That's true.
I think you're on to something, though. They're opting for quantity over quality.

Jackie wrote: "I don't know, maybe wishful thinking on their parts. If you give us enough dumb crap for long enough, most of us wouldn't know the difference. ???
Maye just sheer laziness. ???"

Perhaps they're under too much pressure to keep pumping the movies out. It takes time and thought to produce something worthwhile. Or maybe they're just obsessed with gore! Or maybe we've run out of talent! But that's not fair because we have to admit there's a lot of good stuff being produced too. I guess it's a matter of which end of the spectrum we're looking at.

I don't know, maybe wishful thinking on their parts. If you give us enough dumb crap for long enough, most of us wouldn't know the difference. ???
Maye just sheer laziness. ???

Jackie wrote: "No, it's the parents of these teenagers who spend that money, LOL
The teenagers I know are pretty smart, even they roll their eyes at the dumbed-down movies and television."

Jackie, how do you explain the "dumbing-down"?

No, it's the parents of these teenagers who spend that money, LOL

The teenagers I know are pretty smart, even they roll their eyes at the dumbed-down movies and television.

Jackie wrote: "... I don't know why Hollywood insists on dumbing-down our movies and television."

Maybe it's because they're trying to attract the teenage audience. Isn't that the group which spends the most money on the movies these days? The powers-that-be often think only of the bottom line. It's a shame.

I think it could have been done well if they didn't go the cannibal-mutant route. Pandorum is a mental and physical condition that occurs on deep space missions. If they worked with that in a smart way, it could have been a really good movie. Resorting to make-up and cheesy horror and violence just sidetracked it.

I was disappointed in Quaid for taking such a role. I recently saw him in Horseman and it was good. You'd need a bit of intelligence to figure it out and it was smartly written and executed. I don't know why Hollywood insists on dumbing-down our movies and television.

Jackie wrote: "I watched "Pandorum" (with Dennis Quaid) last night because a sci fi friend recommended it to me, said it was 'great'. I have to disagree, I thought it was awful, cannabilistic mutants, not my ide..."

Jackie, that's not my cup of tea either.
Here's the link to the Netflix description of "Pandorum" (2009):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Pandorum/70...

Jackie wrote: "Love Judi Dench. ... I like the music of the 40s. My preference is for 'classic' rock of the 60s and 70s. But not disco, just can't do it. Hated the 80s music too."

Jackie, I enjoy music with good melodies. I don't understand music which has no discernable melody. As for disco, I guess I enjoyed the beat.

I watched "Pandorum" (with Dennis Quaid) last night because a sci fi friend recommended it to me, said it was 'great'. I have to disagree, I thought it was awful, cannabilistic mutants, not my idea of 'great' scifi, that's just lazy scifi.

Love Judi Dench. I watch her on PBS on Saturdays sometimes.

I like the music of the 40s.
My preference is for 'classic' rock of the 60s and 70s. But not disco, just can't do it. Hated the 80s music too.

Jackie wrote: "Yeah, that's one movie I can't watch. Not my kind of music."

Funny how our generation dictates our musical tastes when it comes to pop tunes. Yesterday, I watched a DVD of the movie: "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" (2000).
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Last_of...
It included music from the 1940s. I felt right at home. :)
Judi Dench starred in the movie. Excellent!

Yeah, that's one movie I can't watch. Not my kind of music.

"Mamma Mia" is on my Netflix queue, but I had forgotten it was there. So I've moved it up to the top, now that you've reminded me that Meryl Streep is in it. I saw the show on B'dway a while ago with my sister. The music was great. Below is a link to a list of the songs in the musical:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!#...

At the same web page, Wiki says:
"'Mamma Mia!' is based on the songs of ABBA. ABBA was a Swedish pop/dance group active from 1972 - 1982 and was one of the most internationally popular pop groups of all time..."

The songs I best remember are: "Take a Chance on Me", "Dancing Queen", and "Money, Money, Money"... all upbeat tunes.

This usually wouldn't be my kind of movie but with Meryl Streep, it'd be hard to pass-by. She's an outstanding actress; I've liked her since Sophie's Choice. I've probably seen most of her movies.

Thanks for telling me about it, because I'm going to watch it. I'll let you know what I think, though, I'm sure I'll like it. I haven't heard one negative comment about it since it premiered in the theaters.

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Today I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie "Julie and Julia". It's partially based on the book: _Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen_ by [author:Julie Powe..."

Yes, The book is the same story as the movie. I read the book first after I learned that there was a movie. I loved the story. In addition to the cooking, the one thing I picked up on was how supportive both their husbands were.

Didn't you love Meryl Streep? I was awed by the fact that this was the same actor who sang & danced wonderfully in "Momma Mia".

Today I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie "Julie and Julia". It's partially based on the book: _Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen_ by Julie Powell.

The movie tells two true stories: one about how Julia Child became famous and another about a woman named Julie Powell, who became famous because she loved Julia Child and her recipes.

Julie Powell started an online blog about her experiences with Child's recipes which she found in Julia Child's book: _Julia ChildMastering the Art of French Cooking_. The blog eventually led to a book being published.

The movie not only dramatizes the cooking part of the story, but it also tells about the problems experienced when writing and publishing.

Meryl Streep played the role of Julia Child and her characterization was perfect! Julia Child was irrepressible as a person and Streep conveyed that part of her personality very well.

I got very hungry while watching all the good food in this movie. I ended up eating cheese, crackers, and olives during the movie. Forewarned is fore-armed. Be prepared. :)

Netflix description of the movie:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Julie_Julia...

PS-There's also a book by Julie Powell entitled: _Julie and Julia My Year of Cooking Dangerously_. I wonder if it's the same book as: _Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen_.

Jackie wrote: "It's for that message that I want to see the movie. Before I saw the preview, I thought it was just a run of the mill sci fi adventure and figured I'd wait until it came out on DVD. But after I s..."

Jackie, the plot of "Avatar" (as described at Wiki) sounds intriguing. I like idea of the human becoming an avatar. Wiki explains the "avatar" idea as follows:
=========================================================
"Jake takes part in a new war strategy, which involves regular human DNA being mixed with DNA fragments of the natives to form an AVATAR, which is essentially a human disguised as one of the creatures themeselves. Jake is told to act as a spy within the na'vi camp, learning their culture, and more importantly, weaknesses."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_%282...
========================================================
But I'm willing to wait for the Netflix DVD. :)

It's for that message that I want to see the movie. Before I saw the preview, I thought it was just a run of the mill sci fi adventure and figured I'd wait until it came out on DVD. But after I saw the preview and realized it has a deeper story to tell, then I wanted to see it sooner.

Jackie wrote: "That doesn't sound good. I'll still reserve my judgement til I see it. I generally don't do well with reviews anyway. I see things differently most of the time."

Well, Jackie, Wiki brought up something good about the movie, "Avatar", something which I know you'll appreciate. Below is the excerpt:
=========================================================
Themes
"At Comic Con 2009, Cameron told attendees that he wanted to make 'something that has this spoonful of sugar of all the action and the adventure and all that, which thrills me anyway as a fan, but also wanting to do something that has a conscience, that maybe in the enjoying of it makes you think a little bit about the way you interact with nature and your fellow man.' He added that 'the Na'vi represent something that is our higher selves, or our aspirational selves, what we would like to think we are,' and 'the humans in the film, even though there are some good ones salted in, represent what we know to be the parts of ourselves that are trashing our world and maybe condemning ourselves to a grim future.'"
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_%282...
==========================================================
So there's a message in the movie.

That doesn't sound good. I'll still reserve my judgement til I see it. I generally don't do well with reviews anyway. I see things differently most of the time.

Below are several excerpts from a review of some footage of "Avatar" (a 15 Minute Preview Footage on 8/22/09). The review was written by Clarence Hammond of Cinephile Magazine:
=========================================================
"The 15 minutes of James Cameron’s Avatar shown nationwide in an extravaganza cleverly dubbed Avatar Day; the 15 eye-straining, action-packed, occasionally gripping, always gorgeous – and always dead-eyed – minutes I was fortunate enough to see today. I say fortunate, because now I can lower my expectations back to Earth, where they belong."
...
"I cannot identify with blue beings with dead eyes; motion capture technology keeps me from seeing into their souls, and seeing them as anything but computer creations. I fear Avatar will be Cameron’s coldest film, all spectacle and no sincerity."
...
"Take off the glasses, and I’m not sure how much lies below Avatar’s surface."
...
"And how draining those 15 minutes were. Not emotionally, but physically. Never have my eyes been so tired, so soon. Scour the discussion section of any film site, and you’ll come across talk of the dastardly things Avatar’s cinematic revolution will do to our eyes."

FROM: http://www.cinephilemagazine.com/2009/08...
==========================================================

Cameron spent on fortune on this production. He's a really good director so I'm expecting it be great. I'd like to see it in 3D but I don't know if I can find the 3D version close enough for me to go.

Nina wrote: "Speaking of language; I was reading a review of the movie, "Avator," and there was a large part of the review dedicated to the fact that the 10 ft. tall blue men in the movie speak a different language. ..."

Today I heard a commercial for "Avatar" on TV. Wiki presents a good explanation of what the hype is all about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_%282...
Excerpts from link above:
==========================================================
"Avatar, also known as James Cameron's Avatar, is a 3-D science fiction epic film ... due to be released on December 16, 2009. The film ... focuses on an epic conflict on a far-away world called Pandora, where humans and the native species of Pandora, the Na'vi, engage in a war over the planet's resources and existence."

"The film will be released in 2D and 3D formats, along with an IMAX 3D release in selected theaters. The film is being touted as a breakthrough in terms of filmmaking technology, for its development of 3D viewing and stereoscopic filmmaking with cameras that were specially designed for the film's production."

"Working with Paul Frommer, linguist and Director of the Center for Management Communication at USC, he developed a whole language and culture for the Na'vi, the indigenous race on Pandora."
=========================================================
As Nina says, it will be interesting to learn more about the new language.

That's bizarre. What went on in his mind to do something so crazy? Experiment or not, I think it's abusive.

Well, so long as it isn't Klingon. Did you hear the story that this guy Speers taught his kid to only speak Klingon for the first 3 years of his life? Yep. And no one has him up on child abuse charges nor has beaten him to death. <sigh>

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/11/17/local-...

Nina, I plan on seeing it, so I'll let you know.

Speaking of language; I was reading a review of the movie, "Avator," and there was a large part of the review dedicated to the fact that the 10 ft. tall blue men in the movie speak a different language. It seems a linguist was hired to perfect this language into something that would stand the test of time..Who knows, but some thought it sounded German and some thought, Japanese. I think these languages have little in common. If any of you see the movie let us know what you think and if you could actually figure out what they are saying...nina

Jackie, I'm glad you watched "The Emperor's Club". I've started a new topic about it. It's at the following link:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2517...

Spoiler Alert
I watched The Emperor's Club yesterday and I liked it. I have to admit to being bothered when Mr. Hundert let Sedgewick into the competition when Martin was the one who's scores showed that he should be the in it. It showed poor judgement and a really crappy thing for a teacher to do. Mr. H was always going on about virtue and character, that's why it bothered me so much. I have no tolerance for hypocracy.
I understand that Mr. H wanted to encourage Sedgewick, but it was still unfair to Martin. And Sedgewick showed the kind of person he was, not once, but twice.
In the end, Mr. H did come clean and Martin showed his character by being so gracious about the whole thing, even though it meant the world to him at the time.
Definitely a good movie and worth watching.

Yes, Joy! Werner said what I was trying to say, but much better. Just say no to devolution of the language!

I think the French are silly trying to freeze their language though. New words are needed.

BTW, another example of devolution is: "axed" instead of "asked". A-a-rgh!

Jackie, after you finish watching "The Emperor's Club", let us know. I'll start a "spoiler" thread so we can talk about it. I don't want to talk about the details here because I don't want to spoil it for others.

P.S. Good luck with getting to see "New Moon".

As for the word "presently" (in the sense of "now"), I usually use the word "currently" instead.

There's one word that makes me crazy that the poorly educated people in the city use: likeded, as in "I likeded it so much, I went out and bought it." No, there is just like, liked, no likeded. It really infuriates me and it's common usage in the poorer areas, there's no reason for it. It doesn't even sound right. Talk about devolution!

Back to movies: I just picked up The Emperor's Club from the library; I'll be watching it over the weekend. I'll let you know what I think.
And we're supposed to be going to see New Moon on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed for me, that something doesn't happen to put it off.

Werner wrote: "... I see language as a living and changing thing that should be allowed to evolve and adapt, as long as the adaptation comes naturally from the grassroots and actually serves to better communicate clearly. But I deplore devolution of language, through poor education, that makes people less able to communicate clearly, rather than more able; and top-down manipulation of language by cultural elites to serve political ends (as in Orwell's "Newspeak")."

Well said, Werner.

I usually use "hopefully" in the second sense; but I always use "presently" to mean soon, so I guess I'm not a total philistine. :-) A good friend of mine is a college English teacher; he strongly favors using only the standard form of American English (no dialects allowed --not a popular position in Appalachia!), strict adherence to all grammatical technicalities, and more or less freezing the vocabulary at about the 1950 form, though he wouldn't put it that way. He and I disagree about that; I see language as a living and changing thing that should be allowed to evolve and adapt, as long as the adaptation comes naturally from the grassroots and actually serves to better communicate clearly. But I deplore devolution of language, through poor education, that makes people less able to communicate clearly, rather than more able; and top-down manipulation of language by cultural elites to serve political ends (as in Orwell's "Newspeak").

Below is the info I found on the meanings & use of the word "hopefully".
Two meanings: 1. in a hopeful manner. 2. it is to be hoped that.
USAGE: The traditional sense of hopefully is ‘in a hopeful manner’. In the 20th century a new use arose, with the meaning ‘it is to be hoped that’. Although this newer use is now very much the dominant one, it is regarded by some people as incorrect.
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/hop...

I use meaning #2 much more often than I use meaning #1.

I was always taught that 'presently' meant soon & the proper way to say now was 'at present'. I think that's a fairly recent slippage & the kind I detest. That's the kind of thing that makes the language tougher than it should be.

Of course, it could be just a prejudice that I picked up at the fancy prep school I went to. The gods know there were enough of them floating around there. If you weren't careful, you'd get a lot of weird ideas. This particular one seems logical to me, though.

Jim, "presently" has two meanings:
1. soon
2. at present time
See: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/d...

See the interesting explanation here:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...

But I think there is misuse of the word "hopefully". I misuse it all the time. Can't remember where I read about its meaning. Will have to look it up after supper.

English passed the million mark for number of words this year, I think. That's more words than most any other two languages put together. You'd think with all those words, we wouldn't have so many homonyms, homophones, homographs & heteronyms, but I think we have more of each than any other language as well, too. And most rules seem to have as many exceptions.

When you think of all the changes we've had in the past 50 years & it's no wonder the language gets bent out of shape. I don't think it's wrong to say you 'googled' something. The meaning is perfectly clear, even if you googled them on Yahoo, folks still know you made a web search.

IMO, the main way people mangle the language is to use well defined words incorrectly. The difference between using 'presently' for 'at present' might seem a minor point, but it's one of those things that really irritates me. It's the difference between 'soon' & 'now', after all. People seem to love to do it though.

It's not surprising we communicate so poorly with English (or any other language, for that matter), but that we manage to communicate at all!

Earl wrote: "Guilty, I am contributing to corrupting the English language like all the rest. ..."

Earl, you shouldn't feel guilty. After all, even Shakespeare coined new words and expressions. Good thing there wasn't a law against coining new words. I think they enrich our language (within reason, of course). :)

Below is a link to a page showing the words and expressions which Shakespeare coined:
http://www.pathguy.com/shakeswo.htm

PS-So, Earl, you're in good company. :)

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Earl, I like the new verb you used: "Netflixed". Great! Did you coin the word yourself?
"

Guilty, I am contributing to corrupting the English language like all the rest. I once read the French made some sort of law against this sort of thing. I think I approve.

Nina wrote: "... ps very very cold tonight and tomorrow and I still have purple petunias blooming. Anybody's guess how much longer they will last."

Nina, good luck to your petunias. I've wilted already. :) How I HATE the cold!

Earl wrote: "I just Netflixed Thirst
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs...
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Thirst/7011... ..."

Earl, I like the new verb you used: "Netflixed". Great! Did you coin the word yourself?

Jackie wrote: "I have to thank JOY again, for telling me about the library movies and placing orders for them! This is awesome!"

You're welcome, Jackie. It's a wonderful service.

I have "The Ultimate Gift" on my Netflix queue.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Ultimat...

I watched "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" (1998) and enjoyed it. A new take on the story.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Ever_After_...

I also enjoyed the 1996 version of "Captains Courageous with Robert Urich. It was a bit different from the original 1937 version with Spencer Tracy which I loved. It was interesting to observe the differences.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Captains_Co...
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Captains_Co...

I also watched the Masterpiece Theater version of "Madame Bovary" (from our library).
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Madame_Bova...
It was slow-moving, but at least I learned the plot. I've never read the book, Madame Bovary.

Thanks goodness for these movies. They take my mind off my arthritis. :)

I just Netflixed Thirst
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs...

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Thirst/7011...

I was so dumb I didn't ever NOTICE that the specs stated that Language and Sound: Korean!
I kind of assumed, big dumb American that I am, that I was gonna get dubbed in English. Not so. You do get English subtitles which I had trouble keeping up with. The first half of the movie seems to be shot in the dark. Figures, vampires like the dark, right? That kind of photography doesn't charm me much though. I'll give it 2 stars, mostly for the oddities/strangeness of a Korean film by a Korean director. Not your average vampire flick. Ebert awarded it 3 stars.

I just watched Peter Jackson's 'District 9' and I have to say I was disappointed. Unnecessarily brutal and cruel, it disturbed me greatly. I expected something better from Peter Jackson. No redeeming qualities whatsoever, I cannot recommend this movie to anyone I know.

I have to thank JOY again, for telling me about the library movies and placing orders for them! This is awesome!

Nina,that sounds so good! I'll be adding that to my library requests.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482629/
Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise. Based on the best-selling book The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall, the story sends trust fund baby Jason Stevens on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: "What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?" Jason had a very simple relationship with his impossibly wealthy Grandfather, Howard "Red" Stevens. He hated him. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold hard cash. So of course he figured that when Red died, the whole "reading of the will" thing would be another simple cash transaction, that his Grandfather's money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Red instead devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, which Red calls "gifts," each challenging Jason in an improbable way, the accumulation of which would change him forever.