Blech! Hollywood is at it again

As those of you who follow my 'blog know, I read with pleasure (because it's well written) and with distaste (because of the subject matter) Michael Medved's 1992 book, "Hollywood v. America." Briefly, in his book Medved writes compelling about how Hollywood has been churning about movies (and other fare) that wallow in the lowest corners of human behavior (especially cannibalism and incest), that are hostile to basic American values, and that are just generally disgusting. He also points out that the most vile and shocking movies are not only those that Hollywood touts with the greatest pride, but are also the consistent money-losers. That book, though written 13 years ago, could have been written yesterday. The following is a simple cut-and-paste from today's Movie page in the NYTimes:

MOVIE REVIEW | 'THE GREEN BUTCHERS' Food for Thought, or Why You Might Skip That Steak By MANOHLA DARGIS Anders Thomas Jensen's film about the cannibal business is neither high flying enough for the art house nor low down enough for the cult-video shelf.• MOVIE REVIEW | 'SOLITUDE' Sibling Slugfest, à la George and MarthaBy DAVE KEHR An intersibling death match reminiscent of Sam Shepard's "True West," the independent feature "Solitude" details a tortured, possibly incestuous relationship. The Rating Says PG, but Is That Guidance Enough? By JULIE SALAMON How do parents decide what entertainment is appropriate for their children in the age of videocassettes, DVD's, computer games and cable television? MOVIE REVIEW | 'HITLER'S HIT PARADE' It's the Nazi Era, but It Looks So Familiar By A. O. SCOTT This German documentary gathers some of the products of the German culture industry from the 1930's and 40's into a monstrous and fascinating collage. MOVIE REVIEW | 'MURDER-SET-PIECES' Calling C.S.I. Las Vegas: There's a Slasher on the Loose By NED MARTEL The director Nick Palumbo is determined to shock through a fictional German-born serial killer, who makes his mission clear with every thrust of knife blade and pelvis.

It's amusing to see buried in that gore and incest fest an article that asks "How do parents decide what entertainment is appropriate for their children in the age of videocassettes, DVD's, computer games and cable television?" Maybe there's a reason people aren't going to the movies.