LETTERS

Dear Movie Critic Josh Bell,

Regarding Batman Begins (June 16):

You know—it amazes me to find so many critics gripe about movies today not being GOOD enough—and with comic movies never SERIOUS enough—yet here comes one, a great film, amazing, really, and you complain about THAT. I wish there was an electroshock attached to your testicles so all of us who have LOVED and grown with this character could push the button. Over and over again. For days.

We love this character. My children love this character. We hated Batman and Robin. Joel Shitmaker (Schumacher) looked down at this character—made fun of him. (Christopher) Nolan loves this character too. And (Christian) Bale. I actually read one review by some lousy critic who makes sure no one can send HIM e-mail—I applaud you for allowing us to send you some—that says Begins would not happen if not for Spider-Man.

But again—a critic with no idea of HISTORY. Without the 1989 Batman with (Michael) Keaton there would be NONE of these superhero movies. No Spider-Man. Watch the documentary on the new Batman special edition. It took 10 years to make that film. Nobody wanted it—nobody believed in comic-book movies. Batman changed all that.

At any rate, film critics should have an idea what they are talking about. One critic even asked why the theater door exit was in a back alley—guess he hasn't been to many old theaters. I have and this is quite normal. But you say this is drained of all the fun? This isn't a circus sideshow movie. This is what we have all asked for—this is what we all wanted since that first Keaton film. This is how it should be. It is damn near perfect. Should a film about the shooting of Kennedy be lighthearted comedy? Maybe to you. This is a tragic story—and only at the end do we get hope ... as it should be. Let your parents be killed by a criminal and then we can make a fun movie of it.

I think not.

Learn about the source. Then review. Otherwise—put your popcorn tub over your head in shame for not "getting it."

Get the real deal—no ego, no macho attitudes, no BS —JUST ROCK.

Dear Josh Bell,

I have never posted a letter to you before but after I got bored to death watching the movie Jarhead, I just had to say you're on the ball with your review.

Dear Josh Bell,

(Quoting Josh Bell's May 12 review:) "Go into Mindhunters with the right expectations, then, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised."

You're kidding me. It was terrible by even the most liberal standards. Perhaps as a run-of-the-mill, kids-in-a-haunted-house flick it might have worked (I don't believe it myself), but these were supposed to be professionals. It took about five seconds for them all to start pointing guns at each other. Then, guess what? They all kept pointing guns at each other; after a bit they all got bored and started handcuffing each other to the furniture. Please, give me a break.

Why was the guy in the wheelchair handcuffed by his wheelchair to anything? They didn't suspect him of anything, they just did it because the director/producer (or whichever overpaid bloated hack is responsible) couldn't be bothered to think. Taking the piss by the pint.

Also, why did he try to radio for backup in the first simulation, before the island, when he knew it was a simulation and the only witness was his partner who also knew it was a simulation? It's like Dawn of the Dead, if the zombies were running the cameras and script and studio. Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea? I'd stop going to the movies if I were you.

Hello Columnist Xania Woodman,

In recent weeks I have been an avid reader of your column in LV Weekly as well as The Circuit (www.thecircuitlv.com). Your site has the most refreshing and updated information regarding the club scene—thanks for that!

Thanks/Cheers,