So, Fahrenheit 9-11 is out on DVD. I still feel pretty much the same as when it came out in theatres -- regardless of whether you agree with the conclusions Moore comes to based on the facts and assumptions, the film is worth seeing just for the footage, such as of our troops in Iraq, and more.
I was puzzled, and even surprised, at the bonus footage however. I mean, the 18-minute interview with imbedded reporter Urban Hamid on his footage from Samarra was definitely worth watching, incredibly disturbing, and worth renting the movie alone, whatever your political leaning.
But given all the world events and reports (including the 9/11 Commission report) since the film was released, not to mention the criticisms of the film, the boycotts, the threats, the challenges to his conclusions, I expected a kind of update, not additional footage from the cutting room floor and a self-congratulatory premier special.
I did think the extended discussion with US Marine Henderson was good, and not because of the name.
I also found Condoleeza Rice's testimony interesting. It actually improved my impression of her, and lowered my opinion somewhat of the commission member asking her questions. If he was seeking the truth, the whole truth, he wasn't doing a very good job it seemed. He came across as either biased, cynical, egocentric, or all of the above.
I did like the video of Bush coming out to speak after he and Cheney talked to the 9/11 commission. I've never seen a president talk so long without saying anything, or be so flippant and arrogant.
And I appreciated the reminder that Bush opposed both major 9/11 investigations, refused to speak under oath, refused to let any recordings, including transcripts, be made of his "testimony," set time limits, and insisted he and Cheney speak together (but not so they could keep their stories straight, oh no). Because, you know, he really wanted to help.
And what was also interesting was that some of the rhetorical, pat lines he used back then were exactly the same, word for word, as those he used in the debate Thursday. He's like one of those old dolls where you pull the string. After a while, you notice that he's only got so many lines. But hey, as long as they work, why change?
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