Conference bookie::movies

    
    	I rented this about 5 years ago or so and LOVED it.  Not sure
    	how it compares to reality, but as a movie I thought it was
    	excellent.
    

Directed by one of my favorite modern directors, Lawrence Kasdan. He has
frequently used Kevin Kline in his films, including his latest, _French Kiss_.


Randy

This movie touched me very deeply. It is about the only movie in the past 
five or so years that I have seen twice. I am surprised that the TV guide 
said it was shallow! I think there is a lot of symbolism in the movie and 
probably the TV Guide critic missed it. It's been a while since I last
saw the movie and, though my memory is good, it is very short - so I can't
pull out all the neat metaphors and symbolism that I enjoyed back at those 
sittings. But a few:

The movie plot interweaves several characters and families from different 
races and classes in Los Angeles. The contrasts and differences are 
striking, and as deep as the Grand Canyon. Yet some of those 
differences are as beautiful as the grand canyon. It's something carved 
into the earth threw many thousands of years. Not something to undo. Just 
something to admire and respect. 

As for the difference between classes, that is not beautiful. This 
kind of difference, the huge chasm that it defines, cannot be overlooked 
either. The rich and affluent cannot hide or 
look away from the shameful injustices and faults that permeate this society.
Los Angeles is a perfect setting and example for this. The San Andreas fault 
waits underneath to shake everyone up, rich and poor alike. But most of all,
the greatest devastation is what is happening above the ground, in a country 
that idolizes tinsel stars and movies that sell on the violence 
that grows out of these injustices. The threat of violence, and the 
fulfillment of that threat, happens every day, much more often and with much 
more ugliness than the earthquakes. The violence creates more separation 
and more violence. Earthquakes, at least, bring people together, and 
often they bring out the best of people. Generally, a major earthquake is 
followed by reconstruction...

At the movie's end, the main characters and their families, blacks and 
whites, travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon. They stand 
arm in arm, in awe and wonder before the power and beauty of nature 
and time. And that power has no rival. Before the Grand Canyon, 
they can leave Los Angeles and the hell humans have created 
there behind them -- at least for a while. Before the wonders of nature, 
all differences diminish in importance. The Grand Canyon will be there 
possibly for eons to come... 

... A little bit on the idealistic side, but we can use some of that kind of 
idealism today!

- Phil<

    
    
    I really liked this film!
    I think it really does reflect what society is like in ghetto areas. A bit
    scary but a reality.
    
    The film was very well done! I give it a thumbs up!
    
    Chris
    :)

    I also loved this film.  Very invoking.  It stuck with me for weeks
    after.  The entire cast was wonderful, exspoecially Mary McDonnel's 
    character. I liked seeing her act as someone besides stands-with-a-fist,
    
    I wish she never decided to do a TV sitcom the likes of "High Society".
    She's paired up with Jean Smart, who plays a neurotic.  All the other
    characters are also highly fabricated and unconvincing. And they are 
    attempting to deliver thoughtful humorous episodes, but falling
    terribly short.
    
    She should stick with feature films of a dramatic nature.  She's a 
    dramatic actress.
    
    I think this "High Society" thing might be ruining her image.
    
    Steve

    Cast another vote positive vote from me.  I seen this flick when it
    first came out and I remember now just how much I enjoyed it.  It also
    reminded me just how much I like Danny Glover.
    
    				Very good movie,
    
    				Bart

Aother aye.  I saw it in the theater and loved it. I thought that was only about
three years ago, though.

>   I am left with the impression that many folks in the US own side arms,

I'd say a small, but getting bigger all the time, fraction of Americans own
firearms.  Though it is a Constitional right for us to get a Firearms
Identification (FID) Card, getting a license to carry, which is needed for a 
for a handgun, is a fairly  bureaucratic process.  And getting a license to
conceal a handgun - carry it around with you - is very difficult.  But
these bureaucratic standards only apply to the law-abiding.  Many of those who
don't bother filling out applications and paying fees would just as soon
shoot you as to say hello.

-SB

    Here's an opposite opinion.  I'm not a big fan of Kasdan, and I thought
    this was his worst movie.  To me, the plot was contrived, most of the
    characters were caricatures (especially Steve Martin), and the end of
    the movie was so sappy it made me gag.
    
    NAZZ