The Emperor's New Clothes (2015)

To me, this movie is perfection.

the audience applauded

Blistering performances.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Greetings again from the darkness. I'm not one of those who subscribe to the belief that documentary films should present all sides to the story in a "just the facts, ma'am" style. In fact, I respect a filmmaker who is so passionate about a topic that he/she enthusiastically attempts to overwhelm the viewer with "proof" that their opinion is the definitive truth and no further debate is needed. Here, renowned director Michael Winterbottom (The Trip, 2010) supports comedian/actor/activist Russell Brand in his agenda to educate the masses on the evil of big banks and rich people, and the need for re-distribution of wealth.Now that agenda may seem a bit odd coming from an admitted rich guy, but in fact, Brand's professional success lends some credibility to his argument … or at least it's a different approach than having a group of people living in poverty talk about how they got screwed by "the man".To say that Brand dumbs-down his explanation is certainly an understatement. To emphasize this, there are a couple of segments where he utilizes elementary level students to differentiate between rich and poor – what's fair and what's not. Concentrating mostly on the British economy, while also noting the similarities to the United States 2008 crash, Brand makes the argument that the turning point was approximately 35 years ago as Margaret Thatcher assumed power and Free Market Capitalism took over. It's a bizarre point coming from a native of a country whose Monarchs (not known for their "fairness") date back for centuries. However, this is an example of the keep-it-simple approach in getting the masses to join his quest.Borrowing a page from Michael Moore's long-successful script, Brand presents the big banks and the super rich as the villains of society. It's a common theme and one that's pretty easy to agree with … the banks were bailed out, and then proceeded to pay their upper management huge bonuses. The viable argument is, why don't they pay "us" back? Brand attempts to follow Moore's lead again (while referencing Joseph Campbell) by walking into the banks and asking to see the CEO's. These attempts fall flat, and leave us with Brand wise-cracking while bystanders try to figure out if it's all a prank.The most effective sequences involve Brand walking the streets of Grays London where he was raised. His discussions with the locals are real, and infinitely more enlightening than his storming into bank lobbies. The statistics don't lie – the rich are getting richer, while the rest of society struggles. George Carlin said it best … the poor are needed to keep the middle class motivated to work so the rich can benefit. Brand also rails against legal tax evasion via offshore accounts – especially in Grand Cayman. He lobbies for those accounts to be taxed and the money returned to the country of origin.Most of Brand's mission is preaching the importance of fairness, and the claim is made that by definition, capitalism is the inequality of power. Whether you agree with him or not, Brand is to be respected for using his celebrity status for a cause much more important than the best table in a restaurant, or courtside seats to a game. His simple-is-best approach carries right through to the end where he does offer up his list of recommendations to create a more fair system. If his simple and sometimes funny approach allows more people to enter into discussions, then his cause is worthwhile, even if his recommendations are a bit lacking in substance and depth.

Oh great, another celebrity walking around in $500 jeans talking about the ills of society and how bad poor people have it.I find it ironic that Brand blames the free market system for making the poor, poorer and the rich, richer than how things used to be when meanwhile the markets have only grown less free and the social safety nets have only grown over the same period of time. But then again, he's a burn out that suffers from buying his own BS.If we had Brand as our Dear Leader, he'd raise income taxes on the wealthy, property taxes, and raise minimum wage significantly. In turn, with everyone making more money and the prices of goods increasing dramatically, we'd see prices go up significantly on everything from rent to toilet paper and groceries. Essentially the poor would be back in the exact same place they were before, except it would be even harder to accumulate any wealth so we'd be completely dependent on the state. Brand the rescue would enact price ceilings on goods in response to the inflation and then we'd see shortages.Worst of all, Brand would be all fired up about this from his multi- million dollar house and would call his producer friends so that they could make another worthless documentary exactly as this one with the exact same solution.So don't listen to this infant, don't let him have an excuse to make another film full of advice worth far less than his jeans.

Russell Brand presents a quick look into global capitalism, the spreading ownership cult of the one percent and it's devastating effects on the working class and the unemployed.Director/writer Michael Winterbottom tries to simplify this very complex and often esoteric issue so the average person can comprehend it. The scenes with the school children is a good example. Plus the one on one interviews with the people on social assistance is another example. Unfortunately for me, I had a rather difficult time understand everything Russell Brand is saying with that terrible inner city British accent! I feel as if I missed some important statements by him. But please do not let his speaking influence your decision to watch this documentary. There is a lot to be learned about how the 1% is setting themselves into ivory towers --- the future overlords of all.

Okay first off the editing of this video is good.....That's about itCons:1) Dosen't talk about actual facts, but opinions2) Calls free market economist like Milton fringe economists, while he is considered the greatest economist in the 20th century3) Dosen't provide any real substance besidesI'm right and your wrong 4) He brings up point about economics that aren't correct at all and don't have any supporting references5) Uses the fair policy through-out the doc and at one point talks to children about fairness6) Bias against the Conservatives and seems to miss any Labour failures in the UKOverall this is a good documentary if you want to go down to the lowest common denominator when it comes to actual substance, he uses his celebrity to push for what he wants and acts like he dosen't need to prove any of his facts with actual references.Overall 2/102 points for good editing.