TeenzTen
An action-packed slog
Peereddi
I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.
Usamah Harvey
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Pepper Anne
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.
Brian Bagnall
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.
classycuteblond
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.
mmrobins
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.
