Did anyone happen to catch "Out of Sight"? I don't go to movies much, so I had to wait to rent this one. It just came out this week, and I'm happy to say it was so much like the book that I was very pleased. So many times movies are disappointing. Actually when reading the book, I pictured so many things like the movie turned out! Rent it if ya get the chance. George Clooney was PERFECT for the part of Jack Foley.

George Clooney was PERFECT for the part of Jack Foley.

You know, I read the book first. And I guess I had an image of Jack Foley. When Clooney appeared, he just didnt match up. I would have preferred someone like David Strathhairn; or Sam Elliot; or even maybe Clint Eastwood (tho perhaps he's too far gone for a romantic lead). Clooney just doesnt project beat up and wisened enough.

I was also trying to recast Karen Sisco. She didnt match up to the mental image I had from the book. Not saying she doesnt do a good job, just that she wasnt what I was imagining. I think Ving Rhames did a good job.

As usual, the book was better. My imagination and Leonard's prose were a good team.

I'm what's called an avid reader. I read two, to three books a week. I've been reading E.L.'s , books from the beginning, And I think "Be Cool" is as good as it gets. Brian Styles. PS Does Elmore have a Web-Site?

Hi. I'm currently reading THE HUNTED, which is my first Elmore Leonard novel. I sought out this group to discuss something with more seasoned Leonard readers. In addition to THE HUNTED, I've seen the three recent films based on his work, GET SHORTY, JACKIE BROWN, and OUT OF SIGHT. I enjoyed all three movies quite a bit. But while reading THE HUNTED, I've noticed an upsetting trend in his work. They all feature black villains.

On an individual basis, I didn't have a problem with any of the films. It's fine for a work to feature a black villain. Two of the films also had black heroes, but in the case of Jackie Brown, I know the race of the heroine was changed from the book. I don't know if Ving Rhames' character from OUT OF SIGHT was black in the book.

In THE HUNTED, the heroes are jewish and white, the villains black, hispanic, and white. There is also an Arab character who betrays the hero, not out of malice, but sheer stupidity. I haven't finshed the book, so perhaps there are some twists which redefine this.

But, is this man incapable of visualizing black people as anything other than vicious thugs? If not, I'm not even sure I want to finish the book. He's no doubt a talented writer, but I can't abide that kind of racism.

Now, before people start accusing me of forcing "political correctness" down people's throats, I'll remind you that I don't mind black villains. But, based upon my limited exposure to Leonard's work, he seems to do nothing but pit white heroes against black villains. None of these works seem to have major white villains either. If Leonard is playing the racial card to create his villains, then then he is clearly a racist.

But, I want to keep an open mind about him and his work, after all, he's a prolific writer and I've been exposed to only a few of his works. I'd like for someone to point to some of his works where there are minority characters who aren't violent stereotypes. Is it just a coincidence that the films and the book I'm reading play the black-white card, and that this is not a characteristic of most of his work? Also, can someone point me to interviews where the author himself discusses the topic? Much appreciation.

whats a famous quote by elmore leonard?

I want to get a couple of Elmore Leanard books as xmas presents, but I don't know his work myself. Can anyone recommend his Best Three?

I need someone to help me with these questions on the book glitz. 1. Who calls whom Dick and Jane? 2. Why did Vincent no recognize "Beat it" right away? 3. How much did Modesta get for the car with 170,00 miles problem? 4. Who didn't like "raw fish"? 5. In "mama, look a boo boo," what or who is "a boo boo"? 6. In what sense was Modesta's prediction about Terry correct? 7. What role does Saint Barbara have in this book? 8. Who asks "She a cute woman?" About whom? and i will be needing these answers by 30 minutes. PLZ

To all Elmore Leonard fans. If you're a caper fan like I am, you read Elmore Leonard.

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Thanks so much! Keith Harmeyer