Dead Teenager Wasteland

[jetpack_monkey]

Earlier this week, I sent an email to Roger Ebert taking him to task for denigrating "dead teenager" films in service of the AFI's most recent 100 Best Movies list.

He published it. As the first letter in this week's Movie Answer Man column. I don't like his answer, but dude. Ebert published my letter. Dude.

Also, he left my website URL on at the end.

Comments

[mpoetess.livejournal.com]

Wheee! That is indeed awesome.

I think I disagree with his answer too; he's missing the point that no one is saying DTM's are the same kind of artform as the movies that make up his particular definition of 'classic.' The argument is that they have a value of their own, and a set of viewers who get pleasure out of seeing the changes rung on the formula.

[lizbetann]

Honestly? The way his answer comes off is, "If I like it, then ipso facto, it isn't a DTM." Which is... missing the point. How is 'Halloween' different from a slew of movies before and after? Because it was a REALLY REALLY GOOD DTM.

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

His definition is also fairly broad. Lord of the Flies could (almost) be considered a "dead teenager" film. I don't see how Halloween isn't a dead teenager movie. It defined the dead teenager movie. It is the quintessential dead teenager movie.

[mpoetess.livejournal.com]

Unless he's only considering Halloween on its own, and not counting the sequels, but that would be some interesting mental gymnastics considering his definition includes a reference to same.

*is amused to be trying to thunk this out when I'm not actually a fan of DTMs as a genre, though I'm a fan of a number of the films that qualify*

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

You can't consider Halloween on its own in this context -- although in other contexts, I'm more than happy to disregard the sequels entirely. He's defined something, he should either stick to the definition or clarify it. Making exceptions like that just makes him look close-minded.