This is a letter I sent to Roger Ebert and thought
you folks may want to look
at it, too. Do you agree with me, or am I nuts?
This is driving me SANE!!!
(Ironically, it's about previews that spoil the
films they're promoting, but
don't read this if you haven't seen Cast Away):
Roger -
You and Richard, in your year-end worst show,
touched on something my friends
and I have been talking about for a LONG time.
Previews absolutely ruin the
films they are suggesting we see.
You used What Lies Beneath as a good example. I'm a
BIG Harrison Ford fan,
and I read somewhere that the set to that film was
locked up tight so as not
to reveal secrets. Why? Did they want to give all
the important plot points
away themselves?!?! "Don't you ruin it for
everyone! That's OUR job!!"
Ditto Cast Away. A friend of mine told me to avoid
the preview. I did.
After I saw the film (and was not aware of Hanks'
post-island experiences or
of his friend Wilson), I was infuriated by the
preview I then saw. It
contains the film's last shot! Plus it sets up a
total lack of suspense as
to whether Chuck will get off the island! AUGH!
I'd love to see you and Richard address this on your
show.
My New Year's Resolution is to avoid them entirely.
It will take some work,
but I've already engaged the remote control to keep
it up, and prevented a
good ruining of "Chocolat" and "Traffic". Would you
like to know the entire
plot and ENDING of "The Wedding Planner"? Just
watch the preview...
I HATE, HATE, HATE these previews!
Keep up the good work,
-Paul Preston