I finally got to see Michael Moore's "Sicko". I thought it was

[Road Scholar]

a real eye opener. Have you seen it? What did you think?

[MrCoffee]

1. I thought he phoned it in

I didn't find it nearly as interesting as any of his other films. Certainly not worthy of an Oscar nomination.

[Road Scholar]

2. Health care is one of the biggest rip-offs there is in the country

and everybody seems to accept it as normal.

[MrCoffee]

3. Well, yeah...but as a movie, Sicko wasn't that great

Michael Moore can and has done much better work.

[Road Scholar]

4. Well as entertainment value goes, but did you notice the

subject matter? No, I wasn't amused a fucking bit, I'll give you that.

[MrCoffee]

5. So you were amused during Bowling for Columbine?

Farenheit 9/11 was a chucklefest?

[Road Scholar]

7. Oh I get it, a fucking movie critic.

[supernova]

9. There are reasons for that

While I enjoy MM and certainly most at DU do too, one of the main criticisms leveled at him in the past has been that he is a central character in his films to the point that he sorta becomes the star, not the object or the theme of the film. They get worked up about seeing HIM, more than they get worked up about the subject matter. I disagree, but that's what his critics think.

I think with Sicko, he must have thought that the subject matter was too important to risk that kind of feedback, so he put himself in the background more, just doing narration and letting the research speak for itself through most of the movie, the Cuba trip not withstanding. Notice by then, you are more than ready for a little levity. He's willing to play the class clown here a little and let these other people shine.

On this point, I think he succeeded beautifully. You notice most people, regardless of where they are on the political spectrum, DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE CONTENT. And they aren't angry at MM for bringing it up. They don't point fingers at MM, because he's not there to be pointed at. On the contrary, they are grateful for being shown the information.

While it might not be his masterwork in terms of artistic achievement in documentary film making, Sicko might very well be his most lastingly influential work.

[Road Scholar]

11. Thank you, well said my friend.

[Downtown Hound]

6. I thought it was great

Not as humorous as some of his other films, but maybe that's because the topic is so depressing. In F911 he always had Bush the idiot to kick around, and Bowling for Columbine had the gun nut whackjobs. But with Sicko, it was really hard to find any humor in many of the stories we were seeing. Mostly all I felt was rage. I actually had to get up and leave the theater at one point because I was so pissed off. But it was a very powerful film and I applaud Moore for giving the issue the attention it deserves.

[Road Scholar]

8. I wish everybody who is having trouble paying their premiums

could see it. They would be just as outraged as you and me. I have a nephew who doesn't have insurance and he was hurt on the job and wouldn't go to the doctor because he said he couldn't afford the expense.

[Javaman]

10. Should be required viewing for everyone in the US. nt

[MrsBrady]

12. i liked it quite a bit...

in fact...

I think he's part of the reason the candidates were able (or finally had the guts) to talk about changing the health care system.

[Road Scholar]

13. I don't think the insurance companies, drug companies, and

medical professionals will go quietly. They have all the money, but we have only some of the people. I think it will take nothing short of a revolution in this country before this is resolved.

[SKKY]

14. I could have done without the Gitmo piece where he tries to get in with...

...a boat. I though it was over the top and added nothing to the argument. Aside from that, I thought it was spot on and very well done.

[MrsBrady]

15. ...i see what you mean...

but I think he was trying to get something the press would cover...you know, get people to talk about the movie.
it worked.

Plus, it was a fun way to piss off the administration.