I'll have more to say on this whole Wells, Maher, Ebert, and Scott v. The Young thing later, but I had to get some quick thoughts out there to start the morning. First, out of no due allegiance to my editor, I have to say that by and large, I agree with him. I've often disagreed with Jeff on things he's said about The Generation of Doom (my generation), and vehemently so. The disconnect here isn't old versus young, it's misinterpretation of who the target is. It isn't fanboys, and it isn't every single "young person" out there that "Uncle Jeff" shakes his fist at from his internet porch.

What these guys are decrying is the social movement required for a movie to make anything resembling respectable money by current standards:

(1) The movie has to have wildly enthusiastic, heavily-hyped advance screenings where swag is given out that bubbas will wear three years later to dinner at The Olive Garden.

(2) Tons of TV ad time has to be secured, preferably during Shark Week, a sporting event, or prime time network reality shows.

(3) Whatever the movie is, it must be visible on every High Fructose Corn Syrup-stained wrapper, cup, and box to be found at fast food restaurants or your local cinemegaplex.

(4) And finally, for God's sake, there should probably be some immediately recognizable actors, like That Guy From Dance Up, Or Step It, Or Whatever It Was Called or possibly That Chick From The First One With The Boobs.

More later on this, but for now: throwing around the age card is not only a lazy defense, but missing the point of what these guys are actually angry about.