Pursuit of Happyness

[Xander]

Anyone see it? Reviews? It looks good, and I haven't really wanted to watch any "big" movie for a while now, so that's good... yes.

Oh, it stars Will Smith

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thepursuitofhappyness/

[MrNCG23]

I want to see this movie!

[CTGirl]

Looks really good, I havent been to the movies in about a month, so I am going to have to remedy that soon, perhaps with this movie ;):

[WorkInProgress]

I definitely want to see this, but I am uncertain whether it'll be in the theater or on Netflix later on. I read a good review (I think on Slate, or it might have been Newsweek) too, which makes me even more interested than I already was.

[weary]

has anyone read the book? i have it, but haven't read it yet. if i don't get through it before i get to the theatre (highly likely), it'll be netflix.

[Xander]

OK, that settles it. I have to see it this weekend.

weary, I haven't read the book, but I'd watch the movie before I did that, since "the book" is usually always better than the movie.

[yankeeyosh]

Whoooooops...I had a thread on this, and I guess I didn't see this one.

Anyway, it was a great film...one of the few films that actually moved me. It makes me wonder whether this is still possible. Maybe in '81 there was still a chance, but in this hypereducated, hyperspecialized world, I am not sure how feasible this is in this year and in this generation.

[weary]

OK, that settles it. I have to see it this weekend.

weary, I haven't read the book, but I'd watch the movie before I did that, since "the book" is usually always better than the movie.

LOL xander...that's actually why i'll read the book first. movies of books are always disappointing. but i do think will smith's son is the most precious thing ever (saw him in a couple interviews for the film), so that might do it for me.

[yankeeyosh]

Oh yeah, I doubt many of you remember since you were too young or you weren't even born, but the movie gave you a good feel of early 80s culture/society...brought back some good memories of a simpler time!

[cache]

Oh yeah, I doubt many of you remember since you were too young or you weren't even born, but the movie gave you a good feel of early 80s culture/society...brought back some good memories of a simpler time!


A simpler time? You talk like you're 70 years old already!

[yankeeyosh]

A simpler time? You talk like you're 70 years old already!

The year 1981 was a LOT different than 2006. Believe me...I'm probably the only 28 year old who can remember that far back. Talking to people that I meet in this town, it seems like most have a memory block before 1990 outside of My Little Pony and He-Man.

[cheshrcarol]

Mark, you were only 3! Of course the world seemed simpler. I really don't think you can judge just from what you remember of the world then.

[yankeeyosh]

Mark, you were only 3! Of course the world seemed simpler. I really don't think you can judge just from what you remember of the world then.

But there were few computers (even though interestingly, there were computers in the movie), no public Internet, no modern technology that keeps us wired to the world 24-7. It doesn't matter if you were three or ninety-three. I am still amazed when I see my three year old cousin playing games on the computer or using the Internet.

[Xander]

But there were few computers
Not true. The financial sector was a main proponent in pushing PCs to the public. They took on the burden of the high cost of new technology (so they could make money) which made it cheaper for everyone else.

no public Internet, no modern technology that keeps us wired to the world 24-7.
Not true. Public internet access had already been up for a decade (funded by "rich people" for all to use).

It doesn't matter if you were three or ninety-three. I am still amazed when I see my three year old cousin playing games on the computer or using the Internet.
It is amazing, but I hope you don't think of it as a negative thing. The Internet means open access to information. Information is the mental equivalent of a gun--it's the Great Equalizer. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, etc. If you know how to use it...

Regarding the business world, the 80s were the quintessential "big evil corporation" decade. The 90s were the "renaissance" decade, where computers and specialization started leaving large, stifling corporations behind (IBM) in favor of smaller, more entrepreneurial companies (Apple) which were more able to rapidly adapt to changes in the market. Our current decade is still being written, but by 2010, I believe businesses will be so much more decentralized (humanized) that I hope they finally shed the "evil corporation" mask they gained in the 70s-80s.

Mark, I'm sure you have fond memories of the 80s, as do many of us, but I think it might be worthwhile for you to revisit your perception of business and personal opportunity of then versus now. I promise you "business" is much more "human" now than 26 years ago. We're still shaking off the remnants of the 80s (Enron and other massive corporations), but I'm optimistic about the future...

[LaFille]

i think a lot of people regard the 80s as a time of materialism and excess. hardly the 'good old days.'

although i wish i were my current age during the 80s, because i have fabulous 80s hair.

[yankeeyosh]

Not true. The financial sector was a main proponent in pushing PCs to the public. They took on the burden of the high cost of new technology (so they could make money) which made it cheaper for everyone else.

Well, few outside the financial or academic sector had PC's in 1981.


Not true. Public internet access had already been up for a decade (funded by "rich people" for all to use).


I don't think anyone outside academia or the government...except maybe a few hardy pioneers...had internet access in 1981.

i think a lot of people regard the 80s as a time of materialism and excess. hardly the 'good old days.'


Well, yes...I don't doubt it, but I think that it's worse today. The Eighties were just the start of it. It started by many of our parents, especially the Gen 'W' Yuppies, and it has accelerated in the last ten years, thanks to the stock market boom and our generation's entrance into the work force.

But 1981 was still *just before* it started getting bad. It didn't really go full force until after the 82-83 recession. Then the "greed is good" economy went full force.

[spokes]

the movie itself looks like it should be a feel good story with a predictable ending (not that i am saying that is a bad thing) and i am hoping to see it in the next week or so.

I really see Will Smith as a very credible actor these days - it strikes me that he can do drama, comedy and action/adventure.

compared to today I imagine that it would not have been that exciting to be on the net in the early to mid-80's as the content would not have bene that splashy, user-friendly and I doubt there was any porn readily availible.......

[Xander]

although i wish i were my current age during the 80s, because i have fabulous 80s hair.
:D hahaha

I don't think anyone outside academia or the government...except maybe a few hardy pioneers...had internet access in 1981.
Not true. As I said before, free public internet access in the 70s. :)

And I know you think things were better in the 80s. They weren't. But that's all I'll say about this. If you don't want to read up on history, there's nothing I can do.

the movie itself looks like it should be a feel good story with a predictable ending (not that i am saying that is a bad thing) and i am hoping to see it in the next week or so.
I don't expect much--only a happy ending. :p

[and1grad]

although i wish i were my current age during the 80s, because i have fabulous 80s hair.
HA! I dont know why but that reminds me of Peggy's hair on Married With Children.

[wordsmith]

brought back some good memories of a simpler time!

Funny, I'm thinking "Charlotte's Web" is FAR more the movie to have this effect on me. I saw it today, and the little girl's house and her uncle's farm even LOOK like where I was raised.

[ocean24]

I saw it this weekend...definitely inspiring and one to see. I think Will Smith has proven himself as a decent actor over the years, but he's always going to be the Fresh Prince to me. I always envision him "shootin' some b-ball outside of school" with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

[cache]

I saw it this weekend...definitely inspiring and one to see. I think Will Smith has proven himself as a decent actor over the years, but he's always going to be the Fresh Prince to me. I always envision him "shootin' some b-ball outside of school" with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The first CD I ever bought was DJ Jazzy Jeff and the fesh Prince's Homebase...with the song Summertime on it.

Whenever I see him in anything, that's how I think of him, too.

[EmberMae]

The movie looks really good, but I don't understand the significance of spelling the word happiness wrong, and it kind of bugs me every time I see it.

[wordsmith]

Yeah, I'm wondering if something in the book or movie explains some kind of symbolic significance to spelling it that way, because it grates on me, too.

[cache]

Will Smith's salary is too high...they had to cut out the proofreaders. :D

[ocean24]

The movie looks really good, but I don't understand the significance of spelling the word happiness wrong, and it kind of bugs me every time I see it.

It bothers Will's character in the movie too. Part of the storyline...

[wordsmith]

It bothers Will's character in the movie too. Part of the storyline...

I imagined it must be...I'd probably have had to riot in the streets if it wasn't a plot point.

[ExestentialHaze]

The movie looks really good, but I don't understand the significance of spelling the word happiness wrong, and it kind of bugs me every time I see it.

This will come to an explaination in the story! So don't get mad...get Happyness!

I saw this yesterday with my parents.

I so wanted to cry most of the movie but held my tears in.

It was sad and happy and some funny parts. I don't want to say too much more or I'll ruin it. I hate when people ruin a movie when ya haven't seen it.

If you think you want to see it....go see it.....take a box of tissues too.

~Haze

[coll214]

I'll be going to see this tomorrow night at a friend's orders :D, but i'd like to see it too...

As for the computers in the early 80's; honestly I always had one from what I remember, and Mark you're only a year older than me. My mother and aunt were both early adapters of technology so me and my cousins always used to play the cheesy games on them, either Tandy's or Apple IIs!

[ExestentialHaze]

I'll be going to see this tomorrow night at a friend's orders :D, but i'd like to see it too...

As for the computers in the early 80's; honestly I always had one from what I remember, and Mark you're only a year older than me. My mother and aunt were both early adapters of technology so me and my cousins always used to play the cheesy games on them, either Tandy's or Apple IIs!

I remember we had an Apple IIe and I used to play load runner all the time...and a few other atari type games. Ahh the memories! I wish they had that game somewhere for the new mac os's.

~Haze

[fuzmiq]

It was really an inspiring movie. and will smith brought it.

[tayinaz]

I saw it on the 30th. Was a great way to end my year. It's an awesome movie. Very inspiring. There were times when I was crying. Will Smith is great actor.It's probably his best acting feat ever. I was "The Good Shepherd" on Christmas eve. Yeah, I know; bad choice. My Christmas sucked. Although a great movie, it was really heavy. And I pissed everyone at Chritmas dinner wanting to talk about the movie. "Pursuit of Happyness" is perfect for the holiday season. It has a great message too.

You should see it. Everybody should. What impressed me most is that it does not talk about the holocaust, war, racism or anything like that. I do like the movies in which ordinary people overcome very difficult obstacles. This movie is different in that it talks about an ordinary person who wants to get a job. By protraying his struggles accurately, it highlightens that even something that seems so simple to others, can be so excruciatingly hard for someone who's going through it. Highly recommended.

-Tay.

[leoisillon]

I very much enjoyed the movie, I saw it a few days ago. I highly recommend seeing it. I'm hoping to read the book soon. Will Smith does a fantastic job in this movie.

[MasterOfSoresu]

although i wish i were my current age during the 80s, because i have fabulous 80s hair.


The 80's rock man. Live on!!!!