Best of Enemies: Vidal vs. Buckley - New Doc

[Smarmie Doofus]

Saw it last nite near Lincoln Center. Apparently it's in general release now. You'll have to really hunt for it though... esp if you're not in a big city or university town.

Uses the infamous '68 ABC convention debates as a focal point, and fans out from there.

Weird and eerie premonitions of this election year's themes: race, war, empire, police militarization, the "culture wars" (pretty much called "sex" in those days) and .... and this surprised me somewhat... wealth disparity. ( Now generally known as "income inequality.&quot

Thank you, Gore, for bringing that last one up. Even if it was well before people could wrap their heads around it.

OK. I'll take the risk of sounding sounding patronizing: younger people ( i.e. activists) esp. should see it.

Context is.... well... not *everything*, exactly; but it's a big chunk of the whole.

[LuvNewcastle]

1. Charlie Rose had an interview last night with

the makers of that film. I can't wait for it to get out on DVD. The issues today are much the same as they were then, but I don't know if we could find two men as erudite as those two in our day. If we did find a couple, though, the MSM wouldn't show the debate.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Charlie puts me to sleep.

Never fails. Yet I'm sorry I missed that.

Did they show any extended clips?

I forgot to mention: YES. The film is IMMENSELY entertaining. At least it will be for some people.

A fascination for language and its skilled use will help. They were both rrreeeeaaallly good at it.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. No, they didn't show any extended clips.

They talked more about the process of making the film and the personalities of the two main characters. I think I'll love it.

When I was in college, I got a chance to see Buckley speak at another college in town. He did a fine job, but didn't really talk much about politics except in the question and answer portion.

I wish I'd had the chance to see Vidal. He's someone I would have liked to have sat down and have a conversation with. I don't think anyone ever pulled the wool over Gore Vidal's eyes.

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. Some of my earliest political memories are connected to Buckley's...

... third party run for mayor of NYC. Which is generally forgotten ; but NOT by this film.

There is a now ...esp. w. this release.... a vast filmography of Vidal. He will NEVER die.... and in some sense will always be available for "conversation."

[Bluenorthwest]

3. Here is a link listing theaters thus far set to screen the film through September....

http://www.magpictures.com/bestofenemies/

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Boise, Idaho? That list is a lot longer than I thought.

Much appreciated.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. No problem, I'm glad this film is out there for people to see.

nt