Before viewing the documentary Bowling for Columbine, I had never heard of Michael Moore. It is quite possible that I have seen other films produced by him, but I wouldn't know. One thing that I do know about Michael Moore though, is that he has strong, strategic strategies that pull in the audience and persuade each and every viewer to side with him, or at least realize that he does make a valid point.
Michael Moore uses a sense of sarcasm and humor, which draw in the audience and keeps them from growing bored. The sarcasm was used to bring out some of the downfalls that exist within the gun control laws today, or shall I say lack there of. Although it is addressed towards a more serious topic, it really helps open ones eyes to how bad the "laws" of gun control really are. This same idea is also brought up when we are shown the a clip of Chris Rock's standup comedy show. It was hilarious and kept my attention, but it also made me realize the faults of gun control in the United States.
Moore also provides insight into the debate about gun control by using graphic images and real video footage. Because I have never witnessed or been so closely affected by a shooting like at Columbine or Flint, these occurrences don't seem as real to me. I never think that something like this could happen at my school, but after viewing the video clips and images, it makes it seem much more real and possible.
What really pushed Moore's view to a great height was his use of statistics. It was crazy to see the deaths by guns each year in America as opposed to other counties, Canada especially. Moore practically sold me on the idea to move to Canada; it seems like a much safer place. This also relates to Michael Moore's big idea that America is plagued by fear. Maybe we all do live out of fear and that is why there is such a higher percentage of American's who are killed by gunfire each year.
Michael Moore definitely knows how to draw in an audience through an outstanding array of strategies. He keeps the film interesting yet maintains the big idea. If his documentary didn't get you thinking about our gun control in the United States, I don't know what will.
Hey Chloe! We both discussed how Moore persuaded the audience, although you brought up a good point that I did not mention in my blog post. You pointed out that he used sarcasm to persuade his audience and I totally agree with you. It drew me in and made this not boring what so ever, which you stated. It made me think about gun laws in an intriguing way that I really enjoyed. I feel like this really persuaded me. So thank you for pointing this skill he used to me.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I agreed with most within your blog post was the fact that the statistics stated throughout the documentary really helped with Moore's case. Similarly to you, I was amazed with how much more deaths by guns the United States had compared to the rest of the world. This proved to me that gun control is important and that Moore was doing something positive by bringing awareness to that. You pointed out that Moore was able to keep his audience and I would have to agree. I thought that this documentary kept my attention rather well, and for that I would have to give Moore credit because it just as easily could have been very boring.
ReplyDeleteOne thing i really agreed with in your post was the idea in Michael Moore and how he has persuaded the audience on gun control. As you stated in your post you discussed how Moore was strong and persuasive. He did as well use both of those techniques on Gun control. He showed the audience how messed up America is with Guns and their issue. He mad very and strong statements and followed them with great examples such as school shootings.
ReplyDeleteHey Chloe! I totally agree that humor was used as a way to obtain and keep the audience's attention in this film. I found Michael Moore's use of humor to be very entertaining-which is especially needed when watching a film about a topic as heavy as this. I also think that the graphic images chosen to be in this movie were to break down the barrier between what people see on television and real life.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, Michael Moore utilized humor in his documentary. I think it takes a special person to be able to seamlessly integrate humor into such a serious topic. While his humor is used to make certain points and engage the audience, he is still able to be completely serious at times, which is what makes this documentary so enthralling. Without him pulling the humor together by ending on such a serious note (with the dead little girl's photo) the audience would be less likely to go out and try to change the way guns are viewed in America.
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