Why Would We Act Like Leftists and Want Michael Moore Blacklisted?
by John NolteDeadline Hollywood Daily’s Editor-In-Chief Nikki Finke has declared a Red State Alert over the news that documentary filmmaker and Oscar-winner Michael Moore has just been elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors. She writes, Hollywood-hating conservatives are going to have a field day with this[.] (And predictably the L.A. Times’ Patrick Goldstein knee-jerks with this: You could hear the outcry in conservative quarters from a million miles away[.])
If for no other reason than she saves me from having to spend money on a “Variety” subscription, I love Nikki, but this conservative has no problem whatsoever with Michael Moore being elected to the Academy’s prestigious Board of Governors, because this conservative believes Michael Moore has earned it.
Yes, Michael Moore is a liar, a shameless propagandist and an anti-American leftist of the highest order. But he’s also one helluva talented filmmaker and it would be wildly hypocritical for me to believe or argue that anyone should be blacklisted from AMPAS due to their political beliefs. And that’s the only reason I could possibly use to argue against this appointment.
In the medium of documentary filmmaking, Michael Moore is one of the very best at what he does, no more or less accomplished than Kathryn Bigelow, who was also elected this year. No more or less accomplished than the other Governors.
We Hollywood-hating conservatives are not the ones looking to hold people back based on their political beliefs. If I have an argument with AMPAS it’s not that they should blacklist Michael Moore, it’s why not elect Jerry Bruckheimer, Jon Voight, Michael Moriarty, or Robert Davi to this board? For they are also no more or less accomplished than many of the others.
I’m sorry to disappoint those looking for outrage over Michael Moore’s new gig, but we’re not the blacklisters here. I despise everything Moore stands for just as much as the Left surely despises everything Jon Voight stands for. But a blacklist is a blacklist is a blacklist.
Big Hollywood will fight Moore in the arena of ideas and expose him as the liar he is any day of the week, and relish it. But my frustration with his agitprop — especially the fact that he’s good at it — isn’t about to turn me into what disgusts me.
UPDATE: Commenter shinsnake says it better than I could….
Difference between them and us: they fight for power, we fight for balance. They fight for submission, we fight for freedom. No one cares that Michael Moore is a tool of a lying leftist filmmaker. We only aim to point out his lies, not to silence them. There’s no doubt he’s talented. He’d have to be to make his propaganda seem interesting and truthful.
I think that’s the single biggest thing people misunderstand when us crazy, right wing, conservatives rail against America-hating Hollywood. We’re not saying they shouldn’t be able to say what they want. We’re merely saying why they’re wrong. And we argue that they shouldn’t keep conservatives out of the conversation. People don’t seem to get that.
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126 Comments
You will hear Patrick Goldstein's head deflating from a million miles away once he reads this.
Oh wait he probably won't because bigots never read what their opposition write. That's bad form you know, might give you "bad ideas."
So does that mean from now on only left-wing, pro-gay, anti-American, global affair films will be nominated? Oh yeah, I forgot. That's already the case!
Difference between them and us: they fight for power, we fight for balance. They fight for submission, we fight for freedom. No one cares that Michael Moore is a tool of a lying leftist filmmaker. We only aim to point out his lies, not to silence them. There's no doubt he's talented. He'd have to be to make his propaganda seem interesting and truthful.
I think that's the single biggest thing people misunderstand when us crazy, right wing, conservatives rail against America-hating Hollywood. We're not saying they shouldn't be able to say what they want. We're merely saying why they're wrong. And we argue that they shouldn't keep conservatives out of the conversation. People don't seem to get that.
Who really cares? The Oscars are a big celebration of Big Hollywood Liberalism.
his talent level isn't as high as you make it out…
He is a semi-skilled propagandist who has his back covered 24/7 by the Left Wing Noise Machine. 'Fahrenheit 9/11' was his best work; a modestly entertaining mosaic of truth, half truths, and outright fabrication. Like fellow agitator/activist Oliver Stone, he doesn't let the facts get between him and a rousing tale of fiction presented, more or less, as a factual narrative.
No, we are not as high on him as Mr Nolte is. That said, he probably fits in that clique, and ultimately does it really matter all that much?
No…
The other reason for no outrage? It's not the least bit surprising. Conservatives don't even pay any attention to the Oscars. LOL. The left are so self-absorbed.
Oscars, like the Pulitzers and the Nobel Peace Prize have become so politized that they are no longer awards for excellence, but awards for drinking the most Kool-Aid. I haven't watched them in many years and most year, not only haven't seen any of the films nominated, but never even heard of most of them. This from people who used to go the movies at least weekly for many decades.
Absolutely true, and people don't get it because the Left keeps up its relentless demonization of us as the ones who are anti-free speech, anti-diversity, intolerant, and totalitarian. The Left doesn't let the truth get in the way of their message.
Michael Moore is the voice of the common man, the downtrodden, the disenfranchised and he hates and despises capitalism. He told me this while riding in his limousine, while sipping champagne between calls with Tom Hanks and Harvey Weinstein.
Maybe this will keep him busy enough not to write or film anymore…
I don't think it matters either. Watching the Oscars used to be fun, and our family enjoyed them, you know the debating, and guessing and the like. But for the last several years we don't even watch the show. The Academy Awards only worth, to me anyway, is a source of trivia I need to know when the subject comes up on Jeopardy. Also the fact that Moore, and algore for that matter, both received Oscars sort of tarnished them and IMHO lost their cache.
Exactly right. And it has been incredibly effective. It's never been a battle of ideas with them because they know they'd lose. Instead, they battle us on personal levels so that our ideas are never considered.
Many of you are voicing my first reaction which was one of complete indifference. Honestly, who cares? Could the same academy that awarded CRASH, THE DEPARTED and THE HURT LOCKER be any more out of touch? At least Michael Moore praised THE PASSION. Who knows, he might help populist the place up a little.
Wait a minute.
He won the Oscar for a documentary that was not a documentary. He should not only not be allowed on the Academy, he should have is Academy Award revoked.
I think he should also be on the Board of Cuban National Medical Healthcare Dispensatory Committee of the People's Elected Superiority Commissionary Advisory Board.
I'm shocked no one has made this joke yet; he's actually on the Oscar Mayer Board approving hot dogs and other lunch meats for consumption.
Juvenile, yes. But funny? You bet.
Michael M(_!_)re….
Actually I'm a kid from the Ohio Valley and I have no clue who or how these awards are given. I don't care because I know what sort of movies I'm going to want to go see and awards have nothing to do with it.
"At least Michael Moore praised THE PASSION."
Probably the reason he wasn't named to the board before now. He had a penance to pay for that blasphemy.
I just added your comment to the post as an update. Very well put.
they could hardly go any more low brow than him, that's for sure…
didn't you mean: M(___________0_____________)re?
Classic! I wish I could give you a dozen thumbs…
This is a non-story to me because Michael Moore is different than the other board members how? As far as I can tell, this changes nothing.
Does this mean he'll have to bath more often and change his clothes more frequently?
I guess they weren't far enough out of touch with America, now they will be nominating only anti-American, anti religious films for any awards. That's okay, just think of all the money I can save by not wasting my time on the garbage that comes out of the film industry anymore.
I completely agree with this article, except, I don't think Michael Moore makes documentaries. He makes fake documentaries. To put him in the same category as someone like Ken Burns is demeaning to the art form and it also misrepresents the true definition of what a documentary is.
As if I needed another excuse to care even less about the Oscars. Moore is a pig who makes mockumentaries.
Yawn…. Why would conservatives that already “hate” leftie Hollywood care about pointless leftie appointees to a pointless leftie awards committee in charge of giving away hedonistic pointless awards for pointless work in a pointless amoral industry. How relevant….NOT! Can you say self absorbed? I do hear they serve free Krispy Kreme donuts at the meetings, though. That will insure Moore's perfect attendance
You're right. Michael Moore doesn't make documentaries any more than Alex Jones makes documentaries.
He makes political propaganda passed off as documentary film. Oddly enough, the documentary film community doesn't really respect him. I wonder what other documentary film producers think of this?
This doesn't upset me because: 1) I've been paying attention. I stopped watching the oscars a long time ago; and 2) Moore is hollywood, why would we be surprised he would get this gig?
It's par for the course.
My first reaction upon hearing this: Makes sense. Why? Because the man is one helluva talented filmmaker. There aren't many people who know more about how to create entertaining documentaries. I say Congrats Mikey!
I love Nikki too. And Nikki. It's not Hollywood I hate.
Admittedly I haven't driven down Fountain Ave. or rubbed elbows on Melrose in quiet awhile. My guess is that former is still a chithole and the latter is still littered with Yosi Sergant wannabes.
You know what we hate about it. And you know we have made our case well. But you are self-interested. A true capitalist and a damn good one too. Good luck with property taxes this decade.
Shhhhhhh.
While the poor people sleep in the shade of the lie while the poor people sleep all the Stars come out at night.
It was true when Fagan recognized it then. It is criminal that they still pretend that it is not true now.
I have a problem with this because movies with a conservative message will be totally dismissed for Oscar awards. See Gran Torino.
Wow, thanks. I'm particularly embarrassed now, but thanks for considering my comments worthy of your well put post.
The Departed?
I smell a rat. Do you smell a rat? Rats. Rats. Rats. I think they used that word more than Ratatouille casted animated rats.
snooze…..
wake me up when Al Gore gets appointed
Hmmmmmm………….
THEY STILL MAKE MOVIES IN HOLLYWEIRD?
NO THANKS…………
I VOTE WITH MY MONEY AND WILL KEEP IT AWAY FROM THE ANTI-AMERICAN HOLLYWEIRD CROWD.
The Oscar,Nobel Peace Prize, and other hard won awards for works well done, now have a place in the dusty box in the attic with chia pets, pet rocks,sea monkeys and long forgotten plastic models and now, worth not much more.
[...] the original post: Michael Moore’s New Job: Oscar Board Member This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
For years, the academy awards has been nothing but the new aristocracy complementing eachother's farts. Sorry to be vulgar but I couldn't think of a better metaphor.
What confirmed this was last year when most of the people presenting awards were ones who were nominated.
Quite frankly they could have Ahmedinjad on the the board and I wouldn't care
So basically his appointment changes nothing.
I remember when documentaries were films that didn't have a pre-determined narrative. They used to be films that simply "documented" the subject matter objectively. Ha, ha; I am so old-fashioned and quaint!
[...] Michaeal Moore Elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors Posted: July 8, 2010 by exopolitical in Uncategorized 0 Via John Nolte of Big Hollywood: [...]
Nolte, looks like political correctness is contagious. Why should be that fat jerk in the academy's governors body? Outstanding merits?
Com'on, Moore is just a scoundrel and his "documentaries" have no value whatsoever – and one doesn't need to be a conservative to squirm in the seat while Moore ham-fisted contrivances occur on the screen –
He's a worm, and should be stomped upon – repeteadly –
Man spoken -
Dear, dear – helluva talented filmmaker –
With dba Obama getting a Nobel prize, Appatow filling in for Orson Welles and Spike Lee for John Ford, sure Michael Moore is a heck of a filmmaker –
To paraphrase late Patrick Moynahan – what we're live in, is a relentlessly dumbed down system of achievement rating –
Heck – living with liberals' standards: salmon unavailable? Oh, spam is so delicious!!!!
Why does ANYONE who believes in free speech and freedom of expression want ANYONE BLACKLISTED?
Read the Constitution. Either we ALL shut up, or we ALL get to talk. This isn't rocket surgery. And Michael is a lightweight compared to Pelosi.
Simple really, don't feed him…. don't pay to see his movies, don't buy his books or read his blogs if you don't like him. duh
The Departed was a great flick!
It is childish to pretend that someone isn't talented just because of their political beliefs. Sicko is one of the most entertaining documentaries I've ever seen. Is it completely wrong about everything? Yes, but that doesn't mean it wasn't well done.
Check this out.
http://bigjournalism.com/bwhittle/2010/07/08/a-ne...
And not the Patton trailer, unless you want to. I loved the movie, so I watched it. Follow the link at the bottom.
John Nolte has got to get this posted over here at BH.
Props on the update to Nolte's piece. About the best I can do is occasionally irk him.
I don't think that's completely accurate. There are certainly documentaries that are objective presentations of facts but I don't think "Pre-Determined Narrative" documentaries are a new thing. They are more common but there have always been documentaries that approached a subject with a particular viewpoint and pre-determined message.
Mr. Nolte, you need to get this posted here at BH.
Agreed.
As if his presence is going to somehow lower the average intelligence of the board.
If only they'd leave the rest of us out of it I would have no problem with them.
They always do. That's what happens when there's no competition. It's why modern liberals flock to foundations. Guaranteed job, no real accountability, beats work.
I thought he was the voice of the common Krispy Kreme?
Honestly, who cares?
Honestly? I care a whole lot. Unless every one is free, no one is free. The academy is a private institution, I have no say in what they do, freedom of association. Unlike the pap the left usually spouts off about freedom, we libertarians take it quite seriously.
Though I may not agree with their decision (he's a bore and a boar) its their decision. And I'm glad I live in a country where they are free to make that decision.
Perez Hilton?
No we shouldn't. The Academy is a private institution. As long as they aren't breaking any laws, they are free to do what ever they want.
That's the hard part of libertarianism (sorry, fighting it out over at Big Journalism), is accepting that other people have the same freedom of association that I demand for myself. Some times that really sticks in the craw. But I refuse to be a hypocrite.
I have something on this for tomm.
Hysterically funny!
I helped you out with one.
I'm from the east coast, and I decided years ago its not much more than the cool kids in middle school deciding who gets to sit at their table during lunch time.
Moore served up a MASSIVE commercial TURKEY (subsidized by the very tax payers his disdanes) last outing.
I say let him spew and let him be the Mayor of Hollywood (with apologies to Johnny Grant) for all I care. His own hypocrisy will sink him.
He'll also EAT HIMSELF to DEATH within a few years so – so what if he's on the Board of Govenors?
I think you have to at least grant him the repulsive card.
That's just going to drive the global warming people nuts.
Agreed. But he definitely can't try to pass it off as fiction. That'll kill the illusion.
Your criticism is incorrect because I genuinely believe Michael Moore is a talented filmmaker and that in the un-PC world of a meritocracy his talents deserve to be recognized.
I have admired his skills since seeing ROGER & ME, I would almost equate FARHENHEIT 9/11 with Stone's JFK on the wildly stupid but unbelievably compelling scale, and I thought SICKO was one of the best films of that year.
Moore sucks as a propagandist. his films aren't even close to persuasive. But he tells a very good story, is a compelling and likable presence, and though found I CAPITALISM rushed and poorly structured, I have to say that I always look forward to his films.
And he's such a bad propagandist he never gets under my skin. What gets under my skin is when I think they're being convincing, and he's simply not. He is entertaining, however.
Hollywood deserves Michael Moore. I am proud to say that I do not support Hollywood by not going to their movies. Have not done so for several years. Eventually the movies come to tv and sometimes I will watch the better ones, which are few and far in between. So, "good luck" Hollywood and its new Board of Governors appointee, M.M.
I must respectfully but fervently disagree. Those other things are much more valuable than an Oscar or a Nobel.
I'm not saying they're new, but the thing that is "newer" is dropping any pretense of objectivity. When you get down to it though, even the choice of subject matter can reveal a bias, can't it?
Moore is just sort of an innovator when it comes to making documentary-style films which ignore reality in order to fit and promote his narrative.
When someone does you one better, you give them props…..
I'm sorry what was I thinking gotta go save my pet rock, brb.
I pay little attention to the Academy Awards. To me….they became irrelevant a long time ago. So what if MM is on the Board of Governors…he just reflects the opinions and attitudes of a lot of the people who populate the industry, now. Occasionally the cream (really good films, actors , writers,directors) will rise to the top, and I'll support them based on my own research. The 'Moore-On' won't be a factor.
The fatso libturd on the panel….jeez
He's the face of Hollyweird! I'm all for it! He's a perfect representative of the wackjobs in the movie industry! Couldn't have picked a better member! I bet he's cheap too! Probably paying him with Twinkies!
Great!….you just ruined my lunch…PB&J it is….
I don't watch Michael Moore movies. The Oscars nominees do not determine what I watch. So, one plus one must equal "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWNNN…"
I'm sure there's a bigger story breaking out there…
That's true. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but he does add a certain sordid, dirty feel to the whole thing.
Who knows, he might help populist the place up a little.
Or stink the place up a lot.
my problem with Michael Moore in Hollywood is that he's recognized as a DOCUMENTARIAN. very sly. in my opinion, he's no such thing. he's a PROPAGANDIST. he can be recognized as that/for being that till the cows come home, and nary a protest will I make. but to call him a documentarian, I believe, is dishonest, or at least disingenuous.
The man also launched an entire genre — the commercial political documenary — or propaganda, if you will. I'm not saying he's the first to make a political doc. But he is the first to put them in more than 3 theatres. His effect on the film business has been mammoth, to say the least.
The point is we don't NEED to blacklist. We can win in the arena of ideas and honest debate.
When I saw the RED STATE ALERT, I immediately went to DHD and made my own comment which pretty much mirrors John Nolte's oped. I included Moriarty and Davi, but also added Gary Sinise's name.
This appears to be a bit of projection on Ms. Finke's part, assuming we are just as politically intolerant as the Academy and the Hollywood political class we criticise for their McCarthyite intolerance of conservatives and conservative ideals. I guess she never read our mission statement oped, which declares the opposite.
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jtsimpson/2009/...
Then again, I don't see Ms. Finke reading much of anything at all here at BH, which would prove the fact that Hollywood liberals often fit their own intolerant definitions of conservatives to a tee. What else is new?
Eh….I guess you have a point. Or it solidifies any shot of a movies with a conservative message NOT getting even nominated for an Oscar. We need more conservative producers in the industry. Movies aren't made for middle America. They're made to please the producers.
i occasionally get a little wood on the ball…
I totally agree, Mr. Nolte. but, in my opinion, simply because someone's propaganda is well received and/or popular (i.e. putting butts in theater seats) doesn't mean he deserves to be called anything other than what he is: a propagandist. again, I have no problem with his appointment to the Academy…he's just another liberal face among many…I just wish Hollywood would call him what he is.
I didn't mean to imply that you were dishonest or disingenuous, either. that was directly entirely at those Hollywood nitwits who think everything Moore does is completely above board.
btw, that piece you had up today about your wife's painful disease and your experiences with the worst of free market health care was arguably the best thing I've ever read on the subject of health care. I plastered it all over Facebook today. great stuff.
Conservatives are on the run. It's hunting season with Glutteny boy in charge
Tokyomatt, Conservatives are like the colors of our flag. We don't run. FYI.
Dear Mr. Nolte,
I do object: Mr. Moore shouldn't have been elected.
Two reasons:
#1: Mr. Moore makes fantastic comedy's, which he calls ' documentaries ' so he won't have to pay the people who appear in his movies anything at all, they get zero for their work, and he pays technical staff the documentary film rate instead of the feature film rate, which is far less.
Mr. Moore may be in compliance with the letter of the Academy's rules, but certainly not the Spirit, and frankly, in my opinion he is violating the letter of the rules!
#2: After having cheated his workers of their pay Mr. Moore's movies are distributed by multibilliondollar,multinational, multimedia conglomerates who present Mr. Moore to the world as a ' champion of the working man '. Mr. Moore is paid millions for this blatant hypocrisy.
Both Mr. Moore and the conglomerates can easily afford to pay the people who make the movies. Calling it a ' documentary ' doesn't justify cheating the working people. It's blatant, ugly, hypocritical greed and not in the interests of the industry or the best traditions of the Academy.
When you watch a Michael Moore movie, the only person you see who is being paid is Mr. Moore.
Sincerely,
John Lepant Brighton CO
I know they don't run, but they will have to hide and will not win anything.
Again, name one thing conservatives hide from. We filled the streets of America in the millions since Obama took office, and got hit with every liberal slander in the book doing it. No fear, Tokyomatt. We conservatives charge head-on where angels fear to tread. If anyone is going to be hiding, it's liberal lefties from their sorry track records in November.
He's quite talented at making entertaining agitprop, but I hesitate to call any of his work "documentary", in the true sense of the word.
Moore should be blacklisted from Old Country Buffet…
Man, he looks like a fat, greasy tub of lard.
Michael Moore? Meh. What do I care? Let the fat Socialist weasel have his spot; nothing he ever says or does will ever change my mind about his positions on the important issues anyhow.
I (and I think a lot of my conservative/libertarian friends) don't watch (or care about) the Academy Awards. To be honest, I don't watch much of what comes out of Hollywood these days. The terrible quality of the product being delivered, coupled with the absolute contempt and rude/lewd/lascivious/shameful behavior of a large portion of the most important employees of the industry have pretty much killed my enjoyment of HollyWeird.
I used to love going to movies; until it was decided that almost every friggin' movie that the industry put out was going to have some sort of "deep, socially relevant" Leftist message. Even a good portion of horror, sci fi, and comedy movies have "messages".
Most of the actors who are out there today have no moral clarity; ergo, they have no moral authority when they try to present their message. Like I need to be preached at by these same yahoos that beat their wives/girlfriends, verbally (and sometimes physically) abuse their children, can't stay married to save their miserable lives because they have no self control or willpower, indulge in all sorts of "recreational" substance abuse, break all kinds of laws, and support a child rapist wholeheartedly.
I checked the website of the Oscars Board of Directors. Aside from Paul Mazurksy, it was not an impressive list of names. Is it supposed to be an honor to serve?
I hope they appoint the newest California homeowner, reknowned Nobel Prize winner and Oscar-winning documentarian , Al "The Poodle" Gore. A dynamic duo: Moore & Gore.
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