Sunday, October 04, 2009

Go see Capitalism: A Love Story




Hi everybody,

It's me, Garlynn.

I'm just writing with a movie recommendation that I think you should all see.

And I'm a bit conflicted about this, because, well, this movie, called "Capitalism: A Love Story", by Michael Moore, is a pro-American screed against the capitalist system that is holding us all down. So, it doesn't make much sense to go out and line some corporate pocket in order to see it. If you can figure out a way to sneak into the theater for free, well, I highly encourage it. Otherwise, well, do what you have to do.

Personally, out of all the people whose pockets I could potentially line, however, Michael Moore ranks pretty low among those who it would piss me off to do so. This is, apparently, his best movie yet, which sets a pretty high bar -- and if lining his pocket now rather than later is the real choice, I'd rather do that now if that's what it takes to send a proper f*ck-you to Wall Street. (It's just the corporate middle-men who run AMC and United and the other corporate soul-sucking theatre chains that I'm less happy about, but then again, well, at least they've agreed to show his movie.)

Here's what the San Francisco Chronicle has to say about the movie. And below that, is what Michael Moore wrote that convinced me to go see it tonight -- I just got back from the theater, and let me tell you, it's worth it. It's a rousing movie, and I hope it inspires us all.

cheers,
~Garlynn



***

San Francisco Chronicle:

"Documentary, 127 minutes, Rated R


Love him or hate him, Michael Moore's latest, most impassioned diatribe has a flat-out polemic wizardry that'll frizz your hair and break your heart: promoting a radical democratization of economy, he touches on everything from the low pay of airline pilots to the 2008 financial meltdown. Simplistic, smart-alecky, primo Moore. -- A. Biancolli, SF Chronicle"




Michael Moore:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Moore
Date: Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Subject: A Great Opening Night -- Do Not Put Off Seeing "Capitalism: A Love Story" -- GO TONIGHT! All of Wall Street is Watching!
To: garlynn

A Great Opening Night -- Do Not Put Off Seeing "Capitalism: A Love Story" -- GO TONIGHT! All of Wall Street is Watching!
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

Friends,

Thank you, all of you, who packed the theaters across North America last night to see my new film. The movie houses were rockin'! The national movie exit poll company announced this morning that the audiences in America gave "Capitalism: A Love Story" a rare "A" rating! Wow, thank you! In most multiplexes where "Capitalism" played, it was the #1 or #2 top-grossing movie there for the evening. That is nothing short of amazing.

For those of you waiting till next week to see it, I can't say this strongly enough: Do not put off going to see "Capitalism: A Love Story." It is not just a movie. It is a referendum that is being closely watched by the CEOs of America. Let me tell you bluntly, the suits on Wall Street are closely watching to see how this movie does this weekend. So, too, are the members of Congress. If "Capitalism" has a huge opening, it will send shivers down their corporate spines, telling them loud and clear that the American people are mad as hell and are not into taking it any more. It will put all the bosses on notice that the vast Obama-voting majority has awoken from its silence and are out in full force.

But if the attendance is just "ok" or "so-so," then they will be relieved knowing that there is not a popular groundswell of opposition out there -- and then they can go about their business as usual. I'd like to send them a different message.

Treat tonight and tomorrow as if it were election day. Blow their minds on Monday morning when they show up at their executive suites, switch on CNBC or Fox Business News, and learn that America turned out in droves to participate in a raucous denunciation of Wall Street and everything it stands for. I often hear people ask, "What can I do to make my voice heard?" Your answer is at the nearest theater showing this movie. Trust me, packing these movie houses tonight and tomorrow will eff them up in an overwhelming and profound way.

Last night, there were many reports of spontaneous cheering throughout the film in nearly all the theaters. Theater managers reported difficulties in getting people to clear the theater lobby afterwards because groups of total strangers assembled to passionately discuss what they just saw. One manager wrote to me and said, "It's a good thing we carry Gummy Bears and Junior Mints at the concessions stand instead of pitchforks and torches! These crowds were ready to march over to the local Citibank and do something!" Another manager said a crowd in the lobby formed around the little Chase ATM machine next to his popcorn stand and started to "yell at it." Jeez! (Click here to see some of the cell phone photos fans have sent from various theaters around the country last night.)

Here's what I've heard the most about last night: Audiences were stunned and shocked by many of the things I reveal in the movie -- stuff that the networks have refused to show them -- even though they have the footage! They purposely withhold this news from you, the public. And because I dare to show it, some networks now refuse to license any of their footage to me. So I get my hands on it and put it in the movie anyway. I truly don't care. I'm sick and tired of the truth not being told to the American people -- and I am willing to suffer whatever the consequences come my way because I showed it to you. Fortunately we have "fair use" laws in this country that have kept my hide out of court so far. There is something so patently wrong with not being told what Wall Street and Corporate America are up to. If you go see "Capitalism" tonight, you'll see what I mean. You will alternately have your head spinning and then find yourself laughing your ass off!

Much more is riding on the success of this movie than the amount of popcorn that is sold. If we do well this weekend, the studio will expand the film to smaller towns next week. Don't put off seeing it! Click here to find out where it's playing and order your tickets now. Call some friends and make a night of it. My crew and I have put nearly two years of our lives into this and I am honored that it has been so well received. Join in on the fun of giving AIG, GM, Bank of America and all the other thieves the shellacking they deserve. And send me a photo of you and the crowd there tonight! I'll post it and personally send it to the heads of all the financial institutions and the members of Congress. They need to get a clue -- right now -- and I'd like you to help me send them that clue!

Thanks again, and I'll see you tonight at the movies!

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com



P.S. No, I'm not receiving any money from anybody to write this post.
P.P.S. I plead the fifth as to whether or not I paid any money to get into the movie theater tonight.

3 comments:

gardena buddha said...

ZOMBIELAND or CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY....hmmmmmm. I think we've already witnessed crony capitalism at it's best with the 787 billion bail-out last year. Maybe I need something more light-hearted.

Beep said...

Sounds enticing, but we're not generally theatre-goers. Maybe, we can catch it when it gets to an independent movie/pub house here in Portland.

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