F911, first day, first show, Sacramento, California

[joefree1]

When my brother and I arrived there was only three other people. Geez, thought we've only got fifteen minutes to go and there's only five us.

That's was before I took a second look at my cell phone clock and realized we were actually an hour early. The theater quickly filled up soon after. The ushers had to chase out folks trying to sit in the aisles.

The movie? Yeah, we laughed and we cried, but it was almost too much to take in. Michael Moore tooks us on a long, long roller coaster ride.

While there's moments when Michael Moore will have you rolling on the floor, there's are also moments that will make you cringe or wince with emotion. The moments with the American mother who had lost her son to the Iraq war was really painful. That's not to mention the cries of pain from Iraqi Mothers.

Goddamn the puppet masters who control this regime. I don't believe in hell but if there is one, they've got a front row seat on the train to damnation.



See what other DUers are doing for F911 opening night:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x8384

[niceypoo]

1. When you see it again BRING PRETZELS

to give to protesters and toss at the screen whenever Chimpys face is shown. Yell "Have a pretzel" when you toss it!

[Arugula Latte]

8. I'd advise against throwing them at the screen

We don't want to cause unnecessary clean-up trouble for the minimum wage workers there! Plus, we want theater owners to be rewarded for choosing to show this film.

[Eloriel]

18. Absolutely. Good concept, BAD implementation.

Thanks for saying something.

[Sushi-Lover]

2. F911, first day, first show, Davis, California

Hey neighbor (sort of) :) We went to the first show which turned out to be a good idea because the two night shows were sold out. When we left we went past a line of people waiting to get in to the next showing. It made me feel sort of contemplative and sick at the same time. A lot like Saving Private Ryan I think.

[joefree1]

3. Yeah, I know what you mean

Glad that the truth was coming out, sick that the Bush got this far.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Welcome to DU! :^)

[Innoma]

4. F911, Second Show, Fresno, CA

(NOTE: I'd post this as a new thread, but with a history of 3 whole posts, that's not possible, so...)

I managed to persuade an avidly apolitical friend of mine to go see the second showing of F911 today in Fresno, CA. In his younger days, my friend was a theatre employee, so my attempts to get to the film early were met with very high skepticism. "It's a documentary," he said. "There'll be plenty of seats left. Trust me!" As it turned out, I'd say the theatre was at about 90-95% capacity, so its a good thing we got there early!

I pretty much knew going in Fahrenheit 9/11 would be more polemic than documentary, but that's okay because an artfully done, incendiary polemic can be just as effective (if not more so) than a coldly reasonable, objective documentary. More hit his targets on occassion with humor, sarcasm and pathos, to which the audience responded enthusiastically (incldung a round of applause both at the conclusion of the film and during a segment critical of Rumsfeld). But I think that reaction was due less to the fiery nature of the film than with many people's growing distaste of the current administration. While the overall arc of the film was smooth and sustainable, I had really hoped for a far greater impact -- after all, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft and Rice have loads and loads of material in their sordid repetoire that should be able to make even a person on their deathbed rise up in righteous fury.

I think Fahrenheit 9/11 would probably be most effective for those like my friend; people who are essentially apolitical, to which the material in the movie will prove to be a real eye-opener, as opposed to those of us who have been reading and keeping up-to-date these last few years. In that sense, I think, you could call the film an unqualified success if its able to bring that information to a largely apathetic nation. Had Moore had no trouble in finding a distributor, and had their been no right-wing outrage and subsequent attention, I think Fahrenheit 9/11 would have fallen off the radar reasonably soon. In that sense, we owe those opposed to the movie a debt of gratitude for ensuring it will get widely viewed.

I've sometimes worried that right-wingers might try to top Fahrenheit 9/11 with their own version of "Triumph of the Will," but given the characters in question and their recent history of failure, I somehow doubt they will be able to pull that one off -- at least not to the degree that it would usurp Moore's film.

Overall, I'd probably rate Fahrenheit 9/11 as a B or a B minus. Its certainly a good enough film, and it may end up proving to be historically momentous in helping to unseat a current government. But given the material available to be mined, I think Moore is a good shot, but not quite an expert marksman.

And that's just my own personal opinion (accent on the last word, please!).

[Tom Kitten]

7. good review...

and welcome to the Du, Innoma!:hi:

[Arugula Latte]

9. How did your friend react?

eom

[Innoma]

12. His reaction was...

He thought the film to be more entertaining and interesting than he had imagined. Before the movie started, he threatened me with having to go to a movie of HIS choosing next time, such as the next Olsen Twins flick (which he knows I would view as absolute torture).

He's pretty much apolitical, but he wasn't surprised by the shady character of the people onscreen since he says that's the sorta thing he expects from politicians.

But, when I asked him if I could sign him up to vote against Bush, he didn't discard the idea out of hand like he would have BEFORE the movie (seeing as how he has never voted once in his entire life).

Given that, I would say the film had the right impact on him. Now I gotta get some of my other friends and parents to go!

[joefree1]

10. Welcome to DU Innoma!

And wait for the "Hunting of a President" to come out. It might satisfy your taste for the less "polemic" and more documentary.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Welcome to DU :^)

[Misunderestimator]

19. Welcome to DU, and really great opinion...

The audience reacted similarly here... there was a loud whoop that went up in the audience when the soldier being interviewed in Iraq said that if he were to see Rumsfeld today, he would ask for his resignation.

I took an apolitical friend as well, who is now inspired to do something... even if it's just to vote.

[shanti]

5. that's great to hear!

i'm planning to see it in folsom tomorrow with my teen son.

[Ernesto]

6. Great to hear that Sac area really does have some DUers!

It's been a long silent trip for me.... I was getting used to feeling all alone..... Anyway, I'll check F911 during next week cause I can (I'm retired).

[joefree1]

11. you got to get out more

I'm actually up here visiting my parents from LA. But Sacto has a huge liberal community. Read the local free press. See some art films at the Crest or the Tower theater.

And of course check here at DU.

[Ernesto]

13. Aw so you are a foriegner, I should have known

You are a master of the obvious. kid. I'm probably older than your parents. In the mean time, I've been here (DU) from almost day 1. It would be great to hook up with local DUers, if they exist.

[Melinda]

16. We exist, Ernesto :-) (2nd show, Tower Theatre, Part of Move-on Crowd)

I haven't posted my thoughts on the film; so much of what I could say would be redundant, and so much of what I must pen must wait for the tears to subside... I simply can't work through all of the emotions at this time and share my feelings.

Many of us who volunteer for MoveOn.org were there handing out leaflets inviting all those who saw the film to participate in "A National Town Hall Meeting" this coming Monday, June 28th, via live interactive hookups at thousands of house parties. I should and will post a thread about this, but those who read this and want more information can and should visit:

http://actionmoveonpac.org/f911/

You can find a house party in your area at the above URL.

Ernesto, you might also wish to visit:

http://sacramentofordemocracy.org/

This is a local group of area activists dedicated to removing Bush next November; voter registration is the primary focus, and I am pleased to announce that they registered more than 35 new voters last night at the Tower (the theatre allowed all of our mutaul political activities on site - so cool), AND many people who were formerly registered Independent, Libertarian AND Republican reregistered with the Democratic party last night after seeing the film.

Amazing, simply amazing.

I encourage you to join us. :hi:

[Ernesto]

21. Well Melinda..... You seem to ROCK!

Thanks for the info..... I'm going to check those sites out. Talk to ya later & THANKS again.

[Kickin_Donkey]

22. Yuba-Sutter here ...

you know, the great unwashed about 35 miles past Natomas.

After the crowds subside, I'll probably make a run down to Sac to see F9/11, if it hasn't already come here .. you never know.

I've seen only a few Valley DUers on the message boards. A couple of months ago there was a thread about the Apple facility in Elk Grove laying off workers, and surpisingly a few DUers from Elk Grove came out of the woodwork.

I've been lurking on DU since mid-2000 (though I only registered recently), and as far as I can tell, I'm the only DUer between Sac and the Oregon border. You think it's been lonely ...

[Fleshdancer]

17. Movie theater workers were sitting in the aisle

I don't know if they planned to do it or if they were curious from the sheer amount of people that waited in line to see it, but whatever the reason, I'm glad they decided to join us. :)

[warrior1]

20. Sacramento checking in

Me and my brother are going tomorrow. I've heard they've added more theater's.