Letters from our readers
Cash's Cachet
Thank you for your fabulous article on Walk the Line (''Cash Up Front'').
It made my day when I checked the mail and saw Joaquin Phoenix on the
cover! He is one of today's best and most vibrant actors, and his
performance in the film, as well as Reese Witherspoon's, should be hard
to beat at Oscar time. Bravo!
STEPHANIE FORREST
S.H.FORREST@tcu.edu
Tulsa
Matthew McConaughey may have recently been named the ''Sexiest Man
Alive,'' but the coveted spot on my refrigerator door belongs to your
shot of Joaquin Phoenix channeling Johnny Cash in the Nov. 25 issue. I
have long been waving the Phoenix banner, marveling at how easily he
breathes life into the characters he occupies, gushing over how genuine
he comes across in articles, and lusting after one of the most handsome
faces I've ever seen. I am hoping that Walk the Line finally gives this
incredible talent his due. I am a happily married woman, but should Mr.
Phoenix ever glance my way, I'll keep a good divorce attorney on speed
dial.
TIFFANY REHRIG-SCHAEFFER
scorpchick1024@yahoo.com
Emerald, Pa.
Good Sports
The article ''Jock Stars'' is the best compilation of sports
movies I have ever read. The depth of research that went into it is
obvious. I never thought of Gladiator as a sports movie, but, of course,
you are right. You left out one of my favorites, Fear Strikes Out, but
omissions are inevitable. I will keep this issue for permanent reference.
HARRY LICHTENBAUM
wethersfieldred@yahoo.com
Wethersfield, Conn.
Splendid ranking of the top 30 sports DVDs, with one glaring exception:
the omission of arguably the best baseball movie ever made, Bang the Drum Slowly. A gut-wrenching look inside baseball when it was a real
sport, this 1973 classic features powerhouse performances by a young
Robert De Niro and Michael Moriarty. Bang is to Bull Durham as On the Waterfront is to Weekend at Bernie's.
JAY GERMAN
Los Angeles
Better Off Dead is one of my all-time favorite teen comedies, but come
on — including it as No. 27 on your list of the top 30 sports movies?
Better Off Dead is a movie about an exchange student eating ''frawnch''
fries and ''throwing away a perfectly good white boy.'' Just because the
guy who played Booger in Revenge of the Nerds is giving ski tips does
not mean it's a sports movie. Why not make it 31 and add Grease to the
list — didn't John Travolta letter in track for Rydell High?
DAN MICHELSON
Glendale, Ariz.
Get With the Program
I always look forward to your cover. But this week
when I turned the pages to Tom Welling staring back at me not once, but
twice, I was breathless. It's no ''wonder'' why Smallville is such a huge
hit (''Small Wonders: TV Winners & Losers''). Welling is a hottie and can
fill Superman's boots without question. If you are taking requests now,
I would like to see him on the cover for the 100th episode. Thanks for
the drool session!
HOLLY WHEELER
butterkup_2002@yahoo.com
Virginia Beach, Va.
I had to chuckle when the WB Entertainment president David Janollari
said they had built themselves on a ''mantra of patience.'' Sorry, but
that's UPN now. Your rival will reap the rewards by sticking with
Veronica Mars, while you dropped your truly critically acclaimed program
Jack & Bobby after just one season.
ANDY BILLINGS
acbilng@clemson.edu
Central, S.C.
Cup o' Joel
Bravo on an excellent article featuring one of the greatest
singers of all time (''The Many Lives of Billy Joel''). Joel has been
distinguished as a music icon by generations of Americans, and I'm glad
that EW has finally recognized his talents and achievements.
ALICIA MORRELL
allsmilestr@yahoo.com
Kaysville, Utah
Sad 'Development'
When I heard the distressing news that Arrested Development might be
canceled, it was as if a family member had died (News & Notes). Granted,
a hair-plugged, hook-handed, boozed-up member of the family, but we'd
miss that person, too, wouldn't we? No other show on television has
consistently made me laugh during the past two years as this one has.
It's amazing to me that 4.3 million viewers is not considered to be a
substantial number of viewers by television networks. It's almost the
equivalent of everybody in Arizona tuning in and watching the show
together. If Arrested Development can't be saved, I'm personally
inviting my 4.3 million other Arrested friends to come over this summer
and we'll watch the DVDs together. If I reserve the clubhouse, we should
have enough room.
DAVID DUBRANSKY
ddubransky@smbsd.net
Santa Maria, Calif.
