Juno was a fine film. A good example of a small picture with hungry and capable actors, working with a good script and a solid director with a minimum of studio interference. They exist but are increasingly rare.

How many studio executives appear at these meetings? I suspect therein lays your answer. Studio executives overrule producers insisting on the insertion of elements designed to appeal to other demographics beside the target audience. Commerce is partially to blame, but it's the strange mechanism of product placement and in film marketing that makes a villain of commerce. Fundamentally, a well-written, well-acted, well-directed film should be commercially successful without synergistic partners, tie-ins, product promos and other distractions.

Christian Toto has advocated independent film since I began reading him. The films he touts are almost never perfect cinematic experiences but they are far better than the usual options at the theater. Regrettably, you need a sherpa to help locate the few worthy of attention and not the self-indulgent film school projects.

My soon to be former Senator, Lame Duck Dodd, (Think Sixteen Candles) has no reason to be dissembling anymore. Sad that our democratic process has become this dysfunctional.