I'm working on an (unbearably pompous) article about institutionalism on Deadwood and The Wire. Although it seems obvious to me in retrospect, they are on opposite sides: Deadwood celebrates the creation and shelter of institutions as a force of civilization against the cruel hooples and robber barons, while The Wire points out over and over again how destructive they are to communities because institutions, while ostensibly neutral, are run by human beings, who are by nature frail and given to irrational means to achieve their ends.

Bunky, I'm waiting on this.If it is too pompous, I expect I could tell you to get the fuck over yourself. Yeah, they both have a point...would love to talk that over with the different Daves. But I would probably just sound like a Chris Farley character: "Remember 'Homicide'?! Dude, that was *awesome*." ETA: Cinnamon *is* good on the the fucking peaches, by which I mean, this fits fine in here. Another bit of weirdness to explain to the newbies, but like that's a fuckin' first. Keep the hooples to a minimum with the secret handshakes and such.

(This is so the wrong topic, but I have a vaguely similar notion about B5 & Galactica's approach to communities.)

Well, that's interesting or it would be if I grooked spaceship shows. Course I never pictured liking a Western again, either. After my pioneer phase. But I need another show like I need another tit. If you'll follow me.

I never watched B5, but Galactica is mostly excellent.

If it is too pompous, I expect I could tell you to get the fuck over yourself.

Get your engines started. I haven't mentioned Schopenhauer yet, but given my recent writing, he's definitely waiting in the wings.

You can trust me to be honest. You got into Simon's stash, didn't you? The one he's on when he talks about The Wire as reflecting urban zeitgeist and shit. I thought that comment was insightful, honestly, but at the same time hoped he would not lead off with that at HBO "Comstat" Hoped Lippman or George P. would nudge him discreetly off the German because even after I heard it and agreed I thought "Simon, we want people to *watch* the shit. Know what I'm sayin'?" Maybe I'm just class-conscious.

I never watched B5, but Galactica is mostly excellent.

B5 was rarely excellent. The ideas were almost always superior to the execution, but that was kind of the appeal.

More on the book about M Night in context of the weak opening of his movie.

I liked that piece. It gives enough room for different views. I guess I think Shyamalan is someone who could use a good shaking, but I don't really doubt his sincerity even if I do think he's deluded about himself and how he's perceived.

Mostly I think that he'd have been better off if Sixth Sense hadn't been such a smash. If I was his friend I'd tell him to go do some low-budget movies that aren't going to have the same hype levels, because that shit would make anyone crazy. But I've never been in a position to turn down millions of dollars from people who assure me that I'm brilliant. More's the pity.

It's frustrating, because I feel like he could be the next Kubrick, and instead he's gonna wind up as the next Spielberg. If he's lucky.

I just saw Lady in the Water. Based on what I'd learned already, I was braced for the twist, and ...there really wasn't one. The message, such as it was, was muddled, as it tends to be in his movies. I think this one's the weakest of his offerings.

Also, casting yourself - with a major speaking part - in your own movie? Is lame.