Philip Gordon’s apologetics on “Scrubbed to Death” [Nov. 4, City Weekly] are just as irritating as those who inflict “political correctness” on free speech. Talk about repression.
If I decide to purchase a ticket to a movie or buy a book, I decide what parts I enjoy. It is not in the prerogative of the author, director or producer of the end product. If I want to dog-ear a page, write notes in the margins or highlight a passage, it is my prerogative. Were I the owner of the “Mona Lisa” and wanted to paint a moustache on her lips or glasses on her face, that would be my choice, not the painter, seller, agent or critic. They may gnash their teeth in the background, they may cajole, they may cry foul—but they can’t legally control what I do with the painting. It belongs to me and is my property.
If I gasp or walk out of an objectionable movie because of content, it is my choice. Including lengthy, explicit scenes only adds to an already-too-long movie. When actors in the movie go through a door to a bedroom, I know what follows. I don’t need lessons in coitus or homosexual activity, and 10 or more minutes could be cut from what is probably a pretty poor story to start with.
The absolute arrogance of the author, writer, director, producer or critic that he/she should have influence on how I wish to use a purchase is appalling. Everything said about those who choose to modify a movie applies equally as well to those choosing to take umbrage to the modification.
There is also hypocrisy at work. If some “shopped for” court finds CleanFlicks in violation of the law of convenience, that same rule of law should apply to those pseudo CleanFlicks that prepare movies for airlines. Furthermore, if an agency prepares movies without objectionable materials for the airlines, why can’t I buy that same end product?
J.W. Scott
West Jordan