I received this e-mail the other day from a fellow by the name of Seth Miller:
Just bumped into this site. I was at BYU when you wrote for the Universe. I was a fan. I’ve never written a letter to an editor or mad a complaint to anyone but I guess it’s never too late to start. I think you’ve sold out. [Shouldn’t I have money, then?] I never really knew what your standards were but I guess I just assumed they were similar to mine. It’s odd to me that only R-rated movies gets your highest honor “A.” Have more respect for yourself and stop trying to please others. I won’t be visiting you site again.
No response needed or wanted.
I wish I’d been keeping track of how many angry letters I’ve gotten over the years in which the writer indicated he or she did not want a reply. I suppose it’s all the bravery they can muster to even send the letter. If they had to read a response, and perhaps even DISCUSS the matter in greater detail — well, that would be unthinkable.
Anyway, though forbidden, I sent this response:
Well, actually, a response IS needed, because you have your facts wrong.
You wrote:
“It’s odd to me that only R-rated movies gets your highest honor ‘A.'”
That would indeed be odd, if it were even remotely true. But here are some non R-rated movies that I gave an A to this year alone:
Anchorman
Spider-Man 2
The Triplets of BellevilleThat’s three A’s for PG-13 films, compared to only two for R-rated ones. A- grades are much more plentiful: 11 for PG-13 or PG films, and 9 for R-rated ones.
So your statement that I only give A’s to R-rated films is patently false.
But this is all beside the point anyway. When I grade films, I am grading them based on their artistic and entertainment value, not on how much “objectionable content” they have. That’s not what film critics are for.
Also, I find it disturbing that you equate my not having the same standards as you (if that’s true) with “selling out.” Can’t a person have different standards from you and NOT sell out?
You wrote:
“Have more respect for yourself and stop trying to please others.”
But if I stopped reviewing R-rated films, I would only be doing so in order to please you. So I can’t win here, I guess.
Good luck in your new-found career as a self-righteous person.
Sincerely,
Eric D. Snider
If I receive a reply, I will post it here, of course.
