I can't decide if this belongs in the "Darwinism Missed Me" file or if I should create a new file called "Dipshits 'R' Us". I'll let you decide after you read this. As most of you know, Sony Pictures Entertainment came under fire last week after it was discovered that they "created" a movie reviewer to give rave reviews of the movies The Animal and A Knight's Tale. The purpose of this technique was so they would have some positive reviews of the movies for print advertisements. Not that they were needed since both flicks did get pretty good critical praise, however Sony created David Manning of the Ridgefield (CT) Press anyway. Now, another revelation has been made by Sony. Apparently, when The Patriot was released, they advertised using man-on-the-street testimonials from people who had just seen the movie. What Sony didn't tell us was that two of these people were Sony employees. Kinda detracts from the seeming "willingness" of the regular man to offer his opinion. So, which heading does this wonderful tale of cinematic woe get filed under?

You wanna know who I feel sorry for the most in all this brouhaha? Heath Ledger. So far, two of his films have been at the center of these controversies. I can understand that Rob Schneider's The Animal may be perceived as needing a little help with how this sort of comedy has been bombing lately at the box office (ref. Little Nicky, Saving Silverman, Tomcats, etc., etc., ad infinitum). However, The Animal is doing pretty well and many of the reviewers out there have said it's pretty okay in it's own right. Yet, it's gotta make Heath feel good to know that Sony has such high faith in his films. To Sony: give Heath a chance to earn these reviews on his own. He's a good actor, he can do it. Stop trying to help him. I saw both of the flicks in question and I liked them and I wanna see The Animal as well... it looks good. And none of these opinions come as a result of bogus reviewers.