| Author | Message | ||
     Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6001 Registered: 1-2004  |
Do you plan to watch this Spike Lee HBO movie on HBO about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans this month? | ||
| Project 37 Citizen Username: Project37 Post Number: 279 Registered: 3-2006  |
I think Lee can be a bit obnoxious at times, but I'm very curious to watch this movie. 4 hours is a big commitment, so I've recorded it and will hopefully get to it this weekend. It's hard to believe that it's already been a year... | ||
| SOSully Citizen Username: Sullymw Post Number: 1330 Registered: 5-2001  |
powerful stuff...disturbing...our government sure dropped the ball BIG TIME | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4349 Registered: 12-2004  |
Would really like to see it. Not home now and don't have HBO. Hoping it'll be "On Demand" in September. Of course, I don't imagine anyone has any doubt the government dropped the ball BIG TIME! | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 1950 Registered: 10-2004  |
Last night was really gripping. I am not a big Spike Lee fan, but this documentary really help me for 2 hours last night and I will be glued to my set for the next 2 tonight. | ||
| Deidra Citizen Username: Deidralynn Post Number: 647 Registered: 6-2004  |
I have been a Spike Lee fan for many years, and his documentary was very well done. The way he is presenting it (a requiem in four acts) is a very respectful approach to this tragedy. I will definitely be watching tonite as well. Also, his "resident" composer, Terrence Blanchard (from New Orleans), once again, did an outstanding job with the music. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1865 Registered: 9-2004  |
Excellent documentary!  I will be watching the next 2 hours of this film. Job well done so far. Interesting historical facts( a bit of history on past huricane in New Orleans). Hurricane Betsy (1965) and how in the early century of New Orleans, officials purposely blew-up the levees to save the ritsy parts of New Orleans. I can't believe the footage they caught on film. Amazing! | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 1746 Registered: 3-2002 |
i recorded it & plan to watch... | ||
| Peter J. Watts Citizen Username: Peter_watts Post Number: 59 Registered: 3-2006  |
I hear it is powerful and I'm sure it's well made, but I have misgivings. From what I understand, some feel he glossed over the white population and made it seem only black people were affected by the storm. For those that have seen it, what's your take? | ||
| Deidra Citizen Username: Deidralynn Post Number: 648 Registered: 6-2004 |
Given his film genre, most people who are quick to judge would say something like that. Surely we cannot deny the fact that most of the residents who were misplaced due to their economic status were Black but he showed a fair depiction of people who were affected (across racial lines). I strongly urge all who are able to see this documentary. | ||
| pcs81632 Citizen Username: Pcs81632 Post Number: 120 Registered: 6-2002  |
I tuned in for the last 45 minutes of last night's showing, so I have to go back and see the whole thing. I was stuck in New Orleans that weekend and rode out the hurricane at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. I saw some of the best and worst of my fellow man that weekend. The fact that dead bodies were left on an American street for days and days and days afterwards was as an idictment of the Local, State and Federal Governments. Before the rioting began, I went along the Riverwalk, past the Aquarium and up to where the Natchez normally docks. Then around Jackson Square, past the Cathedral, and back around to Canal Street. I remember how calm the Mississippi was, and wondering where the ships were. The river had always been the historical escape route for the city. But not that day. I never expected to see the Local Government come to the aid of New Orleans. I did expect the National Guard to be on the streets, and I expected to see the only group that had the resources to meet the challenge, the Federal Goverment, to be on the scene immediately. Instead, we watched a great American city be destroyed. I realized that day that, if you thought the Federal Government could keep you safe in the event of another terrorist attack, think again. I have a friend who live north of the lake, and it breaks my heart every time I talk to him. If you want to help New Orleans, go there, spend money, and help that great city come back. | ||
| hch Citizen Username: Hch Post Number: 359 Registered: 8-2002 |
Very interesting. The focus was definitely on the poor mostly minority population which got stranded by the storm. A lot of stuff about the Superdome, lack of government response, anecdotal stories, the evacuation, etc. Spike definitely portrayed Ray Nagin in a very positive light, as if very little of what happened was his fault, and also positioned Nagin as the catalyst for the Feds finally doing something. I found the portrayal of Nagin to be biased. Otherwise very captivating. Most powerful part for me was the collection of photos and videos of the dead bodies literally lying in the streets of New Orleans for days. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6008 Registered: 1-2004 |
I was unable to watch it but have it set up on Tivo for the repeat of the show. There was an article in People that reported even a year later bodies are still being found. How sad. I'm curious, why does it seem this movie isn't being met with the same criticism as the 9.11 movies? Why is it 'too soon' for movies about the attacks on the World Trade Center five years after the attacks, but it isn't 'too soon' for a movie about Katrina? I did read Spike Lee is donating most of the profits from his movie to victims of Katrina. | ||
| hch Citizen Username: Hch Post Number: 361 Registered: 8-2002 |
My guess is that one was a natural disaster while the other was an act of terrorism. Somehow this makes a difference. | ||
| Project 37 Citizen Username: Project37 Post Number: 293 Registered: 3-2006 |
There is also a difference between documentaries and dramatizations. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6012 Registered: 1-2004 |
Meand I have it set up to Tivo the next time it's on, which is this weekend. I'd be happy to transfer it to a tape for you if you want. I think Rite Aid has 8 and 9 hour tapes. I'll check before the weekend and pick one up. That way all eight hours can be on one tape. | ||
| Flying_char Citizen Username: Flying_char Post Number: 243 Registered: 8-2005  |
I don't have HBO, so if somebody is recording and would lent me the tape later, I would be grateful | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6013 Registered: 1-2004 |
hch- I was kind of thinking the same thing. Project - I thought When the Levees broke was supposed to be a movie. At least that's what was said in the article I read. Now I see the difference. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1867 Registered: 9-2004 |
I hear it is powerful and I'm sure it's well made, but I have misgivings. From what I understand, some feel he glossed over the white population and made it seem only black people were affected by the storm. For those that have seen it, what's your take? Kinda sad you pre-judged this film before viewing. Last nights interviews were powerful especially by the 2 white women who lost their homes. They gave a VERY compelling account on their situation. There were other whites who were featured and interviewed for this documentary. The real "stars" of the film are people -- black and white -- whom you've never heard of before, but will probably never forget after you hear their stories. Some are angry, like the irrepressibly eloquent Phyllis Montana LeBlanc, some broken, some inconsolable, but the theme that runs through all the interviews is incomprehension. How could this have happened? As hard as it is for them to wrap their minds around the magnitude of Katrina's power, it is even harder to comprehend how so little was done to prepare for her arrival or to help her victims. –David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 1953 Registered: 10-2004 |
There is no doubt in my mind that this was Spike Lee's best work. He documented the disaster, the aftermath, the reconstruction and used political figures - Nagin, Blanco, Bush and others, authority figures Army and National Guard officers, Army corp of engineers, academics - people from all levels of academia from schools ranging from LSU to the U of Penn, clerics from New Orleans and New York and a large sampling of the citizens of New Orleans. The pictures were striking and heart breaking. The truths uncovered about the levees and the history of floods in NOLA were to me startling. He painted a very strong picture of the citizens and their will to rebuild and a damning of the government - both local and national - and especially FEMA and Michael Chertoff. In my opinion the picture I got about Ray Nagin was one of a political opportunist and not of a strong leader. Nagin had moments where he did some very good things and others where he played the political game at the expense of his people. Blanco came off as ineffective and weak but well-meaning. Bush came off as himself, a bumbling do nothing that really didnt give a damn about the people suffering in NOLA. kudos for Spike Lee and this powerful documentary | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1868 Registered: 9-2004 |
In my opinion the picture I got about Ray Nagin was one of a political opportunist and not of a strong leader. Blanco came off as ineffective and weak but well-meaning. DITTO! One of the facts I learned from the film… the relationshp between Nagin and Blanco. Nagin controversially endorsed conservative Republican Bobby Jindal over Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco. So there was some resentment between these two. Kinda makes you think of Nagin as an “undercover-brotha” for the Republican party. I think he plays BOTH sides.  | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6016 Registered: 1-2004 |
Flyin If you can wait until it's on again 29 Aug I'll make you a copy of the four segments. | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 319 Registered: 5-2003  |
I saw part of the first 2 hours on Tuesday and saw something I never noticed before. Michael Brown's body language was just awful. You could tell he was in over his head and didn't a clue about that fact each time you saw him. He just looked pointless. Of course, the same could be said for Bush each time his grins and does that snicker-snort every time someone confronts him during a press conference. The description of the bridge incident on the Crescent City connection was particularly spooky. I found myself wondering later what would have happened if someone from NO had approached the line of gun toting folks and called their bluff. If that's what it was. It was almost funny when one of the interviewees compared it to Manhattanites trying to cross the Manhattan Bridge and being held off ny an Metro Tech militia. See, now it sounds ridiculous. Almost. | ||
| Flying_char Citizen Username: Flying_char Post Number: 247 Registered: 8-2005 |
JTA I would really love that. I don't have cable, so I can't see it :-( | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6025 Registered: 1-2004 |
If anyone else (beside flyin and meand) needs a copy please let me know. I have a few blank VHS tapes so I can make few copies. The next time it's on though isn't until next Thursday. | ||
| hch Citizen Username: Hch Post Number: 369 Registered: 8-2002 |
Best line from documentary: "FEMA's a disaster." | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4450 Registered: 12-2004 |
JTA, just getting back to this thread. Still not home but coming back on Tuesday. I'm going to check to see if I can get it on HBO On Demand. If not, I'd love to get a tape, but I can use it after whoever else might want it. No need for you to make multiple copies, although I appreciate the thought on your part. Somehow, I suspect at some point HBO will get around to offering it On Demand. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1889 Registered: 9-2004 |
Beginning in September the documentray will be shown on "HBO On Demand." | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4465 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yup, I figured it would. Can't wait to see it. Thank Phenix. Watched and Anderson Cooper special on Katrina. Thought it was very good. Kinda really like him, too. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6055 Registered: 1-2004 |
Flyin I left the tape on my porch for Blaou yesterday. Sent her a PL to let her know; but it was still there when I came home last night and left this morning. If it's still there tonight I'll send you a PL. BTW Don't know if anyone's aware of it but Spike Lee also did a 9.11 documentary. | ||
| Flying_char Citizen Username: Flying_char Post Number: 355 Registered: 8-2005 |
JTA She is out of town for the weekend... And I didn't know he made a 9/11 documentary | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6060 Registered: 1-2004 |
Flyin If you want to pick it up I'll leave it on the porch. I'll be in and out all weekend. I'll have to check Tivo for when Spike Lee's 9.11 documentary is on. I'm sure it will be as powerful as the New Orleans one. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4560 Registered: 12-2004 |
Finally got to watch the first installment of this last night "On Demand." Was very impressed and kind of wished I could have watched all of them in one sitting. But I can't stay up that late anymore. Looking forward to watching Act 2 tonight once the kids are in bed. I agree the music is great. Enjoyed the juxtapostion of the opening photo montage of old B&W film, and current before and after Katrina footage. Am finding a lot of the "average folk" they are interviewing to be very compelling. And I didn't know Sean Penn was down there helping rescue people in the days after the hurricane hit. That impressed me. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1915 Registered: 9-2004 |
BTW Don't know if anyone's aware of it but Spike Lee also did a 9.11 documentary. JTA, Spike did NOT do a documentary on 9/11. |
