F l a k   M a g a z i n e   L e t t e r s:
Year 2007, Sep-Dec

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Jim,

I enjoyed your review of Viva Caligula, a game I stumbled across this weekend, played to conclusion, and then started wondering what the critics thought of it.

While your review was well done, you did miss one point about the Manhood weapon. The weapon stuns certain male characters as well as females; so I'm not sure what kind of sexual violence might be implied there, unless it's meant to comment (in its own adolescent fashion) on the omnisexual degradations of fabled Roman debauchery.

Bill Coffin
Oakhurst, NJ

Dear Bill,

Totally a fair point. I guess I was more bothered in an absolute sense that you could stun women with your "manhood" and then stab them to death than I was in the gender inequality of it only working on women, but you do make an "equal opportunity offender" point that's worth considering.

Thanks for writing in.

Best Regards,
Jim

hi,

i just wanted to write a quick message to express my appreciation of your review of radiohead's most recently released album published in Flak Mag. for me the announcement of a new radiohead record anticipates not only the inevitable thrill of exploring and analysing their latest work, but also the fascination of reading other listeners' perspectives on this music and the band in general. i was particularly looking forward to reading Flak Mag's opinions given the insight and balanced commentary dedicated to previous radiohead records, and very much enjoyed reading your considered observations.

all the best,
simon

Thank you for the review on that repulsive product, Jingle Jugs. You described exactly how I felt when I saw them. What is most repulsive to me that Komen took $50k from them.

A little backlash going on at http://www.assertivepatient.com/ and on my site.

It's just so... well, icky!

Cheers,
Debby
teamzoe.net, debutaunt.com

Thank you for your review of the film. I just saw it. I enjoyed the directors commentary so very much. It clarified so much of the film's color palette and scene structure. Loved the film. Loved your review.

As for pies. I make the worlds best rhubarb/strawberry pie. I add a few drops of almond extract, Mexican vanilla and a small grating of nutmeg to the filling. Oh, yes, I use tapioca for the starch to bind the filling. Don't forget to vent the top crust and dot the filling with butter.

Stu Borken, MD,
gastroenterologist (what else?)
Minneapolis, Mn.

Aemilia,

I found it refreshing to see legitimate criticism of what may be called mindless but malignant Hollywood trash, but I generally look at 300 in the opposite way. For me, Leonidas and his dedicated army reflect the dedication shown by Iraqi citizens in fighting the US occupation of their country. In 300, Persia threatened to conquer all of Greece. While there may be a perception among reactionary conservatives that Muslims mean to take over the entire world through terrorism, it is important to note that the United States' war with Iraq has been one of aggression, not of defense.

It is frightening to consider your point, however, that 300 could serve to reinforce American nationalism, and so I'm glad to see that the matter has been brought to attention.

Many thanks,
Andrew Loewen

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

I agree with you that the similarities between Leonidas' army and Iraqi citizens — and that led me to think about how action in small groups, without the sanction of a state or the oracle at Delphi (or what have you) can be considered a type of terrorism. The idea of an American audience rooting for terrorist-style behavior is an angle that I found totally fascinating as well, but I decided to pursue the first direction in order to keep the piece a little more streamlined. But you're absolutely right: Leonidas' army is an insurgent group of sorts, and their ability to defeat an entire army through intimidation and total willingness to die for their cause is a powerful theme in the movie.

That's even scarier, when you think about it — the same people who crucified Bill Maher for saying that terrorists are not cowards because they are willing to die for what they believe, then turning around and cheering for Leonidas and his crew.

Thanks again for reading it!

Cheers,
ae

Hi,

I caught your piece regarding perceived similarities between the "movie" 300 and the Iraq situation.

While I respect your principles and no doubt am in agreement with you on the rights and wrongs of this disgusting war, I did find your analysis somewhat one sided.

It's very easy to dissect a work of fiction and reassemble it to support an argument such as this.

How is the current situation between Iraq and the States even remotely similar to the plot of the movie 300? I could write endless reasons why it isn't, but I'll settle at one.

In the movie the Persian empire is sweeping across the continent and dominating all invaded countries through a reliance on peoples passivity and aversion to violence in the face of massively superior military strength. Does that sound like the behaviour of Iraq?

Rather than join the ranks of this "EMPIRE" and have his people taken as slaves by an enemy who has proved themselves to be cruel and barbaric, Leonadas, from what I remember, chooses to fight (and die) to provide a symbol in the hope that others will rise up in the face of oppression and tyranny.

Now maybe its just me, but does the Sparta just described have any similarities with any actions of the USA? In any way?

Infact, the situation Sparta finds itself in during the movie seems to mirror another country's current state far more accurately...

Yes the film does have a message, one that condemns the imperialist expansion of the USA, not defends it.

Maybe we see what we want to see.

Regards
Dan Debenam