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[May 2nd, 2007] LESS SIMON, MORE PAULA

As an actor and artist in this city, I have been outraged by the reviews of Aaron Mesh for Punk Love [WW, April 11] and Stephen Marc Beaudoin for Grease [March 7]. These were personal attacks, not constructive and insightful critiques. These reviewers did their best "Simon Cowell" and basically put down the artists involved. Is this paper trying to drive all artists out of Portland? This is not American Idol, and this "Cruel Criticism for Entertainment" needs to STOP! The contestants on American Idol know what they're in for. It is a show for entertainment and that kind of criticism is part of it. But in the real world, artists are putting themselves and their art out there for honest criticism.

Take Punk Love, for example. If Mr. Mesh had done any research at all, he would have seen that is was a darn good second try by a young local filmmaker. It was shot with one DV camera, and Nick Lyon did all of the editing and post work by himself on his computer. He admits the story is weak, and would not do it again. But there was a lot great with the film, especially with the budget constraints. Visuals were artistic, gritty. The acting was gutsy and strong, and the editing made this film far above other local low-budget films.

When Mr. Beaudoin said Corey Brunish had "zero sex appeal" as Danny, what kind of critique is that? How can an artist learn from that? The mean-spirited criticisms may be humorous, along with the new violence in commercials à la "Trunk Monkey," but they should not be used in this way. It's irresponsible, and also "sophomoric," to use Mr. Mesh's word. My question to all of you, is there no responsible, experienced editorial staff at this paper?

Sherilyn Lawson

Via wweek.com

HABITAT FOR INANITY

WW's recent section on home-buying [Habitat, April 11, 2007] opens with the assertion that prospective buyers shouldn't worry about the market but should just "take action" and jump in, even if they can't even muster much of a down payment, because the general trend in prices is an "overwhelming" up. Perhaps since you are urging your readers to bank their financial future on this, you could also have mentioned that even though the job market is raging, interest rates are rock-bottom, and pretty much anyone with a pulse has been able to get a mortgage, the median price for a U.S. home actually declined over the past year, which is unprecedented in recent history.

Given that lending standards are now being tightened thanks to a rash of irresponsible loans that are producing defaults and foreclosures, and that inventories of unsold homes are steadily increasing, why would we expect that housing prices are nothing but an "elevator" that keeps rising? Could it be that WW is unduly influenced by the mortgage brokers and Realtors whose advertising graces the space throughout your home-buying guide? Nah, that would be downright roguish.

David Graves

Southeast 13th Avenue