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Letter to the editor PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 13, 1990 -- 35 Some movie critics ignorant of subject To the Editor: Nothing annoys or frustrates me quite as much as blind ig- norance. 'As a director in the theatre, I often run up against people, (usually actors and ac- tresses) who, on the strength of one or two plays suddenly know all about the art and business of theatre. It sickens me, because theatre and the arts is general, are one area where one never ceases to learn. These pedple have no formal education in the theatre, have never worked pro- fessionally, and care very little for the theatre. Their prime focus is, of course, on themselves. Critics of film and theatre often carry these same traits. One, a dreadful critic comes to mind, Liz Braun of the Toronto Sun. Now before I begin, let me say that I do have an education in both film and theatre, I have worked professionally, and I lecture and teach whenever so invited. Thus, that made clear, I do indeed know my subject. On the average, I read about ten different film critics per week, with four I follow regularly. Pauline Kael of the New Yorker, Jay Scott of the Globe and Mail, Richard Schikel of Time, and David Ansen of Newsweek. Together they make up the finest foursome of film critics current- ly writing. They love film, as do I, and appreciate the fact that film is perhaps the most exciting art form of this decade. Ever changing, ever growing, films reflect both the society welive in, and we who populate it. Therefore when a writer such as Liz Braun starts attacking a film and film-maker for her own entertainment, I get very angry. Her recent attack on Oliver Stone and his new film "Born on the Fourth of July" are clear demonstrations of everything that is wrong in film criticism. Braun demonstrates an ignorance for her subject that is astounding, and an insensitivity towards war veterans that is disturbing. In 1986 director-writer Oliver Stone's powerful film "Platoon" won Academy Awards for best picture and best director. Stone became an important director nearly overnight, and Viet Nam became box-office. A veteran of the Viet Nam war, Stone wrote about his own experiences in Viet Nam, giving 'Platoon' a gritty realism lacking in previous films dealing with the subject. Over the next three years he directed and wrote 'Wall Street" which won Michael Douglas an Oscar for best actor as a ruthless stock trader, and "Talk Radio" a rather nasty film based on the murder of a Texas talk show host. This year, Stone teamed with another former Viet Nam vet and brought to life '"'Born on the Fourth of July," the life of war ac- tivist Ron Kovic. In the sixties, Kovic was a gung ho young American who went to Viet Nam to fight for America, returning paralyzed from the chest down. Over the course of his rehabilata- tion, Kovic became both angry and disillusioned by the war, eventually becoming one of the great speakers against the war in Viet Nam. Brilliantly portrayed by Tom Cruise, the Kovic on screen is a deeply bitter young man, who cannot quite unders- tand what has happened, not on- ly to him, but to America. This is an important film, because it is true, and because the truth becomes art. Film critic Liz Braun named "Born on the Fourth of July," "Causualties of War" and "In Country," all films about Viet Nam, as her worst of 1989. Why? She decided we are all tired of Viet Nam, and she did not take Bruce Willis seriously in "In Country." Nazi hunter Simon Weisenthal once claimed that he kept up his search for Nazis because he felt if we ever forgot what happened, it could happen again. That statement could very well apply to any war, from World War I and II, Korea, or Viet Nam. War films are not always the most pleasant to watch, but they are, or should be a learning ex- perience. As well as entertain- ment value, film can be enor- mously educational. This, among other things is what Braun fails to understand. The great war films, including "Birth of a Nation (1915)," "All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)," "The Great Dictator (1940)," "From Here to Eternity (1953), 'The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)," 'Paths of Glory (1957), "Apocalypse Now (1979)" and 'Full Metal Jacket (1987) stand alongside of "Pla- toon (1986) and "Born on the Fourth of July (1989)"' as great war films because they are ANTI- war films. Did Braun not study film history or theory? Did she not see these films? These films succeed because they show the horrors of war, the agonies war brings to all consumed by it. The cinema may be the greatest place to learn. Certain- Toxic taxi to hit Uxbridge The Regional Municipality of Durham in cooperation with the Township of Uxbridge, is in- troducing a Toxic Taxi service to collect Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from the doorsteps of residents in the Uxbridge urban area. HHW is the only type of hazardous waste which is not regulated, allowing it to damage air, land and water. This is an opportunity to help us keep HHW out of landfills and Water Pollution Control Plants. Help Durham protect the environ- ment through safe disposal methods. Residents of Uxbridge will receive an Introductory Brochure and a Household Hazardous Waste Wheel in February. They will be asked to identify potential HHW in their home and phone the Township of Uxbridge Municipal offices to arrange for a pick-up date. Pick-ups will begin in May 1990, allowing homeowners time to identify and accumulate their HHW. Service will be on Wednes- day evenings and Saturdays. This schedule is in keeping with the overall program design, which is to provide a convenient method for residents to safely dispose of HHW. So don't rely on the garbage truck to take your HHW away. Call the Toxic Taxi instead. "he Toxic Taxi will deliver you HHW safely. ly in terms of learning about war, the movies have been an in- valuable aid to teach. We first saw the atrocities on the Nazis by newsreel footage, and the early newsreels of the Viet Cong brought to vivid reality the horror of Viet Nam. Liz Braun fails to recognize this. Her other annoying habit of tak- ing potshots at actors and direc- tors is rather sad. Recently she made a claim that Oliver Stone's new film about the life of Jim Morrison and his involvement with The Doors will go overdue because Stone will have to find some way to work Viet Nam into the story is a stupid thing to say. Secondly knocking Bruce Willis for his performance in Norman Jewison's sad 'In Country" demonstrates her lack on knowledge for acting, it is a fine performance. Oliver Stone's 'Born on the Fourth of July" is a powerful film that should earn Tom Cruise and Oliver Stone Academy Awards in March. The film spans twenty years in the life of Kovic, with just twenty five minutes spent on story time in Viet Nam. The bulk of the film deals with Kovic's gradual realization that the war is wrong and he can help by speaking out against it. It is a deeply moving film, with Cruise as Kovic realizing he will never have sex, he will never run or play the sports he so loved. For Tom Cruise, so good in "Rain Man" last year, this is a triumph. For director Stone and co-writer Ron Kovic, the film is a cleansing of old wounds. I defy anyone not to be moved as Cruise weeps to his father "Who's going to love me," a masterful performance. The other film Braun has been rather tough on is Brian de Palma's overwhelming "Casualties of War," featuring powerful performances from Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox. Based on a true incident, Fox por- trays a guilt ridden young man who interfered with the gang rape of a Viet Cong woman. The rapists were his friends and sargeant, portrayed brilliantly by Sean Penn. The film explores one of the great unexplored atrocities of the war, Americans fighting Americans. Braun condemned the film more for the presence of Sean Penn than any one reason, mentioning again we have seen Quit-smoking quick tips ¥ Buy only one package of HEART cigarettes at a AD Sea time and change OF ONTARIO brands each Improving your time. odds against wait an hour Canada's after you run out #1 killer before buying more cigarettes. Your local Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario chapter has details on quitting. IF YOUR AD WAS HERE Over 20,000 people could have read It this week. That's a lot of potential customers for your business. For Advertising Made Easy call the PORT PERRY STAR 985-7383 enough of Nam. Braun owes it to her employers to read film critics Pauline Kael or Jay Scott. Then she should walk into a theatre with an open mind rather than shut like a steel trap. If not she is doomed to be for ever a hack. Ironically, 'Born on the Fourth of July" is making millions and is a front runner for the Oscar. Go see the film, it is powerful and a masterful movie. Not to be missed. John H. Foote Port Perry GST, other issues topic at farm meeting An educational day to provide information and discussion regar- ding a number of farm issues is planned. Included in the program are topics such as the GST, Land Use in Durham Region and Ef- fects of Trade Negotiations of the Future of your Farm. Cecil Bradley, Research Direc- tor with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture will discuss the im- plementation of the proposed Goods & Services Tax and how farmers will apply for refunds. The issue of proposed changes to the Durham Region Official plan will be explained by Regional Chairman, Gary Herrema and Regional Staff. Growth in rural areas around towns and within hamlets will affect neighbouring farms. In addition, there are pro- posed changes to severances on farms. In the afternoon, Dr. George Brinkman, Extension Co- ordinator, Department of Agricultural Economics, Univer- sity of Guelph will provide an up- date to the negotiations of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade. Also he will discuss trends in agricultural production, government policy options and ef- fects of the Canada-United States Trade Agreement. Registration cost is $15.00. Register by calling or visiting either the Bowmanville or Ux- bridge offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food by March 2, 1990. MILK PRODUCERS 1990 EXECUTIVE Durham County Milk Pro- ducers have elected a new ex- ecutive for 1990. Chairman of the 10 member board is William Tamblyn, Orono; Vice-Chairman is Jill Staples, Cavan. The Secretary-Treasurer is Brian De- Jong of Nestleton. Other members of the Milk Committee include, Lloyd Kellogg and Jack Lancaster, Hope Township; Neil Allin, Clarke Township; Gordon Barrie and Jim Millson, Darl- ington Township; and David Larmer and Donovan Smith from Cartwright Township. The Milk Committee represents approx- imately 100 producers in the Durham East area. Big Brothers/ Sisters of North Durham 285-3733 A Annual General Meeting COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LIBRARY ROOM Tuesday, February 20th - 7:30 PM Invitation is extended to all those interested. on the Shirley Road 985-9713 SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 am - 3 pm Eggs Benedict ... $5.95 Steak & Eggs ... $6.95 Blueberry Pancakes ... $3.95 and much, much more Emmanuel Pentecostal Church EPC P.O. Box 634, Durham Regional Road #8 al Simcoe Street Port Perry, Ontario LOB 1NO TIME: GIRLS ... Need a morning break? Join us for a great aerobic workout, light refreshments and a helpful study ... "SAY IT WITH LOVE!" WHEN: Tuesday, February 20th and every Tuesday thereafter. WHERE: Emmanuel Pentecostal Church 9:15to 11:15 AM iNo charge involved - Babysitting services provided (ages 0 to 5) For information call 985-4441