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Topic: Bowling For Columbine

Mike Schindler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1034
From: Oak Park, IL, USA
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-06-2002 02:01 AM

This was a very fine film. For one thing, it's funny as hell. I love humorous documentaries. There's nothing funnier than the world (well, MST3K might be funnier, but that's been off the air for a few years now, so it doesn't really count). But as funny as this picture is, it's equally powerful. Some of the stuff in this movie is really hard to watch.

But what struck me most about the film is that it was made not to be a good movie or piece of art necessarily, but to convey a message in order to create a change in society. That seems like a very admirable thing for someone to do, no matter what their message may be.

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Brad Haven
Master Film Handler

Posts: 300
From: fremantle, West Australia
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 10-06-2002 09:30 AM

I found this to be a very powerful doco, even after a couple of weeks it's still stay's on my mind. This has great timing, especially with the mr Bush's current activities and is a must see, not so much for being a great documentary but for having a powerful message.
I hope Michael Moore continues with his show The Awful Truth!
I ran the full gamut of emotions during this film, first time since koyaanisqatsi, so i guess thats a job well done!

Unfortunatly it doesn't open untill 26th dec in Australia

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Mike Schindler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1034
From: Oak Park, IL, USA
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-06-2002 10:08 AM

Brad,
Michael Moore was at the screening I attended, and after the show, he said that he was not planning on doing any more TV shows because they are too expensive.

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1332
From: Newburgh, Ny & New York City, NY
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 10-21-2002 12:28 AM

WOW... I think everyone in America should all be piled into a huge Auditoriums and made to watch this film... It is amazing the things you never realize, this film just got its point across so well. The whole auditorium clapped when this movie ended. It was funny as all hell at some points, and I hate to admit but it brought me to tears at other parts there some very emotional scenes. I STRONGLY suggest that EVERYONE here sees this film, it will change the way you think about or society and our media.

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Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene

Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 10-21-2002 12:51 AM

I think the very fact that this movie will change the way I see things is the very reason that I probably wont bother to see it. You see, I like to make up my own mind! Whenever someone tells me to think differently, I never do!

I actually like Mike Moore's films, but he is very fringe sometimes in his presentations. I still find him humorous, informative, but I think he takes himself a little to seriously. I will have to see this film to see what all the fuss is about!

Dave

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Charles Everett
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1470
From: New Jersey
Registered: May 2001

posted 11-10-2002 11:05 AM

Loews E-Walk, Times Square/NYC, 11/9, 4:30 PM show. Hall #6, attendance approx. 150. Presentation excellent except for dirt throughout R6.

Now I see why some chains are reluctant to play Bowling for Columbine: It gives a counterpoint to the "official history" we have all been taught in school. Michael Moore may have a scattershot approach but he gets his point across.

He also helped expose TV for the bigoted, racist, fearmongering industry it is. I got rid of my TV 4 years ago and have been very sane since.

Find a theater showing this movie and see it!

Cool corollary: The rolling stock included an advert for a shoot-'em-up video game. Also, Bowling for Columbine was the first time I saw video of the World Trade Center incident on 9/11/2001.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 11-10-2002 12:55 PM

Charles wrote: "Bowling for Columbine was the first time I saw video of the World Trade Center incident on 9/11/2001."

Even without owning a television set, how could you be so isolated as to have never seen video of the attack?

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 4228
From: York, UK (4,642 miles or 7,470km NNE of Dallas)
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 11-10-2002 01:17 PM

On BBC Radio Four's Start the Week programme last Monday they had an interview with Moore. Go here and click on 'Start the Week' to hear it.

I too do not have a TV at home and it's a deliberate decision. I work with moving images, and like watching them as a social event at the cinema. At home I want a break from that; it's my way of 'getting a life'. But yes, I have seen video of the 9/11 attacks, mainly in the homes of friends and relatives but also on BBC News Online (see here ).

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Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene

Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 11-10-2002 02:34 PM

No TV and No Beer make Homer go something something...

I could live without TV, however I choose not too. I watch about 30 hours of news and news information programs a week, as well as spend about 15 hours a week on the internet reading news from several dozen sources.

The only entertainment shows I watch are The Simpsons, The Sopranos, Firefly, John Doe, and 24. That's it!!! I think the four and a half hours spent brain dead wont warp me too much.

By the way, the 15 hours a week on the internet are during the 30 hours a week with news programs on. I also do my work during that other 15 hours a week, so it's not like I am just a brain dead slob here.

TV is a great medium to inform and educate. Only a mindless slob would allow it to do otherwise.

Dave

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 6176
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-16-2002 12:05 PM

I don't have a TV, either, but that doesn't mean that I never watch it. I just don't do so at home. If I had more spare time, I might get a TV for home use.

As for the Michael Moore film: I thought it was interesting and had a few good moments. As a "documentary," it was a bit weak, as it seems to exist more for the purposes of promoting Moore's political agenda than for actually exploring the problem of gun violence in the US. Does he really believe that getting Kmart to stop carrying ammunition will prevent murders?

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 3871
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 11-16-2002 03:17 PM

Michael Moore turns out some interesting stuff. But you have to keep reminding yourself that he is VERY political and has an agenda. He takes an ultra-liberal point of view on everything and he makes no pretense of trying to be "balanced". As far as someone's theory that the major chains would shun Bowling For Columbine because of its politics, I'm afraid I have to laugh. This business is about dollars. If BFC is putting people in the seats, they will book it, because it's all about the money (not that there's anything wrong with that). With the glut of good mainstream product out right now, it's no surprise that a "documentary" about unpleasant and controversial political topics would have trouble finding screens.

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Lionel Fouillen
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 162
From: Belgium
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-18-2002 03:15 PM

I saw the film this afternoon. Very well put together, interesting and entertaining. The way specific events are depicted is a bit biased, though, and it's obvious that Moore has a political agenda. I had the same feeling regarding Oliver Stone after seeing JFK. People who want to demonstrate something but fill gaps with fiction or beliefs when needed.

The problem for me is that Moore raises the interesting question of why so many killings in the US society but never answers. Instead, this seems to be an occasion for him to criticize categories of people he doesn't like, although he must certainly have pointed at some real dysfunctions of American society.

Anyway, as a European, I'm not familiar with such things as death penalty or the right to have guns so I couldn't fully discuss this any further...

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Michael Brown
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1330
From: Bradford, England
Registered: May 2001

posted 11-19-2002 06:06 AM

So has the UK release been pushed back?

It was supposed to open on friday.

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4141
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 11-26-2002 11:15 AM

I saw this last night and I also thought it was very interesting and even entertaining.
I also think he got hooked on the K-Mart thing too much. Obviously, his point was that they shouldn`t make money on stuff that harms or kills people. Maybe he was also a bit too focused on Mr Heston. He is just an old actor playing his last role.
Is Canada really the semi-paradise he shows it to be? Call me pessimistic but I can`t quite believe him.
Still, it was a very well-made and provocative documentary. I am not sure I understand now why so many people in the US insist on their right to have firearms when it is so obvious that most people aren`t at all qualified to have them. But the movie gave a lot of interesting information to think about.

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Lionel Fouillen
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 162
From: Belgium
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-27-2002 04:45 AM

quote:
I also think he got hooked on the K-Mart thing too much. Maybe he was also a bit too focused on Mr Heston. He is just an old actor playing his last role.

I agree that he focuses on K-Mart too much, almost making responsible for the shooting (while other supermarkets keep selling ammo). But regarding Heston, I don't think Heston is playing. He just sounds shockingly cynical to me, especially when Moore wants him to look at the picture of the little girl.

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