In a Word: Douglas

After reading Richard Natale’s article “Audiences Return to Movies” (Oct. 1), I feel compelled to voice my opinion regarding his comment that, at the Michael Douglas movie “Don’t Say a Word,” “surprisingly, attendance was driven by females and the film pulled in a younger-than-expected crowd (25% of the audience was younger women).”

We are talking about a movie with Michael Douglas in it. At age 57, he is one of the most talented, good-looking and sexy men in Hollywood. I am 42 years old, so I might not be considered one of those “younger women” in the audience, but my daughter, who attends UC Santa Barbara, and all of her friends who also went to see “Don’t Say a Word” last weekend would definitely be considered part of the younger women crowd.

Michael Douglas has a way of being able to appeal to all age groups. Regardless of the “harder-edged material” in the movie, it is no wonder or “surprise” that attendance at a movie starring Michael Douglas is driven by us females!

STACEY KURTH

Morro Bay

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“Don’t Say a Word” is another pretty decent movie almost ruined by the director and cinematographer. I am so tired of these movies with scenes photographed through a blue filter and with jerky, hand-held cameras, in low, hard-to-see light that I am almost ready to give up contributing my biweekly movie ticket money and just stay home with a good book.

I wish the current generation of directors, including some of the Academy Award winners, would realize what is important about movie making and let themselves take second place to the importance of putting a good story that an audience can enjoy on the screen. Movies are not about them, any more than a good novel is about the author.

DON M. HOWARD

Oak Hills