Hector and (mostly) Todd, So it’s been a while. Not because I’m not listening, but because life is hectic, and I’m a little behind. Note that my blog, Twitter account, and Facebook page, have all gone rather dormant, so it’s not just you. In fact, I used to listen to a lot of podcasts when I had a 3 hour commute each day, but I’ve changed jobs and now my commute it more like 15 mins (roundtrip), and you’re now the only podcast I find time to listen to (so hows that for love?). Not that those are excuses, because, let’s face it, there is no excuse for not listening, but, they’re reasons. At any rate, some of your recent commentary has both thrilled, and raised my ire, enough for me to take a precious minute to write. You asked what everyone’s favorite scary movie is. Well, I’m not a big fan of horror or scary movies specifically, putting me much in the minority in film school where EVERYONE loved horror and was out to make the next great low-budget, indie, horror flick. There are a few choice favorites simply because they are good films, such as The Exorcist. However, when you say scary movie, all I can think is one thing: The Phantom Menance. Simply because it is scary how horrible it is, which brings me to my next point. You were recently talking about a new Star Wars Trilogy, and also why you don’t understand people complaining about 3D and that they just shouldn’t see it in that format, which I can largely agree with. I’m fine with modern movies coming out, giving options, and letting people pick. I’m not such a big fan of going back and 3Derizing films, just as with colorizing, especially when the film is of particular enjoyment to me, or are otherwise “sacred.” Therein lies the original Star Wars films. Stories and characters so integral to my childhood, that left an indellible impression, and that I came back to year after year, after competing movies and TV shows went long by the wayside. That’s why the Prequels were such a travesty. These were a profoundly influential works of art, something I believe the greatest of films is. Sure, I have guilty pleasures, but the greats are like a masterpiece painting, or expertly-carved statue. Which is why I don’t want to see them changed. Sure, re-master the sound, make a new transfer, and fix some of the real flaws of out-dated effects (e.g. the red blur under Luke’s speeder in New Hope, or cleaning up some of the lightsabre effects). But don’t throw in entirely new scenes, or wipe out old Anakin for Hayden Can’t-act-a-sen. I appreciate that these are Lucas’ films and this was how he (supposedly) always wanted them, but they were also a massive “shared experience” in their popularity, and when you mess around with them, you’re messing with something people have come to love. I could simply not watch the new versions, sure, but, I want to watch the original re-releases because I want to see them on the big screen, without making a trip to the occasional, one-night-only screenings at some random theatre in Boston. Or I actually want to own them on DVD, and not some “original theatrical” version that hasn’t been touched up at all, not even re-mastered like the 90’s THX editions. I’m sure there’s a best version out there, but Colpitts and his encyclopedic knowledge of DVD releases would know better than I. I also don’t want to see them messed with in the same way that I don’t want to see a priceless Van Gogh painted over just to “add a little something.” And I’m not that big a fan of painting, but I can appreciate the concept, something apparently Lucas cannot. Because the Prequels were so horribly, painfully, kiddied up and pop-culture ridden, that I just can’t take them. They’re terribly flawed in script, story, dialouge, acting, direction, etc., etc. They were eagerly anticipated by millions, and I surely wanted to see them, but they just ruined everything. Lucas is a genuis at making money however, and here’s where he played his cards perfectly. The problem is, he could have gone off and made a new series that fit his aims, and made millions, but he had to go and sell out the Star Wars name so that he could make billions. At any rate, I feel as I have gone on far too long. For more details on my hatred for Lucas see my blog post at benjamincorman.com entitled Rex, Stinky, Sky-Guy, and Snips or How George Lucas continues to twist the knife in the rotting corpse of my childhood. Love the show, even if you didn’t like the incredible Maltese Falcon. You better like Casablanca (and Lawrence of Arabia). Love the guests, bring back Colpitts, Toomey, and the others. Also, have loved the interviews you have done, they’re great, and I’ve been familair with the comedians, so all the more fun. Keep it up (and by that I mean your penis. Not really, I meant, like, you know, “the good work”)! Ben 

By far the best email I’ve ever received. 
I don’t even know if he wants it for the world to see, but it MUST be seen. I would have read it on the show, but its a novella.
Thanks Ben, love you.
-Todd