Oscars ’99

I know there is no PC code for portrayal of teenagers, which might be a good thing, but I took umbrage at Shawn Hubler’s generalizations in “What If Teens Rocked the Vote?” (March 21).

I am 16 years old and I certainly hope I don’t adhere to her stereotypes of shallow, ignorant idiots that lapse into improbable slang every other second. Our movie fare is not restricted to action schlock and pure drivel, and yes, we actually view movies made before the ‘90s besides the “Star Wars” trilogy. I often prefer foreign films and the classics, not for cocktail party pretensions (the adult realm) but for my own enjoyment (truly “the teen’s unique cinematic sensibility”).

Hubler probably has demographics behind her, but I may also point out that according to the Times Poll, a very small percentage of adults have seen any of the best picture nominees except for “Saving Private Ryan.”

MARISA KNOX

Venice

*

In my opinion, the best movie this year was “Life Is Beautiful.” Not because I think Roberto Benigni is a hottie, or the special effects were awesome, but because the script was superb and the entire execution of the film was breathtaking. One may be shocked, like Hubler, that a teenager actually considered a movie with subtitles to be better than “Cruel Intentions.” I saw the movie with a group of teenagers, and they all loved it.

I hope next time Hubler keeps in mind that teenagers could actually have some intelligence.

LESLIE DOGOLDOGOL

Chino Hills

*

In David Ehrenstein’s analysis of the honorary Oscar, academy historian Patrick Stockstill attributes Peter O’Toole as being “one of the few people left from what you’d call the Golden Age” (“The Catch-All Catches Flak,” March 21). While O’Toole is long deserving of an Oscar, the “Golden Age” he comes from is the 1960s-’70s, now considered the last Golden Age of moviemaking.

The true Golden Age traditionally dates from 1930-1949 and fortunately we still have with us two legendary non-Oscared actresses from that period whose careers span more than six decades, encompass nearly 150 films and are both previous Oscar nominees: Ann Sothern and Sylvia Sidney.

Instead of granting additional Oscars to previous winners like Elia Kazan, it would be far more generous and deserving to honor Miss Sothern and Miss Sidney, who unlike their unrewarded contemporaries Marlene Dietrich, William Powell, Mae West, Irene Dunne, Joel McCrea, Jean Arthur and Rosalind Russell, could eventually reach celluloid heaven with an honorary Academy Award in hand.

MIKE KAPLAN

Santa Monica

*

Ehrenstein quotes academy “historian” Stockstill as saying that “Peter O’Toole is still out there without an Oscar . . . eight nominations to date, and no wins.”

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the last time I looked O’Toole was nominated for best actor in “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Becket,” “The Lion in Winter,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “The Ruling CLass.” “The Stunt Man” and “My Favorite Year.” That’s seven times without a win, not eight.

STEVE BARR

Culver City

*

I was bemused by “Elizabeth” set decorator Peter Howitt’s reference to the Gothic era in architecture as being “long after our film” (“The Art Director,” by Lorenza Mun~oz, March 21).

It might come as a shock to him to realize that the Gothic period in English architectural style began in the early 13th century. “Their” film takes place in the middle of the 16th century.

CHARLES TOMLINSON

Los Angeles