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**kal**

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Capitalism: A Love Story [Blu-ray] (2009)

Michael Moore's controversal (did he ever make anything that wasn't?) movie hits Blu-ray in March 2010 after originally being announced for December 2009. Anyone seen it? Comments?

"Michael Moore's didactic documentary style is actually a source of inspiration in Capitalism: A Love Story. This film, which explores the history of incongruence between American capitalism and democracy, is evidently a culmination of Moore's lifetime of research into this topic: he begins the movie by admitting his longstanding interest, rooted in childhood experiences in Flint, Michigan. As a result, the film displays an expertise that is less irritating than in Moore's earlier works, in which various loopholes can be found in one-sided presentations (see Bowling for Columbine).

Here Moore employs his trademark tactics to make a satirical documentary that functions as a film-based, grassroots political strategy meant to provoke revolt. Consisting of patched-together clips from various eras and media outlets, the film weaves a narrative that underscores Moore's argument that while America is a success because of its democracy, it has been denigrated by capitalism, which he calls "a system of taking and giving, mostly taking." Capitalism: A Love Story is a patriotic call to arms that seeks to ignite rage in the viewer who is tired of political stupidity resulting in poverty and hardship among a dwindling middle class. It begins by tracing the growing gap between the rich and poor, from the Depression through the 1950s "free enterprise" boom. Using clips of FDR and Jimmy Carter warning against greed and inequality, Moore shows how gradually Americans came to accept Reaganomics, corporate corruption, then Bush-era swindling over time. This history serves as context for his explanation of the housing crisis, the collapse of banks, and Bush's covert, last-ditch efforts to pass sketchy bills on the cusp of Obama's election.

Moore asks several lawyers, senators, and bankers, "What the **** happened?" and each offers intelligent assessments of situations that many American viewers still struggle to comprehend. Unfortunately, there are corny Moore moments throughout the film, such as when he takes an armored truck to various banking headquarters and harasses security guards to let him in to reclaim money stolen from the American public. Clips of Bush dancing juxtaposed with shots of people crying because they've lost their homes are melodramatic and only weaken Moore's arguments. Like Robin Hood, Moore seeks justice, but his greatest strength is as a translator between those speaking a complex political language and his viewers. Capitalism: A Love Story, while it does have a condescending tone throughout, does much to relay a complicated history that we all need to know for the sake of our own empowerment." --Trinie Dalton

Release date: March 9, 2010 (pushed back from Dec 2009)

Link to order: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002QW7AK8/curtpalmecrtp-20

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Kal

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5237 Location: Osceola, Indiana

All right...this one looks good!

SC, Ron....Here fishy fishy. Smile

Mike

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

Good in what sense? Like "good" meaning "awful"?

Yeah, I know I can't wait, Mike. Rolling Eyes

Let's see, make a movie about how capitalism is horrible, even though you're a self-made millionaire specifically using the capitalist system you supposedly abhor. Whatever, Michael - ya hypocritical douche bag.

This is definitely a renter. Sorry Kal.

SC

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5237 Location: Osceola, Indiana

Hey even a lefty-commie like me takes Moore documentarys with a "grain of salt". Entertainment...nothing more.

I have Food, Inc. on BD, not a Michael Moore documentary but the same kind of thing...Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, figured it might be a time to start new diet prior to watching it.

Mike

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:31 pm Post subject:

Food, Inc. was pretty good. I don't think the thesis painted an entirely objective picture, but there was much about the film to appreciate.

I do think they spent way too much time on the Monsanto seed patent issue... While patent law (especially is it pertains to our food supply) is certainly an important subject, the lengthy segment on genetic research/technology seemed a little out of place - at least in the depth they presented it. The tinfoil-hat segment on Monsanto "henchmen" surveilling farmers (without any proof of such) was also out of place in an otherwise good presentation. Oh, and it also seemed like the filmmakers went out of their way to avoid even mentioning personal responsibility in our daily decision-making with respect to our food consumption.

The main thrust of the film - buy local, buy fresh, eat healthy - I was totally cool with, though.

SC

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

**kal** · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

**kal** · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

**kal** · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: