Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Wyz_sub10 · 04-07-2003, 07:38 AM

Further to the discussions we've had here re: Michael Moore's Oscar speech and "Bowling for Columbine", Roger Ebert elaborates on some of his views in answering some of his mail:

On the Oscar speech...

Quote:

On a day of bad war news, Moore cued the Academy negatively with his hurried delivery and defensive body language. He came on fast and strong; they instinctively recoiled from being identified with him. In a similar speech the day before at the Indie Spirits, he took his time, made eye contact, and used the much better line, "The message for the children of Columbine is that violence is an acceptable way to resolve disputes."

At the Oscars, when the boos grew louder, he got rattled, I think, and shouted "Shame on you, Mr. Bush!"--which was guaranteed to turn a large part of the audience against him. Moore turned a standing ovation into a mixed reception by replaying his old tapes when a new speech for that day, occasion and mood was called for.

Interestingly enough, Moore agrees. He told me: "I completely blew it by not saying what I wanted to say, or using my sense of humor. I have played this over in my head so many times. I don't disagree with what I said in terms of content. It's about the delivery. I didn't expect to win, and I started to panic. It was a classic example of poor delivery, improper reading of the room, and not feeling comfortable in the moment."

On "Bowling for Columbine":

Quote:

Moore told me: "I don't know what category to put my films in. They're like a film version of the op-ed page, and not a traditional documentary. They are cinematic essays presenting my point of view. I may be right or wrong, but if I state something as a fact, I need the viewers to trust that those facts are correct."

The debate about specific facts in "Bowling for Columbine" has grown in such intensity and attention to detail that it requires the dedication of a Kennedy assassination buff. The Answer Man recommends you read both of the sites above, as well as michaelmoore.com, where he says he is posting a point-by-point reply to his critics, complete with documents, affidavits, etc. I also recommend that Moore preface his next film with the quote from Mark Twain.

Full letters and responses can be found at:

How Moore 'blew it'

King Rat · 04-07-2003, 09:32 AM

Quote:

I may be right or wrong, but if I state something as a fact, I need the viewers to trust that those facts are correct."

We just need to have faith...

cheetah · 04-07-2003, 12:46 PM

I'm growing to like Roger Ebert more and more. He seems very balanced, logical and not overly emotional. I admire that. I also like it because he said exactly what I felt after the Oscar's, that it was the delivery and MM got flustered. I need to become friends with Roger Ebert, I think...

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04-07-2003, 12:46 PM	#3
cheetah Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,118	I'm growing to like Roger Ebert more and more. He seems very balanced, logical and not overly emotional. I admire that. I also like it because he said exactly what I felt after the Oscar's, that it was the delivery and MM got flustered. I need to become friends with Roger Ebert, I think...

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