Treasure 'Island'
The cover of issue #830 was like a cool drink on a hot summer day.
Thanks for a refreshing shot of Ewan McGregor in white, and the
excellent article about his new movie The Island (''Attack of the
Clones''). I have only one question: When can I order my Ewan clone?
CATHY NASTICK
cathy521@earthlink.net
Denver
Congratulations for unearthing Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson's
terribly awkward and unflattering junior-high homecoming-dance photo!
Was your photographer upset with the two of them scrapping their indie
cred for sci-fi trash?
NICK MASTERSON
nicholas_masterson@hotmail.com
Houston
After reading your article on how Michael Bay had to struggle to keep
The Island's budget from eclipsing a paltry $120 million, I have three
words for the ungrateful hack: boo f---ing hoo. It's a good thing he
wasn't so restricted when he made such past gems as Bad Boys II and
Pearl Harbor. There's a bevy of talented filmmakers, storytellers, and
actual artists in the world who would kill for a chance to bring their
particular visions to life — at a micro-fraction of the cost.
KEVIN PERRY
kperry27@hotmail.com
Los Angeles
Dear John
I applaud your article on John Irving (''John Irving Comes Clean''). For a
25-year fan of the author's, the release of a new book is like being
hungry and sitting down to a 10-course gourmet meal. Instinct commands
you to rush through it to experience every taste and pleasure, but
wisdom tells you to take your time, savor every morsel, reflect and
enjoy every bite and page as it will be years until you feast like this
again.
ROXANE R. FRITZ
Musiclawyer@aol.com
Sacramento
Oscar Odd?
So, let's see if I have this right: Jarhead's big liability is that a
movie about Desert Storm (the 1991 war) may be too ''divisive,'' but
Brokeback Mountain's portrayal of homosexual romance may be too ''tame''
to win an Oscar (''Prize Fighters,'' News & Notes)? It is nonsense like
this that shows the bias inherent in the entertainment industry. It is
nonsense like this that drives down box office receipts and makes us
peasants in flyover land know that you guys on the left coast are
utterly out of touch with reality.
TOM MALONE
Minnetonka, Minn.
Blue 'Moonlight'
I have always been quite satisfied with EW's reviews, although when I
read your take on Carly Simon's Moonlight Serenade, I was quite
disappointed (Music). It is one of her best ''classics'' albums. I believe
more people would like to buy a Carly Simon CD, good or bad, than a '90s
album full of boys who haven't hit puberty yet and MC Hammer songs that
could drive a person mad. Lastly, there was no mention that it comes
with a DVD full of extras. Honestly, what were you guys thinking?
LAUREN BARWICK
laurenbarwick@gmail.com
Andover, Mass.
'Dancing' Machine
Bravo to EW for being one of the only media outlets to point out what
many Dancing With the Stars fans have known since the finale: that John
O'Hurley was robbed of the victory (Television). I also think it was way
too suspicious that winner Kelly Monaco was the only celebrity starring
in a current ABC show. Perfect 10s for a final dance in which she
stumbled? Puh-leeze. Memo to ABC execs: Attempt some semblance of
fairness in the next round by prohibiting your current talent from
participating. As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you; fool me
twice, I'm flipping the channel.
LAURIE BROOKINS
lauriebrookins@aol.com
New York City
