Just saw the sneak preview of Sicko

As always, job well done by Michael Moore. The movie does a great job in portraying how fucked up the US health care system is compared to other Western industrialized nations. And with the Cuba segment, he did not glorify Cuba or Castro at all. It was portrayed more as an embarrassment as to how this island nation with little wealth, and communist nonetheless, could do so much better than we can. I think Moore's goal with the film is to make the American people ashamed and angry for having such a shitty health care system despite our vast resources.

From an artistic standpoint, the movie seemed choppy. The segments didn't always flow from one to the other very well. But Moore had a lot of ground to cover, so whether better flow was possible, I don't know. I have to watch it again. But since the audience is naturally drawn to the movie because of the topic it covers, perhaps he figured he could sacrifice a little artistic flow in favor of bringing the audience up to speed on areas such as how other countries administer their health care. After all, we have been so brainwashed to think that a government run health care system is soooooooo bad.

And of course, there was classic Michael Moore humor. It is definitely the saving grace to the many depressing scenes in the film.

Out of the trilogy of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko, I think Sicko will have the biggest impact because of the issue it covers and the timing. All three are outstanding, but in my opinion, I think Bowling for Columbine is Moore's best artistic work because of its exploration of the fear factor, which went on to serve as an anchor to Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko. And of course, there's the original with Roger and Me, but I think it belongs in a class of its own because Moore was just starting out and learning the art of film making as he went.

I'm planning to attend one of the first shows next Friday.

I am especially interested to see the reaction here in Miami of the Cuban American community. Puts quite a different spin on things then what we usually hear- especially around here. This one clearly bashes straight through party lines-- I agree- it has the potential to have the biggest impact.

I felt uneasy when the subject of Cuba came up. I don't think it was necessary, even if they may have a better health care system than we do.

Great great movie. I clapped many times, and I never clap. Ever. I cried too. Great film.

EVERYONE SHOULD SEE IT

Both are included in the hate propaganda we are fed by this administration (and those before them). For France- well we all remember what happened to anyone who did not side with us on the war in Iraq. Turns out they were right of course (as was Michael Moore). Look, no one is saying that Castro is a wonderful leader or that the people wouldn't be better off without him or that life in Cuba for Cubans isn't difficult. It is. But compare it to the US for a minute. Do you really believe we have a democracy?

We have an administration who were NEVER ELECTED and are therefore illegally in office, (think your votes counted? think again), who have hijacked our constitution, taken us to a war based on lies (and corporate greed for oil), totally disbanded habeas corpus, our media mainstream media has been swallowed up by corporations with agendas (think we have free press? Think again), elected officials (as pointed out in the film), supported by lobbyists who throw in $$$$$ to make sure their agendas are addressed, millions living below the poverty line and are among the lowest level in the world in literacy and health care. Are our people being taken care of by our government? Frankly- it's not all that different here- think about it. Neither system is working- both are a nightmare but for different reasons.