Oscars still push politics
It was a pleasant change to see some Broadway musical style entertainment courtesy of Oscar host, Hugh Jackman, along with the overall upbeat improvements in the event, including the nominations of supporting and best actors/actresses by 5 previous winners. "Slumdog millionaire" was certainly deserving of Best Picture for 2008, with a great story.
However, it was abundantly clear that Hollywood's social and political agenda is as alive and judgmental as ever. Best Actor winner, Sean Penn certainly didn't disappoint his critics with his condescending attitude and scolding of Proposition 8 supporters. Nor did "Milk's" original screenplay winner, Dustin Black's comments, though it's questionable how a true story can be original.
Nevertheless, the liberal agenda was pushed forward with anti-Catholic, "Doubt," environmentalist, "WALL-E," beating dead conservatives, "Frost/Nixon," and the Boomer wish film, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Regardless of what the overall audience may want, the Academy Awards honors itself for political activism at the expense of great movies and entertainment. Indeed, awarding Best Actor to Sean Penn instead of Mickey Rourke for "Wrestler" was not only wrongheaded and selfish, it was shameful and cruel. Alas, the art of filmmaking, imagination, meaningful original stories, and sincere acting are simply fading away, replaced by superficial preach-movies, re-makes and junk films. It's sad...
Dan Jeffs
Apple Valley
Press Enterprise
February 26, 2009
Response letter to: Oscars still push politics
Penn: breathtaking
I would like to respond to Dan Jeffs' letter in which he suggests that giving the best-actor Oscar to Sean Penn was "wrongheaded and selfish ... shameful and cruel" ("Oscars still push politics," Your Views, Feb. 24).
I can only surmise that he didn't see Penn disappear into his role in a breathtaking performance and didn't really listen to Penn's call for civil rights for all in his acceptance speech at the awards show.
Or maybe some people are just too blinded by hatred to see or feel much of anything.
ROWENA SILVER
Riverside
Re: Rowena Silver's letter "Penn: Breathtaking" Feb 26.
Response by Dan Jeffs Feb 26.
Contrary to Rowena Silver's assertion, those blinded by hate are those she defends. There is no question that Sean Penn is a great actor or that his performance in "Milk" demonstrated his talent. However, injecting his personal political agenda into his acceptance of the Best Actor Oscar is questionable, as are his anti-American activities and praise of dictators in Cuba and Venezuela, who are worse than intolerant of homosexuals. Indeed, Penn's call for civil rights for same-sex marriage is not what the anti-Proposition 8 movement is all about. It is about more than equal rights. It is about unreasonable special rights over and above equal rights, shamming those opposed, which is wrong for any group or issue.
Dan Jeffs
Apple Valley
Another response letter to: Oscars still push politics
Press Enterprise
February 28, 2009
Penn shows hypocrisy
After watching the Academy Awards ceremony, I had no problem with the best-actor award going to Sean Penn for the movie "Milk" ("Oscars still push politics," Your Views, Feb. 24).
He is an accomplished actor and deserved credit for his performance as Harvey Milk, the openly gay San Francisco supervisor who was slain by another member of the board.
What I did object to was Penn's hypocritical call for civil rights for homosexuals, given that he seems to have befriended Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba's Raul and Fidel Castro.
How can a person who truly wants civil rights -- for gays and anyone else -- admire these thugs?
JEFF SEITZ
Corona
The Press-Enterprise
March 12, 2009
Riverside, CA
Cut out liberal drone
Regarding Rowena Silver's letter, let me say that I'm sick and tired of being told that I'm a hater because I support a tradition that, I feel, is vital to our culture and was created specifically to help further the species ("Penn: breathtaking," Your Views, Feb. 26).
I'm not overly religious, and I have no big animosity toward gays (at least I didn't before all this militancy and belligerence). But I would like to know why gays are the light and I am the dark.
I couldn't care less if they want to live together and share in the benefits of co-habitation. I just care that they want to call it "marriage."
Sean Penn, who won the best-actor Oscar for "Milk," should just accept the accolades and keep quiet about gay rights.
I'd also like to know why Sean Penn and others feel so justified in pulling politics into all they do, insulting those of us who enjoy their work (or used to) but share a different opinion. Does he not realize that people from all walks of life go to the movies, not just liberals?
This guy makes millions of dollars off of folks who are just looking for a little escape. Why can't he just graciously accept acknowledgement for his fine work? He plays a gay man and now he's an expert on humanity?
I can only imagine how I would be perceived if in getting an "employee of the month" award, my speech to my employers, co-workers and customers included how I feel about Prop 8.
RICK SIMPSON
Murrieta, CA
The Press-Enterprise
March 16, 2009
Milk cashes in
I want to thank Rick Simpson for his letter ("Cut out liberal drone,: Your views, March 12).
This movie, "Milk," is cashing in on the issue of gay marriage.
I agree with Simpson. I don't care what gay people do. I just wish they would keep it to themselves. We all know what a real marriage is, and it isn't two boys or two girls. But Sean Penn has a movie to sell.
FREDDY D. CEDENO SR.
Moreno Valley