Yes.
And they profit many ways.
I think some people posting to this thread picture the people making these movies as grubby men eaking out a skanky existence in the movie business. In some cases that may be true. But in others, nothing could be farther from the truth.
The producer of SCREAM -- who took a very active role in the production -- Harvey Weinstein [sp?] -- is widely regarded as the most powerful man in the entertainment industry. (A couple of days ago, Drudge singled him out on his page.) And he is not just involved with entertainment. He is also connected to Hillary & Bill and was one of the organizers of the New York benefit where Hillary got boo-ed by the firemen and policemen. The director of SCREAM -- Wes Craven -- was chosen by the Clinton Administration (!) to film a documentary of Clinton's final day in office.
The people connected with many of these films are profoundly connected politically, and they have active agendas socially. They are the kind of people who would _want_ to put messages (overt and covert) in movies if such things are possible.
And to my eyes, anyone who actually watches one of these movies carefully sees that messages (overt and, more importantly, covert) _do_ exist.
Mark W.
One of the biggest lies is that Hollywood was founded by Jews. Jews are also the front men; Mayer, Thalberg, Goldwyn, etc., were all the worker bees for the New York wasp banking community and military intelligence, who've always known the hypnotic impact of story-telling, and have used it to full advantage.
The world on the flickering screen in the darkness of a hushed theater is the world the Powerful want. "American Beauty" is a good example. That disgusting film isn't my world. But Hollywood is doing its best to make sure it becomes my life and yours.