Letters to Calendar: Saiorse Ronan in ‘Brooklyn’? It’s a good thing

Nonactors are vital to films and TV shows too

After reading this week’s issue of the highly respectable and praiseworthy Sunday Calendar section with its two nice pieces about actors [“Leaping to the big time,” “A haunting mom role,” Nov. 22], I kindly want to remind you that movie and TV making calls also for the contributions of artists other than actors, namely directors, writers and producers. Please do the count, and try and work a bit on a better balance.

Dr. Michael Esser

Los Angeles

Tuning out awards ‘experts’

Re The Gold Standard: Although it’s great to see a journalist employed these days, these awards prognostications are really not very valuable and, in fact, can be downright insulting to voters who can make up their own minds based on their own criteria without guesswork from “experts.” Been in the business for 50-plus years and been voting since 1981. I routinely tune these out because I get all the publications, view all my screeners and keep up with everything daily (festivals, screenings, news, etc).

Eddie Kalish

Ramona

A sad version of an old defense

In his letter on the Bill Cosby-Smithsonian controversy [Feedback, Nov. 22], Adam Shultis repudiates the testimony of multiple Cosby victims by playing the race card. A new, sad variation on an old story: Usually rape victims are dismissed with “You asked for it” or “It’s your word against his.”

Do black lives matter? Unquestionably, and half of those lives belong to women. Men who value and respect women come in all colors. Mr. Shultis should find better heroes to champion.

Bonnie Sloane

Los Angeles

In love with ‘Brooklyn’

Kenneth Turan nailed it. “Brooklyn” [“Next Stop ‘Brooklyn,’” Nov. 4] is beautifully written, directed, acted and shot. Kind of like somebody with a wonderful touch on the piano. And the modest beach outfit scenes with Saiorse [Ronan] are sexy. Who wouldn’t be in love?

Ken Hense

El Segundo