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Campaign '08 Film Recommendations: Making Yourself as Politically Savvy as Possible
	Topic by: underdog Posted: January 9, 2008 - 1:24 PM PST Last Reply: January 21, 2008 - 2:29 PM PST

author	topic: Campaign '08 Film Recommendations: Making Yourself as Politically Savvy as Possible
underdog	post #1  on January 9, 2008 - 1:24 PM PST   This is a huge year politically in the US, with the race to crown the next President at the center of it all. There are still many candidates left in the race, and a lot of issues to debate, issues that touch our lives in various ways. Mix in the war in Iraq, the economy, all the things that touch our daily lives or are frequently on our minds, mixed with the diversity of candidates and yet, some would argue, the lack of discussion on their part on any of these issues and you have... well confusion and consternation and concern. But there are a lot of films out there, arriving over the past year especially, both documentaries and features, that try to address some of these issues. What are some films you'd recommend to other people that are good topics of discussion when it comes to election year '08 and the issues of the day? One candidate has a new film out about him - one screening house decided to cancel a showing of the film for fear it would make them appear bias - but we have it. Is it worth a watch? And are there are any other films about the other candidates or that feature them in some way which gives people a better (or worse) sense of who they are? And what films about the issues - Iraq, the economy, voting itself, and so on - would you recommend people watch? Or maybe you're seeking advice - what do you want to learn more about before deciding?
underdog	post #2  on January 9, 2008 - 1:27 PM PST   I should add that I'd prefer this thread not get too politically biased towards or against a particularly candidate , but some polite discourse on that subject is fine. And, hey, there are tons of films about GW Bush, but he's leaving office this year. Do any of them still have relevance to this year's election? Maybe they do... just asking. One older film but which just came out on DVD finally, is still worth a look when it comes to election and media coverage: Feed. Shows how candidates really act when they think no one's watching. Funny and scary.
weezy	post #3  on January 9, 2008 - 3:30 PM PST   I've been really curious to hear people's reactions to Lions for Lambs. I LOL'ed when I saw the trailer since it came off as so formulaic and typical "liberal media" faire ("DO YOU WANT TO WIN THE WAR ON TERRROR? YES OR NO?") and because Tom Cruise's intense glare will never fail to make me chuckle. But my parents really enjoyed the movie and gave it high marks. Any other takers on that one? Ran across this list of "Top 10 Political Movies of 2007" at Politico. Maybe you all have your own top picks or have a bone to pick on about this list? I got a chance to watch Persepolis last night, and although I haven't seen many from the above list, it's hard to imagine Persepolis being topped. Although the story was placed in the specific historical context of the Iranian Revolution, the story was so humane and touching and beautiful, it made you forget any politically leaning thoughts towards the revolution and consider the strength of will and the horrors of war. Although this isn't a film recommendation, something I've really enjoyed about political films this year is the grass-roots way they've attempted to draw audiences in, much like the route politicians are taking to gain momentum for their campaigns. Iraq for Sale used MoveOn.org to premiere its movie in people's living rooms. If you wanted to host a "premiere" of the movie, you'd sign up through the site and they'd send you a copy of the movie and people in your zip code would come over to watch the film. So cool! Wish Obama'd do the same for me if I decided to show Senator Obama Goes to Africa at my pad.
Vanamonde	post #4  on January 10, 2008 - 3:43 AM PST   I loved "Lions for Lambs" but then I am predeposed to love anything with these people. I was surprised that it was such a patriotic film. Now, I never actually spit on anyone but I was once of those self-righteous fools who did dishonest one or two veterens who returns from Vietnam. We of that era have learned our lesson and we never again will dishonor those who for what ever reason, will risk their lives so that we can disagree with the Emperor. And I was glad to see that this film, in it's crititism of the "the leaders of our time who chose to remain blind" but high honor to those soldiers in the Middle East War. And by the way, the polls in Hew Hampshire where not wrong. See http://www.blackboxvoting.org/ to see how the Clinton/Murdock cabal stole the primary from Obama. The fix is in, the Bush/Clinton crime families will have their Clinton in office next year to continue to rape of Amerika. LHS Holdings is the contractor who counted 81 percent of the vote there and they use machine that Diblo
Vanamonde	post #5  on January 10, 2008 - 3:46 AM PST   I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. when is that bell gonna rings? I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. I will proofread before I click submit. Sorry, minna-san.
hamano	post #6  on January 10, 2008 - 8:11 AM PST   I like Loin of Lamb but I like the Rib Chops even better. Stewed lamb shanks are also excellent. I don't know if I have anything to add aside from No End in Sight. I didn't see that one because from the description it wouldn't sway me either way (I already seem to agree 100% with it). It's instructive to look at that "Top Ten" list at the Politico site... not even an outfit named "POLITICo" could come up with ten films that are truly "political" and had to throw in some ringers like The Kingdom and The Bourne Ultimatum. I certainly hope that The Bourne films are not gonna sway voters one way or the other. I wish Michael Moore or better yet one of the candidates would focus on how the FDA has turned into some kind of rubber stamp approval process for the big drug companies. How many of those heavily advertised, heavily promoted by physicians, new drugs have been taken off the market for killing people? An elderly relative of mine had her immune system go haywire and had to go off FOSAMAX... did you know there's mounting evidence that bone-building medication prescribed for osteoporosis grows flaky bones while compromising bone marrow? My relative went off the Fosamax and is just taking vitamin D instead, and feels a lot better.
manuelvillanueva	post #7  on January 10, 2008 - 4:57 PM PST   > On January 10, 2008 - 8:11 AM PST hamano wrote: > --------------------------------- > I like Loin of Lamb but I like the Rib Chops even better. Stewed lamb shanks are also excellent. > > I don't know if I have anything to add aside from No End in Sight. I didn't see that one because from the description it wouldn't sway me either way (I already seem to agree 100% with it). It's instructive to look at that "Top Ten" list at the Politico site... not even an outfit named "POLITICo" could come up with ten films that are truly "political" and had to throw in some ringers like The Kingdom and The Bourne Ultimatum. I certainly hope that The Bourne films are not gonna sway voters one way or the other. > > I wish Michael Moore or better yet one of the candidates would focus on how the FDA has turned into some kind of rubber stamp approval process for the big drug companies. How many of those heavily advertised, heavily promoted by physicians, new drugs have been taken off the market for killing people? An elderly relative of mine had her immune system go haywire and had to go off FOSAMAX... did you know there's mounting evidence that bone-building medication prescribed for osteoporosis grows flaky bones while compromising bone marrow? My relative went off the Fosamax and is just taking vitamin D instead, and feels a lot better. > --------------------------------- Drug Reps means free food. I will not bite the hand that feeds me ;-)
Vanamonde	post #8  on January 10, 2008 - 8:13 PM PST   I was thinking that if you have not seen "Wag the Dog", certainly, see it now. And if you have not seen it in some time, this might be a good time to see it again. I do not believe the polls in New Hampshire were wrong about Obama's lead. He led where ever paper ballots were hand counted. Clinton led were the Diabold optical scanners were using by the LHS Associates contracter (80% of the precients). Very scary. I believe the fix is in. Ms. Clinton leads in contribution from the defense contractors and she is friends now with Rupert Murdoch. All is show. I wanted very much to see "Redacted" by it only played at one screen for just a few showings in Austin. I will be watch for it at Greencine.
underdog	post #9  on January 11, 2008 - 5:46 PM PST   > On January 10, 2008 - 8:13 PM PST Vanamonde wrote: > --------------------------------- > Very scary. I believe the fix is in. Ms. Clinton leads in contribution from the defense contractors and she is friends now with Rupert Murdoch. All is show. > > I wanted very much to see "Redacted" by it only played at one screen for just a few showings in Austin. I will be watch for it at Greencine. > --------------------------------- I second the recommendation for No End In Sight. Must-see DVD for any American. Redacted is now available to queue up (out in a month), and despite the mixed/negative reviews, it's definitely one to see. It had real soldiers acting, and sometimes awkwardly, but that naturalism is part of the point - it's pretty harrowing stuff and the attacks on the film from the press was highly suspicious. Not sure about connecting Clinton with Fox/Murdoch, but perhaps you know more about that than I. Sounds dubious, personally.
Vanamonde	post #10  on January 12, 2008 - 12:26 AM PST   > On January 11, 2008 - 5:46 PM PST underdog wrote: > --------------------------------- > Not sure about connecting Clinton with Fox/Murdoch, but perhaps you know more about that than I. Sounds dubious, personally. > --------------------------------- You are most wish. "Trust, but verify". I never meant to connect Clinton with Fox - they still love to bash her so. But according our local rabble-rouser and Voice of the Revolution, Alex Jones, Murdoch has been contributing Big Time to the her campaign and they meet regularly. I cannot cite a primary source for this. I am not, nor have I ever been, a journalist. But this all should be common knowledge in a few years, I do predict. Jones can be a doobious source. But after listening to him for pure entertainment value for a couple of years, he changed and started to better vet and often document his source. I have begun to trust him more.
Vanamonde	post #11  on January 12, 2008 - 12:27 AM PST   damnit, I mean WISE - you are most WISE, not wish. Pray for my neurology, people. Support stem cell research, please.
Vanamonde	post #12  on January 13, 2008 - 1:34 AM PST   Here we go: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/09/politics/main1600694.shtml CBS News report the Finanical Times reports that "Rupert Murdoch will host a fundraiser for liberal New York Sen. Hillary Clinton...They have a respectful and cordial relationship".
kaream	post #13  on January 21, 2008 - 2:29 PM PST   > On January 13, 2008 - 1:34 AM PST Vanamonde wrote: > --------------------------------- > CBS News report the Finanical Times reports that "Rupert Murdoch will host a fundraiser for liberal New York Sen. Hillary Clinton...They have a respectful and cordial relationship". > --------------------------------- So? They're both using each other, and each understands it fully. Hold your friends close and your enemies closer. No love for each other's politics, and no shame to either of them.