Alas, The Ass-Kicking, Alack, The Cliches
Editor:
Charlie Myers’ review of the film Salt (Filmland, July 29) goes a long way toward demonstrating the sad state of the industry. “Kicking ass” is the new measure of action. Cold-war cliches are the new guidelines of plot. Myers and apparently anyone raised on video games gladly eschew motivation as long as someone gets kicked in the face/mutilated/blown up every few minutes or so. But they are hardly alone: Even reviewers in the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle marvel at the Superwoman qualities of Ms. Jolie while blitzed about what in hell the story is all about. Angela [sic] performed her own stunts? Right. And the salmon are jumping into boats here in Arcata.
Until comic-book movies fade from view, or the infantile people who love them grow up, there’s not much hope for films that entertain without catering to the violence that demeans those who make them, perform them or view them.
Bob Burger, Arcata
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
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
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
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 J. Alora / Aug. 6, 6:25 p.m.
Yawn. Cartoon violence has been around forever. To each his own.