Reiner’s roles

I was interested to read that Rob Reiner’s film company, Castle Rock, was involved in the production of the film “Kangaroo Jack,” thought to be at least a PG-13 by columnist Patrick Goldstein but classified as a PG by those who rate films (“How ‘Jack’ Hopped Away With a PG Rating,” Jan. 28). Many parents, concerned about what their children might be exposed to, have complained about the rating.

Reiner did not respond to Goldstein’s interview requests, leaving it to an associate to convey that he had “nothing to do with the making of the film.” This reminds one of a tobacco company CEO saying he had nothing to do with the high nicotine content of his product.

What really makes me question his sincerity is that in the same day’s California section, Reiner, again in the limelight, is quoted as saying that, “Is it important to us to have rich people get a tax cut ... or is it important for every child to have health insurance?”

First of all, it is difficult to understand what one has to do with the other, but the real issue here is, how does a man whose company knowingly exposes our children to sex, profanity and violence under the guise of a PG rating gain the title of “children’s advocate”?

Perhaps he should clean house at home before making these public announcements about his so-called concern for other childhood causes.

Doug Allen

Rancho Palos Verdes

*

ENOUGH already with this ridiculous, holier-than-thou “Kangaroo Jack”-as-cinematic-spawn-of-Satan vitriol! The “who cares?” factor is through the roof on this one.

Goldstein sounded like Joe Lieberman for the Teletubbies set. Honestly now: Are a few flatulence jokes and lewd gags going to inspire some kid to grow up to be the Columbine killers? So the kangaroo only talked in one scene! How monumentally tragic. What execrable false advertising. Someone call Ralph Nader.

The country’s on the brink of war, the economy’s in the toilet -- and parents are griping about the lack of talking kangaroos?

Even worse news for parents: There are no kangaroos in “The Matrix” sequel. Just guns and explosions. Your kids will want to see it 19 times.

Phil Rosenberg

Los Angeles