Michael Moore's Sicko

[char1ie]

I have just watched this incredibly powerful, well-reasoned and smart film made by someone I regard as the lone voice of dissent in America. What is wrong with that country? Are the people so lacking in sense and reason that they do not criticise or question their leaders? Is there nobody in the American media willing to provide a debate about the state of the nation and the plight of the poor?

I am very distressed by America and this film has really hammered home that feeling. Don't be poor and ill in the USA.

Great film. And it actually restored some pro-British sentiment in me as well.

Charlie

[Nero]

There is anothe film out that looks at Moore's reputation, arguing that he is selective in his argumetns and uses his films and themes to self=promote. I haven't seen it, but there is a danger that he is now a 'brand'. Nero

[mockney piers]

I really dislike the guy and abhorred columbine and 9/11. Selective, manipulative and downright disingenuous.

My attitude is I'm glad there's someone saying these things, I just wish it wasn't him.

However I've heard a lot of good things about Sicko and will give him the benefit of the doubt and watch it. Perhaps he's decided to be a serious documentary maker in order to give his enemies less ammunition.

[downsouth]

I'm ambivalent. He is at least challenging the received wisdom and mores of this current time Especially in the wake of 9/11. With the notable exception of Noam Chomsky, most media bods were singing from the same hymn sheet. Yes he is a bit of a fantasist/self-publicist but so long as it makes people think that imho is a good thing.

[spadetownboy]

he certainly is a very unlikable and manipulative character, pretty much like the bloke that did the film on mcdonalds,super size me, theres guys making a lot of money out of what joe public knows already, that the american healthcare system is unfair,that bush is a mong and that mcdonalds is bad for you but apart from mcds introducing salad and fruit to the menu is what they say going to change anything except the size of their bank balance i think not.

[char1ie]

I think you have to focus on the stength of the story telling, the smart research, great examples and a simple argument told convincingly and in a straightforward way. He's a bit of a knob but his work is great.

I always loved his first film where he tried to track down the head of GM that closed the plants in Flint Michigan to ask him about the consequences of his actions.

Charlie

[fractionater]

I prefer David Icke

[mockney piers]

You should read the bit in Robert Fisk's book [Great War for Civilisation] where he smuggles a chunk of shrapnel from a Hellfire that blew up an ambulance leaving a lebanese village killing three kids and a woman.

He takes it, along with a photograph of the dead, to a meeting with some high ups at lockheed martin who thought he wanted to write a piece about how wonderful their missile.

Worth a (often harrowing) read.

[mattham]

Roger and Me was the film in which he tried to track down the CEO of GM. It was his first documentary, and he remortgaged his house to make it. However, even some of that has been called into question now ? apparently he was granted an interview but didn't use it in the film. I guess we'll never actually know the truth; but either way, it doesn't change the message ? it's still a great documentary.

Latterly though I think he's lost it; it all seems to be about him now. The bit towards the end in Columbine where he was comforting that schoolteacher was just vomit inducing. What's changed between his first film and now is that he gets in the way of the message. And because of imitation, his methods seem a bit old hat.

[char1ie]

I think you'll be pleased with Sicko then. It's very good and should improve your perception of him.

Charlie

[giggirl]

Re Bowling for Columbine: towards the end Moore interviews Charlton Heston. Heston comes off as a rather dignified chap who actually invites Moore into his home, whereas Moore comes off as arrogant and manipulative. I'm sure this isn't what Moore had in mind - looks like he let his ego get the better of him.

[jumpingjayne]

I went to see SICKO last week. I thought the film was very thought provoking about how a privatised health system works in practice. However the film did not look at any of the 'modernisation'(i.e. privatisation) of our NHS, including the PFI, cuts in services, contracting out and the rest. Although this is a flaw, the film is entertaining and is well worth seeing.

Michael's statement at the BFI film premi?re I went to, acknowledged we need to protect our NHS and that US experience is a warning of how things could turn out for us. This Sat(3rd November) there is a demonstration in support of the NHS in central London (setting off at Temple Place, Victoria embankment (opp South bank) at 11am. I hope people can attend as I think Brown et al thinks that privatization is a vote winner and we are not able to understand the consequences of what they are doing.

If anyone needs more info please pm me.

[char1ie]

Has Gordon suggested that the NHS will be privatised?

Charlie

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

It is being already, by stealth.

[Keef]

With regards Moore, I basically agree with Piers' first post. If may be doing a good thing trying to uncover some of the shit that goes on, but he just comes across as a fat nerdy conspiracy theorist much like the guy who owns the comic shop in the Simpsons. If tries too hard to sensationalize (sp?).

[Brendan]

I think you may have something there Keef.

Comic Book Guy

http://www.24-7simpsons.com/comic%20book%20guy%201.jpg

Michael Moore

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/michael%20moore.jpg

[char1ie]

The messenger's a twat sure enough. But the messages are good.

Charlie

[capt_birdseye]

I liked him in Team America.

[Mark]

fcuk yeah!

[Keef]

Terrorists your game is through, now you have to answer to...

[Brendan]

Coming again, to save the motherfucking day yeah.

[mockney piers]

I was told on sunday that there's an uncut version of the sex scene?!?! *shudders*

If it wasn't for the swearing would the film have got a lower certificate, surely plastic puppet sex can't count?

[Brendan]

You should see it MP. It is quite possibly Film?s greatest moment. Forget the girl in the red dress in Schindler?s Lists, Lawrence of Arabia stumbling out of the desert or the battle of Helm?s Deep. Watching something that countless young boys have done with a GI Joe and a stolen Barbie doll played out on celluloid is an experience you will never forget.

[Mark]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Terrorists your game is through, now you have to answer to...

Mat-day-muhn?

[downsouth]

Great film. ne of my faves. But then again I am a South Park Junky - "Respect my authoritar (sic)"