A shocking and very well developed argument regarding American media. Pappas accurately draws numerous parallels between Orwell's '1984' and the propaganda machine of Nazi Germany. The culmination of the film focuses on the de-regulation of corporate media, that would allow fewer and fewer gigantic companies to own as many media affiliates as they can buy up. Another ramification of de-regulation, is the unchecked slanting of the news to favor the interests of one side, namely the media owners, and their political affiliates. This is a film that is extremely important. Watch it, for your own sake, and share it with others.
21 Reviews
Calm explanation of how we've lost real news in favor of inflated stories all in the name of keeping you watching so the corporations can make a profit
dbborroughs23 May 2007
Damning look at the news media and how its take over by big business has allowed the news to become entertainment instead of information. Ultimately this is the story of how its very possible that all of George Orwell's warnings about the control of Truth will come to pass.
Better in many ways than the work of Michael Moore,who appears in this film, this is a very clear very well reasoned look at whats wrong with how we get our information. Taking no side, neither left nor right, this is instead an examination of the corporations that control what we see and hear. News is no longer what will inform us, rather its what will make the shareholders the most money. News is also a means of covering up what is really going on, with made up news stories and dog and pony shows misdirecting the public as to what is going on in Washington. If you don't think that things are in a dangerous position consider the biggest lobbyists are the media corporations themselves. The battle is not left and right its rich and poor and unless you're the top one or two percent of the rich you really don't count.
This is a calm film where we get to see some very knowledgeable people tell us what they know with out the histrionics that have accompanied many recent similar films like Fahrenheit 911, Bush Family Fortunes, Outfoxed, and Uncovered which touched on some of these subjects but did so with a bludgeon and a screaming sense that the sky was falling. It doesn't make a difference if you're a bleeding heart liberal or a conservative this film will rattle your cage because it will very plainly show that its not what you believe that matters but how you can be manipulated to do what the rich want you to do. Class warfare? It is indeed though no one in the media would dare tell you that.
See this movie. It will anger you and it will depress you. But it must be seen simply because it will make you less likely to think that the winner of American Idol or Survivor is the most important news story of the day.
Better in many ways than the work of Michael Moore,who appears in this film, this is a very clear very well reasoned look at whats wrong with how we get our information. Taking no side, neither left nor right, this is instead an examination of the corporations that control what we see and hear. News is no longer what will inform us, rather its what will make the shareholders the most money. News is also a means of covering up what is really going on, with made up news stories and dog and pony shows misdirecting the public as to what is going on in Washington. If you don't think that things are in a dangerous position consider the biggest lobbyists are the media corporations themselves. The battle is not left and right its rich and poor and unless you're the top one or two percent of the rich you really don't count.
This is a calm film where we get to see some very knowledgeable people tell us what they know with out the histrionics that have accompanied many recent similar films like Fahrenheit 911, Bush Family Fortunes, Outfoxed, and Uncovered which touched on some of these subjects but did so with a bludgeon and a screaming sense that the sky was falling. It doesn't make a difference if you're a bleeding heart liberal or a conservative this film will rattle your cage because it will very plainly show that its not what you believe that matters but how you can be manipulated to do what the rich want you to do. Class warfare? It is indeed though no one in the media would dare tell you that.
See this movie. It will anger you and it will depress you. But it must be seen simply because it will make you less likely to think that the winner of American Idol or Survivor is the most important news story of the day.
An OK documentary About A Very Important Issue
reko_castren11 August 2006
"Media Control" is a saying that has been successfully made into a cliché, that gets thrown out a lot. And it seems that most people, including myself, might be sceptical about what we're told and shown in the media but don't really understand how it works. We are conditioned to believe in "free speech" and the news as "unbiased reporting of facts" and this idea of behind the scenes control seems always a little "1984".
This documentary explains HOW it works and WHY it works. It shows thru a few examples, and for the most part, sheer logic, the infrastructure of mediapolitics, and how it shapes the world and our views of it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
why I gave only 8 stars:
-the Orwell juxtapose doesn't always work -doesn't try to get the opposite opinion -could have used a little variety in the footage -music wasn't good -might have worked better if made a little shorter and "tighter"
at some points
OK, you've seen the movie, now go read some Chomsky! :)
This documentary explains HOW it works and WHY it works. It shows thru a few examples, and for the most part, sheer logic, the infrastructure of mediapolitics, and how it shapes the world and our views of it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
why I gave only 8 stars:
-the Orwell juxtapose doesn't always work -doesn't try to get the opposite opinion -could have used a little variety in the footage -music wasn't good -might have worked better if made a little shorter and "tighter"
at some points
OK, you've seen the movie, now go read some Chomsky! :)
Important, frightening, disgusting, true and you must see it
mmrobins3 June 2004
I've only begun watching documentary films like this recently due in large part to the success of Michael Moore's films. This film is right up there with Moore's films in quality, in thought provoking content, and in sad truth. This is the kind of film that it terrifies me to see but I'm glad that I saw it. I remember when I read 1984 in high school and I thought it was great that there was literature like that so that the kind of events that take place in 1984 could never happen in real life. Orwell would be rolling in his grave because those kind of events are happening now, and this movie makes is frighteningly, frighteningly obvious. I don't care if you consider yourself Repbulican, Democrat or Independent, if you have any care for truth watch this film. The news will never look the same again.
Media studies students -- this one is for you.
vertigo_1426 January 2005
Orwell Rolls in His Grave is, as another viewer wrote, more important than Michael Moore's recent documentary, Farenheit 9/11, because it really does a fantastic job of analyzing the role of the modern American media and its consequences upon democracy. Granted, Moore's documentary does make known the faults of the mainstream media, but the Farenheit 9/11 is much more of a criticism of American foreign policy, as well as related economic and social issues. 'Orwell Rolls in His Grave,' instead crucifies the whole system.
It is not surprise that this documentary gained even minimal independent release, as it could have serious repercussions in rousing the public into a meaningful social upheaval and fuel the fires for a real grassroots movement in this country. As Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont says, along with others interviewed in this film, you cannot publicly attack the system. Michael Moore's films are easy to criticize because they are very propagandic, at least when he becomes condescending in trying to get his point across, whereas this one presents it all to you in solid, unbreakable form. Media studies students and others interested in critical analysis of politics and the media will find this to be a highly beneficial tool, as it covers all ground, including a brief historic outline of the political press in this country and, surprisingly, an overview of the organization of think tanks to illustrate how George Orwell's cautionary novel, 1984, has become a reality.
With companion reading such as Howard Zinn's "The People's History of the United States," Noam Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent," Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451," George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm," and companion viewing of Robert Greenwood's recent documentary, "Outfoxed" (for the technical and procedural faults of the American mainstream media), these materials can the set the foundation for a responsible, appropriately judicious citizenry.
Make this movie famous.
It is not surprise that this documentary gained even minimal independent release, as it could have serious repercussions in rousing the public into a meaningful social upheaval and fuel the fires for a real grassroots movement in this country. As Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont says, along with others interviewed in this film, you cannot publicly attack the system. Michael Moore's films are easy to criticize because they are very propagandic, at least when he becomes condescending in trying to get his point across, whereas this one presents it all to you in solid, unbreakable form. Media studies students and others interested in critical analysis of politics and the media will find this to be a highly beneficial tool, as it covers all ground, including a brief historic outline of the political press in this country and, surprisingly, an overview of the organization of think tanks to illustrate how George Orwell's cautionary novel, 1984, has become a reality.
With companion reading such as Howard Zinn's "The People's History of the United States," Noam Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent," Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451," George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm," and companion viewing of Robert Greenwood's recent documentary, "Outfoxed" (for the technical and procedural faults of the American mainstream media), these materials can the set the foundation for a responsible, appropriately judicious citizenry.
Make this movie famous.
Scary indeed!
prudhocj25 March 2005
I've known of this documentary for a while now and even tried to see it before the last presidential election. It is indeed scary. It brings together disparate stories and facts of the last 25 years tying them together in a coherent pattern that is downright ugly! I was especially impressed by the filmmakers focus on one of the biggest unreported stories of the last quarter of the 20th Century - that being how the Reagan cabal manipulated the 1980 election in order to win it and then paid off one of the members of the nascent "axis of evil" for their cooperation. This all culminated in the Iran/Contra scandal for which only one person took the fall, too bad he didn't (and still doesn't) have the honor and integrity to expose this treasonous story. Find this movie and show it to your friends.
Better then others of its kind
zstern22 September 2004
This movie surpassed my expectations. More straight forward documentary style so it is not as "entertaining" as some others but for those interested in the collapse of our democracy in recent years this is a must see. More disturbing then Far. 9/11 or murdochs war on journalism. This movie contained more new stories then did either of the other movies. Makes you not want to even watch TV anymore. It is well worth the 30 bucks that I spent. Its one of those things where you know in a limited way the things that are going on but to see them presented all in one place at one time is thought provoking to say the least. It also really is a movie that the media would not want you to see as evidenced by the statistics presented in the movie. Buy it, watch it then give it to everyone you know.
flawed documentary induces fear
postmanwhoalwaysringstwice22 March 2007
Robert Kane Pappas' documentary "Orwell Rolls in His Grave" presents the case that the future which George Orwell wrote about in his 1948 novel 1984 might actually be our modern day. The film brings together a slew of interesting voices, from filmmakers, to politicians, to media experts, to discuss the current state of the mass media. Large corporations have been buying up more and more media outlets, whether film companies or newspapers, for a number of years, and the film warns of the conflict of interest between the media and these corporations and the politicians who share their pockets. Although the film offers occasional quotes from the landmark novel, there's a certain expectation that the viewer has already read and digested it. Certainly the concept of "Big Brother" has been in the mainstream for some time, but some of the correlations will likely be lost on some who might need this film the most. Regardless the film is a highly disturbing, if manipulative and homemade-looking, peek into the complete loss of power and overall hopeless outlook for the future of the United States.
Great documentary, more important than Fahrenheit 9/11
nbabb5 July 2004
This is an excellent documentary and, in my view, is more important than Michael Moore's film, Fahrenheit 9/11, in that it points to a fundamental, systemic problem in American society; the free flow of information. The movie paints a frightening picture of influence over the media, exerted by large corporations, and demonstrates that there is indeed a "vast right-wing conspiracy", aiming to control the media diet of American citizens.
Fed on managed, nutritionally devoid meals of sound-bites, sensationalism, and outright falsehoods, the average American citizen is made to exist in an unreality that is eerily similar to George Orwell's novel '1984'. Because of deregulation started in the Reagan era (if you see the documentary you will find that the word 'deregulation' is a misnomer), large multi-national corporations are now allowed to swallow up monopoly interests in various media outlets, thereby controlling the flow of information. This movie helped to confirm for me that American mainstream news is, at best, useless, and at worst, foisting upon us, an agenda that services the interests of the rich and powerful interests in this country.
So, go out and see this movie, or buy it online. The guy that made this film deserves a medal. Also, check out the "Center for Public Integrity" which is a news organization cited in the documentary. It is a non-partisan organization that is interested in uncovering corruption, wherever it is found.
Fed on managed, nutritionally devoid meals of sound-bites, sensationalism, and outright falsehoods, the average American citizen is made to exist in an unreality that is eerily similar to George Orwell's novel '1984'. Because of deregulation started in the Reagan era (if you see the documentary you will find that the word 'deregulation' is a misnomer), large multi-national corporations are now allowed to swallow up monopoly interests in various media outlets, thereby controlling the flow of information. This movie helped to confirm for me that American mainstream news is, at best, useless, and at worst, foisting upon us, an agenda that services the interests of the rich and powerful interests in this country.
So, go out and see this movie, or buy it online. The guy that made this film deserves a medal. Also, check out the "Center for Public Integrity" which is a news organization cited in the documentary. It is a non-partisan organization that is interested in uncovering corruption, wherever it is found.
A courageous exposure of media corruption
nicholson-311 September 2004
This film got me so steamed, confirming all of my instincts about the bias in the media, I now want to quit my job and go work for Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting. It tells the truth (finally) about the corporate take-over and control of citizens' MINDS through relentless right-wing punditry. We are living in a society in which we can be manipulated so easily by headlines and "news alerts"... and the way it happens is by planting the seeds of fear in all of us. War, ideally a far away war with no purpose other than to further line the pockets of the elite, is a perfect scare tactic. We are all Orwell's "Winston." Common Cause and FAIR and other media/election watchdog agencies are heroes.
Kind of informative but completely biased
xgenx-119 December 2009
An expose of only media bias that can be classed as right-wing. Every villain is a Republican, every martyr a Democrat.
If you watch this and like to believe that the media is run by a right-wing group then go ahead and watch it and feel smug and holy.
If you already know that media, corporations, and our governments are run primarily by self-interested individuals willing to pull strings behind the scenes to get their way then you will find nothing new but maybe get a few chuckles out of their attempt to portray the media as BUSH-LOVING Republicans towing the party line!! Hahahaha.
Media is in a state of constantly-falling. They HAD a monopoly before FOX disrupted their consensus. It was not a conspiracy but a symptom of group-think among people trying to save the world, mostly left-wing supporters of big-government friends of big-media.
This film endorses GREATER government regulation of the media!! There are several speakers complaining about de-regulation of media!! Micheal More is shown COMPLAINING about his very industry and, I guess, his own films! He says we are expressing too much of ourselves and will look stupid to future anthropologists. He apparently does not mind looking stupid now.
Orwell would roll in his grave if he saw how his name was used to promote greater government regulation of speech and media.
The solution to the media stranglehold or bottle-neck is the democratization of publication. It is the internet. It is what you are reading now and it is changing the world for the better.
If you watch this and like to believe that the media is run by a right-wing group then go ahead and watch it and feel smug and holy.
If you already know that media, corporations, and our governments are run primarily by self-interested individuals willing to pull strings behind the scenes to get their way then you will find nothing new but maybe get a few chuckles out of their attempt to portray the media as BUSH-LOVING Republicans towing the party line!! Hahahaha.
Media is in a state of constantly-falling. They HAD a monopoly before FOX disrupted their consensus. It was not a conspiracy but a symptom of group-think among people trying to save the world, mostly left-wing supporters of big-government friends of big-media.
This film endorses GREATER government regulation of the media!! There are several speakers complaining about de-regulation of media!! Micheal More is shown COMPLAINING about his very industry and, I guess, his own films! He says we are expressing too much of ourselves and will look stupid to future anthropologists. He apparently does not mind looking stupid now.
Orwell would roll in his grave if he saw how his name was used to promote greater government regulation of speech and media.
The solution to the media stranglehold or bottle-neck is the democratization of publication. It is the internet. It is what you are reading now and it is changing the world for the better.
Illuminating... Citizen Beware
Ladycane7731 August 2005
This documentary draws powerful parallels between Orwell's 1984, Communist Soviet Union, Goebbels's Nazi Germany and the current state of American Democracy.
"Orwell Rolls in His Grave" illuminates. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine how a society (of otherwise ordinary and probably good people) can fall under the spell of Nazis or surrender their free will to Big Brother. This documentary shakes you from your vegetative state. One is left utterly depressed and hopeless, like no other movie or even book like "1984" itself can, because this isn't a work of fiction but an examination of the world we live in today.
It feels like a blindfold's been removed, only to find we're all standing in quicksand. I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but this documentary shows how so many of the safeguards that keeps a democracy and capitalism in check are slowly and deviously being eroded away. A democracy derives its power to govern from individual citizens, period. Corporations are not entities with innate rights.
The documentary does end on a hopeful note. Maybe the Internet, as a last bastion for truth, will have some time before it is finally owned, divvied up and censored.
On a side note, can Hollywood please make a blockbuster release with some big time actor and director of "1984" and subtly show Joe Citizen some of the parallels going on in the world?
"Orwell Rolls in His Grave" illuminates. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine how a society (of otherwise ordinary and probably good people) can fall under the spell of Nazis or surrender their free will to Big Brother. This documentary shakes you from your vegetative state. One is left utterly depressed and hopeless, like no other movie or even book like "1984" itself can, because this isn't a work of fiction but an examination of the world we live in today.
It feels like a blindfold's been removed, only to find we're all standing in quicksand. I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but this documentary shows how so many of the safeguards that keeps a democracy and capitalism in check are slowly and deviously being eroded away. A democracy derives its power to govern from individual citizens, period. Corporations are not entities with innate rights.
The documentary does end on a hopeful note. Maybe the Internet, as a last bastion for truth, will have some time before it is finally owned, divvied up and censored.
On a side note, can Hollywood please make a blockbuster release with some big time actor and director of "1984" and subtly show Joe Citizen some of the parallels going on in the world?
Informative and well done
intnsred19 October 2004
There are some other great comments about this film, so I'll instead
try to give out some detail. The film is done in a calm, non-ranting,
informative manner primarily via interviews with journalists. Many
points about the corporate domination of the corporate mass media are
brought out well; the citing of GE Inc.'s top management interfering
with NBC news is one case in point. The portrayal of the media
industry itself as a political "special interest" similar to the
tobacco lobby or other traditional special interest is both insightful
and strong. The film also does an adequate job of painting the change
in "ethics" of government officials over the years, and gives a few
citations to support its point.
If there is a knock, it's that the film covers a vast amount of points
and therefore cannot go in depth unless you want to watch a ninety-hour
documentary. This is not a big knock -- it seems that one goal of the
film is to try to tie many disparate issues and trends together to
paint the big picture, which is something our regular mass media simply
does not do.
To me, two points are worth special mention and applause. (1) the film
mentions the original 1980 "October Surprise" and while it does not go
in depth, it does flush out the basics and gives a reference to the
book by Carter's Nat'l Security Adviser ("October Surprise"), which one
can use to read for more information. Still, it would have been nice
to mention Jimmy Carter's quote about the October Surprise or the fact
that the former Iranian president has publicly said the October
Surprise did indeed happen while he was president. (2) Despite it not
being a focus of the film, the film brings out the class gap (aka the
growing gap between the rich and poor) and issues of Americans working
long hours. This is done in a way related to media self-censorship but
I'm always surprised when this issue rears its head -- simply because
reporting about it is so very rare in the mainstream press. The film
gives a few stats but its message that the poor are poorer now than a
couple of decades ago and the rich are much, much richer comes through
well; it notes the current gov'ts solution to this problem is a tax cut
for the rich stands out starkly in its plain-face absurdity. While
there was a few of those conventional-wisdom-turned-upside-down moments
in the film, that one stood out.
Overall, like the other reviewers, I highly recommend the film. While
it's not done in a Michael Moore-like funny manner, the material
presented is on the money, is not preachy and is easily followed, and
the film runs along coherently in an easy to watch pace. In some ways,
it's scary, depressing stuff; in other ways, it's invigorating because
it illustrates the depth of what's happening to our republic and paints
a picture of just how much work we've got to do to return our gov't to
some semblance of rule by/for the people.
try to give out some detail. The film is done in a calm, non-ranting,
informative manner primarily via interviews with journalists. Many
points about the corporate domination of the corporate mass media are
brought out well; the citing of GE Inc.'s top management interfering
with NBC news is one case in point. The portrayal of the media
industry itself as a political "special interest" similar to the
tobacco lobby or other traditional special interest is both insightful
and strong. The film also does an adequate job of painting the change
in "ethics" of government officials over the years, and gives a few
citations to support its point.
If there is a knock, it's that the film covers a vast amount of points
and therefore cannot go in depth unless you want to watch a ninety-hour
documentary. This is not a big knock -- it seems that one goal of the
film is to try to tie many disparate issues and trends together to
paint the big picture, which is something our regular mass media simply
does not do.
To me, two points are worth special mention and applause. (1) the film
mentions the original 1980 "October Surprise" and while it does not go
in depth, it does flush out the basics and gives a reference to the
book by Carter's Nat'l Security Adviser ("October Surprise"), which one
can use to read for more information. Still, it would have been nice
to mention Jimmy Carter's quote about the October Surprise or the fact
that the former Iranian president has publicly said the October
Surprise did indeed happen while he was president. (2) Despite it not
being a focus of the film, the film brings out the class gap (aka the
growing gap between the rich and poor) and issues of Americans working
long hours. This is done in a way related to media self-censorship but
I'm always surprised when this issue rears its head -- simply because
reporting about it is so very rare in the mainstream press. The film
gives a few stats but its message that the poor are poorer now than a
couple of decades ago and the rich are much, much richer comes through
well; it notes the current gov'ts solution to this problem is a tax cut
for the rich stands out starkly in its plain-face absurdity. While
there was a few of those conventional-wisdom-turned-upside-down moments
in the film, that one stood out.
Overall, like the other reviewers, I highly recommend the film. While
it's not done in a Michael Moore-like funny manner, the material
presented is on the money, is not preachy and is easily followed, and
the film runs along coherently in an easy to watch pace. In some ways,
it's scary, depressing stuff; in other ways, it's invigorating because
it illustrates the depth of what's happening to our republic and paints
a picture of just how much work we've got to do to return our gov't to
some semblance of rule by/for the people.
I was blown away by this movie!
classycuteblond9 July 2004
I was blown away by this movie. In it's own way it is better than Farenhite 9/11. It is less polished, but very effective. One has to be very worried about "our democracy". You have the feeling you want to do something after seeing this film - but what?
What else can I say - as they want 10 lines - I was deeply disturbed as was most of the group I saw the movie with. Everyone asked what they could do? Some had no idea what was going on re: the various news items discussed in the film. I am curious as to what other people will think when the movie officially opens in a few weeks. Hope others will comment on it when they see the movie.
What else can I say - as they want 10 lines - I was deeply disturbed as was most of the group I saw the movie with. Everyone asked what they could do? Some had no idea what was going on re: the various news items discussed in the film. I am curious as to what other people will think when the movie officially opens in a few weeks. Hope others will comment on it when they see the movie.
A must see film for all Citizens
rachaelsandefer19 August 2005
This is a must see movie for all citizens of the world - if we hope to reclaim our liberty we must learn how the message is being filtered and controlled. For the first step begins with the realization the message is being controlled.
Anyone who values their freedom and liberty should watch this movie and share it with as many people as possible. This movie is extremely well done, with great wonderful film editing, plus the content is easy to follow and understand. And of course the Orwellian analogy is dead on accurate.
Excellent film. Kudos to all involved but especially to Director/Writer Robert Kane Pappas. Thank you for your courage and your patriotism.
Anyone who values their freedom and liberty should watch this movie and share it with as many people as possible. This movie is extremely well done, with great wonderful film editing, plus the content is easy to follow and understand. And of course the Orwellian analogy is dead on accurate.
Excellent film. Kudos to all involved but especially to Director/Writer Robert Kane Pappas. Thank you for your courage and your patriotism.
The never-ending story...
poe42621 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Mere access to information (or, more aptly, MISinformation) is meaningless without the critical thinking skills that are required to sort the Truth from the Untruths. Television (as it's been practiced in this country since the Reagan Reich began) is an immoral monster that trivializes the Truth- deliberate mass media misinformation and manipulation on a scale even Orwell himself couldn't have imagined. When the Republican Reich foreclosed on the fourth estate, they simply paved it over with the tombstones of those they'd ousted and turned it into a pay-as-you-go parking lot. ("See no Evil" war coverage; how's THAT for Orwellian...?) It comes as no surprise, then, that the single most powerful lobby in politics is- viola!- The Media. Reichmaster Reagan left the FCC toothless and the Public truthless. He who controls the media in the U.$., controls the mindless masses. And we who sit and watch and do nothing are complicit.
How many fingers? 4 or 5?
jackbenimble11 March 2010
I got a hold of this because 1984 is a great book and this promised to reaffirm a truth that most of the thinking public are aware of and that is the world is rapidly assuming the basic ideas contained within the novel. Here it starts of dealing mainly with the media and as Orwell pointed out that truth can be manipulated and by extension the public too. But here we have someone like Micheal Moore standing up there and you have controlled opposition straight off the bat. It doesn't matter how they try to disguise themselves but a socialist is a socialist is a socialist is a socialist whatever they do or say or try to represent themselves as anything else. All you end up with is cognitive dissonance. You can't put lipstick on a pig. It still smells. So here, together with Kucinich and others you have the lefties railing against a problem which is a lefty problem! Marxist ideology masquerading as an opposition to something which is transparently a product of Marxist ideology. Whether this lot do this consciously or not is open to debate. Perhaps someone like Moore is just a useful idiot? Who knows. But one thing is sure: two wrongs don't make a right. Orwell wrote his book as a consequence of his disillusionment with socialism and portrayed the totalitarianism that would inevitably ensue. Half baked socialists like Moore, Kucinich, etc speaking out against their own ideology is simply ridiculous and absurd. This film is holding up 4 fingers and everyone is saying there are 5.
Orwell is rolling in his grave.
clemenscomet31 March 2005
goodness gracious, where to begin. Orwell's premise was the inevitable evolution of socialism into a totalitarian society. I don't believe Zinn and Chomsky belong with Orwell. At best Zinn and Chomsky are examples of half truths and naiveté that are their own form of new speak. Both of these two make valid points on the way to their misdirection, something both sides of the political spectrum are guilty of. Bear this in mind when watching this movie. I've read Zinn and listened to Chomsky speak, but they are ideological dinosaurs who make a lot of sense until the fruits of their ideology is realized. It is not that they are fraudulent as many politicians and at least one movie maker are. It is that they refuse to recognize how much socialism has debilitated humanity.
Totally left-wing liberal biased attack on Reagan, Bush & Murdock
blkhwk4128 July 2012
"This movie is a little unfocused in that it attacks the media (mainly Fox News and Rupert Murdoch), George W. Bush, and attempts to say the election was a fraud (ignoring the evidence that GWB did in fact win by all accepted criteria). As was widely reported, several unbiased news organizations did a recount of the ballots after the election and found that out of the 3 most accepted criteria for manually recounting ballots, GWB won on all counts. Even the lefty New York Times, who took part in the recount, agrees GWB won fair and square. It's amazing to see the director ignore heaps of evidence in his quest to prove an irrational point."
This 'film' was completely slanted throughout. It showed 'viewpoints' by some of the most liberal left-wing people in the country -such as Mikey Moore and avowed communist Bernie Sanders.
Put this crap forth as a 'documentary' should be a crime. Unfortunately there are many uneducated people who will see it and think 'how wonderful', silly them. This trash would get a minus, if possible.
This 'film' was completely slanted throughout. It showed 'viewpoints' by some of the most liberal left-wing people in the country -such as Mikey Moore and avowed communist Bernie Sanders.
Put this crap forth as a 'documentary' should be a crime. Unfortunately there are many uneducated people who will see it and think 'how wonderful', silly them. This trash would get a minus, if possible.
Fails to provide a balanced view
bbagnall21 October 2004
This movie is a little unfocused in that it attacks the media (mainly Fox News and Rupert Murdoch), George W. Bush, and attempts to say the election was a fraud (ignoring the evidence that GWB did in fact win by all accepted criteria). As was widely reported, several unbiased news organizations did a recount of the ballots after the election and found that out of the 3 most accepted criteria for manually recounting ballots, GWB won on all counts. Even the lefty New York Times, who took part in the recount, agrees GWB won fair and square. It's amazing to see the director ignore heaps of evidence in his quest to prove an irrational point.
He levels several weak charges like the fact that black voters had the most spoiled ballots. He mixes up cause and effect, and comes to the conclusion that somehow the voters are not responsible - somehow Jeb Bush is responsible. It's incredible how far partisans will screw up their logic to come up with a damning conclusion.
In criticizing the media, director Pappas commits the same sin he is attempting to critique. He uses all lefty sources for his experts, much like the media has done in the last 30 years. He fails to allow anyone with an opposing viewpoint to be heard, fearing if they drag his theory into the light it might die.
Charles Lewis is the only balanced interview and I admire everything he stands for in fairness in the media. Conservatives want to see localization and diversity in the media more than anyone. Conservatives have had to fight a biased media for over 30 years, and now that there is *one* media group (and a small one compared to the others) the lefties are all aghast. Of the media interest groups in Washington, Rupert Murdochs was low on the list compared to Disney and the others, yet somehow the director wants to focus on Fox News.
Perhaps he should have made a film about what a struggle it has been for conservatives to get a voice in the media at all. I hope the conservatives in the United States will attack the problem at the grass roots and buy in at the bottom as well as the top.
He levels several weak charges like the fact that black voters had the most spoiled ballots. He mixes up cause and effect, and comes to the conclusion that somehow the voters are not responsible - somehow Jeb Bush is responsible. It's incredible how far partisans will screw up their logic to come up with a damning conclusion.
In criticizing the media, director Pappas commits the same sin he is attempting to critique. He uses all lefty sources for his experts, much like the media has done in the last 30 years. He fails to allow anyone with an opposing viewpoint to be heard, fearing if they drag his theory into the light it might die.
Charles Lewis is the only balanced interview and I admire everything he stands for in fairness in the media. Conservatives want to see localization and diversity in the media more than anyone. Conservatives have had to fight a biased media for over 30 years, and now that there is *one* media group (and a small one compared to the others) the lefties are all aghast. Of the media interest groups in Washington, Rupert Murdochs was low on the list compared to Disney and the others, yet somehow the director wants to focus on Fox News.
Perhaps he should have made a film about what a struggle it has been for conservatives to get a voice in the media at all. I hope the conservatives in the United States will attack the problem at the grass roots and buy in at the bottom as well as the top.
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