Mail from our readers
Gunned Down
Your cover story on Guns N' Roses (78) was dismally
disappointing. I am dismayed that an article on such a high-powered
rock band was so dull, dull, dull. Where's the electricity, the
bad-boy excitement that follows these guys wherever they go? The
article sounded more like a Jerry Falwell morality lesson than a
story on a rock & roll band.
JoAnn Sciro
Astoria, N.Y.
You make it sound like Guns N' Roses concerts are full of riots,
drugs, and fights. I was at their July 29 concert at the Los Angeles
Forum, and get this, not one riot. There were drugs, but those are
everywhere and at any concert. I only saw one small fight that was
broken up by security very fast. I also found the fans to be nice and
not the way you described them. Next time, before mocking the No. 1
band, attend a concert.
Jason Fisher
Ventura, Calif.
What a disgrace to your usually great magazine! The issue with
Guns N' Roses on the cover is in real bad taste. They are the worst
band I've ever heard. Guns N' Roses give rock & roll a bad name.
Mark Sutterfield
Sierra Vista, Ariz.
I can't believe that the reviews for Guns N' Roses are positive.
They are a mediocre band, and Axl's voice grates like metal on a
blackboard.
Betsy Walker
Coralville, Iowa
Defense Never Rests
It would obviously be out of character for me not to respond to
your article about how I always respond to articles. Please explain
how it is inconsistent with my First Amendment philosophy for me to
respond to my critics. The essence of the First Amendment is the
marketplace of ideas, and every marketplace requires competition
among ideas. The media have no monopoly on criticism. I believe that
more authors should respond to their critics. It helps keep the media
honest to know that their attacks will not go unanswered.
Alan M. Dershowitz
Cambridge, Mass.
Videopower
In response to your article ''On Video Only,'' perhaps writer Frank
Lovece should become more familiar with how profitable
direct-to-video product can be for a studio or filmmaker, regardless
of the quality of production. the implication that direct-to-video
product and the home video industry generally are somehow Hollywood's
stepchildren represents a tremendous lack of awareness on the part of
the author.
After all, revenues from videocassette rentals have exceeded box
office , revenue since 1987. When will Hollywood journalists and
critics come to recognize the home video industry as an integral part
of the entertainment business?
Dwayne F. Carter
Denver
Action Heroines
Congratulations on breaking the best-kept secret in Hollywood with
your profile of Cynthia Rothrock (a.k.a. China O'Brien). Her work in
obscure films like Martial Law and hard-to-find Asian productions has
been putting Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, et al., to shame
for years. Thanks, Entertainment Weekly, for introducing her to the
mainstream of movie fans.
Colin Covert
Minneapolis
On behalf of Gloria's Gena Rowlands, Aliens' Sigourney Weaver, La
Femme Nikita's Anne Parillaud, and Thelma & Louise's Geena Davis and
Susan Sarandon (among others), I want to wish the best to Cynthia
Rothrock in her struggle to become ''the first female action star.''
Likewise, we will all root for her as she strives to be the first to
discover radium and the first female to run for the office of Vice
President of the United States.
Sybil Danning
Los Angeles
Ed. Note: Danning modestly declines to note that she herself has starred in such films as Warrior Queen and Howling II: My Sister Is a Werewolf.
Relishing Rickman
Thank you for Ann McFerran's literate and charming profile on the
wondrous Alan Rickman. As I suspected, Rickman is not only a gifted
actor but also intelligent, charming, and funny. As the king of the
scene stealers, may he reign forever!
Susan Gardiner
Eatontown, N.J.
It’s a Job
Who reviewed Mobsters for your magazine (and give it a D)? Give me
a break. The violence was graphic and looked so real I felt sorry for
the ones who got bumped off. I usually agree with your reviews, but
this one was wrong. The trouble with critics is that they don't know
how to enjoy themselves at a movie. I go to the movies for enjoyment
and thrills. They go because it's their job.
Carol Kelly
Roseville, Mich
