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| Fifth Column |
| AAFES theaters don't much care for "9-11" |
| 2004-08-15 |
| Just in case anti-Bush documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" needed any more controversy to fuel its hot box office, a new war of words has broken out over whether the U.S. Army is stonewalling efforts to book the film at military bases. But the organisation that orders films for the 160 base theatres countered on Friday that it was the distributors -- Fellowship Adventure Group, IFC Films and Lions Gate Films -- that had the problem and noted they plan to stock base stores with the film's DVDs when they are released. The movie, made by Oscar-winning director Michael Moore, has grossed over $113 million (61 million pounds) at domestic box offices and such a blockbuster would be routinely, and quickly, ordered up by the military. But the movie presents a scathing view of President George W. Bush's drive to war in Iraq, and it paints an unflattering view of the conduct of some U.S. military personnel. Although to be fair, many of the men and women fighting in Iraq are depicted as compassionate and caring. Moore has made no secret of the fact he wants Bush ousted from office, and the film is undoubtedly anti-war. "We have made all requested materials available to them, but unfortunately, a commitment to show the film has not been made," a Lions Gate spokeswoman said. A spokesman for Fellowship Adventure Group claimed the military was stonewalling for obvious reasons. Judd Anstey, public affairs specialist for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service which books movies for military base theatres, denied any suggestion the decision not to book the film had anything to do with its content and was solely based on business. Mostly that it's not good business to have your theater screens shredded by irate crowds. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #6 lol - and effigies don't flare when the fat cooks off - sick, I know - it's sarcasm |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-16 12:03:06 AM |
| #5 "And here's Michael Moore arriving at Ft Bragg...wait...the crowd is rushing forward. It's hard to see what's happening...it appears they're burning an effigy of Michael Moore." "Erm, I don't think that's an effigy. They don't thrash around and scream while they're on fire." |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2004-08-15 11:24:01 PM |
| #4 Moore wouldn't last more then 20 seconds here at Camp Lejeune before somebody stomped his ass. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-08-15 10:58:21 PM |
| #3 Matt, I would PAY to see Moore show up at a Marine or Army base! That would be entertaining! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2004-08-15 10:54:37 PM |
| #2 Well, if he can't get his film shown, maybe Moore should just show up at Camp LeJeune or Twenty-Nine Palms and explain his message to the Marines and their families. Then he can move on to Fort Bragg, if he's able. |
| Posted by: Matt 2004-08-15 6:37:20 PM |
| #1 "We have made all requested materials available to them, but unfortunately, a commitment to show the film has not been made," a Lions Gate spokeswoman said. This is a bunch of crap. AFFES has already aired messages on AFN (Armed Forces Network) here in Europe that because of it's popularity (in France, Hamas Home Theaters, San Fransico, etc.) that it has not been able to get a copies of it from the distributor. It also restated that it doesn't censor the movies it orders. It orders the most popular stateside movies that it can get. Which it does. My guess is that they (Fat Boy(TM) and his distributors)just want to beat a dead horse a few more times to try and get the impression out that Bush and the DOD conspire to prevent Michael Moore's crap from being aired and to pocket a few bucks. Don't be surprised when it flops in the theathers though. |
| Posted by: 98zulu 2004-08-15 5:41:55 PM |