DVD
Release Date: April 5, 2005
Run Time: 145 min (original theatrical or airing runtime)
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rent from Netflix
Outfoxed
Inside the Fox
News Network
For the first time ever,
this documentary reveals the secrets of Former Fox news producers,
reporters, bookers and writers who expose what it's like to work for
Fox News. These former Fox employees talk about how they were forced to
push a "right-wing" point of view or risk their jobs. Some have even
chosen to remain anonymous in order to protect their current
livelihoods. As one employee said "There's no sense of integrity as far
as having a line that can't be crossed."
"Outfoxed" examines how
media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, have been running a
"race to the bottom" in television news. This film provides an in-depth
look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking
control of the public's right to know.
"Outfoxed" first examines
media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Australian company, News Corp.,
tracing how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) helped Murdoch
break the rules to establish a fourth network in the United States. The
film explores Murdoch's burgeoning kingdom and the impact on society
when a broad swath of media is controlled by one person.
Media experts, including
Walter Cronkite, Jeff Cohen (FAIR), Bob McChesney and Chellie Pingree,
provide context and guidance for the story of Fox News and its effect
on society.
The team behind
"Outfoxed" created a system to monitor Fox News 24 hours a day for
months to discover exactly how its shows worked. A team of volunteers
around the country scrutinized every hour of Fox News programming,
noting examples of bias in its coverage. The result is an intense
examination of Fox News and the lie inherent in its favorite motto:
"Fair and Balanced."
DVD
Release Date: July 13, 2004
Run Time: 78 min (original theatrical or airing runtime)
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rent from Netflix
Powerdown
The
DVD version of the book
This DVD is a
"talking head" narrative by Richard Heinberg. Heinberg summarizes the
key points from his books on peak oil (Powerdown and The Party's Over).
If you've read either of these books, you'll find the DVD material
familiar and the presentation concise. I have found that for friends
and family who are unaware of the peak oil implications and not
necessarily willing to read a book on the subject, the DVD is an
excellent way to introduce them to the subject.
The video quality of the DVD is fine. There are frequent quick cuts as
Heinberg speaks which I initially found mildly distracting but soon was
able to ignore. I assume it was the DVD producer's attempt to keep the
spoken narrative concise--perhaps they editing out most of the "umms"
and other pauses you'd expect in the spoken word. In any case the video
and sound quality is good.
Some unique content on the DVD includes Heinberg explaining how he and
his family personally are preparing to the transition to a more
energy-poor future, including where they chose to live, and the even
the kinds of plants they have in their back yard. In fact this scene
was filmed in his back yard.
For Heinberg fans, this DVD will be an excellent addition to your
library and you may find it especially helpful in introducing the
subject of peak oil to others.
Amazon reviewer C Chatfield
DVD Release Date: n/a
Run Time: n/a
Or rent from Netflix