Movie Review: Farenheit 9/11

Sheese. Talk about taking the wind out of your sails. I wanted to write some really scathing stuff here about this movie, but it's kinda hard to write scathing stuff about scathing stuff. This movie is very, very sharp.

And I liked it and not because I have issues with our president. I look at it from a movie point of view, this is powerful stuff and fluff. I added the fluff part, because, it seems (according to the Time magazine article I read) some of the information is incorrect.

But lets look the great speakers of the world. They aren't truly great on their message alone, but on the presentation of that message. Martin Luther King's importance was carried farther by his sheer force of personality on the pulpit.

But then again, so was Hitler's. The message was murder, but the presentation must have been mesmerizing.

Michael Moore is no MLK or Hitler. But his message is so different than other filmmakers out there today. I never realized that docs could have humor outside of the Osbornes or America's Funniest Home Videos. But there you have it, right up there on the screen. This filmmaker has an inherent sense of humor in his personlity, and it glows through his image of irony.

There is a message that Mr. Moore has had in the 3 movies I've seen. It's that there are two groups...the haves and the havenots. And I'm beginning to wonder if it's not becoming more and more obvious that something is brewing in his argument. As I watched this movie, I kept waiting for W to turn to the camera and merely state, "let them eat cake," as Marie Antionette did so long ago.

It's sadly apparent that our president is something of a putz. He's not accomplishing much these days outside of defending his decisions. That's not me talking, folks, that's just plain in front of us. But the movie goes one step further and making some very interesting links to some very bad people involved in 9/11. I'm hesistant to go all the way and say that he proves his case, but he makes a damning good argument. If half of what Mr. Moore brings up is true, then there are some legitmate concerns related to conflict of interests. It comes off as thousands have died and many more are dying that very specific individuals are getting quite rich. It is something to be upset about.

What I find amusing, however, is how quick the the right mobilized to downride some segments of the movie. However, they did not make comment on the whole piece. Just parts.

What does that mean, exactly? Does that mean that some of this is true?

Yikes.

If you want to know what I thought of the movie as a whole, yes, there is supreme entertainment value here. It does one of the two things I believe movies must do to achieve...either wow us or make us think.

Moore has a great presentation. He reads the Patriot ACt to congress from an ice cream truck driving around the capital building. Good show. Showing a woman who's son perished in the fighting in Iraq who is not comforted by her nation's leader's (or should I say 'leaders' because Bush comes off as a merely a puppet to his colleagues special interests) words. His voice eventually peters out and lets the images take the tale further. A smart move and again, good storytelling.

Out of Roger & Me, Bowling for Columbine and Farenheit 9/11, Bowling is probably the best so far. The picture is much more complete in it's telling. I couldn't help thinking that this movie was a bit hastaly put together, with no real clear ending. It's like he had to get it out NOW because it's an election year. He might have had an even stronger argument if given more time.

SHould you see it? Yes, if you plan on living in this nation. One of our rights is the freedom of speech and this is the reason why. Of course, Bush, outside of this movie, has proven he doesn't really like the concept of freedom of speech (have you seen what he does to protesters at any of his rallys? You can't...they are moved as far from the press or arrested if possible..that's another movie, I'm guessing)--all the more reason to view.

Yes, it is bias, but what movie isn't? See, and either believe it or find the truth, but do give it a view. I'm curious what others will think.

peace.


And VOTE!!!!!