Directed by: Dinesh D’Souza, John Sullivan
Starring: Dinesh D’Souza
Distributed by: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Running time: 89 minutes
Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars
It is rare that a documentary makes this big of a splash. With 2012 being a Presidential election year, it is not unexpected though. Back in 2004, Michael Moore released “Fahrenheit 9/11”, which didn’t shine light well on George Bush. “2016: Obama’s America” is Dinesh D’Souza’s attempt to show the unknown story of Obama. It is like a repeat of 2004 for me personally, except this time I am on the other-side of the table. The film has grossed over $30 million at the box office, so it has this hype behind it but I wasn’t going for it at all. Having voted for Obama myself back in 2004, and will again in 2012, even though the film is anti-Obama I still thought I would give it a shot. I wasn’t looking to be converted to the “dark side”, just curious to see his points. Let’s just say that 89 minutes felt like over 3 hours.
Official Premise: Immersed in exotic locales across four continents, best-selling author Dinesh D’Souza races against time to find answers to Obama’s past and reveal where America will be in 2016. During this journey he discovers how “Hope” and “Change” became radically misunderstood, and identifies new flashpoints for hot wars in mankind’s greatest struggle. The journey moves quickly over the arc of the old colonial empires, into America’s empire of liberty, and we see the unfolding realignment of nations and the shape of the global future.
The film is based on the New York Times best seller by Dinesh D’Souza, “The Roots of Obama’s Rage”, who is a former staffer for President Ronald Reagan and member of the American Enterprise Institute. I may not agree with Dinesh’s speculation about where America may be four years from now if President Obama is re-elected but he isn’t really bashing our president just providing his views focusing on the negative angles. Love it or hate it. Everyone is able to have their own opinions and this is expected around election time. The DVD was obviously rushed from theaters and released to be timed with events this November comes completely bare-bones with no extra content at all. It also is only available on DVD, no Blu-ray. This will definitely find a market within the conservative parties but will not appeal to any supporters of our current President.
I saw 2016: Obama’s America in the theater. Mind you, I voted against our president in 2008 for his liberal leanings and a history of questionable alliances among other reasons. I will vote against him yet again, and I thought Dinesh’s documentary was spot-on. The anti-colonial argument that he offers does make sense given Barry’s patchwork upbringing by anti-colonialists, communist party members and Alinsky-ites. D’souza’s “Roots of Obama’sRage” from which most of the documentary is derived is also quite good. Anyone interested in learning more about a man who became president without being vetted by the US or world media should consider a viewing.
Thanks for the comment Ed! Much appreciated!