I was actually on board to see this until I saw the name Joy Behar. That woman is nothing more than a bellowing sea cow, and it's a shame she managed to contaminate what sounds like a funny flick. Nope, I can wait until it's free on the tube.

Just read the piece and ... wow. What a whiny little twit.

Check out "Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus" that came out in 2006. Nicole Kidman has the lead role, but Downey plays her equal as a soft-spoken yet intense retired circus freak who fascinates and shocks her stunted suburban sensibilities. He's stellar as a very private man that gradually reveals new layers of vulnerability to her that in turn lead her to discoveries about herself. No doubt about it; the man can act.

I care because these people set a bad example for Hollywood-idolizing kids. Charlie may be choosing to do himself in with booze and hookers publicly and laugh at the ruckus he's caused, but the casualties are many. He also has 4 kids of his own (that I know of) who may not yet be old enough to understand the tragedy he's living out loud, but they're already missing him as a stable, committed father figure in their lives. I pity them :(

I love the word "gobsmacked" :)

What I find funny is how I totally misread his story. The writing IS a bit dense, but I I chalked it up to a new voice describing a world with which I was totally unfamiliar. Higher Academia has its inner circles and often, a privileged aristocracy, so the layers of dark intrigue and a political agenda weren't hard for me to work with. But I never connected the developing creep factor with being anti-God - it just didn't take me there. As stated previously, I found intrigue in this stubborn child resisting ominous authority, as well as her daemon/guide trying to help her figure out the mystery of the missing children. My brain came up with a Good Vs. Evil tale, culminating in a final smack-down with said Evil accompanied by a posse of ally Polar Bears - Cool!!!

It would seem I missed Mr. P's intentions entirely x)

Well, that is just AWESOME!!!!!! Kudos to J.K. and her nimble imagination - that woman ROCKS!!!!!

Sorry for the screw-up (as far as I know, I can't go back and edit it.) I'm in an epic struggle with technology this week - the work server fried, my home printer died, my cell phone directory got deleted, and now I'm double posting. I give up; time for some hot buttered rum ...

True "Ignorance is Bliss" Story: I collect children's books, and met Phillip Pullman at a book signing when "The Golden Compass" was first released. I had purchased the book based on a couple of reviews I'd read (which gave no hint of the its anti-Christian perspectives), and had no idea Pullman was an atheist. The book itself was oddly fascinating to me in regards to the child heroine Lyra's character (unapologetically bold with a dark adult awareness) and her daemon (a kind of real-world "familar" in animal form that accompanies you life-long as a companion and reflects ones' moods, strengths, weaknesses, etc..) To save time and space, this link (http://movies.ign.com/articles/835/835197p1.html) gives a more in-depth synopsis of the film and these little companions. Anyhoo ...True "Ignorance is Bliss" Story: I collect children's books, and met Phillip Pullman at a book signing when "The Golden Compass" was first released. I had purchased the book based on a couple of reviews I'd read (which gave no hint of the its anti-Christian perspectives), and had no idea Pullman was an atheist. The book itself was oddly fascinating to me in regards to the child heroine Lyra's character (unapologetically bold with a dark adult awareness) and her daemon (a kind of real-world "familar" in animal form that accompanies you life-long as a companion and reflects ones' moods, strengths, weaknesses, etc..) To save time and space, this link (http://movies.ign.com/articles/835/835197p1.html) gives a more in-depth synopsis of the film and these little companions. Anyhoo ...

Pullman did a short reading from the book before he signed any copies (I wish I could remember the passage), and seemed quite pleased with the number of little people holding his books for purchase. When it was my turn at the signing table, I complimented him on his writing style and told him I found the concept of daemons to be spiritually comforting. He stiffened as I expressed my belief in guardians and guides, then turned slightly red as I commended Lyra's stubborn spirit as a fascinating take on Faith. Expecting a nod of validation, I was instead met with stony silence, a quickly scrawled signature, and dismissal.

The success of the existing "Narnia" movies must REALLY be pissing off Mr. P's daemon :)

Thanks for the link, samwise. A perfect analysis comparing the past and our present. I love this movie so much I bought the DVD (something I don't do often) and feel fiery, unabashed pride every time I watch Leonidas and his Spartan brothers face their enemy against overwhelming odds, fighting to the end for their homeland and families' right to be free.

Thank you so much for the link! Those boys do indeed sound like angels, and brought a lump to my throat as I remembered people loved and lost. Guess what DVD I'm picking up for Christmas???