Capitalism: A Love Story

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: How and why capitalism rose to power in America, and how and why it has caused the demise of democracy in the USA.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: 1% rich people, 99% poor people, and of course, Michael Moore-- a member of a group so rare that there is no longer a place for them in the pie chart of American demographics: the middle class.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Vive la Revolution!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: You know it will. Michael Moore is wacky.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Will it ever. I don't know about you, but not a lot makes me cry harder than blatant injustices done to hard working people, by those who have way more than what they need.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If Moore has his way, this film will cause an uprising amongst the peasants-- that's us, it turns out (you'll see). If his uprising succeeds, the film will one up the awards system by going down in history as a major catalyst, in what hereafter will be known as the American Civil Revolution. (I made the term up, and yes, you can quote me on that.)

Q: How is the Acting?

A: There are a lot of down and out people who've worked hard their whole lives, just to get pooped on by the banks that their tax dollars bailed out. They are both heartbreaking and inspirational. But the star of the film for me was Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, who showed true signs of being in government because she actually cares about the people. I'm currently considering moving to Ohio just so I can vote for her... Hey, I got an idea: Marcy Kaptur for president! (You heard it here first.)

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Michael Moore does 2 things really well in this film. 1) He uses clips of pre-existing footage in inventive ways to do everything from parallel our society with that of Ancient Rome to demonstrating how we got brainwashed, back in the 1950s, into thinking that Capitalism was the same thing as Democracy. It's not. 2) He leaves most of the footage of himself on the cutting room floor.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I was wondering how Moore would tackle a topic so enormous in a 2 hour film, and one technique he uses to deal with that is to make the film more than 2 hours long. That said, he unveils a lot of scary stuff you don't know, inside some of the scary stuff you do know. He weaves the story together in a somewhat arbitrary way at first, but all the pieces come back together by the end. And most importantly, he actually offers solutions and suggestions as to ways we can change and improve our society.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: One small but brilliant thing that Michael Moore does in this piece, is to enlist several men of the cloth to expound upon their beliefs that Capitalism is evil. Greed, it turns out, is not good, because Jesus pretty much said so, which proves it. I love that Moore thought to call dibs on the Christians, because everyone knows that whoever gets the Christians wins the votes. And now they can't rag on him and call him a manipulator of the truth without going against their own priests, bishops and ministers. Ha-ha!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/capitalism-a-love-story/35590/trailers

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I.O.U.S.A.

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This documentary tells the story of how we accumulated our gigantic National Debt, and how its increasing severity could bring the American Empire to an end.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: David Walker, Warren Buffet, Robert Rubin, Robert Bixby, Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker... For those of you who don't have an MBA, these are all financial experts, most of whom have worked at the highest levels of government.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Because you need to know... Even though it will give you a panic attack.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There is a funny clip from a Saturday Night Live advertisement for a book that teaches you how to stay out of debt. It's called, "Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford."

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Obviously.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It was shortlisted today for the Academy Awards.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: It's refreshing to see government officials speaking so candidly about bad news. And by "refreshing" I mean, "Please go back to lying to me."

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Sometimes there are too many graphs and charts on the screen at once, and you're not sure where your eye is supposed to go... I suppose there is a lot to explain, in not very much time, but trying to make us think you're smart by confusing us with visual aids is not playing fair.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This film does a nice job of putting all this complicated mumbo-jumbo into terms anyone with an 8th Grade education can understand.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: It may be a tough one to find, but it's worth tracking down on Netflix or PBS if it's not playing at a theater near you.

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Running with Arnold

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger, which takes you from his humble roots as an under-educated Austrian boy, through his rise to fame, fortune, and power.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Alec Baldwin narrates. Playing themselves are: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, Gray Davis, Maria Shriver, Bill Maher, Arianna Huffington, Presidents Bush I & II, Kenneth Lay, Nixon, Reagan, Rob Schneider, Warren Beatty, and too many more to mention.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. To be honest, you won't have a choice. It's only playing in one theater, in one city, for one more day.* The good news is it's being distributed on Netflix starting this week, and it will probably play better on your TV, anyway. It is well worth the watch if you have any interest whatsoever in learning about Arnold as a body builder, an actor, or a politician. This movie gets to the bottom of why Arnold is so compelled to always push himself further... but it doesn't really get to the bottom of why Californians are so compelled to always vote for him.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Arnold is a funny guy... I don't think I mean that in a good way.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you haven't yet given up on the democratic process, this movie will continue to crush your spirit.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Not if nobody knows it exists.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Even after reading Alec Baldwin's name in the opening credits, I forgot it was him narrating, while watching the film. It could have been anybody. I'm not sure he gave this one his all. In contrast, this may be Arnold's best performance ever. It's almost like he was born to play the role. If he does ever go back to acting, I hope producers will remember how good he is at playing a total douche.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The film starts well, presenting a thesis and following it through chronologically, but the ending is abrupt and inconclusive in some ways. After a strong argument, the film ends with a fizzle. Still, the beginning and middle are memorable and informative.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Arnold as a character study is larger than life. He's almost like a fictional prototype of the narcissistic, power hungry man who will stop at nothing to win... I only say 'almost' because he's not fictional.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: *It's playing in L.A. at the Laemelle Sunset 5, on Thursday, January 17th.

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Zeitgeist

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A fascinating documentary analysis of organized religion, 9/11, and the master plan of the rich tycoons behind the wars of the past Century.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nobody.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go!... Or stay home. It's only playing on the internet. It's controversial, and you may not like or agree with what it has to say, but it will definitely get you thinking and keep you thinking. Beware if you are highly Christian or a Bush family fan, as it might make you angry. But while your reaction may differ from those who are not, it is still an interesting point of view to check out-- and it's free!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you don't believe the filmmaker's conspiracy theories you might laugh at it. If you do believe them, you'll be too busy crying.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Not in a good way. May I suggest you just kill yourself now?

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'm thinking it's good for a Webby for best internet marketing of an internet movie... But I have no idea if that even remotely resembles a category.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The narrator does a fine job of using dramatic tones to work you into a needless frenzy.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Terrible. There are minutes at a time of black screen, over which you hear the narrator's voice. You can practically watch the movie with your eyes closed.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There are three parts, and it's sometimes hard to tell how they are connected, but the information cased within each part is scary, emotional, and makes you wonder how much you can trust anyone in a position of power... including the makers of this film.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: The web address to watch it is: http://zeitgeistmovie.com

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