Dear DJ Caruso,

My name is James Thoo, a writer over at www.suckball.com and an avid movie-watcher. I was recently at the cinema, and when I was unable to get a ticket for "Walking Tall", I decided to take a chance on your movie, "Taking Lives".

After watching it, and thinking about it for a couple of minutes on the way home, I just had the following questions for you, as while I really really loved your movie, I don't feel that I have truly appreciated until I can understand the following:

1) Since Ethan Hawke's character was the killer, why did he go to the cops? There was clearly no other witness, so there was no reason for him to even go to the cops in the first place. If it was to get Keifer Sutherland off of his case, then being a cold-blooded serial killer, why didn't he just butcher him, like he did the eight or so people before him?

2) In the bar, who dropped the note for Ethan Hawke? Was it Olivier Martinez' character? Why? Why not just some signal, as this would surely blow his cover? Was it Keifer Sutherland? This is impossible, as the cops surveying Ethan would have seen him, moved in, and busted his ass. Was it Ethan himself? The cops surveying him would have seen this, and the whole movie would have ended. I guess you're right, good call, leave it ambiguous.

3) Why would Keifer Sutherland grab one of the guys at the art show and crash him through the window? Was it because he knew he was being set up? If so, then why would he even show up at the art show in the first place?

4) Why was Ethan Hawke's character hiding underneath his bed, in the basement of his mom's house? I agree on this though, it's worth it to make the audience jump, even though it made absolutely no sense whatsoever.

5) If she was so prepared for Ethan to come to her, why did Angelina Jolie not hide a gun in her fake stomach?

All in all, I thought your movie was great. I loved it, and will definitely see whatever movie you make next.

Obviously apart from the sex scene with Angelina Jolie, my favourite part of the movie was when Ethan Hawke's character crashed the car so perfectly that he made sure to not only only hit the side Keifer Sutherland was sitting in, he himself survive, and to top it all off, ensure that the car exploded so as to hide the fact that Ethan Hawke had shot Keifer five minutes prior, as the coroner would obviously have discovered. I loved this part, as it showed just how skilled Ethan was at driving, and being a mass-murder.

Thanks for a great movie experience,

I anticipate your response,

James.

PS. As a student of the art of film myself, I was amazed and impressed out your were so able to incorporate Deus ex machinas, one after another, I've never seen this done before, and really liked your style. The first thing I learned as a writer, back in the third grade was not to introduce a Deus ex machina, I'm impressed at your daring, you are truly a revolutionary film-maker.

PPS. I thought that hand-guns were illegal in Canada.

PPPS. Eat shit DJ Caruso, the only reason this movie will make money is Angelina Jolie. Watching this is like having your head bludgeoned into a brick wall, the only difference being that on the wall is a picture of Angelina. And after being smashed in the face by row upon row of red bricks, the brain damage will probably mean you can't remember what just happened anyway. Unfortunately for me, no amount of trying to forget, or brain therapy will erase the memory of Taking Lives.