I watched Michael Moore's new film today, "SiCKO". It's another 2+ hour Michael Moore'ism, which people will either love or hate. The movie contains a few core valid points, a touch of humor and a bucket load of crocodile tears. As always with Moore's films, it becomes painfully obvious when he's cherry picking facts and figures, in this case, highlighting how wonderful health care systems are in other countries. Please note that while he champions Britain's NHS, he never gets a chance to comment on Irelands wonderful two-tier "worst of both worlds" system.
The best part of the movie comes near the end when Moore reviles that he paid the annonymous donation of $12000 sent to his Internet Nemesis moorewatch.com, to help pay for the medical treatment the webmaster's wife needed. I wouldnt go as far as saying that this was a cynical move by Moore, but it certainly was included to inflict damage on moorewatch.com.
I'm waiting for someone to make a documentary about Michael Moore himself. About how he always makes the grass seem greener on the other side, hiding the patches where the dog pissed on.
11 comments:
There is a film about Moore, called "Manufacturing Dissent." The industry seems afraid to commit to releasing it though...odd. You'd think a man like Moore would welcome the free speech, put MUCH pressure has been put on the makers to kill the film. They plan to simply release it themselves on DVD soon.
Anyway...if you're interested in my side of the "12,000 Dollargate" saga, you can start here.
Hey thanks for commenting JimK, and so soon! :) I didnt expect you to ever see my post. Thanks for the info on the movie, I'll have to check it out when/if it ever gets out.
I read that piece you wrote about the money after watching the movie, I actually meant to put a link to it in my post.
I wonder if I'll get a comment from the man himself now? :)
I have to admit, I'm a Mike fan. Too many people take his dry humour and wit as condecending and fail to see his real point, which is to get people talking about things that matter.
Yes, he makes the most of certain situations, but he is always factually accurate. Seriously, try and find a flaw in his facts and you will come unstuck, as CNN did last week.
He maybe perceived as today's "Loony Left", but he's clever, funny and above all encouraging of open debate, whether it's for or against him.
Ultimately, if he gets people discussing issues and taking responsibility for them, then it's all good. If he gets people back to the ballot boxes, he's done his job. If he winds you up enough for you to take a proper stand, he'll be as happy as I am.
The world needs more Mike Moore's. On both sides. Good, healthy, open debate and ownership of the worlds issues is what we need, and he encourages that.
I've yet to see SiCKO and am looking forward to doing so.
I think that ultimately, a lot of people don't "get" Mike. They walk into a theatre and have way too many expectations and pre-conceived ideas. Let go and open your mind. Rekindle the sense of humour you lost in this beleaguered world and allow yourself to question both sides of the story. After all, Mike is only offering an opposite viewpoint to todays heavily biased, right wing media.
Yes, Michael Moore did gloss over a few facts on this one ...
However, he does seem to be dead on with the overall THEME - that the corporate power structure in America will make decisions that KILL and KILL OFTEN for the sole purpose of making a buck.
Axinar: Absolutely, the core points he highlights are truely disgusting!
Failed Muso: I like music, I like playing the few instruments I have aquired over the years, but I dont like people trying to play me however! I have no problem with someone placing points, valid or not, in front of me but don't you dare try and trick me into siding with you ("you" meaning anyone :). Add a dash of "crying children" and a few "slowmo visuals and sweeping strings music" and voila, emotional brainwashing! I'd have a lot more respect for Moore if he cut out all the shlock. Let the facts speak for themselves.
"Ultimately, if he gets people discussing issues"... Interestingly, all we've discussed so far, is Michael Moore :) He's become a bit of a Jesus Christ character.
"The world needs more Mike Moore's" Nooooooooooo.... At least Michael Moore is the progenitor and you can respect him for that. That guy who did Super Size Me just makes me sick. Theres another less known guy, very like Michael Moore, who goes around bashing Scientologists. Now I have no affection for Scientology, bar thinking Chick Corea is god, but I keep finding myself siding with them when he gets in their faces... and lets not forget that channel 4 'exploading tomato' dude who not only made a fool of himself but actually made Scientology look reasonable!
You see, contrary to what I wrote about people loving or hating Moore, I do neither. I respect the points he makes and the passion he puts behind them, but he's just a little too much like Jerry Springer's half brother, a bit of a sleazy macavelian. He'll convince you of his sincerity with his "final thoughts" speech, but watch him during the show and youll catch the sneaky smirk he makes when the 2 lesbians are tearing the heads of each other.
At the end of the day, Im just delighted at how well my image came out.
Come to Sweden and enjoy our free and good quality health care!
The next ingrown nose hair I get, I'm booking a flight to Sweden :)
Not meaning to be picky, but the "exploding tomato" was a BBC journalist reporting for Panorama and if you had seen the whole show, you would have completely understood this reaction because you would've been feeling the same at that point. True, he was wrong, and he admitted it immediately. He then countered with footage from the other side of the Scientology cameras which showed them fro what they really are.
I'm not a huge Panorama fan. It used to be a good show, but now, with it's "primie time" 20:30 slot, it's more like a U.S. "right wing "news" show. Not to my tastes at all.
I also think you would have a better opinion of Moore had you seen his stuff from day one. Roger & Me & TV Nation are exceptional pieces. His recent stuff just bets more publicity because the things he fights are more prevealent than before.
Still, we can agree to disagree ;o)
bets = gets ;o)
You'll have to forgive me, its been a while since I watched it (on Google Video, not everyone in Ireland receives British channels). I watched it all, from start credits to end credits. I guess I remember it as a C4 production because of how tacky it felt. Compared to the Michael Moore lookalike, that BBC guy was an amateurish mess of a journalist.
I just dont like spin. I turn off as soon as I see an angle appearing. I might agree with the point being made but I still dont like one sided propaganda.
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