‘ALIENS’ ACADEMICS

Kelley L. Ross thinks that “Aliens” speaks to serious contemporary issues and the circumstances of modern lives,” that the movie “has a timeless psychological dimension” (whatever that is), and that its theme is “profound” (Calendar Letters, Aug. 31).

This is the kind of intellectual and aesthetic profanation that occurs when mere intelligence outdistances taste, cultivation and a sense of proportion. In fact, “Aliens” is sterile, formulaic, commercialized schlock, ideological exegeses to the contrary notwithstanding, and succeeds in pandering to gullible ignoramuses as well as the spiritually impoverished intelligentsia.

I’m not sure what’s worse: the movie itself and what it represents, or the imbecile mystagogues it attracts.

GARY GROTH

Agoura