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Movie reviews: SiCKO (2007)

Whatever your feelings are about Michael Moore, I urge everyone in America to see Sicko. In the past, Moore has made psuedo-documentaries that either get most of the facts straight (Bowling for Columbine) or appear a bit one sided (Fahrenheit 9/11). Sicko is easily Moore's most relaxed and humane effort yet.

One can always count on an angry, entertaining, political statement from Michael Moore. With Sicko, the angry part has been for the most part removed. This actually helps, as Moore appears less one sided and makes his stand for the better of those in the United States. In case you either have not seen the humorous poster or trailer for Sicko, the film covers a bit of the history behind medical insurance. Michael Moore then goes to numerous other countries, finding that a majority of other places have free medical insurance for everyone. Those who are in need of medical attention, receive it. Meanwhile, here in America, if a hospital does not accept your medical insurance, you are not likely to get any help, especially if you can't afford it.

What is on display in Sicko is downright alarming and frightening. For example, an elderly lady had received a major cut on her forehead and then goes to the hospital. The hospital finds out she can't afford to pay for the service needed, so they put her in a car and drop her off in the middle of nowhere. The sickos behind that idea should be dropped off in the middle of nowhere themselves.

Other families deal with horrifying tragedies that are so incredibly out of their hands, it's disgusting. The fact that a doctor has the chance to save a life and then must turn the person down because they are uninsurable is a disgrace. What the hell has come over us as a nation?! Also of note, is the scene that Moore recently got in trouble for. His trip to Guantanamo Bay, with several September 11 rescue workers in his boat, is a well timed political statement. I for one cannot wait to see what politicians have to say about it.

Michael Moore brings about some pretty thought-provoking material here. Plus, there is just a wealth of information that makes for pretty fair journalism, in other words, both Republicans and Democrats get a good amount of blame for the problems. Interesting that the new election is on the horizon and Moore actually digs up some history about Hilary Clinton that may make you a little uneasy about her qualities.

Sicko is perhaps Moore's best documentary to date because it has a perfect blend of comedy, drama, tragedy and shocking evidence. For all those who say documentaries can not be entertaining and factual, think again.

Don't be surprised when the Academy puts Sicko in its nominees for Best Documentary early next year. Sicko is a wonderful film and easily one of my favorite documentaries of all time, sitting alongside Paradise Lost and Capturing the Friedmans. In a rather mediocre year for movies so far, Sicko stands head and shoulders above the clinically unhealthy others.

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