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I'd just like to say that I am one screenwriter who makes it a habit to see at least one, if not two or three, movies each week.

Am I the only one out here who is bored on my ass? What gives?

Lemme explain. The movies are boring. Anyone agree?

I completely agree; however boring just doesn't seem strong enough a word. I know that just about every story that there is to tell has already been told; but from what I've seen, the takes on these stories are...boring.

which movies have you been bored by? 1999 has been the best year of films this decade. were you bored by 'american beauty'; 'run, lola, run'; 'the sixth sense'; 'three kings'; 'election'; 'rushmore'; 'the matrix'; 'iron giant'; 'fight club'; 'the limey'; 'the straight story'...?

i feel my faith in holly and wood has been redeemed this year.

Just to add to the list above; I saw Arlington Road last nite and it was worth the price of popcorn too. I even went for the caramel-coated kind!

Straight Story. Saw it last weekend. Dull with a capital D. I mean the most dramatic moment is when the old guy's lawnmower brakes give out.

In all fairness I haven't seen every movie released in '99 but restored my faith in H'Wood is a tad bit strong. I'm not that easily impressed.

Christian -

Saw most of the ones you mentioned. I'm talking about movies as of late, like (groan) For Love of the Game, Random Hearts, Story of Us, Straight Story.

okay, but there's still 'man on the moon'; 'magnolia'; 'sugar town'; 'being john malkovich'...and others.

i'm pretty harsh, but if i can find five films in a year that excel, i'm happy. this year, there's more than five.

'straight story' wasn't kinetic, but it was a touching movie that focused on older americans. a nice change. and david lynch is a cinematic painter.

come on! smell the popcorn!:}

And I literally fell asleep in Bringing Out the Dead. Can't explain that. But maybe it's because I want something big to be at stake for the characters. "Rosa" just didn't do it for me.

I did love Red Violin and Sixth Sense.

Here's my vote. Skip the popcorn. Too salty. Go for the Good and Plenty's.

Brad Bird deserves best director nomination for Iron Giant. He combines the best of what he mastered on the Simpsons and his artistic nature to present a touching, funny film. I know when I started my current screenplay, I used this one's beginning for a model.

You see, I think that's the whole problem with screenwriters today. They're always copying everyone else's work. Be original!

Christian -

Saw two movies this weekend. Neither was a waste of popcorn (though I snuck a McDonald's shake into the show today and skipped the popcorn).

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH is definitely creative and worth your time. All performances were great, including Cameron Diaz. The experience was a lot like being in someone else's dream for two hours. Weird but nice.

THE INSIDER was not my first choice for Sunday entertainment, but my date for Red Violin ended up in ER. So, I decided to see something close to home. Thus, I got a big dose of Al Pacino. Great performance. Good story. Think Touchstone screwed up with their trailer. Too bad they focused on Pacino's character instead of Crowe's. A lot of people won't know what they're missing and Michael Mann deserves better.

Saw a trailer for something scary. BICENTENNIAL MAN. What the hell? Why was it scary? Because I want Robin Williams to quit playing the role of a guy who discovers his own friggin' heart.

Have to agree that there are a number of disappointing films out there but what about "Amercian Beauty"? Or "Run Lola, Lola Run"? Those were both very smart and fun to watch. I thought the Insider wasn't bad either... A little long but interesting none the less.