tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14216540.post112921795973759719..comments2023-11-02T05:05:20.811-07:00Comments on Your Humble Viewer: Good Luck, Last NightPaul J. Marasahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08367608635996012511noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14216540.post-1155535330411703802006-08-13T23:02:00.000-07:002006-08-13T23:02:00.000-07:00Wow, nearly three months with no retort. Criticism...Wow, nearly three months with no retort. Criticism never particularly bothered me, though receiving it from men who were all too eager to dispense it and then dive under the sand certainly did.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08310290563393412068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14216540.post-1148925332000677032006-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:002006-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:00Hello,I'm the would-be reviewer that you responded...Hello,<BR/><BR/>I'm the would-be reviewer that you responded to on Roger Ebert's website. I noticed your response today, and felt compelled to discuss it with you, if you're interested. <BR/><BR/>My original letter to Ebert was a bit longer, though I can see why he cut it. I am not a stalwart defender of Joe McCarthy by any means; I would agree that he behaved like a thug, and his contribution to our history is certainly unfortunate. However, I am not fond of how many in the contemporary American left speak of the McCarthy-era as if it were on par with the Holocaust, and that every history professor I've had thinks it is necessary to devote hours of class time to him.<BR/><BR/>You'll note that in my original letter I use the word "smugly" before "left-wing". This is important, because it is key that my primary issue with the film was its tone, not necessairly its politics. Throughout the film, I felt like I was being directly lectured by George Clooney, smothered by his smarmy insistence that McCarthy was the most dangerous human being to ever live and that the almighty journalist is the only person with the bravery to do what is right. Whether or not it was made for my politics, I just could not stand it.<BR/><BR/>A few of my friends have suggested that I hated the film merely because I'm not liberal. Perhaps this is true, I replied, but then I could say that any liberal who enjoys the film only enjoys it because it caters to their interpretation of the world. When I began seriously considering a career in film criticism, I knew my politics could present a hurdle, though since your response to my letter is the first time I've ever seriously had to confront the issue.<BR/><BR/>If it helps your response, or lack thereof, I'll describe what I meant when I identified myself as a "somewhat politically conservative man". I would be considered liberal when it comes to abortion, middle of the road with education, environmental, and gay issues, and conservative with health care, taxes, and gun rights. I've been struggling to come up with a concrete political label for myself, with no success.<BR/><BR/>Hope to hear from you soon.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/><BR/>James Frazier<BR/><BR/><BR/>PS - I like your review style. You seem to have been doing it a long time, and have a way with words. Hopefully, I can catch up someday. If you're interested in my viewing my work (for reference, of course):<BR/><BR/>http://blogcritics.org/writer.php?name=James%20Frazier<BR/><BR/>provides a quicker look than my own blog.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08310290563393412068noreply@blogger.com