Thanks, pesky. I figured it would be the retread-narrative issue...it worked my nerves a fair bit, definitely (although I have to admit I've never seen Fern Gully--now that I read the synopsis I'd say I definitely agree. Wow.) Maybe it's just my wish to rationalize that made me able to see how the retreads were reborn by the particular plot structure, with the interaction of actual hard science (represented by Sigourney Weaver, one of my favorite actors -- gotta give him credit for putting an older woman in a position of rational authority rather than a man--means a lot to me as I enter menopause) rather than fairies, and a multinational/multiplanetary corporation that's above the law. The story that's most cited so far in reviews I've read is Dances with Wolves, and I can really agree on that one as well, with small twists. Despite the retreadness, I found myself thinking that Cameron is simply, undeniably, a brilliant guy and I wanted to thank him for doing what he did. Every aspect of the world is so completely thought out, and the technology so significant that I decided that criticizing the dramaturgy would be meanspirited, ungenerous, would be demanding too much of just one person (that's just me, and I'm realizing my opinions are colored by nearing 50 rather than being an insistent young critic as I was earlier). Of course Cameron is arrogant, etc. but he has *inarguably* moved film ahead drastically by his passionate imagination.

I loved the It's Complicated house as well. The whole time they were talking of a kitchen remodel I was thinking I would take that one even if it is not practical. I also loved her bed and bath. I now find myself loving movie kitchens that have older elements in them and that are not so put together. Like old appliances or older flooring, etc. I find that they feel comforting and like a lot of love has gathered in those spaces. The kitchen in "The Family Stone" is an example. Another movie kitchen and house I love is the primary residence on "Spanglish". I didn't get to see much of "The Kids Are Alright" as I had little ones staring up at the TV in the first few seens so it had to be removed and have yet to finish it! I would love to have a movie set designer do my house. A couple of other websites for movie houses is homeshoothome.com. These are real houses marketed for movie filming. The houses from "Step Brothers" and "The Hangover" are on this site. iamnotastalker.com has some good movie house info. There is also one more site with malibu in the title that also involves real homes being marketed for film, but I can't remember the name right now.

Gosh darn it... not available in Oklahoma... and I do use an antenna for watching TV. :( Moni

My 6 year old DGD is in a theater group, they did Annie at the beginning of December. The moms took all of the girls to see the movie a few weeks afterwards~the girls of course loved it and had to act their parts out as they came on screen~~I wish I could have seen that ;)