comment #1

JD says ...

Yeah, it's about time young people paid the price for the greed and complacency of previous generations. Sure, people in their 40s, 50s, 60, etc. have gotten rich, powerful, and/or comfortable by ignoring (and even perpetuating) these problems, but God forbid any of those people be held accountable or address these problems themselves.

comment #2

christian says ...

ah leave him alone. the last of the movie tough guys deserves a shout...

comment #3

JD says ...

I didn't mean any disrespect to Kirk. I love the guiy and I love what he stands for. Otherwise, I would have included people in their 90s in my list of offenders. I was actually referring to Jeff's bizarre choice to punctuate this post with a "damn straight."

comment #4

hiviper says ...

JD you're missing the the point. Neither Kirk nor Jeff are blaming Gen Y (or whatever) for the shitty situation we're in now. Kirk's just saying "guess what, you inherited the mess, now you have to rise up and help fix it." And Jeff agreed, end of story.

comment #5

Larry says ...

I respect him as an actor, so the best thing to do when he spouts idiotic crap is to ignore it.

comment #6

JD says ...

Hiviper, my feeling is that KD may be saying that, but Jeff is saying, "I hate you lazy Gen Yers who refuse to get married until your're 42. Now get off your ass and solve the problems that my hedonistic generation caused." I have a better idea. Why don't the baby boomers push their middle-aged complacency aside, return to their 60s idealism, and address these problems themselves. News flash: young people don't have the power to change society anymore. Old people do.

comment #7

Argen says ...

The boomers could all commit mass sucide and single handedly solve the Social Security problem and open up the job market. I'm sure there'd be a couple of negative effects, but still. . .more jobs!

comment #8

alynch says ...

I have nothing but respect for Douglas. He comes from the generation previous to the one that caused all our problems, and he remembers how his own generation rose up and fixed things during his time period. Even though the previous generation is responsible for a lot of the mess that the world is in today, it's going to be up to our generation to fix it. It ain't fair, but life ain't supposed to be.

comment #9

jeffmcm says ...

Every generation cleans up (or tries to) the previous one's messes.

comment #10

gruver1 says ...

Wells to JD: You're not wrong about the history and general attitude of the lazy indulgent boomers -- I feel very little kinship with them -- and what you wrote is actually kind of funny.

comment #11

houmas says ...

Douglas is one of America's greatest ever screen actors and movie stars, and I hope he sticks around long enough to make it to a 100. If he wants to gripe a little, let him. At least he's not a deranged demagogue like Chuck Heston.

As far as I'm concerned, just about anything Kirk Douglas made between his screen debut in 1946 (the fatalistic film noir, The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers) till 1965 (when he releaased Seven Days In May) is absolutely worth watching, mainly because 'ol dimple chin was in it. His career started to go out with a whimper in the late 60's and 70's, with a bunch of mostly forgettable (and often somewhat dire) movies, but that initial 20 year run of his, that included outstanding movies and performances like Champion, Out Of The Past, Lust For Life, Spartacus, Ace In The Hole, The Vikings, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Gunfight At The Ok Corrall, Paths Of Glory, The Bad And The Beautiful, A Letter To Three Wives and Lonely Are The Brave, was as extrarordinary a run of quality films and performances as any star could claim.

comment #12

christian says ...

and i had a chance to hear chuck heston speak and he was bright and funny and used to be pretty progressive. nobody remembers his nude love scene with rosalind cash in THE OMEGA MAN...

comment #13

Argen says ...

Ultimately, the irony of this thread is that Wells was far more confrontational than Douglas was. As a card-carrying member of Gen Y- or whatever media approved tag you want to throw at us- I think it was sound advice delivered in a kind and inspiring way. Not a self-satisfied, judgmental Wellsian fashion. But then Douglas has class.

comment #14

The Movie Man says ...

houmas-well said, and I agree, a hell of a run. OUT OF THE PAST is one of my personal favorites of all time, but then, with Mitchum and Douglas squaring off, you've got half the job done already.

comment #15

berg says ...

Technically and scholastically here are what the generations (approx.20 years) are called for the last 100 years: To start with the Millennials (1982 to the present), and go backwards a hundred years we would encounter Gen X’ers (1961-1981), Baby Boomers (1943-1960), The Silent Generation (1925-1942), the G.I. Generation (1901-1924), and the Lost Generation (1883-1900) ...

comment #16

joncro says ...

No, I am Spartacus!

comment #17

donnyboy says ...

Lonely Are the Brave!

comment #18

JeanneValJean says ...

"I love this country because I came from a life of poverty. I was able to work my way through college and go into acting, the field that I love. There is no guarantee in this country that you will be successful. But you always have a chance. Nothing should interfere with it. You have to make sure that nothing stands in the way.

When I blow out my candles -- 90! ... it will take a long time ... but I'll be thinking of you."

Y'know, he has spunk, life, energy and a great spirit. There's nothing wrong about a guy standing up and trying to grab the world by the collar to say "WAKE UP!!"

He's not going quietly - and I think that's fantastic. If I make it to 90, I hope I'm still shouting and doing, not sitting, and just watching and dying my hair blue.