Dear Editor, [1982]
We’re curious about your picks for this year’s Oscars. For example, how can a choice be made between Dustin Hoffman and Ben Kingsley -- two such different roles, each played marvelously?
Nora Dug, S. Geebury, Ct.
Dear Nora, [1982]
If you knew the difference in a duck, you wouldn’t ask. I rely upon committed rationalizations. Claiming objective detachment is barely defensible and certainly not in such clumped comparisons as these. You do hit on the germ of the job. A choice cannot be made, especially where especiallies prevail. Nonetheless, and sincerely, I do. Ed.
*****
Dear Editor, [1982]
We are returning, unopened, the bottle “Love Me When You’re in the Neighborhood” elixir which you were so kind to send to Ms. Streep. Enclosed, find a donation to CampChuck with our hopes that you will decline to pursue the contents of the letter which accompanied the potion.
Edith Standish, Legal Counsel for Meryl Streep
Dear Ms. Streep c/o Ms. Standish,
Boy, Meryl, is my face red. Ed.
*****
Dear Editor, [1989]
Is Bette Midler too ugly to be a great actress?
Poodle Jimache, Nashville, TN
Dear Poo, [1989]
I don’t like, for instance, that Barbra Streisand is sometimes glamorized as beautiful because she is so clearly talented. I do like, for instance, that Bette Midler is fashioned for parts because she is so clearly talented. Her recent “Beaches” showcases her range and depth well. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [1991]
I heard that hanging prominently at CampChuck is a glamorous 8 x 10 glossy of Meryl Streep. What does your wife have to say about that?
Claudia Myowmek, Brooklyn, NY
Dear Claudia, [1991]
My wife alternates between having plenty to say, and what can speak louder, having nothing to say, about my affliction for Ms. Streep. However, if I may blow the nosy, you should know that my wife gave me that glossy photo for a birthday present. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [1992]
Hey, moonstruck, how was Meryl Streep in “Defending Your Life”?
Beth Neenerneener, York, PA
Dear Beth, [1992]
She still lights up the acting firmament each time out. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [1993]
Let me try to put this delicately. Didn’t your precious Meryl Streep make a stinky picture last year?
Spanky Caroline, East Weston, AZ
Dear Spanky, [1993]
When Meryl decided to have fun making a movie like “Death Becomes Her,” she may not have noticed or had control over the “special effects disease” where filmmakers wholly neglect the importance of a decent script. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [1994]
Would you please tell my kids not to watch so many violent movies? Maybe they’d listen hearing it from you.
Angustina Fay, Little Rock, AR
Dear Angustina, [1994]
What about telling it like it is: “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (no violence; a functional family with choices and excellence to nurture), “Menace II Society” (violence; despair riddled hope in the ghetto). What about telling it like it was: “Gettysburg” (violence; a historical imperative and emblazoned stupidity repeating itself).
What about living happily ever after: “Dave” (no violence; government cured in two hours), “Sleepless in Seattle” (no violence; life and love cured in two hours)
What about living ever after: “Heaven and Earth” (violence; no cure from the Viet Nam war), “A Bronx Tale” (violence; growing up “good” in the inner city).
What about bounding creativity and imagination and fun: “Nightmare Before Christmas” (gruesome and ghoulish), “Groundhog Day” (no violence, clever silliness). Ed.
***** Dear Editor [1994, special edition]
I like Winona Ryder.
Dear Zake, [1994, special edition]
There it was, your whole letter, and I’ll bet you do. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [1994, special edition]
I have this nagging feeling that movies with Julia Roberts or Arnold Schwarzenegger are rotting my brain. How do you suggest I curb my megastar viewing habits?
Corvin Gage, Santa Barbara, CA
Dear Corvin, [1994, special edition]
The so called experts disagree. Some advise weaning very slowly. Start with, say, Harrison Ford or Whoopi Goldberg. Balance this with, say, Tom Hanks or Susan Sarandon. Chill with Keanu Reeves or Demi Moore. Meanwhile, season choices with Denzel Washington or Emma Thompson. Other experts insist you switch outright to film festivals or foreign language films (avoiding Gerard Depardieu at all costs, in any language). If you find yourself sucked into the next Bruce Willis gamble or hoping against hope that Goldie Hawn has something to offer, don’t beat yourself up about it. Life (and megastardom) is too short. Ed. *****
Dear Editor, [1995]
Movies like Schindler's List keep alive the overblown fiction of that overblown word, "holocaust." To use a word you movie pushers use, you "romanticize" a tough period of economic depression and war.
Bo Yager, Raleigh, NC
Dear Bo, [1995]
I think you may be confusing Spielberg's nearly documentary Schindler's List with his wonderfully overblown science fiction Jurassic Park. Speaking of pushers, are you, by any chance, associated with the tobacco industry? Ed. *****
Dear Editor, [1995]
Hoop Dreams is the best movie of the year. I read critics who think so, too. It's a great story. It's a great commentary. Don't you think it should at least be an Oscar nominee for Best Picture?
Parnay Jadford, Sunnyvale, CA
Dear Parnay, [1995]
As long as Oscar awards Best Documentary films, it insults documentaries to say Hoop Dreams is so good it deserves to be in the higher profile, bigger bucks bucket of Best Picture. It honors Hoop Dreams that a mere documentary made a modest splash at the box office. Don't worry too much about Oscar categories. Don't worry that such quibbling may be why it wasn't even nominated for Best Documentary. Just encourage friends to see Hoop Dreams. Ed. *****
Dear Editor, [1996]
I knew the Spring release of Don Juan DeMarco would bury that picture. Didn't Johnny Depp do a great job in a neat movie?
Eva Zasziewcz, Madison, WI
Dear Eva, [1996] Depp succeeded in another peculiar yet surprisingly mainstream vehicle. I'm sorry its clever insanity bait didn't catch more inmates at the box office. We could use more of the mind bending romance of Don Juan DeMarco. Ed. ***** Dear Editor, [1997] Don’t you think that Evita is the part of a lifetime for Madonna?
Tiger Buchannon, Boston, MA
Dear Tiger, [1997] It may be, but Madonna will have to do better than that for me to say much more than "so what" about the weak chemistry of her talents. Ed. ***** Dear Editor, [1997] I know this is just one of those "Why didn’t such and such picture get nominated" questions, but isn’t director John Sayles and his film, Lone Star, the kind of excellence that deserved Best Picture and Best Director Oscar nominations?
Consuela Yi, El Paso, TX Dear Consuela, [1997] Besides the disadvantage of being released too early last year, Lone Star travels a path of subtle richness that stirs less notice than films like Shine or Secrets & Lies. Fargo (also an early ’96 release but with more hook) usurped what might have been Lone Star’s slot since The English Patient is such an unstoppable nomination hog. At least Sayles is nominated for Best Screenplay. We should be happy that three small, independent films populate the top categories this year. Ed. ***** Dear Editor, [1998] Will Woody Allen continue being a juicy fill of tabloid gossip?
Winny Peckaliddle, London
Dear Winny, [1998] Woody Allen took a brilliant movie turn in 1997 with Deconstructing Harry. Harry writes racy novels about his own racy life. Harry says that only the quality of his art matters, not the quality of his life.
Deconstructing Harry is very creative, biting, smart and funny, and untypical for Allen, rather mean spirited. Does Woody Allen’s personal life turn you off to his movies? How many of his movies have you seen? If you don’t like his movies, is it easier to think ill of him?
If you enjoy what a celebrity does professionally, are you more willing to overlook his or her "bad behavior"? If you enjoy a celebrity, does a celebrity’s "badly behaved" plight ever add to your total attraction?
What do you really know about any celebrity? Did you know that Woody Allen has six fingers on his left hand? Did you know that there is actual filmed evidence that Mia Farrow bore the devil’s child? Ed. ***** Dear Editor, [1999] What do you think about the AFI list of the 100 greatest movies?
Scoop Tweemer, Sioux City, IA
Dear Scoop, [1999] At first I was put off by this pure marketing gimmick designed in the American Film Institute’s (AFI) name to ring up video rentals. Without quibbling about such an impossible ranking exercise, I have to say this is a solid course in "America’s Greatest Movies."
At the risk of supporting such a pure marketing gimmick, I’d say don’t whine about "There’s nothing to rent" until you’ve seen all 100. I’d already seen about 85 of them and every one of the top 43 films (if you don’t count #4 Gone With the Wind, which I refuse to see).
I’ll mention some of my favorites that are not on the list, although favorite is a different slant than greatest. I find it hard to imagine that films like Cabaret and Sophie’s Choice are not on the list. They certainly belong instead of Unforgiven or Easy Rider.
There is a dearth of some of the finest plays made into excellent movies like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe and The Miracle Worker and Inherit the Wind. Some of my favorites have a smaller, more personal ring like A Thousand Clowns or The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter or Harvey.
Mostly, lists like these remind me that I love the movies. Ed. *****
Dear Editor, [2001]
Am I a racist if I refer to Tom Hanks as “the Tiger Woods of movie stars”?
Joe Layhee, Cincinnati, OH
Dear Joe, [2001]
While not the most sharply drawn comparison, another Oscar or two for Hanks might make the phrase worth misusing. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2003]
In Bowling for Columbine, I think Michael Moore ambushed a frail, old man when he interviewed Charlton Heston.
Farber McKay, Knoxville, TN
Dear Farber, [2003]
Yes, that segment took unfair advantage of the symbolic NRA leader. Still, the thought-provoking, telling, and funny documentary is one of the year’s best pictures. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2003]
I just loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Didn’t you?
Winifred Dexit, Athens, GA
Dear Winifred, [2003]
Love? No. However, I did like this exaggerated entertainment. Indeed, the love story was refreshingly sweet and the over-the-top comedy was fun. For excellence in filmmaking under the wedding banner, last year’s Monsoon Wedding shined the ethnic spotlight more impressively. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2004] Don't you think the world needs more corny movies? Do people even say "corny" anymore?
Tilly Shine, Topeka, KS
Dear Tilly, [2004] "Corny" is one of the great movie juices. I'll just say that if Hollywood could remake Mr. Smith Goes to Washington cast with a global slant and still retain all the corniness to go along with the substance, Hollywood and the world would be a teensy bit better off. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2004] Everybody has a top ten list. Do you have a 2003 top ten list?
Sigrid Optoman, Stowe, VT
Dear Sigrid, [2004] 1. In America 2. American Splendor 3. The Last Samurai 4. Lost in Translation 5. Finding Nemo 6. Something's Gotta Give 7. The Triplets of Belleville 8. Monster 9. Mystic River 10. Girl with a Pearl Earring A list of ten squeezes out films like Pieces of April, Shattered Glass, Elephant and Thirteen. This list is influenced by a certain pleasure in its range. A few characterizing words hint at the diverse offerings. 1. hard, life affirming, magic, story-rich, character-rich 2. nerdy, creative slice of life 3. violent, spiritual epic 4. low key, untypical pairing 5. perfect cartoon family fun 6. top formula romantic comedy 7. bizarre animated genius 8. intense singular focus 9. intense interwoven acting 10. museum mood piece Only two of the ten appear on the Oscar Best Picture list, and four of ten don't show up in any of the six major categories. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2005]
I especially appreciated you including a top ten list last year. Doing it again?
Lindy Warne, Roseburg, OR
Dear Lindy, [2005]
1. Million Dollar Baby 2. Super Size Me 3. Hotel Rwanda 4. Kinsey 5. Ray 6. Finding Neverland 7. Fahrenheit 9/11 8. The Aviator 9. The Incredibles 10. Vera Drake
Conetenders for the top ten include Garden State and Love Song for Bobby Long. A few characterizing words hint about each of the top ten.
1. Story-rich, character-rich; Eastwood’s best ever 2. Important, eye-opening, fun 3. Important, eye-opening, scary 4. A textbook new look at sex 5. Soulerrific Foxx and Charles 6. Gently grounded and fanciful 7. Manipulative, granted; but smart, crafted, provoking 8. Complex, careening biopic 9. Aminated vitality wins again 10. Impressively dreary
***** Dear Editor, [2010]
My best friend Daisy said if I write to tell you we liked “Where the Wild Things Are” you would put us in your newsletter.
Rose Penstemon, Olympia, WA
Dear Rose, [2010]
Here you both are, and I’m with you on liking “Wild Things.” Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2006]
I repeat my question from last year, since I so appreciate you including a top ten list. Doing it again?
Lindy Warne, Roseburg, OR
Dear Lindy, [2006]
1. Brokeback Mountain 2. Good Night, and Good Luck 3. Junebug 4. A History of Violence 5. Crash 6. Breakfast on Pluto 7. Documentary Films including The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill; Mad Hot Ballroom; Enron; Murberball; and March of the Penguins 8. Pride & Prejudice 9. Me&You& Everyone We Know 10. Yes
Contenders for the top ten include Munich and Downfall and The Upside of Anger and Cinderella Man. A few characterizing words hint about each of the top ten.
1. story-rich, character-rich; Ang Lee knows relationship angst 2. taut, telling docu-drama 3. a stereotype underminer 4. story grabs you all the way 5. in your face mesh of prejudice 6. strangely innocent, waifly tale 7. great alternative for seeking satisfaction at the movies 8. top notch period piece 9. odd genuineness grows on ya 10. a poetic, sensual, intelligent, film experiment
***** Dear Editor, [2007]
What’s this penguin thing? Best Documentary of 2005 for “March of the Penguins.” “Happy Feet” is going to win Best Animated Feature for 2006. Something’s fishy.
Adam Dons, Tuxedo, Tennessee
Dear Adam, [2007]
Hardly a trend. Write me again when a penguin figures in Best Actor or Best Picture. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2008]
In your Mailbag last year, Adam Dons wrote about “Happy Feet” (Best Animated Feature, 2006). And “March of the Penguins” (Best Documentary, 2005). Will “Surf’s Up,” yet another Oscar nominated penguin film, win the 2007 animated feature Oscar?
Dear Mr. Chumley, [2008]
“Ratatouille” seems unbeatable. Permit an “I kid you not” aside: This month, I was flying home. A real penguin (followed by its San Diego Zoo trainer) walked down the aisle of my plane. Ed.
***** Dear Editor, [2008]
With you sticking to Oscar level films, we don’t get to read about films you think are big stinkers?
Wiff Hassendish, Pittsburgh, PA
Dear Wiff, [2008]
Last year’s “August Rush” of musical genious and family love was one of the biggest stinkers in recent memory. Anything-goes, mystical capability and far fetched coincidences surprised me by getting continually worse on its path of shallow predictability. Ed.
*****
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