Bowling for Columbine — A Review

23rd September, 2019.

You know … I’ve had time to grab a movie.



But you’d guessed that, hadn’t you?



You’ve been and watched the introduction video, after all.



What you might NOT realise, unless follow my Daily Teasers?

Is the Family Christmas Present Debate.



Basically, the long discussion I’ve had with the family, about what a suitable group present would be.



That’s sorted: it’s going to be a Chromecast: one of the cheaper ones, at least: along side ten pounds worth of gift card they can spend on a movie.



Of course, my sister Ruth — my nephew’s mother — informs me she’s now going to get a Nintendo Switch for him …

And suggested I buy him a game for it.

Have you seen the price of the things?



You can’t call it daylight robbery.

It leave you no chance to call it extortion!

At any rate … ?



At any rate, with a night off?

I’ve had time for a film.

And, given Old Peculiar regular Olga Núñez Miret, has joined fellow regular, Debbi Mack, in suggesting Bowling for Columbine?

I felt it was about time I saw my second Michael Moore film … 

~≈Ç≈~

Bowling for Columbine is Moore’s examination of US gun culture: specifically, of how the Columbine High School massacre happened.



And opens with Moore opening an account in a local bank … that gives away guns as an incentive.

His conclusion?



That the US media contributes: in promoting a climate of fear.



That the likes of Charlton Heston contributes: in equating gun ownership with freedom, in his “Cold Dead Hands” rallies.

And that the the simple availability of guns and ammunition — in the US equivalent of Asda or Sainsbury’s — is fuelling American’s gun crimes … 



Well … 

I’d say watch this film.

~≈Ç≈~

Normally?



I’d be a lot more tentative in saying that.



Especially with a documentary of this age.



But think about this, would you?



I’m not sure, entirely of the statistics.   But Wikipedia tells me there’s been some two hundred and fifty-nine mass shootings in the US, since the Buell killing that Moore discusses in the film.

Since the turn of the century, in other words.

Since 2000.

The UK’s had three since 1987: the Hungerford Massacre, the Dunblane School Massacre and the Cumbria shootings.



Three.

And we’re supposed to be a mess, according to some.



Has the US done anything to end these things?

I don’t know.



But, going on what I’ve seen on the news, and on Wikipedia?



Michael Moore has enough material for Bowling for Columbine: 2.

Bowling for Columbine

★★★☆