Maybe I’m tipsy from all the Barack Obama "Yes We Can!" Kool Aid, or maybe I’ve just gotten soft in my post-idealistic-college-kid years (and years…and years), but I caught myself groaning at news of a new Michael Moore film in the works, this time with his sights set on the global financial crisis. I’ve always been pretty well aligned with Moore ideologically, and I laughed, clapped, and yelled out loud in the theater during Moore’s last political documentary, 2004′s Fahrenheit 9/11. But in this post-’08-Election period, I’m trying very hard to put my anger and embitterment behind me and hope for "change," as we say nowadays. And as much as I’ve typically enjoyed Moore’s exposés, the one thing they’re in short supply of is hope. Apparently, the filmmaker’s focus on the economy is already a shift from his original idea, which was to cover American foreign policy, but I’m frankly not convinced Moore is capable of making a movie that doesn’t highlight how screwed up everything is — albeit in a humorous, thought-provoking manner — and leave us feeling like a bunch of helpless, broke-ass victims. Unless Obama very quickly disappoints this country and causes us to once again give up hope, I’m thinking a new Moore movie will flop just as Oliver Stone’s W did.
What about you? Psyched for more Moore? Think he’s capable of doing anything that engenders hope? Would you want him to even try?
Moore has never seemed like a “solutions” kind of guy. He is content with taking a wholly one-sided view of an issue and pounding it into the ground. Just once, you wish he’d turn that big, bad brain onto how we’re supposed to fix a problem. But I just don’t think he has it in him. Finger-pointing just for the sake of finger-pointing just seems so 2000-2008, doesn’t it.
I am as joyous as the rest of the world over Obama’s victory. But let’s not forget that he is still a politician, and as such, is just as capable of f*cking up as every other President before him. We may have the promise of hope before us, but it would be very niave for us think that all is right (or will be) right with the world again. We as a people (including Michael Moore) cannot let our guard down on the conditions of the world just because we have a new president-elect. Moore should just keep on doing what he’s doing. Somebody has to.
To Rich: I’m with you!! I have been trying to explain this to my friends for some time…I’m tired of him being viewed as a genius or something…
i’ve always been a fan of michael moore, and am really excited for his take on this situation. sometimes, it’s not about finding a solution, but just finding a common understanding of the problem.
YES I AM in the mood for Michael Moore. Always +forever.
Michael Moore used to dig up the issues for the sake of good documentary-making. Now his process is too inorganic to be taken seriously. It all feels like a capitalistic ploy, which doesn’t really jive well when your topic is the economy.
Michael Moore has less of a chance of figuring out what is going on with the economy than Paulson. Anyone can find quotes and situations to support their preconceived view. Michael Moore is no more more fair and balanced than FOX news.
I am guessing this will be as memorable as his ACTUAL last political “documentary” – Sicko.
After watching Bowling and F 911, I have had enough of him. The guy doesn’t make documentaries. He makes bombastic, ill-informed propoganda pieces. Its not about examining or promoting an issue, its about him. F 911 was so self-contradictory and meandering, I was shocked at the good reviews. He harms liberal causes.
I am very much looking forward to what Mr. Moore has to say.
With “Bowling”, he looked at the perplexing issue of our violence problem, while not taking a firm stance as to what to do. He was content to raise the questions.
With Sicko, there was no doubt about the solution. In many ways, it was his kindest, simplest, most straight forward film.
I’m with Rich, Tiger et al. I’m really not in the mood to get repeatedly and unsubtly bashed over the head with Michael Moore’s personal agenda when I watch a movie.
Farenhype 9/11. If you “laughed, clapped, and yelled out loud in the theater during Moore’s…2004′s Fahrenheit 9/11″ then you’ll be blinded by the truth in the DVD “Farenhype 9/11″.
Here’s what I think Moore should do. He should make a finale documentary, kinda a film that ends with the song “Imagine” by John Lennon over a montage of what his films was supposed to tell us about America. Than he should pull out a script and try his hand at a fictional film.
Did you not see Sicko? It’s ultimately as hopeful as any political documentary I’ve ever seen.
I just watched this guy on Larry King Live discussing the auto industry and economy in Michigan and so forth. I’m shocked at how uninformed, childish, and self-serving this guy is. He really doesn’t have anything useful to say, doesn’t draw on any facts, and doesn’t offer any thought provoking or useful insights. Basically just like to complain and find fault in others. Useless blabbering…i think we’ve seen enough from this idiot.