Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
Borserie
it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.
Jonah Abbott
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
sol-
Condensed from an apparent 33 hour initial cut, this Canadian documentary about the evolution of corporations in North America tends to ramble at times, but features lots of interesting information, even if one might be skeptical about some of it. The first stretch of the movie is the best as the filmmakers use a checklist of symptoms of psychopathic behaviour to conclude that a corporation operates like a psychopath, which is all the more fascinating when one considers legal precedents that allow corporations to have the rights of a human being, to sue others, buy investments and so forth. After this initial stretch, the film is a bit of a bumpy ride with far too much footage recycled from Michael Moore's 'The Big One' for its own good; Mikela Jay's cold and impersonal voice-over narration is a minus too. The majority of the archive footage here is very well used though, perfectly juxtaposed against dialogue and narration. There are some captivating interviews too, most notably with a Goodyear CEO who simply rules corporations off as an expected "consequence of modern capitalism". There is also an interesting stretch towards the end of the film dedicated to corporations manipulating kids due to their 'pester power' when it comes to pleading for their parents to buy certain items. In fact, the film flies by very quickly for a 2.5 hour documentary.
kevandeb
It is a tough call to disseminate all that is clearly outlined in this non discriminatory documentary. The film offers no judgment, but simply allows facts to be presented and the viewer to judge without prejudice. All I will say is that two people in this do more for the cause of corporation hatred than any 2 hour factual expose could ever do........watch Michael Walker & Carlton Brown, who appear with regularity, with special interest. Watch as Brown laughs st the twin tower atrocity, as it boosts his clients gold portfolio or as Walker says global pollution is inevitable, these are low level patsy's who are apologists for corporate greed so it beggars belief the attitude of CEO's and board members as well as shareholders if this attitude filters down the food chain. My politics and outlook on life has gone through a paradigm shift in the last 4 years and I am, like the CEO of a carpet manufacturer in the documentary, totally focused on provenance, organic, ethical living and I have ceased using the large corporations for as much as possible. I shop locally and only independent suppliers. I buy no meat from supermarkets, in fact I rarely use a supermarket. I am disgusted at how society has evolved and I was a business owner and a 6 figure salary earner for 20 years. Now I work for 1/4 salary in a not for profit organisation and am learning to grow my own food and be more self sufficient. A tipping point is being reached and we need to be ahead of the curve. As with all empires, it goes full circle and crumbles into dust. I foresee a future co- operative based society where all things in a future life will be done locally.
phlexonance
If you're gonna watch this, prepare for two and a half hours of ominous music, meaningless anecdotes, poisoning the well, confirmation bias, hasty generalizations, proof by verbosity, Michael Moore etc.The gist of the movie: corporations are responsible for every plight of the world, therefore capitalism is bad, therefore let's nationalize everything.The only thing this movie is good for, is to study bad propaganda and make a list of logical fallacies.The core issue is the legal construct of the corporation and it is a legitimate issue, but the movie goes against the wrong target, with the wrong methods.
gizmomogwai
Joel Bakan, who served as a clerk for Chief Justice Brian Dickson and advocated for human rights against governments, now takes aim at corporations in this documentary. On the way he gets a little help from friends like Naomi Klein and Michael Moore. The stuff exposed in the final product can be shocking and hits home even if the presentation is fairly one-sided. From stuff little-known like businessmen trying to overthrow Franklin Roosevelt and aiding Nazi death camps, to a reminder of Kathy Lee Gifford's sweatshops. It questions the ethics of applying patents on life and rain water. This is a story that needs to be heard, even if it needs to be balanced.I first saw most of the movie as part of a sociology course. We considered the concept of a corporation as a person, and how if it were a person it can fit the definition of a psychopath. While it may sound extreme to apply that label to men running businesses, sadly there is some truth to it. Even if this movie doesn't convince me corporations should be banned, it demonstrates why they should not have absolute power and personhood. The stuff about Bolivia having a revolt shows people being pushed can push back, and raises questions of how we may see more of that which is alarming from a security perspective. All of this is helped by use of metaphors and pop culture and the calm, female voice of the narrator. Everyone shaping a national economy should see this movie.
