Rating: 
Summary: Truth Be Told
Review: That's what happens in this wonderful documentary about America's fascination with violence. It helped with the beginning of opening my eyes in the world we live in. I absolutely loved this piece of work by the very talented Michael Moore, I saw it 3 times in theatres!
Rating: 
Summary: Blatant distortion mixed with false emotion
Review: The only reason this movie will make you think is because it presents so many confusing/contradicting theories. At one point Moore is telling you that guns don't kill people, only capitalism does. But then he tells you only black people kill people. But then he tells you only white people kill people. But then he tells you only poverty kills people. But then he tells you guns are not bad at all. But then he tells you President Bush kills people. This was no doubt a very racist film, Moore completely stereotypes all races. The "American History" segment should have been called "Anti-American History", and the final seen with Mr. Heston was a joke. I could not believe Moore was so direspectful to a man who helps donate so much time and money for gun education in America. A little bit of searching around the internet will show you the truth behind this film...
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece--a mirror to hold up to our American hearts
Review: Michael Moore accomplishes a major feat in this high-caliber (pardon the pun) work of art! He avoids the overly simplistic, binary thought so rampant in America today and looks at a plethora of incongruencies and myths. By debunking myths held so dearly by fear-filled Americans, and by revealing many layers of hypocrisy, greed, and fear, he pushes the viewer into a state of internal shock. Who am I afraid of? Who can I trust? Why do we choose violence over diplomacy? The most prevalant underlying maxim in this American Story has nothing to do with guns, really; it is all about our lack of respect for the worth and dignity of all people.
Rating:
Summary: Not a gutterball, but not a strike
Review: People reviewing this movie are far too visceral. Question: is it a good film? Answer: Yes, it is. Question: is it entertaining? Answer: Yes, it is. Question: is it political? Answer: Yes, it is. END OF STORY. People who rate it high or low based on their opinion of the 2nd Amendment are missing the point. IT'S A MOVIE, STUPID. Go become a congressman if you want to effect change. If you want to spend an evening munching on popcorn and having a few laughs, then see this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Everyone should see this movie!
Review: Wow! I saw this movie at the theatre, then took my friends to see it, then took some more friends to see it! It's about gun control in America; however, it has a whole lot more to it than just that one theme. This is a movie that really makes you think about why our society is so violent in comparison to other countries. This movie has a really deep concept and it gets you thinking at many levels but it also had me laughing out loud in a lot of parts! There's cartoon clips & funny/sarcastic moments inserted throughout the film. I really like Michael Moore's documentary style as "the average guy"; it works for him! I've seen 2 of his other films but this one is the best. Everyone will find this movie interesting!
Rating:
Summary: Too much freedom!
Review: Ultra liberal? Hmmm, well definately not conservative. Michael Moore is making another attempt to point the finger and show you who is to blame. In Roger and Me, he pointed the finger at corporate america as the plight of the american work force. In Bowling for Columbine it's the ancient views of the conservatives and the right to bare arms, of which I am in favor in. Again, at the Academy awards the finger was pointed at our President, calling him a ficticious president. It's much easier to point the finger than to take the resposibility for oneself, especially when pointing the finger proves itself as a good way to make a living. If guns in society are truly the problem then how do you explain the increasing rate of children under 12 committing sexual molestation, rape and murder, without the use of guns? What will you point your finger at next Mr. Moore? At what point will we admit that it just may be the lack of moral and religious values that we instill in our children? Society has become so cautious not to intrude on the values and beliefs of the few, but what will become of the freedom of the masses? The value of religion in our schools is that it makes individuals resposible for themselves and their sins, even when there are no visible witnesses. Michael Moore will probably continue to entertain and maintain an audience, just as Jerry Springer has his own group of viewers. And in good form, I wish him the best of luck.
Rating:
Summary: Still the master of irony
Review: In the tradition of "Roger & Me" and his two TV series, Michael Moore uses his amazing editing skills to produce a polemical film filled with an astounding amount of irony. I am in awe of his virtuosic editing. The sheer emotional impact of his editing can't be denied. But decision making should be based on more than just emotions. No one can mistake this for an even handed, objective documentary. This is clearly propaganda. To achieve its goal, propaganda doesn't care about facts. It cares about emotions. To sway our emotions, Moore once again relies on his old technique of twisting the truth. Ignored facts, facts out of order, and sometimes outright lies. Many important facts from the pro-gun side are left out: the Founding Fathers' writings, the huge number of people who have defended themselves using guns, and the huge rise in crime rates in countries that have disarmed their citizens. Moore ponders the reason for the high murder rate in the U. S., but never really finds the answer. The best he can offer is a cynically amusing cartoon. As a flaming liberal who is also very pro-gun, I can recommend every Moore production except this one (and "Canadian Bacon," which was just plain lousy). But from a purely cinematic viewpiont, I can't recommend this highly enough. Yes, I'm torn. I certainly hope people will base their final decision on the gun issue on more than this biased, emotional movie. I hope they'll be more dispassionate and get all the facts on both sides. Moore spins an emotionally compelling story, but not the full story. As a Michigan Militia member in the movie asked, "Who's going to protect you? The cops? the government?" To his discredit, Moore never deals with the fact that the obvious answer to that question is "Neither."
Rating:
Summary: The most important film of the year.
Review: Every year a film is released which gives more proof that filmmaking is not only important but vital, Bowling For Columine is that film of 2002. "Bowling" is not a film about gun control, it is a film about fear. Moore brings out the the useful tool of fear induced media and politics. He lays this tool on the table free of the mask.
Rating:
Summary: A Moving docu-comedy
Review: Let me start out by saying that I think that this is the best documentary ever made. After I left the theater I remember my girlfriend saying that "everyone should have to watch that movie" and I agree for the most part. Although, I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone that took part in the Dixie Chicks CD bashing last spring. This movie takes you on a journey to find out why America is so freaking trigger happy and at no point do they come right out and say it, but you'll know by the end of the film. Moore, like a true patriot, criticizes America, it's government, it's foreign policy, and the media. At some points it seemed as though Moore was jumping all over the place, talking about American history, the weapons industry, gun laws, the media's treatment of blacks, columbine, and militias. It is apparent though that all of these topics are important in understanding the complexity of America's obsession with violence. This film has sad moments, hilarious moments, and tense moments, but it seems to be mostly a comedy until the end when Moore confronts Mr. Heston of the NRA. I was shocked at how hard Michael Moore was on Charlton Heston and it kinda gave me a bad feeling. It was a tense awkward scene that almost makes Michael seem like the bad guy. However, at the end, when he leave a picture of a little girl killed in school by a gun it reminds you that Mr. Heston's NRA was only concerned with gun rights when this girl was killed, so they held a rally near her home. I respect Mr. Moore for leaving this scene in tact instead of cutting it down to make himself look better. In real life things don't often happen how we want them to and this final scene captures an awkward real life situation.
Rating:
Summary: Mandatory Viewing for all Americans...
Review: Amazingly frank and poignant film from a man who is not afraid to ask the hardest questions or tell the most painful truths.
|
