re: I liked Contact
You kind of needed a spiritual person for theo other side of the issue, and as I said in my earlier post, the Palmer Joss of the 1985 novel is much better than the one portrayed in the 1997 film. I found the latter one just plain anoying and only out for a good time. Heck, he even said he couldn't handle the whole celibacy thing - shows how deep his commitment is. Yes, yes, most religious clergy can get married, etc., but he wasn't talking about marriage.
How many here have read the novel - raise your hands.
If you would like my slightly detailed view of the novel and film versions of Contact, see here:
http://www.coseti.org/klaescnt.htm