We at Moving Pictures Magazine are delighted to facilitate debate on issues related to film's impact on and place in our social culture. We encourage you to share your views on subjects that appear on our pages. Please email your letters to editorial@mpgcorp.net.
Dear Mr. Kotek,
Just a note complimenting you and your staff on another impressive issue. As a subscriber, I find your bi-monthly efforts thought-provoking and relevant. Your June/July issue was no exception. I was particularly intrigued by one of your Department articles: "Role of the Critic. Who needs film critics today?" (Jun/Jul 2006)
There were several tid-bits of knowledge therein. I have always felt that movies are fair game for any and all to critique. I have never left a theater without some opinion of what I've just paid to see, and it seems weird to me that there are still those amongst us who are paid to give us their opinions of what they've observed. Particularly disheartening was the revelation that movie producers actually manufacture positive reviews - as was the case with Sony's nonexistent "Mr. Manning" and his bogus, flattering non-quotations for A Knight's Tale and Hollow Man.
I feel your magazine turned over a very relevant stone when it chose to reveal the truth about such goings on. In light of geometric advancements in technical innovations available to movie audiences, movie studios are responding: changing how they market their product. Fortunately, they can't change the fact that a bad review will impact their bottom line. I think most people expect studios to hype films - the key word being "hype," which, as Mr. Segaloff shares, is the reason moviegoers must decide for themselves whether a film is good or bad.
How else can one explain why/how 2005's Big Momma's House II has (to date) obscenely grossed $100 million more than Capote? The general public has spoken.
Keep up the good work. Sincerely,
Mike Bujold
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Editor: I was encouraged and inspired by an article ("The little tramp: the legacy of my grandfather," Jun/Jul 2006) written by Kiera Chaplin reminiscing about her famous grandfather, Charlie. In these politically-charged times that challenge our citizenry's right to express themselves, despite being politically "impolite" regarding the status quo, it is inspiring to be reminded of the toxic effects of "...over-reaching government actions..." It's unsettling to learn the prevailing government in power when Charlie Chaplain was producing what are now regarded as masterpieces of the nascent medium of film, thought it in our nation's collective self-interest to "protect" us from subversive thinkers like Charles Chaplin and, coincidentally, (in another article - "Inside The U.S. vs. John Lennon") John Lennon. Thank you for providing Ms. Chaplin a respected public kiosk for her to enlighten us on her grandfather's important, memorable legacy. He, unlike his detractors, will be remembered for generations.
Sincerely,
Kate Brenneman
New York, New York |
