Just watched Outfoxed tonight, and I have to say that if nothing else it did at least get my blood boiling. I do believe there are better documentaries out there, though this one is rather pointed, easy to follow, and makes its points on the level that it’s hard to think that people could miss what they’re trying to say.
The trouble is, it’s a sad thing to think that the fight, in so many cases, may be lost on those who the film could otherwise help. There’s absolutely nothing positive about the Fox network or Rupert Murdoch or anything associated with them. For most sane people, this makes perfect sense, since there really isn’t very much that’s redeeming about any of it. More broadly, then, the trouble is that there are already too damned many people who are sucked in, and there’s very little chance that if they like their media, they’ll even spend the time to buy into this particular film.
I’m not saying we should give up; and the problem is brilliantly deep and motivated. It is essential to have these kinds of films, in order to transition those who are slowly fleeing the dim lights of their absurd television screens into what otherwise would constitute reality, fairness, etc.
If we are to look towards what’s happening in our world, however, I do feel as though there is a space outside this movie, that somehow will take those who are complicit and instead make them think. Fundamentally, Fox subscribers are lulled into not having to think all that hard. There isn’t too much to process, because it’s all spit out on a single serving plate, and at the end of a long day that’s an attractive alternative.
With respect to this particular movie, in any case, it’s certainly a wonderful collection of the absurdity that we in the US have to wrestle against, and taken against other alternatives in our quest for ways to use our time, it truly cannot be missed.