I'm no authority on movies, especially since I was raised without TV and lived in a town with a one-screen movie theater, but I do have an opinion on this topic.

> Why should you not see Pearl Harbor? Because you have self-respect and a mind of your own.

Actually, this is the reason why I *will* see Pearl Harbor (although I haven't found someone who wants to see it with me yet). I was reading nonfiction WWII books at the age of eight and, while I'm no authority on WWII, I am fascinated with the subject. I want to see this movie because it because of the WWII aspect, not because of the movie hype.

> You understand three things: (1) that, being an intelligent person of discernment, in full possession of free will, you do not debase yourself by mindlessly enslaving yourself to the most expensive marketing campaign on the block.

Maybe I'm not watching the right channels, but I've seen more commercials for Moulin Rouge than for Pearl Harbor. If any movie is being forced down my throat, it's Moulin Rouge, simply because of the worn out advertising for it. Being the news hound that I am, I've heard about the $5 million party thrown for the Pearl Harbor priemere, and the Cannes party for Moulin Rouge that rivalled no other previous Cannes party. Frankly, I'm not interested in those things. The movies have been made, and these parties will really not affect me in the least.


> (2) that Pearl Harbor is a profound and important moment in history and, in memory of those who fought and died there to protect our freedom, deserves to be treated with respect and reverence

My respect and reverence for those who fought and died during the many battles of WWII will not be changed by a movie. I have the utmost respect for those who fought to defeat the Axis powers, in part because they undoubtedly saved some of my relatives, and perhaps even me. No, I was not there at the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but I have an imagination that works, especially when supplied with facts and information. If a movie had the power to change my thoughts and feelings toward the war, the issue would not be with the movie but with my own lack of being able to think on my own. I'm not going to watch a movie and assume that everything in it is gospel.

> (3) because the director is Michael Bay, arguably a worse mainstream director than even Renny Harlin ... In response to savage reactions to Pearl Harbor, Michael Bay said, quote, "It's only a movie." At times we say this ourselves, of course -- movies are overvalued as often as they are undervalued -- but we also understand that this is a reprehensible display of unprofessionalism if not even the movie's own director can take his cash cow seriously, and also of gross negligence if he can dishonor our veterans with such nonchalance.

I know nothing about this director, and I probably haven't seen his other films, so I'm not about to judge Pearl Harbor on the basis of an unknown (to me) director. However, if I were in his shoes, and if I were receiving so much flak for the movie, I would probably moan, "It's only a movie" out of sheer desperation. To receive negative reviews of a project that has consumed most of your life for quite a while is one thing, but to then be asked to comment on those negative comments is even worse.

> Why should you see Moulin Rouge? Because you understand two very important things: (1) that, unlike so many, that the musical is an irreplaceable, invaluable genre, as the combinations of stories and emotions that can be expressed in it cannot be replicated in any other...

I love musicals, and any movie that even slightly focuses on music automatically makes me want to see it. However, the incessant trailers I've been seeing for the movie don't impress me. "No laws. No limits. Only one rule: Never fall in love," says the trailer. Let me guess the plot. The main characters break the rule, thus realizing that there are, in reality, laws and limits. I certainly hope the music is good (although I don't expect to be impressed by Lil' Kim), because I have a feeling I'll be internally groaning at the plot.

In conclusion, am I taking the opposite viewpoint as you are? No, I'm not. I'm merely pointing out my reasons for semi-disagreeing with you.

Ell"Shrek RULED, by the way"myruh