Another letter in reply to my article on sport utility vehicles:

I LOVE MY EXCURSION AND GUESS WHAT I CAN AFFORD THE GAS AND THE TRUCK AND A BOAT WITH TWO V8 ENGINES THAT EAT 6 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THESE FOLKS ARE JUST A BUNCK OF BROKE LEFT WING NUTS THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT EVERY THING. I HOPE THAT IF I GET INTO A HIGH SPEED WRECK WITH MY EXCURSION ITS WITH A ELECTRIC CAR. THEN WE WILL SEE WHO SPENT THE WISEST MONEY. LOL. BY THE WAY I SAW THE VICE PRES. IN A BLACK EXCURSION FOLLWED BY 2 OTHER SECRET SERVICE EXCUSIONS ON TV. WHY ISNT THAT OZONE LOVING ASS HOLE DRIVING IN A HONDA..

Your shift key sticks a little there, buddy. I hope your attitude changes by the time you're old enough to get your driver's license.
-- N-M

First off, I want to say to you that I very much like your website's design and writing skills. Second, I find your taste in movies to be horrible. It seems to me that many movie's points fly right over your head, while you overrate very mediocre films. I don't see how you could possibly give Magnolia an F. I personally think that it was one of the most thoughtful scripts ever written, but maybe that's why it's not a film for everyone. On the contrary, I'm amazed that you rated The Sixth Sense as you did. I couldn't believe it got the praise it did with as many plot holes it has.

But then again, opinions are like assholes: everyone's got one.

What is with all the swearing lately? You guys seem a little uptight or something. You should follow the Net-Monster's example. He never swears. Well, almost never. (Don't you hate it when people talk about themselves in the third person? Me too.)

When you were in school, did you argue with your math teacher that 2 + 2 = 4 was only a matter of opinion? I'm sorry I gave Magnolia an F. If I had it to do over again I'd give it a G.

Yes, The Sixth Sense has "holes" in its final premise. My favorite (pointed out to me by my mother, to give credit where credit is due) is when Bruce Willis and the kid ride the bus. Did they pay for one fare or two? But such inconsistencies don't really ruin the plot of the movie. In one sense, searching for them just makes it more enjoyable.
-- N-M

While I agree with you about the hokiness of the ending, I think "The Contender" deserved a better grade than a "B." Your comments about the acting, for the most part, were dead on - this was the best collection of acting performances I've seen since I saw "American Beauty" last year. I also think that you've sold Joan Allen short - her role was not the slam dunk that you imply. Could you imagine the magnitude of the debacle had they cast some acting lightweight like Julia Roberts or Cameron Diaz in that role? The acting alone should merit a "B+" or "A-."

I couldn't give "The Contender" an A- because by federal law, any film with a fundamental flaw must automatically be downgraded to the B range. The ending was a major cop-out and certainly qualified as a fundamental flaw. I would've loved to give this film an A, but my hands were tied by government red tape.

I wasn't really criticizing Joan Allen (I did, after all, include her when I was discussing the good performances in the film). My point was her role called for the same type of low-key emotions in scene after scene. Mild criticism from someone as bitter and cynical as I am should be interpreted as praise. You will, of course, owe Julia Roberts an apology when she waltzes home on Oscar night with best supported actress.
-- N-M