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| Movie Review: Capitalism: A Love Story Alternate Title: Greed is Not Good
Story: Michael Moore
has done it again. Whether you are a fan (I am) or not, you have to
give him credit for fighting the good fight for the last 20 years (since
the brilliant 1989, Roger & Me). This time he takes on America's love affair with
capitalism and our present economic debacle. He points fingers, names
names and illustrates how the cult of corruption, outlandish greed and
casino like behavior of the big banks and Wall Street have landed us
in the fine mess that we now find ourselves. With his usual broad brush, he paints a picture
of how the 95% of the population that does not reap the rewards of our
grotesque system have bought into the American dream of becoming rich
and powerful. He points his finger directly at Ronald Reagan and the
ensuing 30 year collapse of regulation that has allowed this system
to go amuck. Just when you think your head is about to explode
with all of the information he is illustrating he injects some very
needed comic relief to assuage the tension. Like most of Moore's films,
he leaves us with a glimmer of hope if we, the people can find our way.
The power of the voting booth can not be dispelled. My biggest gripe is that he never injects the
idea that we, the people, have to take some responsibility for our own
personal excesses. Short of that, it is a terrific film and if you have
any money left to go to the movies - you should go to see this film.
Take a fiscal conservative along with you. It makes for excellent exiting
chit chat. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeROnVUADj0 Acting: It is a documentary - so acting does not
count.
Trivia: Michael Moore briefly served as both editor
and columnist for Mother Jones magazine. He raised money for the production
of his first film, Roger & Me (1989), by running neighborhood bingo
games in his house. He is a card carrying member of the National Rifle
Association. Moore told Tim Russert that he joined so as to be elected
its president and then dismantle the organization.
Predilection: I am a big fan of Michael Moore and
am not much of a capitalist (although some of my very good friends definitely
are beholden to that group).
Sex Spectrum: None - although we are all being screwed.
Blatant Product Placement: I do not think any of
the corporations that were mentioned in this movie wanted to be seen.
Soundtrack: Moore always uses tracks that emphasize
his point and make you chuckle. He uses Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi by
Carl Orff to dramatically show his list of villains corporations. I
found the song used on this tribute to the three greatest captains from
the Star Trek Universe. It has nothing to do with Moore's movie but
I liked it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsVhuTF_3k8
Opening Titles: Moore shows the fall of the Roman
empire juxtaposed against our crumbling society.
Theater Audience: About 25% filled on the first show
of the first day. I was accompanied by my sister (who shares most of
my political views) and my returning movie buddy who says he is socially
liberal and fiscally conservative. We applauded with the crowd at the
film's end.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: It was difficult to watch the families
who discovered that the companies that their beloved deceased worked
for had taken out life insurance policies on their employees life. These
horrible actions are called 'dead peasant' policies. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/P64954.asp
Drift Factor: I did look at my watch a few times.
The film could have been edited a bit.
Predictability Level: Sadly, high.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen. Have a Michael
Moore festival and rent: Roger & Me (still my favorite
one), Canadian Bacon, The Big One, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit
9/11 and Sicko.
Length: 2 hours
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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