Required viewing
Now that it's out on video, I finally got around to seeing Why We Fight, a documentary on the American "military-industrial complex." I had been interested to see it since I first saw the previews, but it was in theaters so briefly that I missed my chance until now. More on that in a moment.
I was all fired up to blog about this film and all of the important points it makes about the real motivations behind US military actions, but then I watched another documentary that I've been meaning to see for some time, Control Room. Whereas Why We Fight prompts the viewer to question the motivations for war, Control Room reminds us to look for bias in media coverage of war.
Both of these films are extremely relevant and important right now. So instead of reading what I have to say, please just watch these films for yourself. I'm starting a list of documentaries that I feel should be required viewing for all Americans. I've also listed their tomatometer rating, box office gross and max screens. For comparison, Fahrenheit 9/11 grossed $119M (domestic) and was shown on 2,004 screens at its zenith.
Even though I disagree with the policies of our leaders, I still love this country. One of the main reasons for this, perhaps the most important reason of all, is that we're allowed to disagree with and criticize our leaders. Unfortunately, based on the box office numbers for these recent films, it seems not too many Americans are getting the message. Which leads me to wonder if we are experiencing a form of censorship after all.
I was all fired up to blog about this film and all of the important points it makes about the real motivations behind US military actions, but then I watched another documentary that I've been meaning to see for some time, Control Room. Whereas Why We Fight prompts the viewer to question the motivations for war, Control Room reminds us to look for bias in media coverage of war.
Both of these films are extremely relevant and important right now. So instead of reading what I have to say, please just watch these films for yourself. I'm starting a list of documentaries that I feel should be required viewing for all Americans. I've also listed their tomatometer rating, box office gross and max screens. For comparison, Fahrenheit 9/11 grossed $119M (domestic) and was shown on 2,004 screens at its zenith.
| Control Room | 2004 | 96% | $2.6M | 74 |
| Enron | 2005 | 97% | $4.1M | 151 |
| Why We Fight | 2006 | 80% | $1.4M | 64 |
Even though I disagree with the policies of our leaders, I still love this country. One of the main reasons for this, perhaps the most important reason of all, is that we're allowed to disagree with and criticize our leaders. Unfortunately, based on the box office numbers for these recent films, it seems not too many Americans are getting the message. Which leads me to wonder if we are experiencing a form of censorship after all.
Comments
I saw Control Room at a theatre in Waltham. I loved it so much I made my mom and dad watch it. I haven't yet seen Why We Fight, but on your recommendation I'll try and rent it tonight. (There's nothing better than the Blockbuster in Newton, MA for all the hardcore liberal documentaries.)
But that kind of brings me to another point. With the advent of NetFlix and the Blockbuster DVD service, it seems to me that its less important what theatres are showing - these documentaries will find an audience through DVD rentals, advertised on blogs, other websites and word of mouth. The Man can't keep us down!
But in a country where American Idol is a popular TV show, it just ain't gunna happen.
If everyone pulled their weight, this world would be a better place. Unfortunately, most people need to be forced to do the right thing.
I've seen Enron. Sickens me. I will rent the others this weekend.
I'm raising my daughter to understand the importance of helping out others. If that's the one thing she learns from me, I'll consider myself a successful parent.