I watched this on DVD this week. I highly recommend the movie to everyone. I had to watch it in 2 parts because I got very overwhelmed and had to stop it at one point. It is not an easy film to watch or think about BUT there are A LOT of things that you should think about. It is also really important to watch the feature that has Michael Moore at Denver Univ. where he discusses that it took police 3 hours (and 2 of those hours had NO shots fired) before they entered the school even though the SWAT team wanted to go in, the local Police said NO. And the majority of parents stayed behind the Police lines- those that tried to get past were tackeled by Poilice BUT if the majority of parents had pushed thru they could never have stopped them all. It really discusses how we are a Nation full of fear. But there is hope...question authority, make your own decisions and VOTE.
Jenn524
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
My brother told me to watch this movie. He said I would love it and from your description I think I would really enjoy it. My problem is I didn't like the comments that he made at the Oscars and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable supporting one of his movies.
It sounds like a great movie though. I love movies that really make you think.
Suzanne
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
Jenn I aggree.. I personally think Michael Moore is anti american.
Jenn524
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I agree Suzanne. And I know there are a lot of people out there who will say 'Freedom of Speech' and he has a right to say what he wants to say. I agree with that. But I have the same right to not support one of his movies if I don't like his comments.
tracyg
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
our friends saw it and recommended it too... and he even explains why he said what he did at the Oscars. Our friends said it made sense... (i happened to agree with a lot of the thing he said at the Oscars... but im not anti american... i'm Anti BUSH!!!!)
coselige
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I watched Bowling for Columbine with my DH a few weekends ago and I throught it was excellent. It was however, quite disturbing. It really does an excellent job of illustrating how fear is used in America (particularly by the media) as a means of control. Michael Morre actually conducts an interview with Marilyn Manson (who is actually quite well-spoken) and he mentions the cycle of fear and consumption in America. I am still thinking about that. I also happened to agree with some of the things Michale Moore said at the Oscars. I do not consider myself anti-American, but definitely anti-Bush.
Xelindrya
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I refuse to support Michael Moore by seeing that movie.
Oddly enough I agree the media tries to control us with fear.. however.. I agree with Bush's actions. It's exactly what it was .. in the face action against terrorism. Im sorry but that took balls. Bush will never be the popular guy that that moron sexist hyprocrite Clinton was.. and frankly, that's fine with me.
Im not saying Bush is a god-sent hero from heaven. I am saying given what he's been through in his administration (china holding our troops hostage, financial crap clinton left behind, 9/11, Nasa's stupidity and more) that he's done what he can to do right by us. Everyone loved him when their extra tax check came in. *shrug*
He's a president.. you dont have to love the guy... But Michael Moore was just plain stupid in his statements. Let Art be your voice. At a time when I feel we should have been showing our support he goes off and acts stupid.
Just my $.02 (as true minority opinion, I know)
Jordan
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
It's sitting on my coffee table waiting to be watched, this weekend. I've heard great things about the movie and am excited to watch it.
I supported what Moore had to say - having had respect for him in the past - and would never consider myself anti-American but vehemently anti-Bush.
michele31
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
Sorry but you girls are cutting off your noises despite your face....Michael Moore was not saying anything that was anti-american. He does support our troops...he doesn't support Bush going to War over Oil.
Did you know that the day of the Columbine tragedy Pres. Clinton BOMBED a school and hospital in Kosovo? I bet you didn't know that. well it is true. So while we were all in shock here, there were parents mourning their own children because of a US bomb.....
I think the tax rebate check was just plain dumb. $400 does not revitalize our economy and our debt is going up and up and up.... Plus ONLY parents go the check...
You don't have to like Michael Moore's comments BUT you should know why he said what he did BEFORE you judge the comments. At least then you are making an educated judgement, and not make blind statements.
Honestly, you will LEARN A LOT by watching this movie and you just might change your mind about somethings.
Boop2704
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I just watched half of it last night. I had to turn away a couple of times because it was upsetting. I am going to watch the rest tonight. I think this is a very informative movie. I can't believe some of the stuff that is in it!!
jannshari
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
FH and I watched that this past weekend, and it was incredibly disturbing and thought provoking. The thing that I think shocked me the most, and I don't know if we were the only ones who didn't know about it, was the Noriega/CIA thing. We actually had to rewind it to read it again.
Whether you agree with him or not, I think that the movie will get you thinking and/or talking.
michele31
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
And maybe VOTING and contacting your representatives...do not allow your elected officals to destroy other countries and send billions of dollars for guns to ditactors....who helped the Taliban get so strong...that's right...US.Who gave the guns that killed those 4 nuns in S. America? Any guesses.......US.
Sonicstef
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
Forget the fact that we provide arms to our enemies all the time. It is an accepted fact that WE (the US) trained Osama and the Taliban directly b/c we wanted to 'beat' the Russians in their effort to take over Afghanistan. Evidently we didnt consider them so terrible when were training them to slaughter russians - but when they use the skills WE taught them to turn against us we are shocked.
But no one seems to be blaming the presidents who made those decisions - just giving Bush credit for fighting back. He doesnt get a gold star for that.
off the soapbox!
Xelindrya
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
hrmm
Just to clarify.. I think the movie itself (which I think is the topic here) is probably very informative and eye-opening. Its sad to think so much goes on without our knowledget that shocks us later.
On the reason for my boycott (i guess) of the movie. It's purely political. I voted for Bush and Im not ashamed of it (nor am I ashamed he's a Texan *ahem). I'm very use to being glared at for saying that. It's alright. I understand it's so easy to have anti-Bush feelings. Heck its nearly fashionable to do so. The whole tax check thing was very funny to me. Dam*ned if you do or don't. Im really glad Im not president, I can tell you that.
But I do vote. All the time, not just for the presidental elections. I do read the papers and listen to the media (with a grain of salt, mind you) and have listened to my non-american friends point of view of American and it's policies. I agree with a lot of what I hear.
There are two sides to every story and more to what it seems or what the media tells you. Perfect example was Hillary saying the words 'maybe' and 'probably' and then it came she said this and that.
Media and Hollywood have such a strong hold on politics it's sick (haha considering California). Im tired of it. Whether this movie is 'eye-opening' or not, I don't feel I need a refresher course in the way our government works (clinton or bush). Im not stupid or blind.. just resigned.. Vote Vote Vote.
Ok.. I'll go back to my corner now. I know people will probably contradict me, call me blind or other things, say im stupid silly or insane. That's fine. Calling me names and disagreeing with me because of my opinions is the American way after all, but won't change my point of view.
*shrug*
Sorry so long. PS: Enjoy the movie
Suzanne
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
Veronica I agree with everything you said and more. I also voted for Bush and I am not ashamed of it either. What I do find amusing is how most americans always think they can do much better than the ELECTED official.
Cindy
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
Thanks for letting me know. Next time we go to rent something, we will get this.
Jenn524
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I would just like to clarify my statements. Not trying to start an arguement at all here, but I just want to make myself clear.
I am not pro-Bush. But I'm also not anti-bush. Bush, like all of our other presidents is Damned if he does and Damned if he doesn't. He can't win no matter what. What I didn't like about Michael Moore's comments is I feel it was the wrong place and the wrong time to make the comments he made. He is allowed to have his own beliefs. And knowing me, I would probably agree with a lot of things that he has to say. However, at the time he made the comments he made, the new war was on everyone's minds and I don't think that's the right time to attack your president. Personally I am so tired of listening to these famous people tell us about politics. Most of the people that speak out don't even have a high school degree. Now I'm not saying that makes them stupid, but you have to question if you should be listening to their beliefs or an expert who has gone on to college and in many cases continued their studies with a masters or a law degree.
I consider myself to be very open minded and if you ask my friends they'll tell you the same. I just feel that Michael Moore should not have used the Oscars to get his point across.
Whether you like Bush or not he is your president. Did he go to war with Iraq over oil? Maybe he did. But is so bad? I'm not so sure it is. Look at the price of gas. Is it right that we have to pay so much? Look at how many times Iraq ignored the policy they agreed to follow. It's about time one of our presidents had the balls to do what Bush did. Iraq had it coming to them. Personally I feel this world is much better off without Hussein and Bin Laden. I'm sorry if people had to lose their lives to fight this war. I truly am sorry. And I wish we could live in a world without war. But we don't live in that kind of world. People who decide to join the army, navy, etc. know there's a risk of war and death that goes along with their choice. I wish that wasn't the case, but it is.
I vote in every election. I even go to the primary's. I am a huge believer in you can't complain about politics if you didn't take the 2 seconds to vote. Voting is one of the biggest rights that Americans have that is the most ignored. I believe that the media wants us to live in fear. And i don't buy into it. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with someone who attacked our president's choice to go to war.
Michele...I think you know that I do not have a religious bone in my body, but I have to say...AMEN!!!
I have loved Michael Moore since Roger and Me...He has done some fantastic movies (not to mention Canadian Bacon)
I will say that while Bowling for Columbine was fantastic, it is still edited to get his point across...like the free gun for opening a bank account part...
however...I think he would be happy to know that people become more politically aware b/c of his movies AND comments...regardless if they are for or against him...
i can't stand the fact that only 10% of Americans vote in local elections!!! those are the elections that really effect your life!!! or when they are asked to participate in government (aka jury duty)...that is your chance to interpret the laws!!! yet people cry and scream and complain about the government!!!
we should NOT have the same opinions...but we should express them and participate in our society if we truly believe our opinions would better the world we live!!
michele31
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
I am not Anti-Bush per-say, I am anti- the fact that our elected officials mostly come from well-to-do families, are members of Skull & Bones (seems like a mini-CIA to me), take contributions for votes on issues, protect corporations before people.
Honestly, Bush is just a figure head. He has others who make the decisions and his Daddy helps a lot too. In fact, Daddy Bush helped to create this mess when he was head of the CIA.
This is NOT one president's fault, nor is it really just the president's fault. There are A LOT of non-elected officials making these decisions in our country. We do not elect the head of the FBI or CIA or any military heads.
I also HIGHLY recommend Quiet American- not a documentary but based on a book about the start of the Vietman War. My father almost lost his life many times because some moron in Washington thought it was a great idea to start a War over there.
And unless you boycott Roman Polaski movies too- I mean the man RAPED a young child- then you shouldn't boycott these movies.
Jordan
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Re: Bowling for Columbine
And unless you boycott Roman Polaski movies too- I mean the man RAPED a young child- then you shouldn't boycott these movies.
(A very NON-religious) AMEN to that!! (I refuse to see anything that piece of s h i t puts out.)
