Michael Moore: Wall Street is Watching

Great Opening Night -- Do Not Put Off Seeing 'Capitalism: A Love Story' -- Wall Street is Watching
by Michael Moore
Sat Oct 03, 2009 at 02:40:42 PM PDT

Friends,

Thank you, all of you, who packed the theaters across North America last night to see my new film. The movie houses were rockin'! The national movie exit poll company announced this morning that the audiences in America gave "Capitalism: A Love Story" a rare "A" rating! Wow, thank you! In most multiplexes where "Capitalism" played, it was the #1 or #2 top-grossing movie there for the evening. That is nothing short of amazing.


For those of you waiting till next week to see it, I can't say this strongly enough: Do not put off going to see "Capitalism: A Love Story." It is not just a movie. It is a referendum that is being closely watched by the CEOs of America. Let me tell you bluntly, the suits on Wall Street are closely watching to see how this movie does this weekend. So, too, are the members of Congress. If "Capitalism" has a huge opening, it will send shivers down their corporate spines, telling them loud and clear that the American people are mad as hell and are not into taking it any more. It will put all the bosses on notice that the vast Obama-voting majority has awoken from its silence and are out in full force.

But if the attendance is just "ok" or "so-so," then they will be relieved knowing that there is not a popular groundswell of opposition out there -- and then they can go about their business as usual. I'd like to send them a different message.

Treat tonight and tomorrow as if it were election day. Blow their minds on Monday morning when they show up at their executive suites, switch on CNBC or Fox Business News, and learn that America turned out in droves to participate in a raucous denunciation of Wall Street and everything it stands for. I often hear people ask, "What can I do to make my voice heard?" Your answer is at the nearest theater showing this movie. Trust me, packing these movie houses tonight and tomorrow will eff them up in an overwhelming and profound way.

Last night, there were many reports of spontaneous cheering throughout the film in nearly all the theaters. Theater managers reported difficulties in getting people to clear the theater lobby afterwards because groups of total strangers assembled to passionately discuss what they just saw. One manager wrote to me and said, "It's a good thing we carry Gummy Bears and Junior Mints at the concessions stand instead of pitchforks and torches! These crowds were ready to march over to the local Citibank and do something!" Another manager said a crowd in the lobby formed around the little Chase ATM machine next to his popcorn stand and started to "yell at it." Jeez! (Click here to see some of the cell phone photos fans have sent from various theaters around the country last night.)

Here's what I've heard the most about last night: Audiences were stunned and shocked by many of the things I reveal in the movie -- stuff that the networks have refused to show them -- even though they have the footage! They purposely withhold this news from you, the public. And because I dare to show it, some networks now refuse to license any of their footage to me. So I get my hands on it and put it in the movie anyway. I truly don't care. I'm sick and tired of the truth not being told to the American people -- and I am willing to suffer whatever the consequences come my way because I showed it to you. Fortunately we have "fair use" laws in this country that have kept my hide out of court so far. There is something so patently wrong with not being told what Wall Street and Corporate America are up to. If you go see "Capitalism" tonight, you'll see what I mean. You will alternately have your head spinning and then find yourself laughing your ass off!

Much more is riding on the success of this movie than the amount of popcorn that is sold. If we do well this weekend, the studio will expand the film to smaller towns next week. Don't put off seeing it! Click here to find out where it's playing and order your tickets now. Call some friends and make a night of it. My crew and I have put nearly two years of our lives into this and I am honored that it has been so well received. Join in on the fun of giving AIG, GM, Bank of America and all the other thieves the shellacking they deserve. And send me a photo of you and the crowd there tonight! I'll post it and personally send it to the heads of all the financial institutions and the members of Congress. They need to get a clue -- right now -- and I'd like you to help me send them that clue!

Thanks again, and I'll see you tonight at the movies!

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
www.MichaelMoore.com

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/3/789410/-A-Great-Opening-NightDo-Not-Put-Off-Seeing-Capitalism:-A-Love-StoryWall-Street-is-Watching

Read that filth. he wants people to go so he can laugh his way to the bank.

On DU, someone else posted "If there's nor evolution I won't make any more movies". Well, he can retire. And if Moore wants to start a revolution, WHY THE FLYING FUCK ISN'T HE STARTING IT, IN THE WAY HE WANTS EVERYBODY ELSE TO DO IT?

Because he's a fraud. That's why. He also says "You're welcome".

you must be joking.

And my life is much happier.

There's no use debating those types.

What have you done for the country lately? Writing on DU, preaching to the choir, doesn't count.

With a movie.

now that he's got another moment of international media attention thanks to his unique talent as a popular film maker.

We know that unregulated capitalism & corporate personhood has fucked up this nation for the last 30-40 years...and for some reason you hate Michael Moore who is trying to educate the uneducated. "The uneducated at least go to the movies...And this typoe of entertaintment might educate that type of mental people" who do go the movies. Why do you hate the fact he makes money off it? I really fucking don't get it. Do you work? Do you make money working? Do you hate people who make a bunch of money working and being successful? WTF is your problem????

I doubt you answer this post. I doubt you have the balls to answer this post.

Filth? Fraud? The subjects in the movie are, not the movie maker.

Moore shows us what no one else dares to.

I wouldn't totally condemn Michael Moore for it like you did, but before he dares to advance an argument like that one he really needs donate his profits to some worthy cause. When he argues that we should put money in his pocket to make a political statement, it's easy to feel like we're listening to a con man.

He's speaking their language. He knows that money is the only thing they understand. So if they see a good opening weekend, they will notice. They will get nervous.

And the better the opening weekend, the more media attention the movie gets and the more people will see it.

Michael can do what ever he wants with his money. He's earned it. And he's already got lotsa money. We don't hear many stories about his wild and excessive lifestyle either.

You think those behind the American Revolution actually ... FOUGHT in it?

Read a little history...

It has to be DLC... they are also WORRIED that the masses are waking up and perhaps are ready to do more than watch Monday Night Football.

Here is a clue... unless you were born with the silver spoon, nope you won't get it either.

Sheesh. Michael Moore speaks for me.

He's sounding pretty desperate.

I'll see Capitalism i November since they're not showing it here and I intend to own my own DVD copy when you release it.

cool.

Maybe that is what the French aristocrats should have done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_French_Revolution

Is he going to donate them to his favorite charity?

to finance future films so that he doesn't have to go through the studios.

I think he's a great guy to work for. By all accounts, he pays his employees very well and treats them with respect.

And....what fucking business is it of yours????

Answer if you dare.

He has donated money to a charity both he and Madonna have an interest in. He is also involved in other charity work, such as children born with HIV eg and several others.

He also uses the money he makes to take care of his employees. He pays 'the best available' health-care for them. He also helps the community he lives in, he and his wife do a lot for their own community.

It's a question the right always ask about him whenever they get a chance. He is used to the question and has answered it many times. The last time it was from a caller on the Larry King Show. I couldn't help laughing when I heard the question which was meant to be a 'gotcha' question as I heard MM respond to it before.

The question only helped his image and I'm sure the caller regretted giving Moore a chance to answer. The usual reason for such questions is to make the person look bad. But as someone famous once said, you should never ask a question you don't know the answer to. And that night on Larry King was a perfect example of the reason for that advice.

Like many celebrities, MM doesn't talk much about his work for charitable organizations. Famous people often do charity work no one knows about. Eg, when my little niece was dying and was in the children's hospital for what turned out to be the last time, she received a surprise visit from a famous hollywood actor.

He brought her flowers and a teddy bear and wrote her a card. He stayed and talked to her and my brother for quite a while. No one knew he was coming even the nurses, although they said he often visited the hospital so to them, it was not a surprise. My niece didn't know him, but my brother did and brought her some of his movies which she watched the next day. She wrote him a thank you note which he answered with another beautiful card and flowers.

I had included the actor's name but have removed it as I think this was something he wanted to keep as a part of his private life. I have never seen any reference to him doing this kind of charitable work and would never have known about it otherwise.

There are many reasons why famous people do not want their charitable work to be made public. And there are more ways to be charitable than to give away money. Our family eg, did not need money. But what he did, purely out of kindness and love for children, (he has children of his own) will never be forgotten by us. It was a wonderful, thoughtful thing to do and at that time, very much appreciated.

And I'm glad you took out the name of the star. I think a lot of stars feel very fortunate and give back in more ways than we can imagine. They know how lucky they are.

:woohoo:

with my neighbors. Friends are seeing it in Oakland and S. California, and in New Zealand they are looking for it online.

It should be seen by everyone in the world.....

It's Moore's best documentary to date, IMO. Just awesome.

but we will be going tomorrow afternoon. I have really been looking forward to seeing this movie.