Moore credits opposition for strong `Fahrenheit 9/11' opening

[truthisfreedom]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--people-moore0627jun27,0,2250273.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

Moore credits opposition for strong `Fahrenheit 9/11' opening

June 27, 2004, 5:33 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore called the opening weekend numbers for his documentary "mind-boggling" and credited his political opponents for boosting ticket sales. "They're all getting a Christmas card from me this year," said Moore, who greeted filmgoers at a downtown Manhattan theater on Sunday.

<snip>

"It's that this movie has reached a lot of swing voters, independents and even Republicans," Moore said.

<snip>

"It sold out in red states throughout the country," he said.

<snip>

[Sweetpea]

1. I want to hear from some of those red state viewers.

[Rainbowreflect]

6. Sold out here in Lincoln, Nebraska.

All showings Friday & Saturday. Probably today too, but I don't know that for sure.

[travisleit01]

12. Sold out in Colorado!

And not just Denver/Boulder either - completely packed in conservative Douglas County (home of anti-immigrant Tom Tancredo!)

[Hawkeye-X]

19. I want see it...

But alas, time constraints and no captioning (yet) avaliable here in CO. I am demanding my wife to buy it when it comes out in Sept.

[sablescort]

49. same waiting on DVD

due to no captioning for theaters.

I would have absolutely loved the idea of watching F-9/11 in theater but being Deaf...its a bummer, but I dont mind waiting for the DVD this Sept too.

[LiberalFighter]

56. Hmmm... maybe someday it will be possible for captioning

where viewers wearing special glasses?? or with stadium seating turn it on to view there.

[sablescort]

58. Rear Window...yeah that is it!

But I dont know if theaters are carrying F-911 with Rear Window.... I've searched all over the 'Net for a list of theaters with Rear-Window Captioning.....no luck :(

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

32. Sold out here in Plano, TX (North Dallas)

[T Bone]

33. 10 p.m. Sunday night show in Indiana SOLD OUT

Applause, laughter, crying and heckling of Bushco throughout.
Lots of disgust registering in the audience too.
I heard on Friday night that voters were being registered outside of many theaters after the show.

[LiberalFighter]

57. Almost sold out at 7:10pm opening in Ft Wayne

[PaDUer]

55. Just announced on MSNBC

MM's film has brought in $24million since it opened! The right wingers will be shitting.

[Slit Skirt]

2. that ought to piss 'em off

ROYAL...........

[jdj]

10. Honey, between this movie and Clinton's book, they

are most definitely shitting themselves. I bet Depends stock is going through the roof right about now. I saw one of the GOP rent-a-preacher guys on one of the cable clones the other day and, honest to God, he was visibly shaken. He was there to espouse garbage about how The Book will energize the right, but he looked like he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It was quite refreshing.

You know, I wonder if the Clinton book is a move to appeal to the Nascar dad types, because with marital infidelity statistics being what they are, maybe he's thinking this is one thing that they can relate to. And Clinton is mentioning the sum (70 million plus taxpayer dollars) in interviews...I just wish he would talk about the paltry sum spent on the 9/11 investigation in comparison.

[Dr Fate]

11. That's why Moore said it. He loves getting their goat...

...and I love watching him do it...

[cliss]

23. You're right, Dr.

He probably knew that this was going to happen. Now he's driving in the dagger, and twisting it around.

I just can't believe how good this feels!

[Cha]

3. Thanks, but I can't get that link to work

and I would like to read it all.

Never mind..I see you have one now, thanks.

[truthisfreedom]

5. yeah, i have to learn to preview more

i missed the closing bracket on the first bit of HTML.

[goforit]

4. Send this to the Phoney pollsters.......Eat ya heart out guys!!

:bounce:

[RamboLiberal]

7. Sold out at Fort Bragg - Hope Moore got a lot of "Hooahs"

Hope a lot of soldiers and military families went to see it.

He said it sold out in Fort Bragg, N.C., and Peoria, Ill., states that went to Bush in the 2000 presidential election.

[smiley_glad_hands]

8. Richmond, VA.

Sold Out.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. Go Richmond! It is showing in only one theater, though, but at least

it's being shown.

[Ivan Zero]

13. Howling Freepers will never learn

that their outrage always brings a bonanza of free publicity.

(hehehe ... Bonanza ... still chuckling over that F911 segment)

They promise to continue to be a rich source of PR for the savvy likes of Moore. After all, the only alternative is to SHUT UP and swallow their mock indignation.

And to them, that's a fate worse than death.

[graywarrior]

14. Sold out in Sarasota FL

!!

[Anaxamander]

41. Sold out in Tallahassee, FL

Friday and Saturday. When I finally saw it on Sunday, there was a line around the building. The film received a standing ovation.

[NJGeek]

15. Sold out in NJ

I saw it tonight, it was a great piece of filmmaking, a stellar example of free speech in action, and something every American should see.

[11bravo1986]

17. Sold out in Tampa Bay, Florida...

went friday and it was sold out, had to show up 2 hours early on sat to get a ticket. have to see it again there was so much info.

3 things i wish he could have put in there.

1. the trifecta joke bush was using
2. where are the wmd joke bush made
3. rice stating that she could never imagine the terroists using planes as missles.

[glitch]

25. I agree - especially the trifecta joke. That was shockingly offensive

Welcome to DU!

[Skip Intro]

16. Sold Out in Charleston, SC

Local paper, and the article is titled, "Documentary draws Bush bashers." (Why is it that criticism of bush and the blatant, tragic truths that surround him is "bashing," but when the kooks on the right attack Kerry, they are "critcizing?")

snip
---------
The film drew large and enthusiastic crowds, although they perhaps were already believers in the cause. Many said they think the film makes a powerful case against Bush.

"This is the biggest opening day ever," said Jim Marzluff, an employee at the Terrace Theatre on James Island, which typically shows films that cater to an art-house crowd.

Some cheered when they found out that showings had sold out, pointing to that as evidence of anti-Bush sentiment in the Lowcountry.

There certainly appeared to be a local market for a movie that, whatever else it might do, is not likely to decrease the polarization of the American electorate.
---------

http://charleston.net/stories/062604/loc_26fahren.shtml
(you either have to register, or click the "stop" button on your browser time as the story appears)

[Eloriel]

52. No, it won't decrease the polarization -- and that's because

the Left is sick and tired of being marginalized, ignored, forgotten, run over and left for fucking dead.

I do believe that between Howard Dean's candidacy and this movie, we are seeing a Liberal Resurgence.

:toast:

[jpak]

18. F9/11 Boffo in Pensacola

Saw it twice - Friday evening and Sunday matinee.

The Friday crowd was rowdy and there was a distinct air of comraderie among people wating in line.

The Sunday show was much more subdued - but I heard many more gasps of astonishment.

Both shows were packed and finished with loud appplause.

[pompano]

51. I saw the first showing.....

...at 11am, same place and theater.

About 4/5ths full. Huge ovation at the end! Little huddles of conservation afterwards.

GO MIKE MOORE!

[jamesinca]

20. In Bakersfield CA it showed well

Bakersfield is in Kern Co. It is a solid Republican area of California. It has been a red area as long as maps have been colored as such.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/story/4774609p-4825054c.html
'Fahrenheit 9/11' opens to strong reactions in Kern
By CHRISTINA SOSA, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [e-mail]

Posted: Friday June 25th, 2004, 10:20 PM
Last Updated: Friday June 25th, 2004, 10:55 PM

----------------------------------------------------------------------

One local movie-goer said it showed "how we have been buffaloed." A local Republican leader called the film "slop out of the gutter."
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" opened locally and in the rest of the nation Friday afternoon, receiving a strong reaction in Kern County.

<SNIP>

According to audience member Perry Ortiz, the theater was packed with enthusiastic Moore fans.

Several organizations are rallying to boycott the film as well. The California Republican Party is encouraging its members to see "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" instead.

The group has offered a free Bush/Cheney bumper sticker to anyone who sends them their "Dodgeball" ticket stub for a June 25 through 27 showing of the Ben Stiller comedy.

Kern County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman Karen Dewalt, who doesn't plan to see the movie, called Moore's work "slop out of the gutter."

[The_Casual_Observer]

28. slop out of the gutter

I can just imagine this my-shit-doesn't-stink republican sitting there on her ass sweating this out. They are running scared, giving away their stupid bumper stickers as some juvenile attempt to distract the public. Anyway, why did they even bother to mention the twit? to try and be "balanced'??

BTW, I never see Bush/Cheney stickers only Kerry ones out there!

[Art_from_Ark]

30. So if she doesn't plan to see the movie,

how does she know it's "slop out of the gutter"?
:shrug:

[T Bone]

34. We ought to all mail our FH911 ticket stubs to the Bakersfield GOP !!

Each of us for 37 cents can sawmp th pubbies in bakerfield with mail. All of ours showing up will keep them busy searching for the freeper fools who sent in their Dodgeball tickets in a haystack of FH911 ticket stubs !! All of ours will keep them from other office work. And their mailman will hate them.

Hey Jamesinca, can you give us an address there in Bakersfield where they want the ticket stubs ?

[jamesinca]

46. Can't help there

I don't know the Kern County Republicans. As far as that goes, I don't even know the Republican address where I am 2 counties over. To my credit, I do know where my Democrat party office is.

[Eloriel]

53. I LOVE that idea!! n/t

[uhhuh]

35. The Party of family values recommends:

Dodgeball:

Adam R. Holz (Plugged In) calls it "a film that does nothing more than hurl obscene material. Just as the characters must dodge wrenches, cars and incoming red rubber balls, so moviegoers are forced to dodge two hours worth of angry verbal assaults, lowbrow humor and crude—more accurately, obscene—innuendo."

yeah, it sounds like a Republican feel-good flick.

[0007]

37. "slop out of the gutter." 'eh? I wonder kind of slop out of the gutter

is rape, torture, murder, and throwing a country into debt with pure deceit would be called?

[giant_robot]

45. "The group has offered a free...

...bumper sticker to anyone who sends them their "Dodgeball" ticket stub for a June 25 through 27 showing of the Ben Stiller comedy."

Don't they give them away for free anyway?

[realcountrymusic]

21. Saw it tonight -- Holy Cow!

My wife and I don't get out to movies too often -- by the time we're done paying the babysitter and the taxi fare and NYC movie ticket and popcorn prices it costs us about $100 for the evening.

But we were bound and determined to see this on opening weekend to show our support for the film and rub it to the right-wing Moore bashers. We weren't really expecting to be blown away. Even though we love Moore's stuff, we thought we pretty much knew what the film would say and already hate Bush* as much as anyone could, and believe most of the case Moore makes against Bushco. (Unlike my wife, and from what I could tell, unlike Moore, I actually believe they LIHOP/MIHOP). But we wanted to add to the movie's gross for the weekend and be a part of the community experience -- finally someone speaking truth to these fascists.

We went to a 5 PM Sunday show. Had to go across town to get a ticket. We arrived 45 minutes early suspecting a line for seats (movie sold out by moviephone and Fandango yesterday!). Yep. About 40 people were already waiting by 4:15 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and this in a theater with two screens for F911. By the time we were let in to the theater, the line for seating was stretched around the place, a complete sell-out, about 300-350 people, excited, galvanized, pumped! I had my laptop with me and got a wireless signal, so I was showing people around me the pics on Moore's site of othercrowds around the country.

The movie surpassed all expectations. From the opening recap of the 2000 election theft, and the *amazing* if brief footage of the anti-inauguration protests (I was there and had always been enraged that the violence and passion of those demonstrations had been covered up by the mainstream media) to the tragedy of the congressional Black caucus begging for ONE damn rich white senator to stand with them against the certification (I will never look at Tom Daschle with even an ounce of respect again!), to the incredible way Bush was exposed as a pissant moron reading "My Pet Goat" while NYC burned, to the subtle and moving way the actual WTC attack was portrayed, to the simply stunning level of access and focus Moore achieved working with soldiers in Iraq, the shots of civilians and soldiers alike maimed by bombs and guns while the cabal farts gloated and plotted how to get rich off the death they were creating, to the moving encounter with the radicalized mother of a dead soldier . . . the movie shocked, it caused tears to flow, it angered, it simply shook my world. The applause at the end was substantial, though not sustained -- New Yorkers don't need to be convinced of some of this. But simply as a film, it is not to be missed.

It drove home for me, even though I already knew it, how intimidated and silenced working Americans have become, how very cynical this regime has been in its manipulation of fear and base emotions, how sheep-like -- scratch that, complicit -- the mainstream media have acted throughout, how one voice -- Moore's -- and all the voices he summons and articulates can suddenly say "the emperor is butt-assed naked, folks" and suddenly make people see. If a few hundred thousand people in red states watch this movie with any ounce of intellectual honesty, or even their emotions let off the leash a bit, this movie could turn this election and this war and this country around. It's that powerful a piece of art. It is not agit-prop. It is not ironic or cynical. It's funny at times, only in its presentation of the absurd and with the goal of forcing people to think, engage, pay attention, FEEL.

Michael, you are a genius, a visionary, an artist, a truth teller, and one of the bravest voices of our time. I am going to see this movie again. I'm going to tell everyone I know that they must see it. 100 years from now, whatever happens to this country in the next few years, this movie will be our generation's J'Accuse, our "Have You No Decency?" moment, our version of Luther's Theses. If you are not planning to watch this movie, whether because you think you don't need to, or because it would be a hassle, or you don't normally go to movies, make an exception. This is OUR movie, the American people's, Mr. Moore Goes To Washington for our times. Take a neighbor, a friend, some kids who can't get in because it's R-Rated or who wouldn't go because it's "boring political documentary" stuff. I'm still shaking in awe and fury. Between this movie and Air America Radio, I feel like I haven't felt in a decade or more about the possibility our democracy could, just maybe, be saved.

RCM

[GaryL]

22. Thanks!

You captured my reaction exactly. I wish I had the patience and talent to write as well as yourself. Keep spreading the word.

[young_at_heart]

24. Thanks for an excellent review and commentary!

We seldom go to the movies....we will not miss this one though!

[DemonFighterLives]

26. Good Job

Can't imagine how all the reviews I've seen on the boob tube are Moore bashing. What will it take to break the news to these folks?

[judgegina]

27. Beautiful!

Thank you for writing that.

[DemExpat]

39. Thanks, I agree with your thoughts about Michael....

a genius, a visionary, an artist, a truth teller, and one of the bravest voices of our time.
He is my real American Patriot!

:kick:

DemEx

[Eloriel]

54. RCM - please post this as its own thread

It's a very powerful and moving testimony. Won't you?

And WELCOME to DU!!!!

[Triana]

29. Fayetteville, NC - home of Fort Bragg...

...and 9/11 was SOLD OUT!

Mwahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Chovexani]

31. I saw F9/11 at that theater and met him!

It was so cool. I gushed about it in the Lounge.

MM is my hero. :loveya:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

43. I hope he does some kind of tour including red state screening appearances

[Kinkistyle]

36. Hah! "War on Moore" just like "War on Drugs" and "War on Terror"

They are all having the opposite effect of the one intended.

[Mari333]

38. In their hearts, as Anne Frank said, people are inherently good

and want the truth. Many people. For all of my moaning and screaming and anger at the US populace, (and mind you, I am still angry at their naivete'), I realize we live in a poorly educated country, where the system pushes people thru who cannot read well or write, and have not been taught to be cynical or think for themselves.
But it would take a hell of a mean person, a person filled with self hatred, not to cry when they saw the mother of a dead soldier say "You should never bury your children before you.."
And it would take a hell of a bastard not to cry when seeing an Iraqi baby thrown into the back of a truck.
So, hats off to Moore for showing, finally, the truth.
And shame on the US media for sucking White House teat.
Bring the Troops Home NOW

[Swamp Rat]

40. Now let's see if the corporate media doesn't preempt Moore's movie

... with stories about this "surprise handover."

[Mari333]

42. They cant ignore the Truth forever, no matter how much they try

and with the Plame indictments coming out, they eventually will have to cave at some point..
Goddamn the corporate media...how many more people have to die while they attend smarmy cocktail parties and shmooze with their republican friends?
Shame on all of them for caving in. Truly, C students with no class run this country, and the media. Shallow bastards.

[Swamp Rat]

47. I agree and...

and as an A student, who is unemployed with no health insurance and family suffering in Iraq, I will use my skills to point out every evil deed done by these bastard NeoCons.

When I was posting here on DU and heard the news about the "handover," my first thought was: They don't want Americans to discuss F9/11. Then at 5 pm I scanned all the TV stations and there was not ONE headline that included Michael Moore... I guess I could have missed some of the MSNBC headlines, but I didn't hear it mentioned there.

They're gonna send my cousin back for a second tour - he really doesn't want to go and I am scared to death for him. I have lurked here since 2001 Mari333, I know your story quite well as I saw it unfold right here on DU. I truly empathize with you, as do others with loved ones in harms way as we speak.

These bastards in the corporate media are ALSO responsible for sending and keeping our loved ones in Iraq. Now, they're gonna continue helping Bush* by trotting out this "success" and plastering it all over the air waves?

When we're discussing news in the "real world," let's not get caught up in this "handover" business, and keep talking about Moore's movie. We need to get ALL the fence-sitters interested in seeing this movie.

[Mari333]

50. Im so sorry you have to go thru this shite too

and yes, the media can shill all day but the truth will come out and they will be the ones with the blood on their hands and the egg on their face..this will go down in US History as the black days of the corporate media who let the USA down at every turn and allowed thousands of people to die, hundreds of soldiers to die, and thousands of people to be attacked for nothing but oil and empire..
I dont know how these people can live with themselves at night.
((((((hugs to you..believe your loved one will come home..thats what I have to believe))))))))))))

[truthisfreedom]

44. bump

[Tight_rope]

48. Kick!

[GaryL]

59. CNN or GOP?

They were spinning the 22 million taken in means nothing unless the file keeps on top until fall. I plan to see it again and this time I told a moderate winger friend I'd pay for her and her husband to see it. Of course, she said her sister would come along too!

Come on, folks. Follow my lead and let's bury these neocons once and for all.