The question posed by Jett Loe in this episode:  how do these Hollywood films reflect how men view themselves today?

I don't know if it's fair to say that Hollywood has a good handle on how men view themselves or anything to do with being a man.  I'll reference another recent movie that has some very strong ideas on man-behavior – Crazy. Stupid. Love.  I'm not going to spoil anything, but I think the movie is worth seeing as an example of how far out of touch films have become with real life.  Relationships don't work like that, and most men do not act like any character in that film.  You could call it caricature, but I don't think that was the intention.  Franco's character in Rise did really strike me as spineless (wussy?  pussy?).  I didn't understand at all his sudden falling out with Caesar, and doubly did not understand why he was so quick to drop the issue and just walk away.  More spinelessness?

Our current prominent male figures are the male cast of Jersey Shore, Brad Pitt, the President.. uh.. I'm having trouble naming too many men in the public light right now and certainly very few show any kind of backbone. 

On the issue of spectacle, I think the panem et circenses of old have been replaced by popcorn and blockbusters.  Movies are many folk's method of escape.  I certainly am guilty of chugging soda and scarfing down snacks while watching some mindless action flick (see:  Conan the Barbarian) without giving social implications a second though.  As a result, I can easily leave the theater nicely disconnected with war, the environment, my job, and the rest.  I appreciate films that attempt to add an artistic or quality storytelling flair – like Rise - but is it really necessary to sell tickets and appease the masses?

Another great podcast – keep up the good work, and I look forward to more!