Editor - Reader Lanny R. Middings (Letters, Aug. 3) is correct that picking the 10 best movies is subjective. He disagrees that "Vertigo" should be on the list. I'd put three Hitchcock films on the list: "Vertigo," "Psycho" and "Rear Window" (leaving off Hitch's purported favorite, "Shadow of a Doubt"). I'd include only two of Middings' 10: "High Noon" and "The Godfather."

Then, to complete the list: "Penny Serenade" (Irene Dunne, Cary Grant), "The Graduate," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Bell, Book and Candle," "Picnic," "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" and "The Court Jester" (OK, so that's 12).

As for this century's two best films: "Waitress" and "The Devil Wears Prada." And that's leaving off a lot of excellent movies.

Pete Kossoris

Thousand Oaks

I dare you, Chronicle

Editor - I've been enjoying the reprints from your archives of some of your old columnists, and the ones by Charles McCabe are specially welcome. Now I dare you to reprint the classic from Art Hoppe, "Seven Little Words," first published Jan. 13, 1978. I've had this in my files for years, and it's worth more every time I look it up.

J.W. Larson

Hollister

One more political movie to consider

Editor - The Pink section of Aug. 24 lists some noteworthy political movies but omits "The Parallax View," one of the best political movies ever. Warren Beatty plays an investigative reporter who discovers a sinister corporation that hires out political assassins.

George Gilbert

San Francisco

Critic got it right about Chihuly

Editor - I should have written earlier, but apparently the flak is still coming (Letters, Sept. 7).

I saw the Dale Chihuly exhibition in the first couple days after the opening at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum and was in remarkable agreement with Kenneth Baker's review.

I have seen Chihuly glass in Washington and Palm Springs and in photographs of several of his installations in Venice and Florida. Although the glass was colorful, and probably a triumph to shape, most of it was essentially bright glassware. The display is more extensive than one we could see in an expensive hotel gift shop. Whether it decorates a hallway, garden or dark room, the display of pieces was essentially decorative. To me, only the earth-tone and milky vessels, set amid the inspiration of native woven baskets and rugs, suggested thoughtful art. Were those glass shapes a dreamy rendition of a woven basket in a smooth medium?

If objects are pretty, but don't make you think, are they significant art or just artful? I appreciate the controversy initiated by Baker's article; there was nothing controversial or even questioning about most of the Chihuly glassware.

Aileen Frankel

Oakland

Let's hear it!

Readers - This is your space to tell us what you think about something you read in the Pink, or about culture, arts, entertainment and leisure at large.

Send e-mail to Sunday Datebook Editor Sue Adolphson at sadolphson@sfchronicle.com; or letters to Editor, Sunday Datebook, The San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103. Letters may be faxed to (415) 495-2067.

Please include your name and city of residence for publication and a phone number for verification. Letters may be edited. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Source: SFgate