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Bowling For Columbine on DVD (2002)

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Average rating: 75%
111128122049
3.5
from 4,767 members
 
Starring: Michael Moore
Director: Michael Moore
Studio: MOMENTUM PICTURES
Certificate: 15
User collections: Films to think about | Best Films (in my opinion) | Jesus Loves You - Everyone else thinks you're an Asshole | Watch these or else. | Films EVERYONE should see | Films considered the greatest ever! | Great Films for evolved people | truth and politics | Tales of the Real World
Genres: Documentary
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: 12/05/2003
Also Available on:  Also Available on: DIGITAL

Brief synopsis of Bowling For Columbine

Filmmaker and leftist activist Michael Moore asks some serious questions as he probes the depths of America's trigger-happy gun culture in the insightful and amusing documentary, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE. Guns in America are used to kill an average of more than 11,000 people per year. This death toll is obscenely out of balance with other first world countries, which generally average a total in double digits. Experts and analysts have pointed to America's bloody history as a reason, but how does that explain the lower murder rate in Germany

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 5 stars out of 5 Radio Times

In his 1989 debut Roger & Me, “people's film-maker” Michael Moore went after the CEO of General Motors. Here, his quest is much broader: what actually causes America's alarming gun-related annual death toll? Whether opening a bank account that comes with a free rifle or harassing retail giant K-Mart to persuade them to stop selling the type of bullets used at the 1999 Columbine school massacre, Moore leaves no stone unturned, addressing issues such as foreign policy, race, welfare and the post-11 September climate of fear. Shifting with surprising ease between humour and pathos, this is an important, outspoken film, if not an easy one to watch. Moore's confrontation with National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston proves especially uncomfortable, but, at a time when Moore could be branded “unpatriotic” for his views, here is a rousing film that urges you think about what patriotism really means. This is a rare dispatch from the America that the US's own media seems reluctant to acknowledge.

Rating of 3 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Haphazard documentary that goes off in different directions and doesn't always follow through on the matters it raises; but the matters it does raise are important and receive a airing that is at once funny and angry.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsGood man, Moore

A customer from London , 20/09/2003

Michael Moore is a brave man ? he worries about what a lot of us worry about, but actually has the courage to write or make films about it all. This is an extremely effective, if not rambling film that asks the question `Is America a nation of gun nuts, or are they just nuts?' Director Michael Moore uses the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado as a jumping off point, then takes us on a journey that includes stops in Michigan, where it seems everyone owns a gun, a sit-in at K-Mart's corporate headquarters and an amusing side trip to Moore's idealized Canada.

The movie is all over the place, and offers very few answers to the questions it raises, but I think it was Moore's strategy to present the facts and figures and get people thinking for themselves. Moore's everyman appearance is put to good use in the film's most effective scene. He talks his way into gun-nut Charlton Heston's Hollywood hills home for an interview, claiming to be a member of the NRA. Once inside he gradually warms Heston up before asking the hard questions about the consequences of living in a heavily armed society. Heston stiffens, ends the interview and walks away. Moore's camera follows him as he shuffles down a long hall. The Grand Wizard of the NRA is revealed for what he is, an old man, not the Moses of the gun movement. It's impressive footage that caps a film full of powerful images and ideas.

  33 out of 39 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsUnforgettable

Andrew from London , 20/02/2004

Everyone should sit down and watch this documentary. Period.

Michael Moore asks the questions that the media doesnt want to ask, of the people that dont want to be asked them. He doesnt always get answers, but often the reactions he gets speak volumes in themselves. This is the side of the American lifestyle we all knew existed, but the evening news anchor has never wanted to show us. Want to know why kids in American schools are shooting each other? this may not give you all the answers, but it will certainly give plenty of food for thought as well as point the blame in all the right directions. A must-see movie.. even more so for the sceptics.

  14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsGuns, guns and more guns

Alex from Surrey , 13/10/2003

This is perhaps one of the most brilliant documentaries ever made. It is about the gun use in America. It's innovative and coloquial style draws the viewer in. Although a lot of people view documentaries as boring, this will change your mind, enthralling and interesting it has become a favourite film for me.

  13 out of 14 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsMichael Moore at his best

Jaggy from London , 26/10/2003

I was in two minds as to whether I should rent this. I like to "curl-up-on-sofa" with a DVD at the weekend - to escape from the mundanity of the week just gone - so the idea of doing this with a documentary wasn't very appealing.

Because that's exactly what Bowling for Columbine is: a documentary. Produced (and narrated) by the legendary Michael Moore - this is the story of gun-ridden America - knitted together by the events of the Columbine High School massacre.

There are times throughout the film that I often wonder whether this is really being filmed "as is" - i.e. without actors - and I am re-assured that it is! Some of it can leave you struck dumb and shaking your head afterwards as if "does he really believe that?".

Michael Moore does a fantastic job of establishing the underlying reasons behind extensive gun-related killings in the USA - and there is a superbly produced bit of docu-animation in the middle of the film - which is about the point that the pace really starts to hot up.

The ending is extremely moving - and for some us may cause a little tear to well up.

I would definitely reccommend renting this - but not for a Friday/Saturday-night viewing. Definitely one for the middle of the week - or a Sunday afternoon.

  12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsMoore creates Columbine chaos.

A customer from LONDON , 22/03/2007

Michael Moore's brilliant documentary of life in America with their love of guns. I found his film informative,educational and depressingly real. I love the way that moore pursues his questions over and over with calm and poise seeking the answers to Why Americans feel the need to shoot each other? What is it they fear? Moore explores in great detail the reasons behind the awful tragedy behind the shootings at a local high school. Why is Charlton Heston a key figure in this gun hoe society? It was difficult to watch at times but I urge every one who gives a damm to do so as a matter of urgency!!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsBy far the best documentary I ever saw.

Patrick from Greenock, Scotland, United Kingdom , 12/07/2004

Micheal Moores best movie so far.

He shows whats wrong with America like only he can do it.

This film is about gun related problems, the spread of fear and the social structure in the USA.

Wonderful movie! Rent it!

Careful, it includes very disturbing images!

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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