Fahrenheit 9/11

[MacGuffin]

Moore moving on to Oscar voters after Tuesday's defeat
By Martin A. Grove, Hollywood Reporter

Moore's message: Considering the vigorous anti-Bush campaign waged by Michael Moore, it's clear that John Kerry wasn't the only loser Election Night.

Moore's tireless efforts to defeat Bush via "Fahrenheit 9/11" and a 60 city "Slacker Uprising Tour" failed miserably, leaving Moore with millions of dollars in movie profits but political egg on his face. After failing to sway American voters with his message, Moore's next challenge will be to get Academy voters to give "Fahrenheit" a best picture Oscar nomination.
 
Whether such an Academy nod is in the cards or not depends on who you ask. Some insiders are betting Moore will score because a best picture nod for "Fahrenheit" will give Hollywood liberals another chance to vote against Bush. Others counter that Academy members will reject Moore's manipulative and polarizing efforts just as the public did Tuesday and that they really don't want to have to sit through a repeat of his "Shame on you, Mr. Bush" 2003 Oscar night speech (although Moore has already promised in at least one interview to behave better than he did last year should he win again now).

Moreover, some insiders add, the global media giants that own Hollywood don't particularly want to antagonize the White House at a time when Republicans favor liberalizing media ownership laws. The FCC has not yet responded to a Philadelphia Federal Appeals Court order in June telling the Commission to reconsider the rules it adopted last year that would permit more media consolidation by allowing existing media giants to own more broadcast stations and also to own more newspapers and broadcasting properties in the same markets. The FCC can respond to this by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court or by giving in to the Appeals Court and reversing its earlier position. With the GOP controlling the Commission through its chairman Michael Powell, any unhappiness the White House has with Hollywood could affect how the FCC proceeds regarding media consolidation.

In a perverse sort of way, although Hollywood supported Kerry, it's the Democrats who want to stop the consolidation of media ownership that's so important to studio owners like Viacom, News Corp., General Electric, Disney, Sony and Time Warner. The GOP's point of view on media consolidation favors the media giants. That's why Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone announced publicly that he was going to vote for Bush because he believed a Republican victory would be best for Viacom.

As things turned out, the majority of American voters agreed with Redstone that Bush was the country's best choice for president. Needless to say, achieving the opposite result was what Moore has dedicated his life to for the past few years. And going into Tuesday's balloting he had every reason to think he was going to make a big difference in how the vote went. It just didn't turn out that way.

Since opening late last June, "Fahrenheit" has grossed nearly $120 million in its domestic theatrical release through Lions Gate Films, IFC Films and Harvey and Bob Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group, making it the most successful documentary ever released. Its DVD and video release success through Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment saw it gross about $5.5 million in its first week of release in October. Although the distribution deal that Moore and Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein negotiated with Disney last summer is a complex one that regulates how profits on the picture will be shared -- and with a lot of those profits going to a charity of Disney's choice -- it's a safe bet that Moore is profiting nicely from his film's success. And that's not meant in any way to be critical of him. Indeed, profits are what most filmmakers are in the business to achieve.

For Moore, however, making money with "Fahrenheit" wasn't the name of the game. What he set out to do was influence how people would vote for president. By portraying Bush as he does in the film, Moore hoped the American public would react by voting for Kerry or, at least, by voting against Bush. To achieve this, he orchestrated the theatrical release of "Fahrenheit" so it would be playing in theaters prior to July Fourth and prior to the national political conventions. He then arranged for a faster home entertainment release of the film than would typically have taken place.

To his credit, Moore also managed to get "Fahrenheit" shown the night before the election on the satellite Dish Network so that its 10 million-plus subscribers could view the picture at home. He also was able to make the picture available via streaming video on the Internet last Monday night to 30 million-plus homes through the video-on-demand service CinemaNow. And he worked out a pay-per-view deal with TVN Entertainment in Los Angeles to reach another million homes via carious cable systems. In all cases, the movie could be seen for a modest pay per view fee of $9.95. Clearly, Moore's premise was that if enough people had easy and relatively inexpensive access to his movie, they'd watch it and vote against Bush.

With the average movie ticket price at $6.03 in 2003, the latest statistics available from the MPAA, "Fahrenheit's" gross of roughly $120 million translates into about 19.9 million people having bought tickets to the picture. Add to that the DVD buyers and the video renters and the pay per view subscribers and we're probably talking about something like 30 million people (and possibly more) who paid money to get Moore's message. With approximately 116 million votes having been cast for president, Moore's "Fahrenheit" audience of around 30 million people works out to about 26 percent of that total.

To be fair, let me say right away that we have no way of knowing how many of the roughly 20 million people who paid to see "Fahrenheit" theatrically were of voting age or how many of them actually did vote. With the film's R rating, people under the age of 17 couldn't buy tickets. People who were 17 were able to see the movie, but they were still too young to vote. It's also possible or even likely that some of those who watched "Fahrenheit" at home on pay per view were under 17 and, therefore, not voters. Nonetheless, it seems reasonable to say Moore was very successful in attracting a large audience of potential voters to see his movie and absorb his message before they voted.

In addition to his movie, Moore also tried to impact on the election by going on a grueling 60-city tour and speaking personally to numerous groups of voters in swing states like Ohio and Florida. In particular, Moore focused on reaching college students and encouraging them to vote. An Internet search of "Michael Moore Ohio" turns up page after page after page of references to appearances the filmmaker made throughout that key state in an effort to keep its 20 electoral votes from going to Bush as, of course, they did.

Here's just a small sampling of the extensive media coverage Moore's tour of Ohio received:

Toledo TV station WTOL said on its website: "With eight days until election day, Democrats and Republicans are hitting the campaign trail hard. Internationally known filmmaker Michael Moore rallied voters to vote President Bush out of office. It was the sound of a political revolution, as filmmaker Michael Moore was welcomed by thousands inside Toledo's SeaGate center. This is the 45th stop on Moore's 'Slacker Uprising' tour. 'We're here to invite those of you who have not voted in the past to give voting a try. You hold the power in your hands, you are the largest political power in the country,' said Moore.

The Business Journal in Youngstown, Ohio wrote about Moore's appearance at Youngstown State University: "Moore's visit to YSU for a get-out-the-vote rally was the 50th stop on his 60-city 'slacker uprising tour.' Moore, who is supporting Sen. John Kerry for president, is targeting college age citizens, who typically don't vote in great numbers...Moore pointed out that Ohio has disproportionately lost jobs under Bush -- 230,000 in four years -- and he challenged Kerry not to forget economically devastated areas such as his hometown of Flint, Mich. and Youngstown, which he described as 'the Flint of Ohio.'"

The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about Moore's visit there: "Filmmaker and political provocateur Michael Moore chided and derided President Bush, Republicans and the news media during a raucous speech at the University of Cincinnati...More than 2,000 people -- most of them UC students -- crowded the outdoor rally, part of Moore's month-long 60-city 'Slacker Tour' to college campuses in 20 battleground states."

In a report about Moore's University of Cincinnati appearance WKRC-TV told viewers: "The controversial figure behind 'Fahrenheit 9/11' brought his message to the Tri-State. Michael Moore made stop number 48 on his 60 city tour today, visiting voters at the New Friendship Baptist Church in Avondale and (at) UC. Moore encouraged non-voters to go to the polls next week and spoke at great length about what he says are the wrongdoings of the Republican Party..."

The Lantern newspaper at Ohio State University wrote: "When Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore walked into the Ohio Union yesterday to speak to an audience of more than 450 people, he probably didn't anticipate he would be giving his speech twice. In addition to the crowd waiting for him in the East Ballroom, he was met by 400 more standing in front of closed doors, who were told they couldn't go in. To appease the masses, he gave a mini version of his speech on the front lawn of the Union. His message for both remained the same: remove President George W. Bush from the White House because 'people of this country don't like being lied to.'"

Mark Urycki reported on Kent State radio station WKSU that: "Kent State was stop number 44 on Michael Moore's tour. He's recovering from pneumonia from keeping a grueling schedule of trying to speak in two cities per day during the entire month of October. His message is simply 'get out to vote and vote for John Kerry.' Moore told reporters beforehand that he's been to Kent State a couple of times before to honor other war protestors who died there in 1970...He's so well known that Republicans have derided Moore as one of the 'Hollywood elite.' In fact, he came with comedian Roseanne Barr and both laughed at that term and pointed out that all the Hollywood stars elected to office have been Republicans. Moore said they both come from working class families...Moore's recent anti-war film 'Fahrenheit 9/11' has made him a hero of the left and a target of the right. The (campus) library has had so much demand to borrow the DVD that they had planned to show it in their theater. That was halted two weeks ago when a Bush supporter filed a lawsuit claiming the library was taking a political stand. Michael Moore only found out about the case from reporters in Kent...."

There are many more pages of reports about Moore's Ohio appearances that could be cited here, but I think these are enough to make the point that Moore pulled out all the stops in his efforts to reach Ohio voters and persuade them to vote for John Kerry. At the end of the day, both Moore and Kerry failed to convince enough people to turn their backs on Bush.

Looking ahead, Moore's next forum for attacking Bush could well be the Academy Awards. With "Fahrenheit" positioned as a contender for best picture rather than for best documentary feature, Moore will be fighting for Oscar consideration in the coming months. Having Harvey Weinstein working with him on behalf of "Fahrenheit" is clearly a huge help as Weinstein basically wrote the playbook on contemporary Oscar campaigning. Whether Moore and Weinstein, along with Lions Gate and IFC, can get Academy voters to do what the voting public refused to do Tuesday remains to be seen, but it certainly will be interesting to observe as the awards season unfolds.

[cine]

Moore to shoot sequel to 'Fahrenheit'

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Michael Moore plans a follow-up to "Fahrenheit 9/11," his hit documentary that assails President Bush over the handling of the September 11 attacks and the war on terrorism, according to a Hollywood trade paper.

Moore told Daily Variety that he and Harvey Weinstein, the Miramax boss who produced the film, hope to have "Fahrenheit 9/11 1/2" ready in two to three years.

"Fifty-one percent of the American people lacked information (in this election) and we want to educate and enlighten them," Moore was quoted in Thursday's edition of Variety. "They weren't told the truth. We're communicators and it's up to us to start doing it now."

A spokesman for Fellowship Adventure Group, formed by Weinstein and brother Bob to help distribute "Fahrenheit 9/11," did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

"Fahrenheit 9/11," which won top honors at May's Cannes Film Festival, became the first documentary to top $100 million at the domestic box office. Moore, who won the documentary Academy Award for "Bowling for Columbine," is pushing "Fahrenheit 9/11" in the best-picture category for the upcoming Oscars.

The issues for the follow-up film will remain the same, Iraq and terrorism, Moore said.

"The official mourning period is over today and there is a silver lining: George W. Bush is prohibited by law from running again," Moore said.

[modage]

following the law that all blockbusters must have sequels.

[Ravi]

following the law that all blockbusters must have sequels.

Maybe Moore will make an exposé on himself?

[MacGuffin]

Teacher Suspended for Showing Moore Film

A community college instructor who was suspended for showing "Fahrenheit 9/11" in class the week before the presidential election is offering no apologies and says he was unfairly punished.

Davis March showed the Michael Moore documentary critical of President Bush to his film class. Administrators pulled the plug on the movie with about 20 minutes left when March tried to show it to English composition students.

"This story is now about academic freedom ... the movie is ancient history," said March, who served a four-day suspension and returned Nov. 2 to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte.

School officials said March disobeyed orders by refusing to meet with administrators before showing the film, but March said no edict to seek permission had been issued.

"If I'm wrong about this, I've been wrong my entire career," said March, 54, who has taught at the school for two decades. "If I backed down, how could I go back into the classroom and face my students?"

The school's executive vice president, Ann Hovey, said the board of trustees has a clear policy of nonpartisanship regarding political issues. She said college President Richard Brownell has issued several memos on the topic.

One dated Oct. 25 stated that college employees may not use "the classroom or college environment as a platform to promote their own personal, religious or political views or to advocate for specific political candidates."

Hovey said March asked school officials in August if he could send out fliers promoting a screening of Moore's movie. The school rejected that request.

"He was insistent about wanting to show it before the election, which implied some possible political intent," Hovey said. She said March erred by not also presenting an opposing view to the film.

"We are not about trying to suppress critical thinking or academic thought," she said. "But if you are trying to promote critical thinking, then both sides need to be presented."

Greg Lukianoff of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education described the school's actions as deplorable.

"It's true the university cannot endorse a candidate, but the distinction of what a university professor can do is increasingly getting blurred," he said.

[MacGuffin]

Moore doesn't look back
The controversial filmmaker is taking it easy post-election. Source: Los Angeles Times



Chopping logs. Taking long walks in the woods outside his home in Northern Michigan. Reading the latest Robert B. Parker detective novel. Going to church on Sunday. And catching up on sleep.

That's how filmmaker Michael Moore is spending his time these days. He's no longer sparring with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly or trying to sway opinion with his Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," but is instead watching "Desperate Housewives" with his wife, Kathleen Glynn.

Taking a post-election breather before launching into an Oscar campaign that he hopes will earn his documentary a best picture nomination, Moore is also preparing to work on a new documentary about the worlds of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tentatively titled "Sicko," after the start of the new year.

Since the election, the highly visible Moore has retreated to his two-bedroom cabin on a four-acre spread in Michigan, where he and his wife are adjusting to life without their 23-year-old daughter, Natalie, who recently moved to the Bay Area.

On Sunday, Moore, 50, headed to the biannual meeting of the Democratic Party, where the mood, he reports, was "remarkably upbeat." The last gathering had only four participants, he said, and this time there were 40. A big fan of movies ("I go to everything"), he has recently caught up with "The Incredibles" and the "Bridget Jones" sequel and drove 45 minutes to the nearest six-plex to see "National Treasure."

There's also a potential follow-up, Moore said, to "Fahrenheit," the highest-grossing feature-length documentary ever with $250 million in ticket sales worldwide. The same threesome that backed the documentary — Miramax co-chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein, Lions Gate Entertainment and IFC Films — is behind him again, giving him "a pretty good foot in the door," he said. Though no deal is in place for "Fahrenheit 9/11½," they're all committed to the project in theory.

The original, meanwhile, won't be considered for an Oscar in the best documentary category, although it had been considered the front-runner (he won that award in 2003 for "Bowling for Columbine").

He became ineligible for the documentary category with his decision to maximize the impact of his film by airing it on TV before the election. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences prohibits films eligible for best documentaries from being televised within nine months of release.

Plans to air "Fahrenheit" as part of a pre-election special never materialized, though. A subsequent arrangement was worked out with DISH Network, the satellite TV company owned by EchoStar Communications Corp., and the movie was available for download on the Web. Though it wasn't what he'd hoped for, Moore says he'd take the same gamble again.

"The film is still eligible in other categories" including editing, direction and best picture, he said. "No documentary has ever been nominated for best picture, so that would be a great boost for all nonfiction filmmakers."

While he's depressed that President Bush was reelected, he said the Republican victory could help at Oscar time. He theorizes that if Sen. John Kerry had won, Hollywood — and the country — would want to move forward instead of rubbing salt in the wounds. With four more years of Bush, the best picture vote could give the movie industry one more referendum, he points out. But he insists that such handicapping is not in the forefront of his mind.

Part of the Democratic loss, he said, was due to the party's inability to come up with a simple story that spoke to the masses. Republicans, on the other hand, were deft in their creation of Bush as a post-9/11 hero who protected the country from further attack. Moore counters the notion that the entertainment industry's support worked against Kerry at the polls. Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks collectively prevented what would have been a landslide victory for Bush, he claims. It was star power that put "The Terminator" in the governor's seat in the bluest of states — and thrust Ronald Reagan, George Murphy and Sonny Bono into the national arena. The Democrats should embrace the entertainment community, he says, instead of running away.

"The way to win is to run someone people are familiar with, and trust: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Martin Sheen," he said.

What of charges that "Fah-renheit" is not a documentary but an op-ed piece, or even propaganda? All movies have a point of view, the director said — that's "artistic vision." "Why didn't I point out the good stuff about Bush? Because the president has gotten a blank check from the press and we see that every night on the news."

If he wins another statuette, Moore says, half in jest, his wife, who also produced the film, will give the acceptance speech in order to maintain the peace. His antiwar comments at the 2003 awards triggered a chorus of cheers and boos.

Moore recalls an incident from that night: A crew member came out of nowhere to mutter an expletive in his ear.

"That guy came up to me last month on 'The Tonight Show,' where he's working now, and held out his hand," Moore said. " 'You were right,' he told me ... 'We weren't told the truth.' "

The Truth According to Moore, however, has been pouring out nonstop. His books, including "Stupid White Men ... and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!" have been bestsellers. And by his own estimates, he continues to get 6,000 to 10,000 e-mails a day from supporters.

While he has no problem being a "designated hitter" in the political game, he's not interested in being the coach or becoming most valuable player.

"Being a figurehead is a responsibility and a burden," he said. "Still, people have gone to my movies and read my books and I'm not going to let them down. We got to the 3-yard line — only 3 million votes short. We're not going to pick up the ball and go home. Democracy, in the end, isn't a spectator sport, but a participatory event."

[modage]

And the year's least intriguing celebrity is ...
Web site lists 'the coldest people in Hollywood'
Source: CNN Wednesday, November 24, 2004


LOS ANGELES, California -- Controversial movie director Michael Moore, whose anti-President Bush film "Fahrenheit 9/11" touched off a firestorm of controversy, has topped an annual list of Hollywood's least intriguing celebrities.

The outspoken documentary maker, seemingly ubiquitous during the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign urging Bush's defeat, ranks Number 1 on this year's "Frigid 50" published by online movie magazine FilmThreat.com.

Says the Web site: "Michael Moore's box office smash did two things: it mobilized like-minded Americans in a bid to vote a Democrat into office, and it galvanized the opposition in a bid to re-elect Bush. Bush won."

The Web site, known for an anti-establishment take on the entertainment industry, said its list named the stars it found to be the "least-inspiring, least-intriguing people in Hollywood."

Ranked No. 2 was actress Halle Berry, who followed up her Oscar-winning turn in "Monster's Ball" with less critically lauded roles in such films as "Gothica" and "Catwoman."

Says the Web site: "If she makes any more muck along the lines of Gothica and Catwoman, the Academy should send Berry a self-addressed stamped envelope and a letter requesting the return of her Oscar."

Summing up all the list, the Web site says: "The Frigid 50 ice pack have left audiences cold with their overbearing personalities, poor career choices and chronic inability to stop making fools of themselves," the site said.

Filmthreat.com adds: "Just so you understand how utterly meaningless these 'power' lists are, try a little test. And you can do this test in the privacy of your own home.

"Just dig up an old issue of 'Entertainment Weekly' and 'Premiere' from, say, 2002. Then read the 'power' list from that year. See what we mean? Meaningless!"

Rest of the Top Ten:

3. MICHAEL EISNER. Says the site: "Did Dopey give Eisner a blood transfusion? If anything, it has not been a boring year: a board of directors revolt lead by Roy Disney, a hostile takeover bid by Comcast, public spats with Pixar and Miramax, the biggest line-up of turkeys this side of a Thanksgiving dinner ('Home on the Range,' 'The Alamo,' 'Hidalgo'), and the idiotic desire to jettison the one hit film financed by Disney: 'Fahrenheit 9/11.'"

4. M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN & THE BIG SURPRISE TWIST REDUX. Says the site: "The jig is up, Night. The lame Sci Fi Channel 'documentary' fooled no one -- just like no one had patience for yet another labored 'surprise' ending in 'The Village.'"

5. BEN STILLER/OWEN WILSON. Says the site: "Ben Stiller seems to have a lock on mass-produced mediocrity. In the past year ... 'Duplex,' 'Along Came Polly,' 'Starsky & Hutch,' 'Envy' and 'Dodgeball' one after the other, each with a harsh dull thud."

6. NICOLE KIDMAN. Says the site: "Did Tom Cruise get the Scientologists to slap a hex on her career? The perpetually stunning star followed her Oscar triumph (in Jimmy Durante make-up) in 'The Hours' with hideous junk where her beauty made no sense in the midst of the gritty stories -- 'The Human Stain' (as a glamorous cleaning lady) 'Cold Mountain' (as a glamorous Dixie chick), 'Dogville' (as a glamorous fugitive) and 'The Stepford Wives' (as a glamorous Stepford Wife). Kidman's always lovely to look at, but.... "

7. REESE WITHERSPOON. Says the site: "Little Miss Cutesy-Wutesy is perfectly acceptable in marzipan confectionaries like 'Sweet Home Alabama' and the 'Legally Blonde' franchise -- and anyone who loves dum-dum diversions can enjoy her giggles and wiggles in these films. But...."

8. JIMMY FALLON. Says the site: "The guy most notorious for blowing his lines on 'Saturday Night Live' crossed over to the big screen in 'Taxi' -- and nobody cared."

9. PARIS HILTON. Says the site: "It's not surprising that Hilton has started turning up in films; it's all part of her evil plan for absolute world domination."

10. BEN AFFLECK Says the site: "Poor Ben. He's been cursed with the incredible shrinking career: dumped by J.Lo, ignored by audiences, and reduced to making guest shots on TV celebrity poker tournaments. Affleck's career has devolved beyond sick humor into the realm of catastrophic pity-inducement."

[ono]

What the fuck is a FilmThreat?

[Jeremy Blackman]

Isn't it a little silly to say Michael Moore is "unintriguing"?

[hedwig]

Isn't it a little silly to say Michael Moore is "unintriguing"?

And he made it on the same list as Halle Berry, Owen Wilson, and Nicole Kidman.

How the fuck are they unintriguing?

[Gamblour.]

Guys, they explain away their little sense of humor right in that article:

Summing up all the list, the Web site says: "The Frigid 50 ice pack have left audiences cold with their overbearing personalities, poor career choices and chronic inability to stop making fools of themselves," the site said.

Filmthreat.com adds: "Just so you understand how utterly meaningless these 'power' lists are, try a little test. And you can do this test in the privacy of your own home.

"Just dig up an old issue of 'Entertainment Weekly' and 'Premiere' from, say, 2002. Then read the 'power' list from that year. See what we mean? Meaningless!"

Not saying it's funny. Just get over it, it's a stupid list.

[hedwig]

Guys, they explain away their little sense of humor right in that article:

Summing up all the list, the Web site says: "The Frigid 50 ice pack have left audiences cold with their overbearing personalities, poor career choices and chronic inability to stop making fools of themselves," the site said.

Filmthreat.com adds: "Just so you understand how utterly meaningless these 'power' lists are, try a little test. And you can do this test in the privacy of your own home.

"Just dig up an old issue of 'Entertainment Weekly' and 'Premiere' from, say, 2002. Then read the 'power' list from that year. See what we mean? Meaningless!"

Not saying it's funny. Just get over it, it's a stupid list.

True, but idiotic media sources make it seem like it's some national poll.

[MacGuffin]

Moore Campaigns for People's Choice Award

Filmmaker Michael Moore is back on the campaign trail trolling for votes this time, for the People's Choice Awards.

His documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" an unlikely summer blockbuster was one of the films selected in the "favorite movie" category of the annual populist prize ceremony. On Thursday he posted a letter on his Web site to mobilize fans to cast their ballots for the film.

"Now, normally I wouldn't make a very big deal out of something like this," Moore wrote. He said he was inspired to make his appeal after a group of leading Republicans took out ads in USA Today and Daily Variety that he said included "a not-so-subtle threat to the Academy Awards voters that, in essence, said don't even THINK about nominating 'Fahrenheit 9/11' for Best Picture."

Moore said the People's Choice nomination proves the message of his film still resonates with people across the country, even though President Bush won re-election.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" attacked Bush's rationale for the war in Iraq and accused him and his administration of fostering fear for political gain. Moore spent the weeks before the election traveling across the country to urge Americans to vote Bush out of office.

In his letter, Moore said the movie still speaks "the truth about Iraq, Bush, terror and fear. The election has not altered or made irrelevant, unfortunately, a single one of these issues."

He added, "I promise, if we win, to give a nice and polite speech," a reference to the vitriolic speech he gave against the Iraq war last year when he accepted the Academy Award for best documentary for "Bowling for Columbine," a look at gun violence in America.

Other People's Choice nominees for favorite movie include "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Incredibles," "Shrek 2" and "Spider-Man 2." Nominees were compiled from about 6,000 people across the country through the magazine Entertainment Weekly.

Moore also is pushing "Fahrenheit 9/11" for an Oscar in the best picture category, after saying he would not submit it in the lower-profile documentary field.

[Myxo]

MOORE SET TO CLAIM VICTORY AT PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS, LIVE, CBS, TONIGHT...

January 9, 2005 -- Lefty filmmaker Michael Moore has been tipped he's going to win the People's Choice Award tonight, Tom O'Neil reports at goldderby.com. This is the first year these awards - which insiders have long suspected notifies winners in advance - resorted to online voting instead of a Gallup poll.

Tinseltown has been buzzing about organized campaigns on behalf of Moore's Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," which goes up against the likes of "Spider-Man 2" and "The Incredibles" for favorite movie, as well as for Mel Gibson's equally controversial "The Passion of the Christ," which is up for best drama.

Moore's flacks didn't return Post movie critic Lou Lumenick's calls, but sources confirmed he is snubbing tonight's New York Film Critics Circle awards to attend the Hollywood ceremony, where polar opposite Gibson is also expected to make an appearance.

[MacGuffin]

Member of N.Y. Film Critics Circle Blasts Michael Moore for No-Show

The lead film critic of the New York Daily News has taken Michael Moore to task for ditching an appearance at the New York Film Critics Circle dinner awards ceremony where he would have picked up a Best Documentary award for Fahrenheit 9/11 and instead flying to California to receive the favorite movie award on the televised People's Choice Awards. Saying that Moore's actions deserved an award for "Slight of the Year," Jack Mathews commented, "He chose the nonaward over the award, the patronizing TV show over a dinner with peers, the photo op over the credibility op. He chose to patronize the public as bastions of good taste, and to pretend that his anti-Bush screed had captured the fancy of a nation." Mathews remarked that it is unclear to him how Fahrenheit won the top award for favorite film. "Typically," he noted,"the film that sells the most tickets wins this award." Other analysts have pointed out that this year the producers of the show altered its selection procedure, ending their deal with the Gallup organization to conduct a scientific poll of moviegoers and instead conducting a vote on the Internet, subjecting the voting process to politicking and the equivalent of ballot-box stuffing.