Two new war films starring West Virginians
Senator Byrd
Morgan Spurlock in Egypt during “Where in the world is Osama bin Laden?”
Senator Robert C. Byrd is one of the main speakers in a new film called “Body of War,” which I have not seen. A woman from Fairmont called me to let me know about it, and I hope to see it. The other new film starring a West Virginian is Morgan Spurlock’s fascinating, super-well done, often hilarious, “Where in the world is Osama Bin Ladin.” Unfortunately, only six people attended the Saturday 5:15 PM showing at the Park Place Cinema 11 in down. I am sure it will be gone soon…..
Starting with the film I did see, the Charleston Gazette ran a nice review of “Osama” in the Thursday Gazz, but no one was there. I loved the film from the beginning to end, noting that I don’t think Spurlock, when mentioning all of the evil dictators who once were stooges of the U.S. included Osama himself in Afghanistan for years, using US weapons to defeat the Russians. During the front of the film there is a truly hilarious animated war between Osama and “super-hillbilly” Morgan Spurlock in a trailer park.
I have to admire Spurlock for going on such a fool’s journey, as he has done many times previously, including in his TV show that will be starting up on June 3rd on FX, “30 Days.” I am really looking forward to seeing him work as a miner - or will be be as a large equipment operator at a strip mine? I will have to wait to see.
“Osama” is full of insight, humor, and true tragedy. If I could make a film about the “War on Terror,” it would have to be quite similar to this one. I have no idea why anyone would call the film “racist” given that Spurlock sits on the streets of Arab countries all over the world, getting away from all the usual racists stereotypes. He truly cares about the world his about-to-be-born son Laken will inherit.
I will absolutely buy a DVD copy and share it with everyone I know. I hope some locals in the Kanawha Valley can spend the time to visit the Park Place, and support them for bringing this film by a fine native son back home. We clapped - yeh, Morgan!
About “Body of War” - The Lascaux Micro-Theater in Buckhannon is apparently showing the film this month. I hope some other people around WV will show it, but like almost all good films these days, I will have to buy a DVD copy. I am sure WV Patriots for Peace will show it at Taylor Books or somewhere. My friend Sandy Berman saw it last Friday at the Lagoon in Minneapolis and very, very highly recommends it. He told me that Senator Byrd says some key things in the film. Phil Donoghue is the producer of the film.
