In defense of ‘Baptists’

Last week (and this) Joe Weindl panned The Phanton of the Opera unmercifully. I wonder if he actually viewed the film. It was well done in all stages and, although I am certain not every viewer would have enjoyed it, this 73-year-old, my 30-something daughter, and 10-year-old grandson thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope the lack of bodies in the theatre was not due to reading Mr. Weindl’s terrible review.

Now, this week, he has outdone himself again in the critique department. He saw fit to bestow an “F” grade on Baptists at our Barbeque. If he was one-half the reporter that he seems to think he is, he would have done a little investigating into this film, and discovered why it is being shown at our local theatre.

If he had done a minimal amount of searching, he would have learned that this was the work of a local resident. Matt Smith, a local attorney, Cub Scout Leader, faithful Mormon, husband and father, is also the producer and writer of this work in collaboration with his brother and others. He might also have gotten what few facts he did have correct! The movie was released on Oct. 8, 2004, not the 4th. It played on 13 screens in Utah. Then it played on several screens throughout Utah during the Christmas holidays—not for one week as stated in your newspaper. It has thus far grossed over $160,000.

Possibly I am misinformed, but I have always been under the impression that in order to critique a movie, you would have to previously view the film and then report your honest, professional opinion. Obviously, this is not the case with Mr. Weindl. In his own words he admitted that he had not seen the movie when he states “But, hey, maybe it’s a good movie.’ Once again he missed the mark—it was a great movie. It was funny, tender, and realistic and gave a good insight into the beliefs of the Mormon. If he had seen the movie, he would have joined so many of Matt’s and Christina’s friends to enjoy the evening and support them in this venture. He would have heard the cheers and applause when the Smith family arrived in a limo, as well as throughout the entire viewing. We all had a grand evening at the theatre!

In my humble opinion, it would be better to have no critique at all.

If you are interested, I am not a Mormon, but it has certainly been my pleasure to meet and learn what delightful people you are blessed to have on Saipan.

Sylvia M. Haywood
A visitor from Florida

Editor’s Note: The “F” grade on the Baptists at our Barbeque was not Joe Weindl’s fault. A review of what happened showed that he submitted his review last Friday without a rating for the movie Baptists, leaving blank the area where the rating is supposed to go. A glitch in the computer program automatically adjusted for the blank space, pushing the ratings out of alignment, resulting in the “F” rating for Are We There Yet? landing on the Baptists’ slot. Our apologies. Weindl also has his comments on the matter on Page 20 of today’s edition.