In the Reel World, the Past Was as Violent as the Present

Re Cathy Templesman’s piece on violence and child neglect in kids’ movies of the ‘90s (“Reel Trouble,” March 29): I concur with Templesman that we should go back to the family-value films of yesteryear.

For a heart-warming dog story, why not show your kids “Old Yeller.” I know I get a chuckle every time I know that dog is about to be blown away.

“Jurassic Park?” I shudder to think of the therapy sessions needed by children after seeing this film. Instead, I suggest showing your children a Godzilla movie. The genteel nuances of Godzilla tearing up Tokyo remain indelibly entrenched in my mind.

Templesman uses one of my all-time favorite movies as her example of wonderful children’s fare of the past--”The Sound of Music.” Who can forget the charming villains of that movie, those irrepressible Nazis?

TOM FIELDING

Long Beach

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Cathy Templesman expressed her disappointment at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for snubbing family films at the Academy Awards.

Family films are not nominated for the big awards for one significant reason. Essentially, many lack the artistic and cinematic achievements that are represented in other films.

MAKOTO MIZUTANIHuntington Beach