Sicko: US Health Care - the grass is greener

I never found any reason in particular to like Michael More as a director.  I have never seen any of his movies until I decided that I wanted to watch his newest, Sicko.  I didn't expect to like it, I have come away from it with a new view on many issues.

It is difficult to put into words how persuasive the movie truly is.  The message is a simple question: why do we pay for health care?  I'm going to ruin it for those that haven't seen it, but that doesn't matter.  Everyone needs to get the message, no matter how it is delivered.

The movie starts by looking at people in the US who needed medical help and how their treatment revolves around money, not the care they need.  It then focuses on the quality of care in Canada, England, France, and finally Cuba.  It is incredible how backward the US seems in comparison to ALL of these countries.

Did you know in France, if a mother needs help doing laundry the government will PAY to have someone do it for you!  Also, in all of the above listed countries (and probably more) there is next to no charge for any health services provided, including medication.  In England, doctors are paid based on how healthy their patients are.

That is the important message to get away from the movie.  Simply put, the US NEEDS to move to a socialized medical system.  The current system is based on monetary profit.  The problem is, we won't, at least any time soon.  The reasons for that get into political arguments which I would rather avoid.  I was actually surprised by the lack of "Bush bashing" that took place in the movie.  I expected quite a bit more, but based off of the comparison of me not having saw any of More's other movies, this was the most subdued with regard to political agendas.

The reason for that is that health care is not a political issue, it is a moral one.  Everyone who needs health services should have them provided.  I truly believe in that.  I am so absorbed in my own life (like many Americans - well... not even Americans because those in Canada get free health care) I don't know how to help promote any change.

I normally don't blog about this like this but sometimes I just get the urge to make my opinion known.  I don't know what to do other than blog about this topic.  I've never cast a vote in my life, although I'm now a registered Democrat (that is still weird for me to say).  I do know that I strongly support socialized medicine.  Hopefully there comes a point where I can make a difference.

I hope in some way this movie affects people to make it known that things need to change.  Maybe a change will happen.  I don't know.

I know many people will be skeptical about watching this movie, but I can definitively say it is worth watching.

Technorati Tags: Michael More, Sicko, Healthcare

So I've never watched any of the Star Wars movies

So I've never watched any of the Star Wars movies. That is, until now. (For those keeping track, I'm in college. I managed to avoid a huge part of pop culture successfully quite a few years.)

Apparently it is a crime to have never watched any of the Star Wars movies. (According to my friends.) Assuming this, I am the worst criminal in the world who was just let out of jail. (Does it make it worse that I am a CECS major?)

I've just finished watching all six movies. Granted, it took two weeks to squeeze them into my schedule, but I've just finished watching the third movie today.

Yes, I did watch them in order. By this I mean chronological. By that I mean 4,5,6,1,2,3. (This isn't easy to describe.)

I can't say that I have a favorite one yet but of the last six I liked the 4th the most. Of the first three I wanted to watch the third the most (knowing it linked together the two halves of the Star Wars universe). However, that doesn't mean it was my favorite. My favorite character, without a doubt, is Yoda. I don't understand why everyone hated Jar Jar so much. He wasn't that annoying.

I'm not going to dwell too much on this topic, that would mean that I have become a Star Wars geek. The best part about having watched all of the is that I now understand more pop culture references. Also, my friends no longer look down on me. ;)

The one thing that has been cleared up by watching the movies, it was actually the fifth movie where I finally understood, is why a Yoda Backpack was so awesome.

(Digg) Yoda Backpack
(ThinkGeek) Yoda Backpack

I knew that I would have to watch them all at some time in my life. I guess it is good that I managed to watch them all in such a short period of time.

I'm going to end this now. I fear that if I talk for too long I may become like so many others and become obsessed with the lure of the Star Wars universe.

Movie: Spiderman 3

Yesterday night I went to see Spiderman 3 in a sold out theater. I have to admit it was a great movie. I'm not going to write a review or anything, but I did want to mention one of th funniest parts of the movie (don't worry I won't give away anything about the plot.

Spiderman, really Peter Parker, went EMO! No joke, look at the picture. It was awesome. When the symbiote costume was on, but he was not acting as Spiderman, it was definitely the best part of the movie. It was not what I expected but definitely put a modern twist on the Spiderman series that was just perfect. There is also a dance number in the movie that was just perfect for the situation. It wasn't really very loyal to the Spiderman I remember, but since Toby is Spiderman, it worked out better then one would expect.

At first, it seemed really strange that they would put three villains (Green Goblin in the form of Harry, Venom, and Sandman) all in one movie, but they really pulled it off. The special effects were really amazing, there were times that they seemed to be a bit on the video game said, but that did not detract from the movie. The only really sad part is that Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will more than likely beat Spiderman 3 out for the Oscar for best special effects from what I have seen so far.

The ending of the movie actually surprised me. You have to accept that in super hero movies that large crowds of innocent people will just be standing around in harms way, but the final battle was really intense and the effects really shined. Also, the final twist at the end of the movie really brings it to a level way above the first two movies. It is hard to believe that the move Spiderman movie's they make, they better they get.

I can't talk about a Marvel movie without mentioning Stan Lee's cameo appearance. This was by far his best ever. I'm not going to post what he said, but basically he exchanges some very motivational lines with Peter Parker. It is definitely one for the movie and comic book history books.