It'll be interesting to see how many people spend an hour and a half in the theater this Labor Day weekend watching Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary about how we are teetering on the edge of global warming catastrophe. It sounds like a bummer way to end the summer. But if moviegoers turn to the Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips' review of the film for guidance, then the movie may well be tossed into the rubbish heap along with the year's other flops.
Essentially, according to Phillips, "The 11th Hour" tries to cover everything under the sun...and then some. It's a "panicky blur" that goes "broad, but not deep," and begins with a "frenzied montage of global calamity." Gee, for a guy who's been in the movie business since he was knee high to a grasshopper, you'd think Leo might have come up with a more winning formula.
Here's the money quote:
Like the Al Gore documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," this one strives to underscore its makers' sense of urgency. But when a film's mission (according to its promotional materials) is to address "the history of the human species, the state of the oceans, land and air, and social, design and political challenges for change," you start to get an idea of why the Green Party has a hard time focusing its arguments come election time.
At the last Academy Award ceremony, Leo stood next to his idol, Al Gore, and applauded him sycophantically. Will Leo's turn for such adulation come next March?
Maybe he should have done a PowerPoint presentation too.
*For more NewsBusters coverage on "The 11th Hour," click here.
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A Winning Formula
August 31, 2007 - 10:23 ET by mattmHow a bout a good story? Maybe a tragic love story, or a great adventure or a suspense thriller...in other words, Leo...do your job. Leave the hyperbolic, psuedo-scientific fear-mongering to demogogues like Algore and Michael Moore.
This is great
August 31, 2007 - 10:35 ET by jay_1975The more looney "do as I say" types that preach, the more credibility they lose. Laurie David (is she famous), Sheryl Crow, Leo and the rest are digging the grave on their "theory" every day and it couldn't be better. A ton of new evidence is coming out each week showing theflaws of Hansen's theory and all these nuts can do is scream "oil money!". Is Al Gore in hiding or is he just working on his new smear campaign. Might be a while until we hear from him since he has many more scientists to try and discredit and the list grows every day.
"It's good to have it in the world"
August 31, 2007 - 10:36 ET by RJThe reviewer couldn't avoid admitting that this movie is a stinker, but he also couldn't help applauding the effort to warn the rest of us of impending doom.
Throughout the review, he uses words like "urgency" and "panicky" to convey the concept that DiCaprio's ideas are correct (but perhaps too emotional)...and laments that it's a shame the poor boy wasn't able to do it right.
"It's a 'panicky blur' that
August 31, 2007 - 10:45 ET by bassndude"It's a 'panicky blur' that goes 'broad, but not deep,' "
Well what do you expect from this bunch. They cant go in-depth on the AGW myth. The whole theory depends on feeling, and little on facts. To do an in-depth movie and analize AGW would serve to dispel their cause. And without a cause, these people are nothing. Oh, and Leo is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, you know.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Leo-Gore-io DiCaprio
August 31, 2007 - 11:41 ET by GalvanicPoor Leo. He wants to be the Next Al Gore --- that's certainly setting one's sites low --- and he's failing at that. Well, if this film doesn't propel him into the headlines, he can always check himself into a Rehab program. That seems to be the Hollywood trend these days.
Don't Bash It---It See It
August 31, 2007 - 11:42 ET by takingmyconstitutionalHere it comes---the predictable conservative bashing of a film that dares to suggest that human behavior could have any impact on ecosystems, or that a change in human behavior could yield a better, more sustainable future.
I was privileged to see a preview of "The Eleventh Hour," and I can testify that it is a compelling film, filled with memorable images and stimulating commentary from some of the world's most interesting thinkers and doers---e.g., Stephen Hawking, Wes Jackson, Thom Hartmann, Janine Benyus, and Paul Hawken.
My only criticism of the film is that it focuses a bit too long on the problems before addressing the sustainable solutions. But once it gets there, it does an excellent job of showing how exciting "green" technologies can help us to build a more sustainable future---if we develop the awareness and political will to get us there.
And by the way, these cutting-edge technologies represent business opportunities and new jobs. A move to sustainability does NOT automatically suggest a move to socialism. Note that former CIA Director James Woolsey, certainly no liberal or socialist, is one of the film's thoughtful commentators.
Either you didn't read the review, "constitutional",
August 31, 2007 - 11:46 ET by RJor, more likely, you just wanted to crow that you're among the "in-crowd" that has seen the movie.
The reviewer in the post is clearly a pro-AGW liberal, who wants very much to like the film. But even he has to hold his nose (as we do when you're around) and proclaim the movie a stinker.
Let's see...
August 31, 2007 - 12:17 ET by scamoramaWes Jackson ("sustainable" farming "advocate"), Thom Hartmann (radio talk show host), Janine Benyus (wacko environmental author), and Paul Hawken (Marxist "economics" author)...
Yep, that's a list of "the world's most interesting thinkers and doers". Their thoughts aren't "interesting", and they certainly haven't done much.
Where's David Suzuki?
There you go
August 31, 2007 - 12:24 ET by mattmBashing conservatives by making false claims about them...typical of Libs.
No conservatives doubts the possibility that "human behavior could have impact on ecosystems..." We just don't by the Leftist hyperbole and phony science they use to push their POLITICAL agenda (not an environmental one)...
"Note that former CIA
August 31, 2007 - 17:48 ET by ckc1227"Note that former CIA Director James Woolsey, certainly no liberal or socialist, is one of the film's thoughtful commentators."
And? Don't know what he said, but nonsense is nonsense, whether it comes from the mouths of liberals, conservatives, socialists or libertarians. If the Republican party adopted Al Gore's position on this subject tomorrow, they would be just as wrong tomorrow as Gore and Leo are today.
"Here it comes---the predictable conservative bashing of a film that
dares to suggest that human behavior could have any impact on
ecosystems, or that a change in human behavior could yield a better,
more sustainable future."
And here you are, a predictable liberal, buying into the idea that former Vice President Al Gore represents the scientific ‘consensus’ that SUV’s and the modern American way of life have somehow
created a ‘climate emergency’ that only United Nations bureaucrats and wealthy Hollywood liberals with no science education past high school can solve.
Since you're willing to turn to movie stars for your information on the complex subject of climate science, I wonder, do you turn to the garbage man for health care advice?
Woolsey
September 1, 2007 - 00:02 ET by Lame CherryIf you do not know James Woolsey was touting a study in how much crude oil a human being could be rendered into.
No one has ever explained what type of sadistic person came up with a study like this or who in government or industry was studying to do with Soylent Green humans..........Woolsey though knew to the pint.
Do not ever conclude this is about global warming.......global warming is a the religion to bring mankind to the altar for slaughter.
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Will not see 11th Hour
August 31, 2007 - 12:10 ET by Mica the MagnificentThe libs have a field day with Sen. Larry Craig, calling him a hypocrite, because he doesn't practice what he preaches (assuming he really is gay!) by standing up for family values, voting against gay rights, etc. . .
But the libs see absolutely no hypocracy when someone like Di Caprio or Al Gore make a movie about how global warming will kill us all, but do not alter their lifestyle and still live in their mansions, own second homes bigger than the combined square footage of all the homes I ever owned, fly in private jets, etc.
And we all know when libs get involved, their answer to 'fix' the problem is a new confiscatory tax increase.
That's why I will not see the '11th Hour.'
These people must prove to me they are serious and believe in what they preach by example.Then I will take them seriously.
Otherwise it's another feel good, flavor of the month, see how smart and concerned I am, Save the Whales campaign.
Field days
August 31, 2007 - 12:26 ET by Sergeant ROCKThe libs have a field day with Sen. Larry Craig, calling him a hypocrite, because he doesn't practice what he preaches (assuming he really is gay!) by standing up for family values, voting against gay rights, etc. . .
Interesting point. I would contend that it's not quite the same when compared to a anti-gun democRAT that gets caught with an illegal firearm while at the same time promoting gun control - I can have guns, but you can't.
Craig's behavior, assuming that it's true, would be a better example of hypocrisy if he were out promoting laws against people engaging in homosexual acts while engaging in them himself.
Rally online Paul/Kucinich '09
Sarge,
August 31, 2007 - 12:40 ET by mattmExcellent point. However...
I think there's more to the Libs orgasm over Craig than their dubious hypocrisy argument.
It looks like the Left is using this incident to further their "free sex" and pro-gay agenda, and if they hurt the GOP in the process, that's just icing on the fruitcake (so to speak)... ; )
Fruitcakes in '08
August 31, 2007 - 12:46 ET by Sergeant ROCKYeah, you have a point because even if the GOP tar and feather him for his actions, it will have zero effect as far as the MSM goes. It is interesting that the NYT was defending him though.
Rally online Paul/Kucinich '09
Education of those who believe in "Man-Made" Global Warming
August 31, 2007 - 12:56 ET by PopularTechAlanis Morissette, High School Diploma
Alicia Keys, College Dropout
Alicia Silverstone, High School Dropout
Art Bell, College Dropout
Ben Affleck, College Dropout
Ben Stiller, College Dropout
Bill Maher, B.A. English (no science degree)
Billy Jean King, College Dropout
Bono (Paul Hewson), High School Diploma
Brad Pitt, College Dropout
Cameron Diaz, High School Dropout
Daryl Hanna, B.F.A. Theater (no science degree)
Diane Keaton, College Dropout
Drew Barrymore, High School Dropout
Ed Begley Jr., High School Diploma
George Clooney, College Dropout
Gwyneth Paltrow, College Dropout
Jackson Browne, High School Diploma
Jason Biggs, College Dropout
John Travolta, High School Dropout
Jon Bon Jovi (John Bongiovi), High School Diploma
Joshua Jackson, High School Dropout
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, College Dropout
Julia Roberts, College Dropout
Keanu Reeves, High School Dropout
Kevin Bacon, High School Dropout
Kiefer Sutherland, High School Dropout
Leonardo DiCaprio, High School Dropout
Madonna (Madonna Ciccone), College Dropout
Matt Damon, College Dropout
Michael Moore, College Dropout
Nicole Richie, College Dropout
Olivia Newton-John, High School Dropout
Oprah Winfrey, B.A. Speech and Drama (no science degree)
Orlando Bloom, High School Dropout, B.A. Drama (no science degree)
Paris Hilton, High School Dropout
Pierce Brosnan. High School Dropout
Queen Latifah (Dana Elaine Owens), College Dropout
Richard Branson, High School Dropout
Robert Redford, College Dropout
Sarah Silverman, College Dropout
Sean Penn, College Dropout
Sheryl Crow, B.A. Music Education (no science degree)
Sienna Miller, High School Diploma
Willie Nelson, High School Dropout + College Dropout
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Interesting
August 31, 2007 - 23:02 ET by Lame CherryIn beholding the above list, I was struck by how many bales of marijuana and kilos of coke went up into these people's brains.
Willie Nelson must have smoked up the entire state of California supply for years.
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Popular Tech
August 31, 2007 - 14:31 ET by krismcsherryThanks again for the list of brainiacs. I love it.
The Real 11th Hour
August 31, 2007 - 23:54 ET by Lame CherryThe real 11th Hour is coming and God predicted it. Hollywood has no idea nor ever will.
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