Who has seen "Good Night and Good Luck"?

[TN al]

I haven't seen it yet but I think it is a sign of our times. There are reasons why movies of this type are made when they are made. George Clooney is telling the story of Joe McCarthy but what he is really saying is that today's political climate is similar to that of the McCarthy era.

[DaveinMD]

1. I haven't seen it

but your analysis is spot on. Just like the Crucible was really about the McCarthy hearings.

[babylonsister]

2. Another sign of the times is the fact that "Good Night..." is

so politically charged it's not being shown in many venues. I just wonder who's responsible for putting the kibosh on this movie appearing in major movie theaters?

[Beaverhausen]

8. It was in a slow "release" mode. It played big theaters here

then again I'm in Los Angeles.

It's a great film. Go see it if it comes to your town.

[babylonsister]

13. Was? It's been out for quite awhile and it's still not in the

suburbs of Houston. You're lucky you're in LA.

[Beaverhausen]

15. I know...we have movie theatres on nearly every corner

but then again most of us here work in the biz anyway. well, lots of us do.

I hope it plays near you soon. It's a really well done, beautifully shot and very important film.

[mcscajun]

10. I doubt it's solely politics keeping it out of many theaters.

I saw it in a suburban NJ theater across the river from NYC, but it's a low-budget (imagine, only $7.5 million...wow) independent film about a serious subject and it isn't going to be a theater-owner's first choice for what to pull in the popcorn eaters.

[babylonsister]

14. I don't buy that. Remember that movie about the kids in the

woods (in NJ, I think). Something about a project maybe?
Anyway, with all the advertising I've seen about this movie on TV, I don't understand why some of these 40-screen mega-theatres can't devote one screen to this. In TX, I think it could be political. Just my opinion...

[mcscajun]

16. Do you mean perhaps "The Blair Witch Project"?

that was massively hyped on Sci-Fi Channel and in the popular press for months before its release, and that turned out to be a huge hoax?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/combined

The promo ran thus: "In October of 1994, three student film makers disappeared in the woods near Burkittesville, Maryland. One year later, their footage was found."

Turned out to be total bullshit, but many (not me, I didn't spend a dime on it) found it entertaining.

In any case, it can't compare to "Good Night and Good Luck" which is total truth.

[Just Me]

3. Not yet but planning to this Friday. I believe it'll gain momentum,...

,...in popularity over the next several months,...one of those slow burners.

[bigwillq]

4. I believe so too.

I think it'll be an awards season contender and movies like that get rolled out slowly and then get a major release in December and January.

I want to see it. haven't yet.

[yellowcanine]

5. I saw it. It is great and very timely. Must see for DUers.

[hyphenate]

6. Pretty much

Great movie. I hope David Strathairn gets an Oscar nod.

Piece of trivia I read at IMDB: When they did test previews, the audience thought the performances by the actor who did McCarthy were "over the top." PRoblem is, they didn't USE an actor to portray McCarthy--they used actual newsreel of him during his "inquisitions" and other appearances.

[City Lights]

7. Haven't seen it yet, but it's on my must-see list.

:loveya: :loveya:Love my George. :loveya: :loveya:

[nini]

9. I have... I loved it and now I believe Keith Olberman is today's Murrow

Keith has the guts like Murrow did.

Good movie.

[alittlelark]

11. It was a great movie.

They meshed the old footage w/ the new seamlessly. Oh, and everyone smokes.

[XanaDUer]

12. Me.

It's great and I recommend it.

[longship]

17. Saw it a couple of weeks ago.

Strathairn should be a shoe in for the Oscar. Some critics have labelled his performance as "channelling Murrow". I am very familiar with Murrow's delivery and his speech patterns. Strathairn's performance is stunning.

The links below are MP3's of Murrow, including one of a March, 1954 broadcast on McCarthy. Files tend to be big. Right-click and "Save as..." (I've put these up before, but post them again for those who missed them.)

4 Sep 1939 - Sociological Impact of War 720Kb 3:04
8 May 1940 - No Confidence Debate in Commons 645Kb 2:45
24 Aug 1940 - Personal Impressions of Bombing 888Kb 3:47
9 Mar 1941 - Spring in England 1.7Mb 7:14
24 Feb 1946 - Reflections On Wartime Life In Britain 1.1Mb 4:43
Mar 1954 - Broadcast on Joseph McCarthy 2.5Mb 14:24

(All but the last one were broadcast from London.)

Enjoy.

[dalaigh lllama]

19. Some great stuff from that original broadcast on McCarthy

I loved Murrow's SLAM when McCarthy called him an extreme left winger! "If he means I am somewhat to the left of his position and that of Louis XIV, then he is correct."
Also Murrow ends with a great quote from Lincoln's 1838 speech. (Boy, history really does repeat itself.):

I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen, amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgment of Courts...

[dalaigh lllama]

18. We drove 70 miles to see it last Friday

It was showing in a little hole-in-the-wall cinema in Columbia, MO. The place looked like it held about 100 people max, with mismatched chairs and sofas AND they served beer and pizza. Took us back to our college days (sigh).
This movie is a must see for every DUer -- I guarantee you'll love it. I want to get a transcript of every word Murrow says; his eloquence is unparalleled and the connection to the political atmosphere today is eerily spot on.
A little research ahead of time will enhance your viewing pleasure. The Dems were under attack then, too:
http://blog.contentious.com/archives/2004/03/10/a-date-to-remember-murrow-vs-mccarthy
It's also interesting to note that McCarthy died a few years after his fall from power of alcohol related problems. He was also a closet homosexual who ranted against sexual deviants. History sure does repeat itself, eh?

[babylonsister]

20. I would have loved the ambience of the cinema

you went to! I will probably have pizza and beer when I get "Good Night..." on DVD. This movie is definitely on my "must see" list, one way or another!

[dalaigh lllama]

21. We didn't have the beer, tho

We had Fitz's cream soda and root beer. ;-)

[MsAnthropy]

22. It was refreshing to see the media actually doing their job

it shows the current crop that it can be done.

The cinematography was beautiful and David Strathairn deserves an Oscar. I love that man!