Everyone’s a Critic
(Dec. 24, 2009) Editor:
I feel a desire to offer a bit of literary critique on Mr. Myers’ film reviews (“Filmland”). I often find myself frustrated when reading articles and columns if I feel that a significant improvement could be made, and after this week’s reviews of Invictus and The Princess and the Frog, I am finally of a mind to write to someone about it.
I don’t wish to argue with Mr. Myers’ opinions of the movies — I have seen neither — merely the quality of his compositions. In his first review of Invictus, he begins a paragraph by stating that Mr. Eastwood didn’t attempt to draw any parallels with the events of the movie and events in recent politics, and then proceeds to inform the reader that he went ahead and thought of some anyway. In a run-on sentence, I might add. This is a film review, not a political soapbox. If Mr. Myers’ feels the need to draw parallels when the director did not, perhaps he might rephrase his paragraph to state this lost opportunity.
In his second review, Mr. Myers begins with “Desperate times invoke desperate decisions.” I can’t speak for anyone else, but I feel it was phrased in a way that he might not realize just how awesome his job is. If he feels so desperate just because he has to watch a kid’s movie, perhaps he should give up his post reviewing films for the Journal. I can think of at least one person who would be happy to take up the mantle.
Grace Loucks, Arcata
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on the cover
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Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
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Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
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Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
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Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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ONE Comments
Comment / By Doug Brunell / Dec. 30, 2009, 8:48 p.m.
Film is an art form. Some films are simply entertaining, and some films have messages. All films, in one way or another, are products of the culture in which they were created. No film is made in a vacuum, and it is perfectly acceptable for a critic to draw parallels to real-life social and political situations even if the film didn’t do that.
I’m also a film critic (for Filmthreat.com — one of the top five movie sites according to the “Wall Street Journal” — and for various magazines). I have to deal you, it can be awesome, but it also can be trying and taxing.
Good letter, but it seems like you, too, may have missed the point.