Murderers in the movies and on TV are generally seen as the "bad guys". So in fact I see it as a natural extension of that to portray Eminem as the "bad guy" since by his music he has put himself there. you bring up a good point about movies like Gladiator that sensationalize violence but they seem to be able to package it in a way that puts it in the third person. The person who wrote Gladiator didn't write in a part for him/herself. Society tends to accept those things (rightly or wrongly) a lot better than a singer/songwriter who's work and style seems to be based on anger and hatred. As much as I believe in his right to make his own "music" I must admit my 9 and 12 year old daughters are not permitted to own his CD. In fairness to myself, I won't be taking them to see Gladiator either!! :)

Good topic, makes you think....

Frank