Letter: ‘Stupid splatter-fests' of movies ruining culture

Suffering from a cold and flu and depressing news stories (school shootings, crushing national debt and the Sacramento Capitol three ring circus), I switched the TV channel to Turner Classic Movies. Already in progress was a 1948 movie with a surprising movie critic's 31⁄2-star rating out of four. I was so impressed with this movie ("Johnny Belinda") with its numerous moral lessons, including the consequences of spreading lies and rumors, that I conducted additional research through Wikipedia. "Johnny Belinda," based upon a real-life incident, received 12 Academy Award nominations that year with Jane Wyman winning the Oscar for best actress. Even more amazing, she won that award without saying a single word.

The following day, the Appeal-Democrat's Entertainment section included a critic's review of the recently released movie "Chainsaw 3D." The review stated that "these movies have devolved into simple, stupid splatter-fests," gave it only one star out of four and urged viewers to move on. Alas, it was advice ignored. Within days, scenes of provocatively clad young girls being chased by a chainsaw welding madman became the number one box office seller.

The movie critic's declining ratings is not the real issue here, it is America's movie productions and zombie-like attendance. We have gone from the thought-provoking tragedy of a young deaf-mute woman's rape ("Johnny Belinda," 1948) to senseless movies of torture, mass murder and total lack of responsibility. What has this done to the essence of our nation?

America, the falling star, we are in trouble!

Buck Weckman

Brownsville