Film review of the upcoming documentary about The Villages
 

The author Ezra Haber Glenn lives in Somerville, where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Somerville Community Corporation, a local nonprofit committed to affordable housing and community empowerment.

Ezra Haber Glenn | MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning



I have to wonder how and why he zeroed in on three unhappy people in The Villages. I think he had an agenda before coming here.

What a load of crap.
 

:ohdear:Talk about an agenda. Where do these people come from and why do they have to be so negative? Next...

They will be bringing back Mr Midnight next.

Ezra Haber Glenn, Author, teacher.

Lawrence Methuen Community Coalition | Family Services of the Merrimack Valley | Lawrence Methuen Community Coalition | a Non-Profit Social Services Agency in Lawrence, MA

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I agree that it looks like a somewhat negative take, but I will definitely watch it.

Like the author of "Leisureville", the people behind this clearly have a negatively driven agenda.

An "agenda", of course.....LOL ! Anyone remember Leisureville by Blechman ? "Mr. Midnight", Kathie Belle's, that whole thing "agenda to sell books & (possibly) boost sales in all the other nearby "active lifestyle" communities that were doing "okay", but not selling like The V's ? It did the trick, put us on the late night shows for a short time as the most sex crazed, disease ridden, community on the planet. Did all the lies slow down demand ? Not at all. There are always haters, always folks with ulterior motives, agendas, that have nothing to do with what they are seemingly writing about. It's all only as serious as the reader makes it, LOL !

I come from the academic community. It is important to "climbing" the promotion ladder (asst. prof, associate prof., etc. to make your mark by fulfilling certain research, community, etc. goals). More and more, those who are extremely focused on careers, are not content with allowing a "natural" process of recognition of their work in a particular area of research. It is now not unheard of to have professionals, like agents for sports and entertainment people, guide a career and arrange speaking opportunities, news outlet attention, etc. where once the mentors of a new PhD. recipient came primarily from the faculty and especially from the grad student's dissertation committee (who were better equipped to recognize truly ground breaking research discoveries, etc.), that is now not the only way to recognition. While this more traditional way is still the practice at many institutions, this kind of self promotion happens all the time. Not sure that kind of change is in the best interest of academia, or for that matter, our world in general.... more who is the best self promoter, or who can hire the best publicists, rather than genuine talent for research coming to the top naturally.

You know what they say about opinions. One says it, another agree’s, now all sudden it fact! Repeat it enough and now it’s true story.

Books and documentaries are really person or persons beliefs about subject with their agenda’s with intent sway ones beliefs. It’s only truthful in eyes ones actually seen it and the way story told or not told.

I will definitely watch it but it sounds like it really isn't about "life in The Villages" but rather three stories of unhappy people who could live anywhere.

The first story is the guy living in his van. He isn't even a resident, just some bum looking for a free ride. Second is a married couple where the husband is ... acting odd ... as he gets older. Maybe cognitive/dementia issues? Could (and does) happen any and everywhere. And the third is a woman who moved here with her hubs to live happily ever after, he dies unexpectedly and she is left in less than optimal financial shape. Again, a universal story that, sadly, happens all too often all around the world.

That said, the cinematography looks lovely (based on the trailer). It will be fun to do a movie night with Sissy and BIL to watch.

kathy

Looks like it will be good for a few chuckles

How is this any different than the network news channels? They find an example of something that matches their agenda and that’s the “news” they promote. Based on the “news” you would believe that unarmed blacks are killed daily by police. You would believe that ICU’s across the country were being overrun by Covid patients. The only reason you realize that this movie about The Villages doesn’t represent the vast majority of the residents is because you actually know firsthand. If you didn’t live here you would probably believe that it was a true representation of life in The Villages...

If the movie was completely unbiased and factual, it would be boring and wouldn't sell. Instead it resembles the crap you see on the magazine counters next to the checkout at your local supermarket. It might be fun for residents to watch, but will make outsiders think that everyone here is a bit crazy.