FOX News calls Fahrenheit 9/11 'a brilliant piece of work'

[bowens43]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122678,00.html

"But once "F9/11" gets to audiences beyond screenings, it won't be dependent on celebrities for approbation. It turns out to be a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties should see without fail."

[DRoseDARs]

1. Make sure that this page doesn't get erased...

"Paging Dr. Memory Hole. Dr. Memory Hole, you are needed in Room DU..."

[NewHampshireDem]

2. Just so folks don't have to click over ...

As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, "F9/11" — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty, and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice. Readers of this column may recall that I had a lot of problems with Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," particularly where I thought he took gratuitous shots at helpless targets like Charlton Heston. "Columbine" too easily succeeded by shooting fish in a barrel, as they used to say. Not so with "F9/11," which instead relies on lots of film footage and actual interviews to make its case against the war in Iraq and tell the story of the intertwining histories of the Bush and Bin Laden families.

<snip>

But, really, in the end, not seeing "F9/11" would be like allowing your first amendment rights to be abrogated, no matter whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. The film does Bush no favors, that's for sure, but it also finds an unexpectedly poignant and universal groove in the story of Lila Lipscombe, a Flint, Michigan mother who sends her kids into the Army for the opportunities it can provide — just like the commercials say — and lives to regret it. Lipscombe's story is so powerful, and so completely Middle American, that I think it will take Moore's critics by surprise. She will certainly move to tears everyone who encounters her.

[liberalpragmatist]

37. Here's an Even Fuller Text

'Fahrenheit 9/11' Gets Standing Ovations
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
By Roger Friedman

FOX News

The crowd that gave Michael Moore's controversial "Fahrenheit 9/11" a standing ovation last night at the Ziegfeld Theatre premiere certainly didn't have to be encouraged at all to show their appreciation. From liberal radio host and writer Al Franken to actor/director Tim Robbins, Moore was in his element. But once "F9/11" gets to audiences beyond screenings, it won't be dependent on celebrities for approbation. It turns out to be a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties should see without fail.

As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, "F9/11" — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty, and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice. Readers of this column may recall that I had a lot of problems with Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," particularly where I thought he took gratuitous shots at helpless targets like Charlton Heston. "Columbine" too easily succeeded by shooting fish in a barrel, as they used to say. Not so with "F9/11," which instead relies on lots of film footage and actual interviews to make its case against the war in Iraq and tell the story of the intertwining histories of the Bush and Bin Laden families.

(snip)

But, really, in the end, not seeing "F9/11" would be like allowing your first amendment rights to be abrogated, no matter whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. The film does Bush no favors, that's for sure, but it also finds an unexpectedly poignant and universal groove in the story of Lila Lipscombe, a Flint, Michigan mother who sends her kids into the Army for the opportunities it can provide — just like the commercials say — and lives to regret it. Lipscombe's story is so powerful, and so completely Middle American, that I think it will take Moore's critics by surprise. She will certainly move to tears everyone who encounters her.

(snip)

On the other hand, there are more than enough moments that seemed to resonate with the huge Ziegfeld audience. The most indelible is President Bush's reaction to hearing on the morning of September 11, 2001, that the first plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. Bush was reading to a grade school class in Florida at that moment. Instead of jumping up and leaving, he instead sat in front of the class, with an unfortunate look of confusion, for nearly 11 minutes. Moore obtained the footage from a teacher at the school who videotaped the morning program. There Bush sits, with no access to his advisers, while New York is being viciously attacked. I guarantee you that no one who sees this film forgets this episode.

More than even "The Passion of the Christ," "F9/11" is going to be a "see it for yourself" movie when it hits theaters on June 25. It simply cannot be missed, and I predict it will be a huge moneymaker. And that's where Disney's Michael Eisner comes in. Not releasing this film will turn out to be the curse of his career. When Eisner came into Disney years ago, the studio was at a low point. He turned it around with a revived animation department and comedy hits like "Pretty Woman" and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." But Eisner's short-sightedness on many recent matters has been his undoing. And this last misadventure is one that will follow him right out the doors of the Magic Kingdom.

[cmayer]

39. How long will Roger Friedman last at Fox?

I hope he has his resume updated.

[jeff30997]

3. I just got out of bed...

Can somebody pinch me just to be sure i'm not dreaming?

[Magrittes Pipe]

4. Damn liberal media.

:P

[LibertyorDeath]

5. WTF is going on

[Lucky Luciano]

6. Cue: twilight music n/t

[ibegurpard]

7. Rupert Murdoch, et al., know they have no credibility with anyone

other than mouth-breathers. So they throw this kind of thing in there every once in a while so that the mouth-breathers can say "SEE? Fox IS fair and balanced!"

[moondust]

8. Cooptation. n/t

[hlthe2b]

9. WOW.....

This coming from FAUX NEWS probably should be a late breaking news item! Don't you just love thinking about O'Lielee, Sham Hannity, and others reading this?!!!!!!!!!!

[Killarney]

10. Holy crap! That was a great review!

WTF is going on?

[donhakman]

11. Fox lite is usually...

[Killarney]

12. LOL!

[Vickers]

13. Bwahahahahahaha!

*removing hook from mouth*

At first I thought that was for real, then saw some stuff that made me go "Huh?" then saw who posted it.

:toast:

[Kid_A]

18. "More Fairness and Balance than ever before!"

Is that real? Jesus Christ, I don't want to meet the person who thinks the normal Fox News is too hard-hitting. AND WHAT THE FUCK IS OFFENSIVE ABOUT JOHN LENNON?!?!?!?

[Bandit]

25. Even more "fairness and balance" than ever before

:crazy: Whaaaa!!

[BlueEyedSon]

14. Who is this guy? Check out this quote.....

(describing celebs that attended the US premier)
"If that's not enough, how about Yoko Ono, accompanied by her son, Sean, who's let his hair grow out and is now sporting a bushy beard that makes him look like his late, beloved father John Lennon?"

He actually LIKES that commie druggie freak, John Lennon!

[supernova]

15. Somebody tell me what universe this is?

When FOX News makes sense by giving a favorable review to Michael Moor's work?

:crazy:

[NewJeffCT]

20. It's the Bizarro World!

i'm out sick today for the 6th time in 15 years, I'm exhausted, my head is spinning - and now Fox praises Michael Moore. I should buy a lottery ticket tonight.

[Enraged_Ape]

16. AFAIC, this is proof that the Repub powers want to dump Bush

They are in the first stages of preparing the little cultists for the idea of a candidate switcheroo later this summer.

[SmokingJacket]

17. THink you're right...

Repubs are fleeing Bush/Cheney like rats from a sinking ship. He's not doing them any favors anymore.

I think it'll be an **interesting** summer...

[7th_Sephiroth]

21. yup

thier gonna run guilliani as the 9/11 mayor/hero who never shoveled a single piese of debris from ground zero

[Geo55]

38. rats from a sinking ship

That was my 1st impression....perhaps the stench of rotting chief executive corpse is wafting past the old nostrils ?

[Dirty Hippie]

19. I had to look out the window

to see if pigs were flying after I read this review.

[ronnykmarshall]

22. Poor freepers

First Rush gets ANOTHER divorce and now this!

Heads must be exploding right now.

[dave29]

23. Looks like they may have scrubbed it

The page shows up - but no words LOL

[notadmblnd]

27. it's still there, give it a minute to load

nt

[robbedvoter]

28. Nope. It's there.

[rniel]

24. I bet this writer is getting fired tomorrow!

don't you think.

[Wednesdays]

26. Well, it's now thirty below zero in hell...

Enjoying this while it lasts...methinks Mr. Friedman will be looking for work fairly soon.

[ElectroPrincess]

29. Unbelievable ...

I haven't been this "ass over tea kettle" flabbergasted since the first time I had to admit - that I agreed with some of Buchanan's perspectives.

Just when you think it couldn't get any more WEIRD, they pull something like this ??? The only rationale I can fathom is that FOX always wants to be on the "winning team" no matter the cost to it's reputation. They're not only shameless, they're also the most popular corporate media whores we've got in the USA. And they're ours (USA's) all ours! ... <off to hurl up my breakfast>

[TexasBushwhacker]

30. This is GREAT!

Especially considering the pressure via the "Move America Backward" campaign of e-mails to the theaters (which made it to the front page of Variety today, BTW).

I think the fact that he says "a film that members of all political parties should see without fail" is even more important that saying it's brilliant! It's a nice big poke in the eye to the "I know better than you what you should see" crowd.

[cmf]

31. I think I just saw a pig fly by outside my window

Un-freaking-believable.

I'm sure that now many Faux news fans will point to this and say, "See, they're fair and balanced."

Either way, I cannot wait to see this movie.

[LibertyorDeath]

32. You have just entered the Twilight Zone !

[Walt Starr]

33. Faux must know Bushco

is going to be indicted for treason.

[Generator]

34. From your keys to God's ears!

Christ o' frigging matic!

Read this part:
On the other hand, there are more than enough moments that seemed to resonate with the huge Ziegfeld audience. The most indelible is President Bush's reaction to hearing on the morning of September 11, 2001, that the first plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. Bush was reading to a grade school class in Florida at that moment. Instead of jumping up and leaving, he instead sat in front of the class, with an unfortunate look of confusion, for nearly 11 minutes. Moore obtained the footage from a teacher at the school who videotaped the morning program. There Bush sits, with no access to his advisers, while New York is being viciously attacked. I guarantee you that no one who sees this film forgets this episode.

More than even "The Passion of the Christ," "F9/11" is going to be a "see it for yourself" movie when it hits theaters on June 25.


Does this mean the end is coming????

I think it might.

Thanks For DU I would never have read this otherwise!

All right, I will untwist my underwear and calm the hell down.

[Berserker]

36. WOW

I can't wait until I see handjob and gumby give it two thunbs up!

[testing123]

35. I don't trust Fox

Something has to be up their sleeves in order for them to stop their Nazi tactics for a few minute's.