This letter is in response to the March 31 review “DVD release of ‘8 Mile’ lacks unique features” by Ryan Curell.

First of all, Ryan Curell needs to sit down and rethink some of the stuff he’s saying. He doesn’t seem to really know anything about rap, hip hop or the urban culture. I don’t agree with his comparison between “Bulworth” and the representation of Mekhi Phifer’s character Future in “8 Mile.”

The fact is, Curell is way off, because his misconception of a “dread-locked, potty-mouthed African-American” was a misrepresentation in my mind. He probably hasn’t experienced the inner city. The vibe I received from the article is that Mr. Curell really has no idea about anything he was speaking of, save the few comments about DVDs and the extra content.

Secondly, his comments about Eminem were unfounded and really had very little to do with the DVD. “[To] the viewing public about Eminem and the fact that he seemingly cannot get over himself.” Obviously, there’s a focus on the fact that Eminem’s music reflects what he knows and has known, like every other musician. I don’t see him complaining about every other musician.

The Daily should really make a bigger effort to get people who know what they’re going to write about. Otherwise, we’ll end up with more uninformed, “ignorance is bliss” type of commentary from those people who really know nothing. The simple reference to “your stereotypical gang of hoodlums” shows that Curell is really lost. There are plenty of people like me, who have lived in the inner city and relate to the hip hop culture who thought the actors were familiar and real.

The negative image brought by society is focused on all African-Americans. It doesn’t have to do with urban culture, but with how people view African-Americans as undereducated and ignorant. The way they spoke in this movie was the same way people who are a part of hip-hop culture speak and relate to each other. This is a part of life and the way it is. No one that I have talked to who has seen the movie, fans and nonfans alike, have complained about the dialogue or the sex scenes.

Not everyone has to like a movie, but focus on criticism that has some depth to it because you’re skimming the shallow waters of movie critiques.

Dean Weimer

Freshman

Psychology