Michael Moore's "Capitalism"

[Gandalf]

Michael Moore seems to be a filmmaker that polarises people. People seem to be strongly for his ideas or against him no matter what. Personally, I don't see why people would be against him. His ideas are human and his intentions are obviously just. Who would now disagree with the gist of Fahrenheit 9-11? Sicko is a film that probably has more relevance now than when it was released. And now Moore has struck again whilst the iron is hot with Capitalism: A love story. I haven't seen this film yet and have no idea when it is ever going to be released out here. But I really want to see it as it is probably going to be a funny and insightful piece of filmmaking.

So, I was just wondering who has seen this yet and what peoples views are. And please no arguments like "Capitalism has been good to Michael Moore...just look at his waistline!" or "Why doesn't he give away all his wealth?". Those arguments are shallow and totally missing the point.

[Gandalf]

Seeing as I can't watch the film I have been following Moore's publicity run and this has been my favourite interview so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4djfc...e=channel_page

Too many of the other interviewers, particularly that muppet Sean Hannity, have their set agenda and argue the most ridiculous things. I quite like this one though as Moore is able to present his case freely.

[Kev]

I like Michael Moore, I think he raises important issues and his influence through his documentaries is enough to act as some kind of check and counterbalance.

I'm sure that not everything he says is accurate and I daresay he has his own agenda as much as any political party, but he still highlights issues and concerns that need to be highlighted.

And not just him, but even documentarists like Morgon Spurlock got McDonalds to introduce healthier food options on their menu as a result of his Supersize Me film.

If nobody spoke out about anything those in power could just do whatever they willed so even if we don't agree with the views of a particular individual or organisation we should be thankful they exist mostly as a conflict of ideas and values leads to a tug of war battle that keeps most things kind of balanced and in the middle, rather than no opposition and one team just pulls the rope over to their side and keeps the rope so they don't have to play any more.

Anything to prevent extremism and totalitarianism I'm all for.

[Gandalf]

Fair comments, Bilbo.

I like a lot of Michael Moore's stuff and I've seen all of the documentaries he has made, but I haven't seen all of his early television stuff nor read all of his books.

I think Michael Moore is a decent hearted, patriotic American who wants better for his country. He points out flaws in the system and advocates reform in order to improve the lives of ordinary people. It is vitally important that people like him are around. Most of us ordinary folks are quick to complain about the system, but never actually get off of our arses and do anything about it. But Moore keeps on doing his thing and urging people to do even simple things like actually getting out and voting.

This film couldn't have come out at a more suitable time really. The stock market bubble continues to grow whilst unemployment still shoots up. The economy is tanking and I can really see a nose dive happening in the next year, I think it's going to get a lot worse and the global ramifications will be huge. I'm less optimistic than Moore in that I think think America is economically spent and it's time for a paradigm shift in the world economic order.

The first thing to do is to reign in the corruption on wall street and in the banks, but it seems that Obama is unwilling to do it. The eventual implosion will only be more dramatic if things continue as they are now. The banks were given tax payer money to get things pumping again and still people are losing their homes because of dodgy mortgage financing. It's only going to get worse because nothing has been addressed.

[amat]

I don't like Michael Moore on a more personal level. I know you are in Korea miles and Bilbo is God knows where, but I live in the left wing capital of the world. In fact, both Farenheight 9/11 and Bowling For Columbine had their first showings in Santa Rosa, where amat was born.

Michael Moore annoys the fck out of me there is a VERY strong possibility that I might hate Michael Moore more then even Lyle does. He's manipulative, NEVER tells the whole truth, only half truths, his films are just so damn misleading about what the actual facts are. Actually, I only watched Bowling For Colombine and Farenheight 9/11, and when those films are actually fact checked it's shocking And SOOOO many people here just accepts those facts as the end all, in fact the extent of their political views extend to the 4 hours they dedicated to Michael Moore films. It pisses me off.

Seriously, I am on the same side of the fence as Moore politically about a lot of things, I HATE how he goes about it. He sucks, those are my thoughts. Oh yeah Michael Moore has been treated very well by capitalism, check out his waistline. Michael Moore is on camera an awful lot for a repulsive fat guy. Why doesn't Michael Moore shave? Is it because if he did he would look like Peter Griffin pushing a cause? Those are my thoughts.

There were some great sites debunking all the BS Michael Moore perpetuates but I am halfway to drunk I can't be bothered to find them.

[Gandalf]

Michael Moore obviously has his own ideals and perspective, but people realise that before going to the movie theater. I haven't seem Capitalism yet, but I'm pretty certain that I am going to see some images of Bush pulling stupid faces. I expect that, but then I loathe Bush and think he caused a lot more harm than good during his tenure. I think he needs to be called out. I also think he is a war criminal, but that's not really related to Capitalism the movie.

You get a film like Sicko and even with a rudimentary understanding of the US health care system you go into the movie theater knowing full well that this isn't going to be a movie extolling the virtues of a privatised/insurance based health care system.

I've just done a quick Google search on "Moore and fact checking" and there seems to be a fair bit of stuff out there. I will peruse some of it out of interest, but these are often people with political perspectives and agendas of their own to push.

And I said at the start of the thread not to bring up Michael Moores waistline!

[Howlin Mad Missy]

I don't like Michael Moore on a more personal level. I know you are in Korea miles and Bilbo is God knows where, but I live in the left wing capital of the world. In fact, both Farenheight 9/11 and Bowling For Columbine had their first showings in Santa Rosa, where amat was born.

Michael Moore annoys the fck out of me there is a VERY strong possibility that I might hate Michael Moore more then even Lyle does. He's manipulative, NEVER tells the whole truth, only half truths, his films are just so damn misleading about what the actual facts are. Actually, I only watched Bowling For Colombine and Farenheight 9/11, and when those films are actually fact checked it's shocking And SOOOO many people here just accepts those facts as the end all, in fact the extent of their political views extend to the 4 hours they dedicated to Michael Moore films. It pisses me off.

Seriously, I am on the same side of the fence as Moore politically about a lot of things, I HATE how he goes about it. He sucks, those are my thoughts. Oh yeah Michael Moore has been treated very well by capitalism, check out his waistline. Michael Moore is on camera an awful lot for a repulsive fat guy. Why doesn't Michael Moore shave? Is it because if he did he would look like Peter Griffin pushing a cause? Those are my thoughts.

There were some great sites debunking all the BS Michael Moore perpetuates but I am halfway to drunk I can't be bothered to find them.

Quite. Just went to prove that MM was responsible for making those bullied kids kill all those lovely people. He's clearly a communist for suggesting such a thing.