OT:Cheesy but great film *batteries not included about urban rental housing..

[Guest guest]

When I saw that Spielberg (the creator of ET, etc.) had done a

film about housing speculation I just had to see it, since I'm a big

fan of much of his other work. Even though its kind of a (city) kids

film, its great.. and even though its 20 years old, it captures the

urban housing dynamic of that time. (and that kind of thing is still

happening, in fact its happening a lot)

Its entitled *batteries not included

Its basically about people living in a small (5 or 6 story) older

rent-controlled apartment building in NYC that a developer has

targeted for demolition so he can build a huge condo complex... All

the other buildings in the neighborhood have already been torn down

and theirs is the last standing.. the neighborhood is a war zone...

They are theoretically protected by the law, but he knows that he can

harass them out..one way or another, and he does..first with a gang of

thugs that go door to door breaking people's belongings with baseball

bats..and bulldozers.. then he resorts to other, nastier methods...

The folks in the building.. their days are numbered.. they are losing

hope.. then they get help....