[Faraday]

Cinderella Man was a good movie this year. What struck me most while watching it was that it was about (and was clearly made by) people who were heterosexual. The men loved women. The women loved men. And they both loved their children. The adults were willing to sacrifice for each other and their youngsters. Other than The Incredibles, I can't remember another recent film about which this could be said.

[Paul Atreides]

It's a shame that they couldn't have given it a better title. Cinderella Man sounds like something starring Harvey Fierstein.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I recommend "Because of Winn Dixie." It should be coming out on video any day.

[hford02]

I think you're dead-on about Hollywood's usual depiction of the American family. In the cast majority of fictional stories there are no daddies. (They're stuck when the story is about real people -- albeit they spend a lot of time rewriting history too). The Hollywood amoral cesspool scoffs at the "puritan" notions of chastity, innocence or abstinence. Every wedding leads to a divorce in Hollywood so many are disinclined to marry at all. These patterns are obvious on TV as well.

While Roe V Wade has polarized the population on the abortion issue it has also reinforced the feminist notion that men are useless and unnecessary. Ultimately there are no daddies -- just deadbeats who care about their offspring about as much as a male rat. This model is contrary to the obvious primordial human nature. Our offspring are born severely dependent and are meant to be raised by a nurturing mother and protected by a strong father. No amount of time in psychiatric treatment or Scientology will change the fundamental human nature. Most normal happily married heterosexuals will live longer and be much more content than the average celebrity.
By the way, I do get a charge reading about how the Hollywood pigs trade sex partners, ala Ben Afleck, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Gardner etc etc etc.