I feel bad about my dreck
I'm afraid I strongly disagree with my old friend and onetime colleague John Thomason on his review of Julie & Julia `"Overcooked," Aug. 6`. But this isn't because the film was particularly good. In fact, it's Thomason's overkill one-star rating that puts me in the unenviable position of having to defend Nora Ephron. Shudder.
He is right to criticize the "offensive" musical choices ("Psycho Killer" while boiling live lobsters?), but most of the film will delight its target audience. My guess is that many of the critics who ladled out praise for Julie & Julia did so less as an expression of their taste than as an affirmation to those already contemplating shelling out the $10. Giving it one star is like panning a children's film for being juvenile.
Mr. Thomason, your stars are your credibility. Think about it: You've just told readers that a mostly enjoyable two hours with Meryl Streep is on par with Battlefield Earth. This is a four-star stuffing stitched into a two-star boned duck. If you want to be contrarian, just give it three stars and call it even.
Dave Plotkin, via the Internet
Chill out, Strout
Why is it that reviewers automatically knock down a film based on the fact that it has an action sequence `"Territorial pissings," Aug. 13`? An action sequence can be unique, well done and believable in context, all of which `District 9` was. It made sense given the plight of the acharacter, which was central to the commentary that the film was making on apartheid. Besides that, as intriguing as the first part of the movie was, I believe that it would have lost intensity and become boring if that sort of pace was maintained. I felt that the shifts in focus that the movie made throughout its course were both well-executed and necessary.
Anonymous, via orlandoweekly.com
Lighten up, Kara
The reason for this e-mail is that we don't agree with `Faiyaz Kara's` opinion of Zenzi `"SoDon't, Aug. 13`. It seems he reviewed the restaurant by comparing it to the last owner who tried to run a fine dining establishment. Zenzi is not a fine dining restaurant, never tried to be. Your reviewer missed the point of a family friendly local place with a nice atmosphere. Because it has a nice, relaxing and upscale decor does not mean fine dining. It also seems your reviewer was having a bad day and he/she took it out on this great restaurant. The owner of Zenzi is highly upset and contemplating closing his doors. Is this what you were trying to accomplish because he does not advertise with your paper? You may have put 25 people out of a job — hope you sleep well.
We eat at Zenzi two times a week along with a group of friends and enjoy it every time. There is no other restaurant in this area of town with good food and a full bar. Maybe your reviewer could lighten up and try to help keep this restaurant open. Does Orlando really need another closed restaurant?
Dominic Molesse, via the Internet
Whole Foods anti-union? Good.
It's not surprising that `Whole Foods CEO` John Mackey is "anti-union" `"Whole foo," Salivation Army, Aug. 13`. Whole Foods is very pro-worker, and is consistently ranked as one of he top places to work … all without unions. Even Jill Richardson at Daily Kos admitted that employees are treated fairly despite lack of a union. After calling John Mackey a "nut" because he is a libertarian, she goes on to underhandedly praise Whole Foods and say she won't boycott the place. Other articles have frankly admitted that Whole Foods employees are in a "good spot" with respect to health care and other benefits. Perhaps that is why the Kossacks and Democratic Party liners are so angry at Mackey. He dared speak his mind, and his business model backs him up.
Lamar, via orlandoweekly.com
Thrift or resale?
I used to frequent the South Orange Avenue `Community Thrift Store` location when I had a different work schedule that allowed me to shop during the day during the week, as I think they close at 6 p.m. or something like that `"A different kind of thrift store," Aug. 13`.
While I've gotten a few things there that were very cheap, the prices are generally a lot higher than most other thrift stores I go to — Thriftko, Goodwill, Destiny. The prices are closer to resale shop than thrift store.
Anonymous, via orlandoweekly.com
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