Iraq For Sale
I just returned from the world premiere of Robert Greenwald's latest documentary, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers. How did I get to attend a premiere in Santa Monica? My hippie-liberal, insanely-bumperstickered-Ford-Escort-wagon-owning Mom was a part of movie-making history. She was one of the many who donated money to Brave to Films to make this documentary based solely on the premise and Greenwald's past performance. His team raised $367,892 on the internet to finance this film, which he felt had to be made in time for the mid-term elections.
Mom has all of Greenwald's DVDs. He surprised his early fans with free tickets to the opening in Los Angeles. She does love him, but lives in Rhode Island, so she emailed me the offer. I snagged my other dirty liberal friend tt and took her up on the tickets.
I couldn't have asked for a better movie-viewing partner. tt is the one who identified the STP guitarist when we were in Santa Monica five years ago (only he first said he was an Aerosmith guitarist, and I knew that was wrong). He pointed out many people in the star-studded audience. He shared a freakin' armrest with Paul Haggis, a man whose claim to fame is writing and directing that little ol' Best Picture winner Crash. He spotted Arianna Huffington right away, and she sat two rows in front of us. While I was in the restroom, he had ample time to people watch, and found Marguerite Moreau, who he described as "that one actress I've always had a crush on." Paul Haggis was also sitting with another relatively well-known actor, and we both eyed one another when we spotted him, but we can't come up with his name for the life of us. I'll work on it (that means tt will work on it tomorrow at work).
The movie was great. I can lob some criticisms at it, and my review will come later, but it is an important documentary. I called Mom from the theater, before it started, and she was so happy to hear that we were there (she also mentioned that she wore the I'M THE DECIDER shirt I gave her to her faculty retreat, and she would be sending me photos). She mentioned that it is important that libraries have access to copies. I am buying three copies so that I can donate one to the Los Angeles County library system and one to the San Joaquin Valley library system (both of which I patronize heavily). I'm thinking about buying a five-pack of DVDs for a better price, so if xterminal wants one to view and donate, leave me a comment. I was interviewed on camera for my reaction, so I talked about how important it is to donate copies to libraries so that people have access to it if they are interested.
Thank you, Mom! You are so awesome. The best mom I ever had.
EDIT: Yes, Mom, we saw your name on-screen! They are alphabetized by first name, and you are up there. Also, the producers asked everyone who donated to stand, and tt agreed that I needed to stand to represent you. You were applauded by a theater full of people.
Mom has all of Greenwald's DVDs. He surprised his early fans with free tickets to the opening in Los Angeles. She does love him, but lives in Rhode Island, so she emailed me the offer. I snagged my other dirty liberal friend tt and took her up on the tickets.
I couldn't have asked for a better movie-viewing partner. tt is the one who identified the STP guitarist when we were in Santa Monica five years ago (only he first said he was an Aerosmith guitarist, and I knew that was wrong). He pointed out many people in the star-studded audience. He shared a freakin' armrest with Paul Haggis, a man whose claim to fame is writing and directing that little ol' Best Picture winner Crash. He spotted Arianna Huffington right away, and she sat two rows in front of us. While I was in the restroom, he had ample time to people watch, and found Marguerite Moreau, who he described as "that one actress I've always had a crush on." Paul Haggis was also sitting with another relatively well-known actor, and we both eyed one another when we spotted him, but we can't come up with his name for the life of us. I'll work on it (that means tt will work on it tomorrow at work).
The movie was great. I can lob some criticisms at it, and my review will come later, but it is an important documentary. I called Mom from the theater, before it started, and she was so happy to hear that we were there (she also mentioned that she wore the I'M THE DECIDER shirt I gave her to her faculty retreat, and she would be sending me photos). She mentioned that it is important that libraries have access to copies. I am buying three copies so that I can donate one to the Los Angeles County library system and one to the San Joaquin Valley library system (both of which I patronize heavily). I'm thinking about buying a five-pack of DVDs for a better price, so if xterminal wants one to view and donate, leave me a comment. I was interviewed on camera for my reaction, so I talked about how important it is to donate copies to libraries so that people have access to it if they are interested.
Thank you, Mom! You are so awesome. The best mom I ever had.
EDIT: Yes, Mom, we saw your name on-screen! They are alphabetized by first name, and you are up there. Also, the producers asked everyone who donated to stand, and tt agreed that I needed to stand to represent you. You were applauded by a theater full of people.