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Bowling for Columbine

I just came back from watching this indescribable documentary.. and i have to say....Micheal Moore did a great job at telling what the American population should know about their nation, regarding gun control and the media.

Truly a work of art.
I espescially loved how he, as an American, depicted the atrocities the US government executed this past century.

As a film major and filmmaker.. i give this 11/10.

What are your comments about this film?

i want to see it!

yep, it says nothing new, but its a quite good resume and an introduction to "american wrong-doings 101"

get the divx if you can't catch the movie at theatres (it was only at two independant theatres in Montreal)... I can't imagine in some smaller cities.

I downloaded it a few weeks ago and I loved it. It really gave me a completely different view on America. Every single American should be forced to watch this imo, it would open the eyes of a lot of those pro-war Americans. Definately the best documentary I've ever seen.

hehe bowling is clearly the root of all evil

I especially liked how he went into the "fear" issue, he's damn right about how the media hypes up fear of everything in this country. At least we do have the murder rate to be afraid of though.
But the thing that struck me the hardest on the fear issue, was the Y2K bug, I remember all freakin year, every newspaper, magazine was going on about how everything was going to shut down because of a couple of digits were off in some old programs. Well guess what, nothing happened, absolutely nothing.

Marlyn Manson had the most intelligent comments in the movie IMO, & the movie also had some insights on Canada. I found it odd, cause I visited Canada a few times (Toronto, some other cities as well), and the people seemed a lot more relaxed and at ease, less afraid of everything around them. To find out that they dont lock their doors is interesting.

Of course there's the ugly side of American history displayed in the movie, but some of the other stuff I found truly insightful. Maybe it isn't the guns after all. (7 million guns are in Canada)

The Columbine footage, some of which I haven't seen in the news, was downright spooky. I would've like to see him get a little more into how bullying in school drives students to Columbine style violence, cause it sure aint Marlyn Manson.. Bullying is getting to be a bigger issue in America, since it's getting a lot worse, I think it should be outlawed myself.

i just watched this, and was quite shocked in a way...

quote:

Originally posted by Verona^My I especially liked how he went into the "fear" issue, he's damn right about how the media hypes up fear of everything in this country.

yeah. my roomate is planning on getting a full ABC suit. I'm sitting here listening to him talking about "terrorism" him protecting himself with his guns from the terrorists, and all the shit. fuck, he must REALLY be scared!

quote:

But the thing that struck me the hardest on the fear issue, was the Y2K bug, I remember all freakin year, every newspaper, magazine was going on about how everything was going to shut down because of a couple of digits were off in some old programs. Well guess what, nothing happened, absolutely nothing.

aaaah yes i remember that. i was definitely waiting at the strike of midnight, i wasnt scared, just i guess anticipating to see if maybe the lights would go out or something

quote:

Maybe it isn't the guns after all. (7 million guns are in Canada)

interesting heh? what is it? the fear? the fear that makes people not think and act in defense? sad....

definitely puts a spin on some of my thoughts and views about things - not gun ownership per se, but the whole media, entertainment..so forth.

>JM<

my goodness not another thread regarding this film.... oh well.....it was bloody genious

The film was fucking great.
You guys should all check out Barry Glasner's book "The Culture of Fear"
Micheal More interviews glassner in the movie.

its NOT a documentary...any 'film student' should know that.



i thot the film was well made. its popular as shit over here in Sweden. my main concern is that people are taking it for face value without question. it makes quite a few good points. but it is heavily biased and unfair to many people invloved.

now-- that being said, im not defending Heston, the NRA, etc. i did like the bit about fear tactics in the media, that is a resounding problem in the US, and elsewhere because our media is so pervasive.

like i said tho, without living in the US, i dont think that you can truly judge it properly. many people in US WILL NOT see it, or WONT be able to judge it either. it pervades the myth that everyone in the US are stupid, crazy and violent- and that only helps those that know little about the size, scope and culture of the US to stereotype|

quote:

Originally posted by JM aaaah yes i remember that. i was definitely waiting at the strike of midnight, i wasnt scared, just i guess anticipating to see if maybe the lights would go out or something >JM<

I was too, they hyped up the Y2K bug to all hell, people were stocking supplies for what seemed like impending doom. New Years Eve comes, and the next day, nothing happens. Amazing isn't it.

Kinda makes me think about this whole chemical attack scare going on now.

quote:

Originally posted by biznology its NOT a documentary...any 'film student' should know that.

It certainly is a documentary as it "DOCUMENTS" his travel and experience. And just so you know, it was nominated recently for an oscar for "best DOCUMENTARY"

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrus King It certainly is a documentary as it "DOCUMENTS" his travel and experience. And just so you know, it was nominated recently for an oscar for "best DOCUMENTARY"

ok, so the one person in this forum who talks the most smack about the US media thinks that the Oscar is a righteous award now?

it may 'document' whatever the hell he wants it to, but that doesnt mean it tries to look at the situation in an objective manner. most 'good' documentaries try to look at both sides of the situation. just because he grew up in MI, has a membership in the NRA, and all that doesnt mean that he gives both sides equal consideration.

being from colorado, i especially thought that his treatment of littleton was abysmal. i frankly thot that he would give columbine in general more respect, more time. all he did was show the security tapes (unnecessary) and then interview the people at Lockheed. it IS a major industry but it paints that area of Colorado as a war town or something. he did little to analyze the situation, culture, and economics. Matt Stone may make for an entertaining interview...but that doesnt mean that its fair and objective.

the point of this 'documentary' (since you are so intent on calling it that) is to make you think. it should make you consider new viewpoints. sadly, in most of the world outside the US i think it is only reinforcing ideas that have little basis. you can make any country look stupid and violent if you only interview the stupid and violent and then compare them with the intelligentsia|

quote:

the point of this 'documentary' (since you are so intent on calling it that) is to make you think. it should make you consider new viewpoints. sadly, in most of the world outside the US i think it is only reinforcing ideas that have little basis. you can make any country look stupid and violent if you only interview the stupid and violent and then compare them with the intelligentsia|

Yes, but I think it's directed as much at the American public (who wouldn't necessarily have these preconceived stereotypes of the US in their head) as it is the rest of the world. It's aim - as I understand it - is to blatantly demonstrate to the American public the perils of loose gun-control laws (amongst other things) which may explain the bias in the way it's presented. Presenting the opposing view point may not be necessary, as it would be presumed that the majority of the target audience already holds - or is familiar - with these views. Sadly, as with most pursuits like this, it probably only serves to preach to the converted (after-all, just how available was this film in the US? Would the average citizen have gotten the chance to see it?).

I haven't seen it btw, so I'm just speculating.

quote:

Originally posted by biznology ok, so the one person in this forum who talks the most smack about the US media thinks that the Oscar is a righteous award now? it may 'document' whatever the hell he wants it to, but that doesnt mean it tries to look at the situation in an objective manner. most 'good' documentaries try to look at both sides of the situation. just because he grew up in MI, has a membership in the NRA, and all that doesnt mean that he gives both sides equal consideration. being from colorado, i especially thought that his treatment of littleton was abysmal. i frankly thot that he would give columbine in general more respect, more time. all he did was show the security tapes (unnecessary) and then interview the people at Lockheed. it IS a major industry but it paints that area of Colorado as a war town or something. he did little to analyze the situation, culture, and economics. Matt Stone may make for an entertaining interview...but that doesnt mean that its fair and objective. the point of this 'documentary' (since you are so intent on calling it that) is to make you think. it should make you consider new viewpoints. sadly, in most of the world outside the US i think it is only reinforcing ideas that have little basis. you can make any country look stupid and violent if you only interview the stupid and violent and then compare them with the intelligentsia|

The point I was trying to make is that the Oscars categorized this film as a documentary as opposed to another sub-genre of filmmaking. By seeing the asthetic and directional characteristics of "bowling for Columbine" the oscars felt this was a documentary as opposed to a drama.

Just becuase a documentary carries a heavy political stance on a subject that you may not seem to agree with, doesnt make it less of a documentary. I actually think the fact its getting so much praise is becuase he does look at it from an objective point of view, a perspective that has made many American viewers walk out of the theatre sickened at the truth.

We all know that one side is always mediated, this documentary has made the other side viewable to the public.

And yes.... i do think that the oscars are bullshit, but it doesnt mean their categorization of films is flawed....

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrus King And yes.... i do think that the oscars are bullshit, but it doesnt mean their categorization of films is flawed....

So it's bullshit except for when it supports your point of view?

quote:

Originally posted by occrider So it's bullshit except for when it supports your point of view?

Yes i think i think the oscars are bullshit.. and that partly has to do with my opinion. But a film can appreciated by me even though i did not enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrus King Yes i think i think the oscars are bullshit.. and that partly has to do with my opinion. But a film can appreciated by me even though i did not enjoy it.

gladiator won best film.

therefore the oscars and their categorizations mean nothing to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Renegade Yes, but I think it's directed as much at the American public (who wouldn't necessarily have these preconceived stereotypes of the US in their head) as it is the rest of the world. It's aim - as I understand it - is to blatantly demonstrate to the American public the perils of loose gun-control laws (amongst other things) which may explain the bias in the way it's presented. Presenting the opposing view point may not be necessary, as it would be presumed that the majority of the target audience already holds - or is familiar - with these views. Sadly, as with most pursuits like this, it probably only serves to preach to the converted (after-all, just how available was this film in the US? Would the average citizen have gotten the chance to see it?). I haven't seen it btw, so I'm just speculating.

ok, so i will restart here. the thing that worries me about the film is that it is EASIER to see here in Sweden than in the US. and the fact of the matter is that most things the film covers arent necessarily 'common knowledge' in the US.

most people in the US didnt/wouldnt see it.

i think the film is excellent, i just worry about how it is being taken outside of the US (where inside it ISNT being 'taken' much at all). i urge all people to see it, but take it with a grain of salt. thats all|

quote:

Originally posted by biznology gladiator won best film. therefore the oscars and their categorizations mean nothing to me.

I think your failing to miss my point. We are not arguing about what is "BEST" but what a cinematic piece is categorized as. Gladiatar may not be the "best " film even though i won that category, it nonetheless is a FILM... just like an animated movie can fall under "BEST ANIMATION"... i feel like im talking to a child.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrus King I think your failing to miss my point. We are not arguing about what is "BEST" but what a cinematic piece is categorized as. Gladiatar may not be the "best " film even though i won that category, it nonetheless is a FILM... just like an animated movie can fall under "BEST ANIMATION"... i feel like im talking to a child.

yes, and its good you feel that way. you will get very far in life being arrogant and unflinching. i understand that you would like more to discuss how childlike i am instead of the film-

its just funny how i avoided being a film major because of people like you. just because you have an interest doesnt mean you are always right or know all. but as long as you believe that i guess thats all that is important. any film student giving a review or criticism of a film would do so in more than 5 sentences. theres no such thing as 'indescribable'.

so beyond debating the categorization of the Oscars i think my above comments -pertaining to the film- speak.

as for our discussion, it reminds me of a humorous quote:

Banky: That's what the Internet is for, slandering others anonymously.

and i guess that Bowling for Columbine is the best film ever made because people from the US are stupid, violent, and childlike. thank you

quote:

Originally posted by biznology yes, and its good you feel that way. you will get very far in life being arrogant and unflinching. i understand that you would like more to discuss how childlike i am instead of the film-

You understood wrong.. just like when you said this film isnt a documentary.

quote:

its just funny how i avoided being a film major because of people like you. just because you have an interest doesnt mean you are always right or know all. but as long as you believe that i guess thats all that is important. any film student giving a review or criticism of a film would do so in more than 5 sentences. theres no such thing as 'indescribable'.

I didnt know there were specific rules that one had to follow on a trance board when opening a thread about a film. This isnt a film review/criticism board

quote:

so beyond debating the categorization of the Oscars i think my above comments -pertaining to the film- speak. as for our discussion, it reminds me of a humorous quote: Banky: That's what the Internet is for, slandering others anonymously. and i guess that Bowling for Columbine is the best film ever made because people from the US are stupid, violent, and childlike. thank you

http://www.bowlingforcolumbine.com/...s/festivals.php

I think this link has sum up my point!

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