Michael Moore's 'Capitalism' economical with facts

[cal04]

Deborah Young, Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE58702F20090908

Twenty years after "Roger & Me" introduced Michael Moore to the world as a politically engaged documentary maker with a strong knack for showmanship, "Capitalism: A Love Story" sums up his disgust with corporate America and its devastating effect on the lives of ordinary people.

Ending on the notes of the "Internationale" as Moore theatrically encircles New York banks with crime scene tape, the film launches a call for socialism via a popular uprising against the evils of capitalism and free enterprise. Although it's less focused than "Sicko" or "Fahrenheit 9/11," this competition entry is a typical Moore oeuvre: funny, often over the top and of dubious documentation, but with strongly made points that leave viewers much to ponder and debate after they walk out of the theater.

The Paramount Vantage/Overture release opens in limited release on Sept. 23 in New York and Los Angeles.

Simplifications are Moore's stock-in-trade, and his documentaries are not known for their impeccable research and objectivity. But here his talent is evident in creating two hours of engrossing cinema by contrasting a fast-moving montage of 50s archive images extolling free enterprise with the economic disaster of the present. Given the desperate state of the world economy, this provocative film should find attentive audiences along with many angry detractors who will give it free publicity.

As in his previous films, Moore is himself the chief character, offscreen narrator and investigator. Wearing his inseparable baseball cap and T-shirt, he pretends wide-eyed surprise as his interview subjects recount personal dramas related to America's economic meltdown. These are genuinely moving stories: a couple whose farm is in foreclosure, a family that discovers the father's company has taken out a lucrative insurance policy and earned $5 million on his premature death, tearful workers whose factory is suddenly shut down, commercial airline pilots so underpaid they live on food stamps.

[rfranklin]

1. I think his films are very well researched...even though they

may not meet MSM's "even handedness" rules of journalism, which we all know result in very big liars getting to look as if they deserve consideration.

[Doctor_J]

2. Dubious documentation?

How many people have sued MM successfully over his "dubious documentation"? I pretty much figured that Big Media, which are all capitalist enterprises, would come out bashing this movie.

[DJ13]

3. Here comes the corporate hit pieces

Expect both barrels.

[marmar]

4. Reuters? I'm SHOCKED !!!!!

Contrary to what the Guardian UK, Independent UK AND EVEN BLOOMBERG NEWS SERVICE AND TIME had to say about the movie.


I call a huge pile of Bullshit.

[rurallib]

5. After all the complaints about Sicko one exec (Potter) finally admitted

on the Moyers show that it was totally factual.
Despite M$M claims, Moore puts out factual films

[Prophet 451]

6. the "socialism" canard was to be expected

It's become standard practice now; suggest any fault, expose any abuse or suggest any reform whatsoever to the free market uber alles crowd and they'll scream "SOCIALISM!".