Michael Moore: Hollywood Has Dried Up

By Jane Boursaw Posted Aug 10th 2010 12:00PM

Michael Moore, Traverse City Film Festival

Pop-Ed: I review movies for a living and can count on one hand the number of smart, thoughtful, well-made American films released this year. I'm not talking about films shown in art house theaters or during film festivals. I'm talking about mainstream movies released in commercial theaters.

Are American films getting dumber? Why does it seem like there just aren't that many smart films made in the U.S. anymore?

The topic came up when I was talking to Michael Moore about his selections for the Sixth Annual Traverse City Film Festival, which took place a couple of weeks ago. He said the "Hollywood Machine" just isn't creating that many great films in this country.

"The money has really dried up since the crash," Moore told PopEater. "They only really want to spend money on sure bets. People don't want to take risks, so we're missing out on an American art form that could really speak to the country right now in profound ways."

He's talking about the fact that during its six-year run, the Traverse City Film Festival hasn't been held during a time of peace and economic prosperity -- his words, but he has a point. During tough times, people turn to movies to be inspired and comforted. "The films that came out during the great Depression and during the Vietnam War era were really bold and brave. Where are these films these days? We rarely get to see them from the Hollywood Machine," the 'Fahrenheit 9/11' director said.

Of the 80-plus films shown at the Traverse City Film Festival this year, only a half-dozen or so were American independent feature films, "because I just couldn't find them," said Moore. "They don't exist, and that's sad. But they exist in Korea, France, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Russia."

In fact, the largest grossing film this year at the festival's home base -- the restored downtown State Theatre in Traverse City -- was the little gem 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.' If you're not familiar with it, it's a two-and-a-half hour Swedish film with subtitles, a complicated story and no major actors. That says something about the fact that moviegoers are hungry for smart films.

Don't get me started on the American remake, starring Daniel Craig and Robin Wright in the roles originally played by Michael Nyqvist and Lena Endre. (Aat this writing, I don't believe the role of Lisbeth, played by Noomi Rapace, has been cast yet.) Why not just distribute the original film in American theaters? If we love the film here in Traverse City, surely it would be just as beloved in other American theaters.

One of the American films shown at the Traverse City Film Festival this year was 'Lebanon, Pa.' from director Ben Hickernell. He believes that the film industry is a tough nut to crack, especially if your film doesn't fit neatly into a particular genre.

"In this market, there are fewer and fewer films getting sold overall, especially these little films that are really just kind of dramas and touch people," said Hickernell. "['Lebanon, Pa.'] isn't a horror film. It's not an action film. It's not an easily marketable film in one way, but I disagree with that, because I do think people are moved when they see it. It's a film that speaks to people, and that's what movies are all about in the end."

Yes, that is what movies are all about in the end, and I believe Americans would flock to see smart independent films like 'Lebanon, Pa.,' which is currently making the rounds at film festivals. "We're just trying to get enough buzz and interest through the film festival circuit that some distributor says, 'Okay we can make money on this, and we'll put it out,'" said Hickernell.

Tags: michael moore

Comments

(42)

Tuesday 10 August

By Kat2988

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I wish he would just go away, I do agree with him that the movies stink anymore but he is just wasted space!

By greg

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I can see that the real morons are loose. Hollywood only makes movies for really dumb kids. And as for Michael Moore, he seems to be the only person in the media that exactly cares about the average citizen. Of course, you wouldnt know that being children of the corporate media and not paying your own bills.

By eddie

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this moron reviews movies. Evidently he has never reviewed his movies. He is by far the worst at anything he tries and if it wasnt for the liberal wusses in this country the best he would do is be a garbage man.

By Tracy

Hey Eddie, the person who wrote the article reviews movies, Jane Boursaw, not Michael Moore. I am not a huge fan of Michael Moore but I am also not a huge fan of morons like you who spew hate and don't even know what they are talking about!

By jmgodsey

How can anyone give credence to any of the feces that spews forth form the mouth of the walking turd that is Michael Moore?

By rm

Michael Moore is entitled to his opinion. The problem is he feels that no one else is.

By John

I wish he would dry-up

By cease2exist

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someone needs to shoot that anti-American fat fukc!

By Polar Patrol

He is hardly anti-American. Have you bothered to watch any of his movies? He condemns and brings to the forefront many things that are wrong with America today, as anyone who is concerned for our country should do. To sit idly by as things go astray is what SHOULD be considered anti-American.

By ges2917

THANK YOU, He is a fat fukc isnt he. Wish he would go help the Russians with their film industry. Can he say 1st Amendment.

By DJ

Absolutely not, what we don't need is another lieberal martyr. He is just another muckraker, soon noone will listen to his dribble, as if that many ever did.

By paul

Moore is yesterdays news. A total has-been. His movies were very poor.

By Sandy

Who cares what this idiot has to say. I could have told you that. He certainly doesn't represent "my America" that I love.

What have you done for "your America"? At least he tries to enlighten people about things that have gone amok in our country - healthcare, big business, politics, celebrity. You seem to have nothing to offer other than to call someone who cares an idiot.

By fpeirce

Perhaps Michael should simply move to Cuba, the land that he loves. Then he can finance film disasters such as the lot of garbage that he's produced. Funny how "Hollywood" is at fault by not financing film disasters. Hey Michael, try spending some of your own money for a change rather than telling everyone else how to spend theirs. Typical liberal elitist - do as I say, not as I do.

By Kaci

Michael Moore has tried to bring the truth to Americans via his short films, but half of the country can't read or write or think without being told by Fox or Palin. It's a very frightening sceneario to think of the Republican Party to be in control of America again. A dry used up woman with hate in heart, even Alaska can't stand her and Newt, a three time loser leaving his wife for another while his wife was in bed in the hospital with Cancer. These are Republican' choices.

By parlettjw1

typical Lib response. It is best for one just to ignore the Lib. They eventually self destruct and eat their young.

By jeanne

Kaci you sound like you could be describing John Edwards!

Wednesday 11 August

By Jeannine

Michael Moore has tried to bring the truth to Americans??? Are you kidding me? You actually believe his propaganda? Anyone can spin a topic using soundbites to his advantage to get his own message across, and he certainly does. But if he honestly cared about America, he'd run for the legislature where the decisions are being made, instead of spewing his liberal agenda on film and living his rich life in New York off the profits.

By Lola

My thought on Michael Moore is that he is trying to let us know the truth. I do believe him and think he is trying to do the right thing. As far as movies being made they do stink. Just think about it people. (as Judge Judy says)this is the future of the, Country Costa Rica looks better every day.

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