dhsmith

I was hoping this movie would have some redeeming qualities and not just like every movie that depicts whitey as a brutal, cruel, and demeaning, stereotypical southern slave owner. This movie was just one cruel treatment followed by another, then another, then another, and then another. I understand that there was some of this going on but just think of the millions who watch this think this movie is what happened to the majority of slaves. I saw no creativity or originality or anything that would make this movie special.

As a southerner I was hoping to see this subject matter handled with some balance and saw none. To say this was bad guys wearing the black hats is an injustice to what was a dark time for America but this treatment of this highly sensitive issue was heavy handed with no objectivity at all. This is no way to offer a docudrama as fact when it represented a myopic vision to a much more complex issue. I just hope those who see this movie and not prejudiced by Steve McQueen's poor handling of this time in history.

"This sickly sweet film turns into a heavy-handed parable that insults a viewer's intelligence--and wastes his time." That's what one reviewer wrote, and I agree. I would love a film that would modernize what would happen if Jesus came into today's world. But this movie is almost laughable. You may want to watch it for curiosity; I did. But hopefully there will be another coming--of a movie that treats this subject with style. May I suggest dusting off "The Day the Earth Stood Still." That 1950 film is still fascinating to watch both as science fiction of the highest order and also, as some have suggested, that Mr. Carpenter was actually THE carpenter.

Having Tivo (a system that records programs automatically) has re-introduced Gunsmoke to me. I was a young boy when it began in the 1950's. I loved the early shows. The 1962 shows are being aired on TV Land right now and I have about a dozen recorded for future viewing. I wanted to make an observation about James Arness's character, Matt Dillon. He was my hero growing up and watching the show. After seeing the shows again, 40 years later, I know why. Matt was justice. He meted out retribution to those who were evil. Here he was, standing 6 feet seven inches with a voice like God.

Watching Matt save the day in episode after episode made me realize how great it would to have a Matt around today: someone who would stand up to the bully, step in a wield his gun at the villains taking advantage of anyone in sight. I guess we all had heroes, but who could ever match James Arness. He was fair, gentle, understanding, but had the strength and skill to ward off any foe.

I miss Matt Dillon. We won't see his like again. Even Clint Eastwood, with his Dirty Harry justice, did not have the depth of Matt with his combination of gunplay and compassion.