Bowling for Columbine

Blackthought · (#1 (**permalink**))

I never saw this before.. but watching it on E4 and it does sparks some interest..

Anyone watching this or has watched this..

What are your thoughts people

Soulstarr · (#2 (**permalink**))

Quite possibly one of the best documentarys ever made. I'm wirtting an essay based on the issues it raises at the moment as it happens. I think its fantastic.

Blackthought · (#3 (**permalink**))

Whats the title of the topic you are writtting about..

Soulstarr · (#4 (**permalink**))

Its a case study that critiques the media "effects model". Theres a guy called David Gauntlett that wrote and article called "10 things wrong with the effects model". I'm basically using some of the issues raised in Bowling for Columbine to back up his theory, in conjunction with Stuart Halls encoding/decoding theory.

One of the things I really locked onto in Bowling for Columbine was the Marilyn Manson interview where he talks about the link between fear and consumption. Its so very true but a lot of people don't realise. Its part of the reason I'd like to become a media studies teacheror lecturer in the future.

Prince Hakeem · (#5 (**permalink**))

You lot might find this interesting as well:

http://www.bowlingfortruth.com/

Even though the makers of this site are very anti Michael Moore, personally I don't mind him.

I love the way he pulled white Amerikkka's card in the book Stupid White Men when he was talking about how AAs are horribly stereotyped. Even though it's something we always knew it was good to readit from awhite person.

Blackthought · (#6 (**permalink**))

You know I am slightly dubious about Micheal Moore himself.. the way he always dumbs down himself... with his appearance as real casual looser.. somehow he always appear that way, which I feel is part of the reason why some of his story can be quite convicing..

But I still don't mind though.. its a good point you rasied there SoulStar, funny thing it's like that in this country aswell... how many times have you heard the news caster say "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening.. A man was found today burnt/axed/choked to death whilst he wife blah blah.." always the same ish day in day out.. never good story.

Soulstarr · (#7 (**permalink**))

Iteresting site thanx for the link @Prince. I'm putting the finishing touches to my case study tomorrowand I think I could include something from that.

I can't quite understand why theyre so dead set against him tho. I guess most people who are controversial will come under fire like that. From what I did see of that site their "critique" didn't hold anything particularly substantial that should distract from the pointfilm itself. But thats just my humble opinion lol. I still think it's an excellent piece of work from a social point of view.

Soulstarr · (#8 (**permalink**))

Blackthought wrote:

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You know I am slightly dubious about Micheal Moore himself.. the way he always dumbs down himself... with his appearance as real casual looser.. somehow he always appear that way, which I feel is part of the reason why some of his story can be quite convicing..

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I hadn't thought about that.Maybehethinks that dressing that way enables him to reach the people he really wants to get the mesasage to, ultimately the people in america that he feels have been alienated by the government etc but thats just my personal speculation. Perhaps a shirt and suit approach would be too intimidating?

But I still don't mind though.. its a good point you rasied there SoulStar, funny thing it's like that in this country aswell... how many times have you heard the news caster say "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening.. A man was found today burnt/axed/choked to death whilst he wife blah blah.." always the same ish day in day out.. never good story.

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Indeed. The news is rarely positive because tradgedy is what sells in society. As long as yopu punctuate it with a few brightly coloured adverts then you manage to keep everyones phsyches at a balanced level I guess.But Marilyn Manson is a hell of a lot more intelligent than people give him credit for.Theres an article he wrote forRolling Stone magazine abouthes feelings on being the scapegoatfor thecolumbine interview thats really insightful.Its ironic that he came from pretty similar backgrounds to the two boys involved, yet the very thing that he found sanctuary in, is whays being blamed for what really hasn't got squat to do with him.

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I remember a few years ago when people were saying that people who chose media related subjects for A Levels etc were "taking the easy way out". It wasn't seen as a proper subject but what a lot of people dont understand is that the media effects our lives every single day whether we like it or not. You can't stop it but it's practically a life skill if you're clued up on it.