Tuesday, September 9, 2008

More Documentary Films


Free Documentary Films 7 pm Every Tuesday,
Amer's Delicatessen,
312 State St., Ann Arbor
(734) 761-6000


Tuesday, September 23 - Waco: The Rules of Engagement (part 1)
Should have won the Oscar for Best Documentary that year. Even if it seems this topic wouldn't be of interest, you have to see this film. We see Davidians, government agents, investigators, with all their faults and humanity. Nothing any reviewer can say could approach the impact of watching and listening for yourself. Evidence includes congressional testimony, 911 tapes, news footage, expert commentary, photos and home videos -- all seamlessly woven together. Told with unflinching eye and gripping style. If you think conspiracy theories are for paranoid disturbed people, this could change your mind.

Tuesday, September 30 - Waco: The Rules of Engagement (part 2)

Oct. 7 - Patent for a Pig
The seeds of the world are now owned primarily by one company, Monsanto. Monsanto is aiming to extend its control to pigs by patenting and thus privatising gene sequences, many of which are found naturally in pigs. Steven Druker, judge and civil rights activist, says "This, I believe, is one of the greatest frauds ever perpetrated by any government in history." A well made, "must see" docu.

Oct. 14 - Orwell Rolls In His Grave
This documentary is the best of all the "expose the media" docus. Very well reasoned look at what's wrong with how we get our information. Taking no side, neither left nor right, it examines the corporations that control what we see and hear. The film brings together a slew of interesting voices, from filmmakers, to politicians and media experts, to discuss the current state of the mass media. Many of us are skeptical about the media but don't really understand how it works. This documentary explains HOW and WHY it works. The material presented is on the money, is not preachy, and the film runs along coherently in an easy to watch pace. It brings together disparate stories and facts of the last 25 years tying them together in a coherent pattern.

Oct. 21 - Control Room
The film focuses on U.S. Marine Lt. Josh Rushing and the producers and staff of the much-maligned Al Jazeera, the Arab world's most popular news outlet. It's a rare window into the international perception of the Iraq occupation. We see Rushing, intelligent and empathetic, become self-analytical and empathetic - ultimately recognizing how much he hates war. With the release of the film, the Pentagon ordered Rushing not to comment on the film when asked for interviews. Offended by this gesture, he left the Marines and now, amazingly, works for Al Jazeera.

Oct. 28 - 9/11: Press for Truth
This was an amazing documentary! None of the 911 documentaries that have come before this have been so professionally produced and edited. This one actually cites the source of the information. They not only speak to family members and witnesses but, as was said, they provide credible sources for every bit of data they produce. This is a documentary based in fact and not fantasy. It raises real questions and provides real proof.

Sponsored by a group of concerned citizens