2) My theory is that the greatness of a movie is generally in inverse proportion to the amount of television advertising it receives. The truly great movies don't need a bombardment of fifteen-second spots to drum up an audience. My theory has rarely proved me wrong.
One of the best movies I've seen in the past ten years is called "The Straight Story". It sounds kind of lame to sum it up as the story of an old guy (Richard Farnsworth) who drives several hundred miles on his riding mower over several weeks, to visit his dying brother. But it's stunning and moving in its simplicity. It's one of those movies where the slow pacing actually enhances the experience. Its themes are much like those in the song 'Hurt', recently covered by Johnny Cash. Forgiveness, redemption, and looking back on the sum total of one's life with unblinking eye. I loved it.
I know what you mean. You can't expect them to be sane. All I expect from them is to not publicly insult me or my beliefs. They can be Greenie -weenies for all I care. Same about anyone I do business with, really.