In a message dated 96-06-05 09:15:05 EDT, you write: >More often, I am questioning why so many people can spend hours pondering >something as inconsequential as Johnny Depp's career. (Not that he is >inconsequential, ut that the constant and complete dissection of his life is.) The discussion didn't really centre around his life - i.e. - is he still dating Kate Moss? I think someone (sorry, I forget who) made a relevant point that there are some movies that wouldn't be made if it wasn't for a "name" like Depp agreeing to star in them. That's because a lot of these films get watched because of who's in them. I come to film from a non-academic background - I have not any taken film classes. I do try to learn what I can by reading and watching, though. For some of us with no academic background, maybe the "star question" does play a role. I am a fan of French and Italian cinema, esp. Pasolini, Fellini and Truffault. And this all started innocently enough with a high school crush on Jean Paul Belmondo! Would I have discovered these directors eventually? Probably. But this doesn't belittle the point that it was a fan-like attitude that set me on this road. There are a lot of people (women) who go see any movie Depp is in. Maybe seeing something like "Dead Man" will set them on their own path of cinematic discovery. Maria ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]