Bowling for Columbine
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Movie Reviews of Bowling for Columbine
Movie Review: Too Good
Summary: 5 Stars
Honestly, I saw this movie about 4-5 months ago and thought it was kind of ok/slightly boring. But after 4-5 months of actually following U.S. politics and policies, I watched this DVD again and I was impressed.
I'm not going to get into any arguments for or against gun control because that's not the (most) important issue in my opinion. The important issue which is shown in this movie (I suggest you read a book or two by Moore and Hegenomy or Survival by Noam Chomsky to really appreciate this documentary) is what is the cause of fear in Americans? Why do we always use minorities, non-Christians, the poor, etc. as the scapegoats for our problems? Why do we beat up on people who can't fight back - while at the same time give huge tax cuts to corporations and the rich.
Of course Moore has a great way of showing emotion and I cried a couple of times while watching the movie.
I won't get into the story, other reviewers can probably do that much better than me. One part which was very important was when Moore plays the song, "It's a Wonderful World" and talks about how time after time again the U.S. has overthrown democratically elected leaders and installed dictators or supported dictators financially and with weapons. He even talks about the Taliban and Saddam!! And this movie was made before we invaded Iraq.
One thing I really like about Moore is that he actually shows the story from the point of view of minorities. Instead of politicians or corporation owners who take pictures with minorities and make sure there is plenty of media to see, Moore actually cares about helping minorities instead of making dumb jokes about them like people do on TV or using them for photo ops.
The welfare to work part of the movie is really good. That's something a normal person like me would never have had the brain power to think of unless someone spells it out. The way Dick Clark does not listen really bugged me. And the part with Charton Heston saying his "colored people" remark made me angry.
Finally, Moore is a brave brave man. Going up against the 3 million member strong NRA, unflinchingly talking to the Michigan Militia, arguing with the psycho who showed Moore the gun in his bedroom and walking down South central L.A., Moore has guts.
10,000 stars out of 5!
Movie Review: riveting documentary about violence in America
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen all of Michael Moore's films, and enjoyed them all, and I believe this is the best film he's made. In the past I've sometimes been uncomfortable when Moore puts underlings on the spot, harassing them for the actions of corporate heads, but happily that never happens here. Instead, each scene is thoughtful and insightful, raising provocative questions that any thoughtful person -- conservative or liberal -- should ask themselves about violence in this country. I've long been interested in this issue and have read a lot, but I still found surprising information here. It's easy to think that we are more violent (with over eleven thousand gun deaths a year) because we watch violent movies and play violent video games -- but so do the Japanese; it's easy to think we may be more violent because we have a violent past -- but so do Germans; it's easy to think we might be more violent because we have so many guns in this country -- but so do Canadians.Moore travels to Littleton Colorado, Flint Michigan, California and Canada, and he speaks to law enforcement officials, teachers, Marilyn Manson, Charleton Heston and Columbine students as he tries to piece together what makes America so uniquely violent. Moore and his team come up with some answers, but even more questions, in this important film.
DVD extras are plentiful and include: a trailer; a short introduction by Moore; a 15-minute monologue about his Academy Award acceptance speech (though the Academy wouldn't let Moore use footage of the event); film commentary by secretaries, interns and production assistants; a talk Moore gave to a Littleton, Colorado, crowd in February 2003; a 16-minute featurette about the film's reception at Cannes, the Oscars and the Toronto Film Festival; and Marilyn Manson's "Fight Song" music video.
The issue of violence in America should supersede politics, and Moore does not mention politics in the film. When so many of us have been touched by violence, it is in ALL our interests to try to make sense of it and improve the situation. Do conservatives OR liberals want to live in a world where we are afraid, where we are victimized, where we are torn from friends and relatives by violence? This is an important issue and Moore has made an important film. Great viewing with a group -- lively discussion afterward!
Movie Review: Enlightening and informative
Summary: 5 Stars
"Bowling For Columbine" wonderfully explores the reality of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. Michael Moore asks, "what causes violence if it's not the guns?" He proves that there is no certain answer. His outspokenness and his deep information deserves the honor as the highest grossing documentary in movie history and the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.Three celebrities: Charlton Heston, Dick Clark, and Marilyn Manson are featured. Charlton Heston is the president of NRL (National Rifle Association). Moore argues the appropriateness of Heston speaking in a pro-gun rally ten days after the Columbine school shooting and again ten days after a six-year old girl was shoot in a Michigan school by a peer classmate. Dick Clark's short scene in the documentary expressed his inconsideration toward the slain girl. Moore approaches his van asking for an interview. Moore revealed that her mom is forced to work 70 hours per week in a welfare job sponsered by Clark. Clark's reaction is shocking! Marilyn Manson is the only featured celebrity who speaks brilliantly. Manson reveals his reaction toward being blamed for inspiring Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold to shoot 12 students and a teacher in their school. He shares what actions he's take if he could meet the two troubled kids.
Moore asks "are we safe in our houses?" He travels to Canada and parts of the US interviewing random citizens about their beliefs. They answer what often happens to those who don't lock their doors. However, the opposite is expressed while he asks, "why are we always scared?" An LAPD shockingly reveals why no one is arrested for creating pollution, which is more dangerous than guns. An illustrated scene gives an informative brief history of American fear.
"Bowling For Columbine" is an eye opening experience. It's recommended that everybody watches this at least twice. It will inspire Americans to act upon their beliefs as did Michael Moore. One never knows their capabities until they work. Parents should present this documentary to their kids as it will enlighten their future. However, there are some violent images presenting actual gun murders. Those who are disturbed by this should fast forward those scenes. "Bowling For Columbine" will stand as an American history artifact in the near future.
Movie Review: Clever 'movie', highly worth the watch.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll be honest. I heard of 'Bowling for Columbine' before the Oscars, but never paid much notion. Until I heard Moore's Oscar speech on the radio. I was amazed that anyone would dare to speak out so sharply against the Bush administration on such an event. Sadly, though, the movie was unavailable to me for a long time... Amazon's English counterpart DOES have it for sale. (Region 2).
The movie is built around the shootout at the Columbine high school, where two teenagers opened fire on their fellow students. Moore wonders what possessed these two, and makes it his mission to find out why the US shows such a ridiculously high number of murders when compared to other nations such as Canada, the UK, Germany, etc.
He interviews various people, ranging from NRA's chief spokes goblin Charlton Heston, relatives of the kids who got killed, victims of the Columbine shootout, and bad-boy rocker Marilyn Manson (Who is named as one source of violence in kids).
As the documentary proceeds, Moore weeds out a few of the often-named arguments of why anyone would go postal. Violent movies are also watched in other countries, Marilyn Manson is also listened to in other countries, Canadians own more guns-per-capita than the US, and not just the US has a violent history.
The underlying conclusion as the movie proceeds seems to be that Americans are kept in control by fear; time after time, the US Government uses the media to strike fear into it's subject's hearts. This (according to the movie) leads to the 'Shoot first, ask questions later' mentality that could in turn explain why the number of killings in the US is as high as it is.
A very striking moment (in my opinion) is when Moore takes two victims to K-mart's HQ, and kindly asks them to stop selling ammo for handguns. Initially, they seem to have hit a brick wall, but when they return the day after (with more press in their tracks than Michael Jackson usually gets), a statement is made that K-mart indeed will stop selling said ammo.
Moore raises some very valid points, often combined with a great touch of humour, and we can only hope that enough people will go and watch this movie. If Moore succeeds in just making ONE person reconsider taking up their gun and using it to cause death and mayhem, THAT'S when the movie REALLY proved successful.
Movie Review: Bowling with Live Ammo
Summary: 5 Stars
In his latest film, "Bowling for Columbine," Michael Moore takes us on a journey to try to answer the big question: "Why is America so violent?" Is it the violent movies? Could it be that we listen to a lot of disturbing music? Maybe it's because we're too in love with firearms. Well, as the film goes on, we find out that all of the other countries love violent movies, disturbing music, and guns just as much as we do (even more so, in some cases). Interesting questions are brought up that offer new points that rarely have been discussed before (like the impact of news programs). We get more insight into the "Columbine Massacre," and the impact guns can have on a child. What we get is an interesting ride that is filled with humor and heart.Again, I'm no "Michael Moore" cheerleader; as I do not agree with him on everything he's said in the past. However, I think he does a great job in his documentaries. I even found "Bowling for Columbine" to be better than his first film, "Roger & Me." You're not supposed to take everything that is said here to heart. That's not what Moore wants at all. The film's purpose is to bring up some different point of views and give us some very different questions that we have never encountered before. In the end, it is YOU who decides what is going on and if you believe some of the things that are presented in this movie.
The DVD is EXCELLENT when it comes to special features. This 2-disk Special Edition includes extras like an exclusive interview with Michael Moore, commentary, Marilyn Manson's "Fight Song" music video, trailer, photo gallery, "The Charlie Rose Show," and so much more. The film looks and sounds great, as the budget and quality improved greatly with this one.
"Bowling for Columbine" isn't here to offer you solutions. Nor is it here to make you think the way Michael Moore thinks and feels. In the end, it is only a movie, and nothing more. It's up to you to decide if it's going to have an impact on your life in some way or not. Even if you don't like Moore or agree with the man on every single thing, it is still very much possible to enjoy this film. This goes down as one of my new favorites.