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Bowling for Columbine

Bowling for Columbine

2002
Documentary
History
2h 0m
Famed documentarian Michael Moore returns with his first feature film in five years, as he tackles the issue of America's unique obsession with firearms.
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Bowling for Columbine

2002
Documentary
History
2h 0m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 53.72% from 8217 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(8217)
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Rated 05 Mar 2007
25
7th
I'm not convinced that what the world needs today are the simplifications and manipulations perpetrated by this director. Based on this film, the work of Michael Moore seems to me to represent an unfortunate turn in the direction of documentary filmmaking. Enough of cinema already presumes its audience to be fools who can be calculated and controlled: we don't need to reduce documentaries to that level as well.
Rated 22 Jun 2014
52
36th
I don't know what the fuck Michael Moore is saying. I am a Canadian and I lock the fuck out of my doors.
Rated 12 Apr 2021
100
97th
When this film came out there were debates on whether it was a "true" documentary--as opposed to an op-ed or performance art. Those questions are diversions from the actual point: that Michael Moore made a profound picture on America's love affair with guns & violence. As a filmmaker, he's akin to Oliver Stone (in examining history) and Stanley Kubrick (by using black comedy to illustrate dehumanization). Sadly, all of his points ring true all these years later. One of my all-time favorites.
Rated 17 Dec 2006
70
39th
Although I agree with many of Moore's conclusions, I can't forgive his transgressions toward journalistic integrity and general decency. It's to his credit how impactive, and even entertaining, Bowling for Columbine is, but that impact and entertainment come at a high price.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
15
3rd
Could've been way better had Moore just never shown his fat face. He comes off as whiny and childish (and fat.) LOL LETS GO GUILT WALMART INTO NOT SELLING BULLETS ANYMOAR GUYZ! WE CAN, CHAAAEEEEANGE THE WOOOORLD! not informational, not honest, Michael Moore isn't funny, and he's teh worst interviewer I've ever seen. Also, he's fat.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
35
21st
I've very torn as I review this movie. While I agree with almost everything Moore is fighting for I absolutely disagree with his methods of falsifying the truth and over exaggeration to get his point across.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
81st
Moore has a tendency to bark up the wrong tree a lot of the time. However, his heart and mine are definitely in the same place. Watching BFC is a riveting but profoundly depressing experience that strengthens my desire to get the hell out of this asinine country.
Rated 05 Nov 2008
80
36th
It is definitely a notable film whether you love or hate Moore. It makes fairly strong arguments on fallacious bases. The film is obviously biased and often very misleading, but at least it is biased in directions I agree with, and does effectively compete with opposing biases. Due to the misleading and sometimes simply incorrect facts and heavily lopsided presentation, It is at best unclear whether this film could be called a documentary. If you see this movie, be sure to research the facts.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
0
0th
Utterly obnoxious, hateful movie by the American left's stupidest and most self-righteous demagogue. I'm extremely pro gun-control and I despise this movie and the man who made it.
Rated 05 Dec 2009
67
53rd
Intresting film. 11000 people killed in the USA with fireguns every year. M. Moore interview some people like victims and C.Heston, but why did he not interview some politicians because they can change the bad law. In Belgium one can not buy guns or bullets in a supermarket. The law is very strict and almost nobody has a gun at home. Last year 130000 guns were destroyed by the new law.
Rated 29 Jan 2014
40
10th
Is trolling Charlton Heston making things better?
Rated 17 Dec 2015
65
33rd
The standard line of rhetorical questions about a Michael Moore film: Do I agree 100% with the basic sentiment of the film? Yup. Did it change my opinion in any way? Not Really. Is it going to change the audiences minds on the issue? I'd guess no. Are the stunts funny? Hmm, kinda. Is it well constructed? Yes, in a disturbingly deliberate way. Is the subject relevant? Absolutely. Is the perspective even or clear headed? Absolutely not. Should it be? I dunno, we're back to square one.
Rated 11 Jan 2011
24
18th
I like the bit where he portrays Canada as the most law abiding nation in the world. Pfffft.
Rated 31 Dec 2018
80
75th
It's kind of hard to write a review of this 15+ years later. I still don't understand the anger this doc caused. Every documentary you watch has a viewpoint. Some are easier to spot than others. Moore does not hide his bias. However, I think the doc is simultaneously more complicated than what critics of the film argue and more simplistic than what defenders argue. This caused a lot of passion, and when that happens, it becomes a difficult thing to untangle.
Rated 19 Mar 2014
1
20th
Cheap move after cheap move. For every interesting point raised or made there were numerous bait-and-switch tricks and attempts at sentimental manipulation. Awful.[df]
Rated 13 Feb 2012
70
61st
Moore's documentaries are hard to rate. In one sense, he's a great filmmaker who has transformed the documentary form. In another sense, he betrays the truth that documentaries ostensibly strive for by using skilled filmmaking techniques to give a highly skewed vision of the truth. I enjoyed the movie quite a bit, but I don't necessarily trust anything I saw.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
57th
Fahrenheit 9/11 might be the most notorious Moore movie, but this is the quintenssential Moore movie, exploring broad and controversial concepts with an occasionally light and comic and occasionally more outraged tone, alternatingly in-your-face and introspective. The Heston bit is pretty awkward though.
Rated 30 Oct 2015
5
0th
Turns to shit after about 26 minutes. Ridicules the idea of x media (rock music, games, movies) leading to shootings and subsequently blames y media for leading to a state of fear conducive to shootings. Fear for crime has gone up despite actual crime going down everywhere, but due to a lack of consulting experts this is seen as being a uniquely American problem. It ends up being an amateuristic and meandering induction of mostly random individuals and otherwise non-professionals he comes across
Rated 26 Dec 2007
2
21st
So manipulative
Rated 03 Dec 2007
76
59th
Love him or hate him, Moore knows how to produce documentaries that initiate conversation. This film is no different.
Rated 03 Nov 2008
85
80th
Very touching at parts but also a extremely humorous documentary. Michael Moore is still a douche.
Rated 26 Nov 2008
100
94th
i thought this was so controversial,VOTE FOR FICUS
Rated 31 May 2008
98
94th
While Michael Moore is not the most credible documentarian around, this film surely sticks into your mind when you relive the impossible time that was Columbine. Tragedy and provoking questions are what put this into a higher rating for me. I could care less about credibility.
Rated 12 Oct 2007
90
93rd
Viewed as a piece of propaganda, it's both entertaining and enlightening. Bullshit, but entertaining bullshit.
Rated 31 Dec 2012
89
81st
An intelligently considered, well-wrought examination of the gun debate/culture in America that, for the most part, avoids the outrageous political grandstanding that mars many of Moore's later films. Where Moore always excels is mining unexpected insights from unexpected sources, be it a Chris Rock monologue, South Park or Marilyn Manson. Only a few below-the-belt pot-shots at an obviously enfeebled Heston leave a somewhat sour taste.
Rated 19 Oct 2013
100
95th
One of my favorite Michael Moore docs. Bowling for Columbine focuses on America's obsession with guns and uses the Columbine shootings as a focal point to discuss the myraid of factors that may contribute to such violence & the culture of fear which reinforces peoples deep seeded fears about the world outside which makes many people seek out firearms for protection. Some of the things Moore does, particularly the infamous interviews with Charlton Heston off-putting but the film is worth a look.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
69
23rd
No matter how much I may agree with the man or how viscerally enjoyable some of his stunts are, at the end of the day Moore's style of documentary just annoys me. Manipulative tactics like his just serve to polarize and preach to the choir, doing little for the cause itself.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
1
11th
His heart is in the right place but his facts are somewhere else. I'm no gun nut and I've got a lot of problems with some of the laws and standards here, but Moore does nothing other than skew.
Rated 25 Feb 2014
73
92nd
Thought it was enlightening. Certainly making a good point on how dumb people can be to stick to beliefs that aren't good for anyone. Like Mr. Nichols, trying so hard to defend the gun-culture and then when he's confronted by Moore with the ways of Ghandi he says 'I'm not familiar with that'. I feel like that symbolizes America for you: knowing just how much damage you can cause with weapons, but still have them in your home because 'it's just a part of American culture'. Sad. Just so sad.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
3rd
One sided Mishagas.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
95
93rd
Great documentary. I'm not sure how unbiased it is (pretty biased) but Michael Moore has a great skill of making even the most serious topics be entertaining and funny, without losing the seriousness of the topic at hand.
Rated 30 Aug 2019
85
58th
B+
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
15th
Some good points, but an overall mess of manipulation and misguided finger pointing.
Rated 30 Apr 2007
80
87th
great docu, but sometimes a little bit exaggerated and then it looses a little bit of it's credibility
Rated 06 Jun 2011
75
67th
Whether you like Michael Moore or not, you have to admit he makes some god points in this film. His points about the news' role in propagating fear and violence were spot-on (and true). He has his typical manipulative moments, but he does know how to put together an entertaining documentary.
Rated 06 Feb 2007
96
77th
Anybody else think giving away guns at a bank is a bad idea?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
77th
The fashion in which the material is covered is questionable, but it's still a decent movie.
Rated 07 Feb 2010
67
33rd
Moore tackles gun ownership with a sledgehammer. Not even-handed in any sense, this sort of stuff is why the US is so polarised in its views.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
18th
There are entertaining moments, but they're tempered by Moore's exhibition of the Columbine high school security tapes (which goes from shocking, which it should be, to gratuitous, which is too much). That many of the events you see are fabricated or "creatively" edited makes you wonder just how Moore won the Oscar.
Rated 22 Feb 2010
50
44th
Moore's best - But that's not saying a lot. He manipulates you until all credibility is lost. Fahrenheit made me root for Bush, this made me root for Heston, who was bullied by the disgusting fat guy.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
95
98th
This is my favourite Michael Moore film. This documentary has the perfect mix of humour and serious moments. Every moment of the film is interesting to watch
Rated 23 Jun 2012
85
98th
3 of 4 -- Entertainment. 2.5 of 2 -- Food For Thought. 1 of 2 -- Opens The Heart. 2 of 2 -- Sustainability Values.
Rated 19 Jul 2011
26
11th
Lots of spin and fluff, virtually no facts. Not really entertaining, not very interesting. Doesn't seem to have a point other than Hype.
Rated 15 Oct 2020
90
88th
As non-american, i didn't have slightest idea how easily you get a gun in US. And Michael Moore even got one when he opened bank account. Thats a good documentary if studies the case and enlightens the viewers. Hats off for the honour of Michael Moore.
Rated 15 Jul 2011
90
92nd
I guess the one positive thing to come from that Columbine massacre is this movie. fff.
Rated 12 Oct 2009
8
86th
Michael Moore's best.
Rated 31 Mar 2009
65
49th
Too controversial on purpose. Less documentary, more journalism.
Rated 25 Dec 2019
81
88th
Fucking moving and hilarious
Rated 23 Nov 2006
90
65th
O melhor filme de Moore, na minha opinião. O grande destaque fica para o depoimento de Marilyn Manson, o excentrico astro do rock que acabou servindo de bode expiatório para a situação.
Rated 13 Feb 2009
67
35th
Say what you will, this is a very important movie.
Rated 22 Nov 2006
0
0th
Barely worth the effort to rate!
Rated 19 Mar 2008
50
32nd
He's pretty rugged
Rated 24 Feb 2010
75
58th
Entertaining, funny, educational. Standard Moore, good but leans to the left.
Rated 22 Oct 2010
80
85th
A soaring and enthralling documentary that packs up some hilarious moments, but also some heart-breaking ones. Thought-provoking, well-made and full of wit, "Bowling for Columbine" is totally absorbing, despite the questionable statistics and the obvious emotional manipulation. The first half is brilliant, funny and gripping, and although the second half drags, this remains a thoroughly engrossing film, that, if it doesn't convince you, at least it'll make you hate Charlton Heston. Bowling too.
Rated 05 May 2007
60
37th
He's skilled filmmaker but he lost me when he said this is a documentary.
Rated 13 Feb 2007
80
81st
Disturbed teens and guns make an explosive combination. Loved the southpark clip in it
Rated 03 Jan 2010
30
2nd
It's so manipulative that it looks like a joke. And I'm not defending those people in this documentary, like Heston, the American government or whoever.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
75
50th
A classic Michael Moore. The single best of his movies, and the most important of them, long before his credibility was seriously damaged. Funny, vicious and earnest at the same time.
Rated 24 Aug 2022
65
64th
I just watched this for the first time since the early 2000s and I feel the same way now as I did then; deeply sad and sorry for Americans and in particular (not sure what this says about me) Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. I appreciate that many of Moore's efforts are ham-fisted and little more than publicity stunts - his flippant references to the Holacaust are also problematic - but as pathos it certainly works on me. Heston talking nonsense in front of the 'Touch of Evil' poster does pain me.
Rated 12 Oct 2010
60
44th
More than a standard doco, but much less than it could have been. If one is to place blame in what is being presented as an objective discourse, one has to get it exactly correct, and Mike Moore almost hides from the aspects of his subject that are not already in the common public domain.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
65th
I'm a liberal Democrat and I appreciate Michael Moore for his bravery. As much as idiot Republicans want to discredit him, he actually has an important message if you'd give him a second and listen. I don't worship Michael Moore.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
23rd
Not as good as Roger & Me or F9/11. I never really got the connection between defense contracts and gun happy teens.
Rated 30 Apr 2008
85
50th
I do love a good documentary. Love him or hate him, Michael Moore gets a reaction out of the masses. This one's no exception.
Rated 06 Nov 2009
75
56th
Realidad!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
96th
This isn't a liberal film made for other liberals to rally a cause, but on the contrary, it's made to change the opinions of those who never really gave much thought to the situation, and in that vein, it is an effective piece of intellectual persuasion.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
A lot of controversy over this one, and whether Michael Moore has any idea what he's talking about. Well done though, I must admit.
Rated 21 Jan 2019
80
85th
Some of Michael Moore's best work.
Rated 03 Jan 2014
96
89th
Though it may not always convince, Bowling for Columbine asks important questions and provokes thought.
Rated 24 Mar 2008
82
65th
One of those truly rare films that will make you angry, depressed, happy and patriotic all in one go. As far as filmmaking goes, it's pretty much perfect... As a documentary, however, there is manipulation, blatantly deceiptful editing and absolutely gigantic gaps in logic. Watch to be entertained, rather than informed.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
29
20th
Brandishing the photo of a dead child in that context is just so unhinged. This, like Fahrenheit, comes off as scattered ramblings rather than a honed attack.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
8
78th
Manipulative at times (it's Michael Moore so...) but very interesting aswell.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
53rd
an interesting docu despite how hungry michael moore looks
Rated 08 Oct 2015
83
73rd
I don't think much of Moore as a documenteur, and this doco has its silly moments, but he can still craft a movie. Moore looks at various violent tragedies in the US and carefully goes through the list of possible motives, denouncing most of them. I've seen this a number of times since it came out and it's remained a timely critique of certain troubling aspects of US culture, though doesn't indulge in bashing the country.
Rated 10 Sep 2009
46
7th
A slanted "documentary" on gun control. Michael Moore seems to make good points, but never shows the other side of the issue with a fair and balanced viewpoint.
Rated 30 Mar 2011
10
2nd
I can't edit my way into making Charlton Heston look like a douche but thats really kind of a dick move. For those who pay close attention you will find plenty of inconsistencies and facts the are twisted or misrepresented. Although I disagree with the message, I could at least appreciate it had he not skewed everything in such a dickhole way.
Rated 01 Jun 2012
83
55th
Den beste dokumentaren jeg har sett. Belyser mange viktige problemer i samfunnet.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
90
74th
An excellent documentary that was involved in it's subject matter.
Rated 02 Nov 2010
69
14th
One perspective shown only. Not objective.
Rated 01 Feb 2013
6
0th
For me, the interviews make this film. The found footage and Moore's personal rhetoric can at times impede my enjoyment. I don't feel like I reach my own inclusion, merely understand Moore's.
Rated 04 Aug 2014
85
59th
For better or for worse, this is Michael Moore's masterpiece. It mixes those really evocative reveals and moments of history with his fascinating interviews and hilarious stunts. Hard to believe that there are people who aren't laughing at Michael Moore bumbling around Canada, opening strangers' doors.
Rated 11 Jul 2008
70
57th
I don't know whether it makes a convincing case because a) I don't really remember and b) can you really trust this guy?! But certainly an interesting film.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
73
88th
Moore is fat and because of this I should apparently hate him. Pile a few more guns on this country and it will be the safest place in the world, cause then the good guys with guns could shoot the bad guys with guns! That could never go poorly could it? Loopy cunts. Moore's best besides maybe Roger and Me.
Rated 22 Jan 2008
35
23rd
Manipulative, and very unfair to Charlton Heston.
Rated 12 Feb 2009
2
8th
Garbage. Watch at your own risk and with your Bath bag handy
Rated 08 Jul 2008
65
18th
Michael Moore... Is there anyone in the world as biased as you? Sweet Jesus! I love the fact that he is socially aware, but does he have to be such a douche about it?
Rated 08 Dec 2008
70
57th
nice, but he lies
Rated 17 Aug 2007
50
14th
not his best. mean spirited. he does great in Sicko, but not here
Rated 03 Aug 2007
84
67th
Every conservative who rails against this apparently missed the entire fucking point of the movie
Rated 21 Oct 2008
75
57th
Interesting enough.
Rated 01 Sep 2007
90
53rd
Very original...not lake later Farenheit 9/11
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
98th
Very effective
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
14th
Sorry, Michael Moore really bothers me. I just hate his smug self serving style, don't forget to reflect on what a hero he is when he bravely leaves a reminder of gun violence for Charlton Heston.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
65
29th
It's an entertaining movie but it fails as a documentary due to his blatant manipulations to make his point. I don't mind some bias since we all have it, but this is taken to the extreme and the movie suffers because of it.
Rated 30 Nov 2006
93
81st
Great documentary by Michael Moore that one can watch over and over again. Funny, shocking and interesting.
Rated 20 Jan 2007
63
41st
manipulative
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
10th
Michael Moore managed to take an argument for gun control that (I hope) many people would agree with and run it into the ground. Way to go.
Rated 24 Sep 2014
72
37th
Interesting at times, but definitely feels like heavy-handed propaganda. But then again... Michael Moore. What would you expect?
Rated 12 Jul 2011
94
63rd
Moore captures a generation
Rated 01 Sep 2007
0
0th
Propaganda - pure and simple. Some of the teachers and student directly involved also said Moore distorted the facts, inserted sound bites out of context, etc.
Rated 01 Nov 2007
50
14th
It's not that I have any objections to his bias, I just don't think this is a great documentary. I have no problem with a lack of neutral point of view. The part with Charlton Heston wasn't poignant or anything; it was just corny and awkward.

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