Michael Moore - brilliant and uplifting

[deep]

It must be true.

I read it on Fox News site


They report.
We decide.

'Sicko' Shows Michael Moore's Maturity as a Filmmaker


Fox News

Sunday , May 20, 2007
By Roger Friedman


Filmmaker Michael Moore's brilliant and uplifting new documentary, "Sicko," deals with the failings of the U.S. healthcare system, both real and perceived. But this time around, the controversial documentarian seems to be letting the subject matter do the talking, and in the process shows a new maturity.

Unlike many of his previous films ("Roger and Me," "Bowling for Columbine," "Fahrenheit 9-11"), "Sicko" works because in this one there are no confrontations. Moore smartly lets very articulate average Americans tell their personal horror stories at the hands of insurance companies. The film never talks down or baits the audience.

"This film is a call to action," Moore said at a press conference on Saturday. "It's also not a partisan film."

Indeed, in "Sicko," Moore criticizes both Democrats and Republicans for their inaction and in some cases their willingness to be bribed by pharmaceutical companies and insurance carriers.

In a key moment in the film, Moore takes a group of patients by boat to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba because of its outstanding medical care. When they can't get into the U.S. naval base, Moore proceeds onto Havana where the patients are treated well and cheaply.

This has caused a great deal of controversy, with the federal government launching an investigation into the trip, which officials say was in violation of the trade and commerce embargo against the Communist country.

"This administration flaunts the law, flaunts the constitution," Moore said at the press conference, explaining the flap over the trip to Cuba.

Moore now claims the U.S. government says his Cuban footage may be illegal, and Moore said he made a second master copy of "Sicko" and had it shipped it to France immediately just in case of potential government issues.

[Ormus]

I believe that Friedman also gave a positive review to "Fahrenheit 9-11," as well, if my memory serves me correctly.

I'm surprised that they haven't fired him yet...heh.

[AchtungBono]

Which only goes to show that Fox IS fair and balanced and have no problem giving credit where credit is due and they don't bash anyone just for the sake of bashing.......

Fox News ROCKS!!!!!

[Diemen]

One example proves it, huh?

[Chizip]

In a key moment in the film, Moore takes a group of patients by boat to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba because of its outstanding medical care. When they can't get into the U.S. naval base, Moore proceeds onto Havana where the patients are treated well and cheaply.

I don't get it. Is he saying random people should be allowed to just go up to a military facility and get free treatment?

Getting turned away from a civilian hospital because you don't have insurance is one thing, getting turned away from Guantamo Bay is another. I don't see what this is trying to prove.

[phanan]

It's not very clear in that article, that's for sure.

[deep]

Originally posted by Diemen
One example proves it, huh?

the exception, proves the rule



as for this film,

It is getting good reviews other sources, also

It seems Moore has made a different kind of film, less confrontational.

[Diemen]

I dunno, the whole "let's drive a boatload of people to Guantanamo" shtick seems like typical Moore sensationalism.

[deep]

I never watched all of Fahrenheit 911

sometimes, I think he drives his point home with a sledge hammer

I think I may watch this

the American Health care system is a train wreak, not waiting to happen,
but sure to happen

[diamond]

Originally posted by deep
I never watched all of Fahrenheit 911



the American Health care system is a train wreak, not waiting,

Is that like a stinky train?

[Sylvia127]

Originally posted by Diemen
I dunno, the whole "let's drive a boatload of people to Guantanamo" shtick seems like typical Moore sensationalism.

Well, there has to be some pizazz-and that is his signature style

[enggirl]

The point Moore is making by taking people to Guantanamo Bay is to say that the prisoners that our government have labeled "terrorists" (and, in many cases, are holding without trial, etc.--but that's another thread) are getting better health care than those workers who have gotten sick very likely as a result of working at Ground Zero after the towers fell. After they didn't get into the prison (as, I'm sure, Moore didn't expect they would), he took the patients to Havana where they got affordable and good care, which holds a mirror up to those who scream "Commies!!" but support a system that denies basic and affordable health coverage for millions, including children. We're supposed to be a wealthy country, but beneath the shiny, plastic, McDonald's exterior, we're rather poor indeed if we cannot help those who truly need it.

[trevster2k]

Originally posted by enggirl
The point Moore is making by taking people to Guantanamo Bay is to say that the prisoners that our government have labeled "terrorists" (and, in many cases, are holding without trial, etc.--but that's another thread) are getting better health care than those workers who have gotten sick very likely as a result of working at Ground Zero after the towers fell.

That is incredibly ironic actually since the powers that be are fighting like hell not to get stuck with any bills caring for ground zero workers. I wonder if he showed how wonderful the medical treatment, both physical and mental, is for soldiers returning from Iraq. The medical care in Guantanamo is probably top notch but mostly for the U.S soldiers and necessary to repair any damage from the "questioning" of "terrorists".

Our health care system ain't perfect and needs fixing too but it's better than no social medicare at all. But we are commie liberal socialists up here so what do we know? Although, I imagine Moore does show how other countries fare compared to the U.S.

The way I see it is if you are wealthy, the U.S is one of the greatest places to be in the Western world, if you are poor, you aren't working hard enough according to the myth of the "American dream" so stop whining.

[LPU2]

Originally posted by AchtungBono
Which only goes to show that Fox IS fair and balanced and have no problem giving credit where credit is due and they don't bash anyone just for the sake of bashing.......

Fox News ROCKS!!!!!

*LOL*

[verte76]

I don't believe this has opened in Birmingham. When it does, I'm going to see it.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

michael moore is as brilliant and uplifting as my taint.

he regularly takes good ideas and fills them with mistruths and flat out lies in order to futher what may have very well been a decent point without said mistruths and lies, opening him up to criticism that will make even the good points he makes have less credibility. that's not brilliant... that's f'ing stupid.

[U2Man]

Originally posted by Chizip


I don't get it. Is he saying random people should be allowed to just go up to a military facility and get free treatment?

Getting turned away from a civilian hospital because you don't have insurance is one thing, getting turned away from Guantamo Bay is another. I don't see what this is trying to prove.

he is trying to show that the u.s. government treats it's mortal enemies (terrorists and war prisoners) better than it's own people when it comes to health care. a poor american that gets sick is worse off than osama bin laden would have been at guantanamo. it's a perfectly valid point, imo.

[ntalwar]

I'm looking forward to seeing Sicko because the problems of health care are largely ignored by many politicians and media. I might be a bit skeptical of the scenes filmed in Cuba because they know it's for a film.

[TheQuiet1]

I'm very interested in seeing this film (is it even going to be released in the UK though?) but I get the impression that it could be a bit...light weight. You know, nice as it is to hear someone saying good things about the UK's NHS for a change, it does still have big problems and I've got idea that Moore's just going to ignore these problems to hammer home his message. He said himself in the Cannes press conference that what the USA needs to do if it develops universal healthcare is to steal the best ideas from abroad and learn from our mistakes but if he isn't going to bother to address the problems we face with the NHS (and other universal healthcare) in his film then what's the point? Surely such a rose-tinted attitude just gives extra ammunition to those opposed to universal healthcare?

Also, a lot of American supporters of their current healthcare system say that in countries with univeral healthcare we're being crippled by taxes to pay for it. Does that mean taxation in the USA is low? About 16% of my fortnightly wages is lost to tax, is that a lot by USA standards?

[MrsSpringsteen]

I saw him on Oprah and that bit in the movie about the WTC volunteers complete lack of health care vs the health care at Gitmo is brilliant. Manipulative yes- but depending on how true the comparison is, and the facts as he portrays them are, well that is just shocking. I have read that he also takes on Hillary Clinton in the movie, as he said on Oprah health care should be a non-partisan issue.

Whatever you think of him this is pretty cool

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19113385...wsweek/page/0/