Phantom’s impact

Regarding the cold and bitter review of Joel Schumacher’s gorgeous film version of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Phantom of the Opera” [“ ‘Phantom’ All Too Real an Excess,” Dec. 22], why would Carina Chocano, obviously not a fan of the musical, the artistic or the sublime, choose to be so blatantly hostile to one man’s attempt at originality in reference to a piece we have all been exposed to way too much?

Perhaps she should have skipped the movie and waited for her beloved Vegas experience, where she would clearly be more comfortable.

James Palmer

Laguna Beach

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I must write in praise of Carina Chocano’s brilliant and powerful writing of the “Phantom” review. It is mindful of great drama critiques later published as artworks in their own right. I hope her incisive analysis and heightened language style become staples of the guidance The Times tries to provide its readers.

John R. Shiban

Westlake Village