An open letter to James Berardinelli

While sipping the last of my boxed chardonnay, I checked out James Berardinelli's movie review site, looking for commentary on the Golden Globes show. Berardinelli has been writing movie reviews on the internet since the early 1990s, jumping from Usenet to his own web site in 1996. His reviews are well-written, but my favorite moments are when something, whether a movie or anything else, gets under his skin, and he morphs from "movie reviewer" mode to "salty curmudgeon." (I still read his review of "Freddie Got Fingered" for a good laugh.) So when he described the Oscars in his 17 January edition of Reelthoughts as a "great big circle jerk," I had to respond. I can only hope he isn't offended.

Text of my e-mail is below.

Mr. Berardinelli, in my nearly fifteen years of reading your movie reviews and commentary, I have never, ever read the words "circle jerk" to describe the Oscars - or anything else. Come to think of it, I don't recall any major (or minor) movie reviewer using the term "circle jerk" at all. You have broken a barrier, sir; that such a description of the Oscars (and the Golden Globes, for that matter) was dead-on accurate only enhanced the moment for me. Simply put, I was deeply moved. I felt a part of history.

I request, however, you do not rest on your laurels. Eddie Murphy's new movie, "Norbit," will be out in theaters soon, and this abomination of a feature film, in my opinion, could use similar language to describe it, given my unfortunate experience of watching the trailer. Obviously, "circle jerk" would no longer be original for use in movie commentary, but such terms as "hot Karl" and "filthy Sanchez" is most likely virgin territory, so to speak.

At any rate, I do thank you for the opportunity to read your insightful reviews and commentary, and wish for you to continue.

Regards,

Rich.