June 27, 2004

media schmedia

At Barnes & Noble this afternoon, browsing led to buying and I left with my very own copy of Fran Drescher's second autobiography,"Cancer Schmancer."

After Friday night's showing of Fahrenheit 9-11, I decided I needed some more... gentle media for the remainder of my weekend.

Maybe I thought Michael Moore would just skip over showing little Iraqi babies with their arms blown to pieces. Maybe I didn't think I'd cry for a Michigan mother who'd lost her son. But with the theater being so hot and humid, and having had two vodka tonics with dinner, by the time the movie let out I was dizzy and overwhelmed and wanting nothing more than to hit the street for some cooler air.

The streets were no cooler, nor any less congested. We hurried west to escape the crowds of converted democrats in loud debates, over-analyzing the film.

"What'd you think of it?" my companion asked as we broke through the crowds.
"I... don't really know. It upset me."
"I couldn't tell if my ears were playing tricks on me," he said. "I thought I heard you sniffling."
"I was."

So, yes, Fahrenheit 9-11 made me cry. More than once. Which is why today, after my Post-Nanny purchase, I skipped down to Blockbuster where I rented Cheaper by the Dozen. I figured it was safe.

I mean, I read the whole cover and didn’t see Moore’s name anywhere on it.

Posted by This Fish at June 27, 2004 05:23 PM
Comments

Upset, definitely. And very, very angry. More on my take tomorrow.

Posted by: Michael at June 27, 2004 05:51 PM

I know I would've enjoyed that movie more if I'd had two vodka-and-tonics beforehand...

Posted by: Steve at June 27, 2004 06:06 PM

Ok, fine. I cried during it too.

But only a little!

Posted by: jennn at June 27, 2004 06:42 PM

In my screening, everyone was sniffling, even the men. That 9/11 segment was brutal.

Posted by: Esther at June 27, 2004 08:27 PM

A packed theater, everyone was crying, and everyone left mad. I wonder if dubya has the sense to be worried?

Posted by: so sue me at June 27, 2004 08:51 PM

doing a little something might make you feel better:
http://booksforsoldiers.com

Posted by: hub at June 27, 2004 09:21 PM

In the U.S., we have the luxury of being completely unfamiliar with the daily and personally visual atrocities of warfare. What upset me most was not how saddening and sickening it truly is, but how many people in the theater weren't upset at all.

Posted by: Anna at June 28, 2004 04:49 AM

it made me cry, too. as in, large and incessant pools of weeping.

Posted by: shivery at June 28, 2004 09:22 AM

So glad I wasn't the only one. I'm talking, tummy hurting kind of crying. I was really happy in my ignorance, I think.

Posted by: Fish at June 28, 2004 09:33 AM

This is just to let you know that This Fish was nominated via write-in ballot for The Pink Bee Best Blog 2004 (summer) contest.

People may visit www.thepinkbee.com and follow the link at the top to vote.

Congratulations and good luck!

Winners will be announced and notified on 7/5/04

BTW, I'm glad someone nominated you, I really like your site :)

Posted by: Barrie at June 28, 2004 09:58 AM

Haven't seen the movie, yet...but will soon. Like your site...come visit sometime.

Posted by: Joan at June 28, 2004 11:15 AM

ignorance is NOT bliss. dont be content with being ignorant about world affairs and the reality of this administration. esp since you work in the financial capital of the world - educate yourself, see through the smoke.

Posted by: loyal gal at June 28, 2004 11:25 AM

Oh, blah, blah.

See the Advice Free Zone?

Recognize.

Posted by: Fish at June 28, 2004 11:37 AM

Saw the movie two nights in a row, it was so worth the 15 dollars to stifle my sobs. Twice. More worth it to crowd watch. It was mildly akin the the solidarity experienced at the March for Women's Lives. Hippies is good people.

Posted by: Ms Koolaid at June 28, 2004 12:28 PM

Amendment to last:
I also am down to saccharine circles, how's that for solidarity =)

Posted by: Ms Koolaid at June 28, 2004 12:30 PM

It's amazing how powerful this film is; where I saw it, people stood and cheered. We are going to take this country back from the tyrants! Thanks for turning out to show your support, Fish! There is a revolution in foment!

Posted by: kenton at June 28, 2004 02:13 PM

A friend I was with cried a lot, too, even at parts I didn't think were particularly heartwrenching. I had read about the gruesome stuff (stories about the rating) so I was semi-prepared for that.

Posted by: Michael R at June 28, 2004 02:24 PM

Sobbed through it.

Posted by: mingaling at June 28, 2004 03:27 PM

Fish, your response to Loyal Gal? It's why I read you.

Michael Moore is a great dramatist. I'm not of the belief he's a great documentarian though. I prefer my reality to be more than faintly tinged by truth.

Posted by: Bond Girl at June 28, 2004 07:01 PM

I wont see it. I have to agree that Mr. Moore has a flare for the dramatic and is not a responsible documentarian.

www.bowlingfortruth.com

and ive been to Iraq..I dont need him to take me back...

Posted by: girlpunch at June 28, 2004 09:47 PM