“Capitalism: A Love Story,” Michael Moore’s new documentary, out Oct. 2, 2009.

Just got this press release from Overture Films:

(Beverly Hills, CA) July 8, 2009— “Capitalism: A Love Story” is the newly unveiled title of Oscar-winner Michael Moore’s latest documentary feature. Overture Films will release the film domestically on October 2, 2009, and Paramount Vantage will handle international distribution. As previously announced, Moore will return to the issue that began his career: the disastrous impact that corporate dominance and out-of-control profit motives have on the lives of Americans and citizens of the world.

On why he chose to make a ‘love story,’ Moore stated that it was time for him to make a ‘relationship movie.’ “It will be the perfect date movie,” said Moore. “It’s got it all — lust, passion, romance, and 14,000 jobs being eliminated every day. It’s a forbidden love, one that dare not speak its name. Heck, let’s just say it: It’s Capitalism.”

Here’s a link to the teaser that ran a couple weekends ago and caused quite a commotion in theaters.

This should be interesting, I think. I wonder if it will be a complete takedown of the idea of capitalism or if it will just go after what it has become in this country. If it’s the former, Moore runs the risk of taking what could be a mass-media audience for the movie and limiting to a much smaller, niche audience (even smaller thann his niche already is). As mentioned in an earlier release about the film, “Capitalism: A Love Story” will explore the root causes of the global economic meltdown and take a comical look at the corporate and political shenanigans that culminated in what Moore has described as “the biggest robbery in the history of this country” – the massive transfer of U.S. taxpayer money to private financial institutions.

Tags: 2009, capitalism, capitalism: a love story, date, documentary, film, for, Michael, moore, movie, new, release, title, unveils

One of my Top 3 favorite movies of all time is Spike Lee’s provocative and controversial 1989 film “Do The Right Thing.” It takes place on the hottest day of the summer in one Brooklyn neighborhood and has more heart, laughs, tension, and drama than most movies today. This year marks its 20th anniversary.

If you’ve never seen it, now is the time to go out and rent the sucker. You’ll see early performances by Samuel L. Jackson, Rosie Perez, John Turturro, and Martin Lawrence. You’ll witness Spike Lee at the top of his game as a screenwriter, actor, and director. You’ll hear Public Enemy’s anthemic “Fight the Power” in the context that it was meant to be presented in. You’ll wonder at the vibrant colors in Ernest Dickerson’s cinematography.

You’ll see late actors Ossie Davis and Robin Harris, who have never been better. You’ll be presented with tons of likeable characters and watch the mounting racial tension with dread. You’ll ask yourself a lot of questions and struggle with the answers.

The Root has devoted a large part of its website to celebrating the film, and editor-in-chief Henry Louis Gates sat down with Lee for a series of interviews. It’s a great conversation (with clips from the movie), and I learned something else that people don’t talk about too much: Michelle and Barack Obama’s first date was a screening of “Do the Right Thing” at the Chicago Art Institute!

Fight the power indeed.

20 years later, the Obamas are in the White House, and “Do the Right Thing” remains one of the most influential of modern films. I have the Criterion Collection DVD, but it looks as if i might have to buy another one, because the new 20th Anniversary DVD contains a lot of the same extras and a new commentary track from Lee.

Have you seen “Do the Right Thing”? How recently?

Tags: 20th, anniversary, date, Do the Right Thing, First, interview, lee, obama, root, spike