties to the family of one of the world's most known and wanted terrorists.
Another very disturbing image of the film was our own soldiers treatment of people under the patriot act. Moore showed innocent Iraqs who were terrorized and harrassed by American soldiers, as well as an innocent American who was brought in for questioning, merely for expressing his views against the administration and the war. While the Patriot Act may be meant to protect, there is a very fine line, and Moore shows at times how it goes too far.
Moore admittedly makes certain very strong statements in the film, some of which Iam not going to post here, due to the fact that they are controversial, and would be subjected to mod editing. I will say that while the audience I viewed the movie with was admittedly mostly Democratic, (I found this out from listening to the interviews given to the paper) the paper which covered the movie, was the Republican afternoon local daily, and even the reporter I spoke to was disturbed by the film, and some of the messages conveyed. While each individual will make the decision about whether or not to see the film, I feel it is important to see, because it conveys a message, and may well serve to be an eye opener. While admittedly most who vote will likely stay loyal to their political party, regardless of the film, or its message, the people I spoke to, including the media sources, feel that it could well serve to aid in swaying certain undecided or independent voters who voted for Bush last time, into the Kerry column. Iam sure Iam going to get hammered, with people posting:" Mitch is bias, Mitch is an idiot, Mitch doesnt know what he's talking about" My response to that is that while Iam admittedly Democratic, I also tried to keep an open mind before viewing the film, and, after watching it, it made me more determined to vote for John Kerry, and served to strengthen my disdain for Mr George W Bush and the current administration. During my interview with the Era, I made a strong point that the most important issue for me when I made my comment to Regal cinemas about F 911 was the issue of censorship, which is why I spoke out as I did. The woman who interviewed me, who would not give her own political views, attempting to be impartial, agreed. By not showing the film, it was a violation of free speech, and freedom of the press.
In closing, I feel it is an important film. Those who are loyal Republicans, and plan to vote for Bush anyway, are best advised to stay away, because it does not paint the president or his associates in a very favorable light. If, however, you are undecided, for Kerry, or even perhaps Nader, and are not a staunch Bush loyalist, I highly recommend the film. It can be an eye opener, and, while it may be dismissed as a small, independent, insignificant film, might well serve to perhaps sway votes or even a close election, as certain undecided voters could well be swayed away from voting for Mr George W Bush after seeing this movie, and the message it conveys.
Mitch