My review of “Big Momma’s House 2″ begins with this statement: “If you thought ‘Big Momma’s House’ was funny, then two things are probably true: 1) You are stupid. 2) You will also think ‘Big Momma’s House 2′ is funny.”

I don’t take that approach very often. Usually I can allow for the possibility that someone will disagree with me about a movie yet still be a perfectly intelligent person. In this case, however, I couldn’t. I can’t imagine the person who is both smart and a “Big Momma’s House” fan. I don’t think that person exists.

Anyway, that quote was the one used to represent the review at RottenTomatoes.com, and the review therefore got a little more attention than an innocuous quote would have.

For example, I got this e-mail on Friday from someone identifying himself only as “Pj,” presumably not the same PJ who is the youngest child in “The Family Circus”:

Mr. Snider –

Wow… aren’t you just an ass. [Yes.]

I could not care less about “Big Momma’s House” or it’s sequel … but to personally insult someone based on their taste in movies is pretty [swear word] thing to do.

Just because someone’s opinion of what’s funny differs from yours… doesn’t mean they are “stupid”. A “professional film critic” should know
that.

What’s next?

“If you thought Brokeback Mountain was a compelling film, then you are probably a faggot.”

or perhaps….

“If you thought Munich was intense, then you’re probably a filthy jew lover.”

I wrote back to assure Pj that no, such generalizations will not be forthcoming. I urged him to watch “Big Momma’s House” and see if he still disagrees with me about the mental caliber of the people who like it.

Then I got this e-mail, from one Jackie Hatfield:

I saw where you said { If you like big mommas house your and idiot} Well it’s dumb a**** like you that make me sick. You give some stupid movie like King Kong a great review then put down a movie like Big Mommas House. I went and saw it and it was nearly packed. Whats wrong with something funny. [Nothing. If this movie were funny, there would be nothing wrong with it.] Get a real job and shut up about what you know nothing about. [Be careful, Jackie. The "shut up about what you know nothing about" sword cuts both ways.]

I responded: “King Kong was packed when I saw it, too. Does that mean it’s not stupid after all?” Jackie responded with the following e-mail, a classic in the annals of Angry Letters:

I agree King Kong was very stupid, [Wait, what?!] but every movie reviewer I saw gave it 4 stars. Then when Big mommas house comes out they put it down by giving it 1 star. I also saw where most loved that stupid movie about the two faggot cowboys. When I saw Big mommas House it had a bunch of children in it and they were constantly laughing. I would much rather take my children to see a movie like Big Mommas House then to take them to a fag movie and try to explain why two men would choose to want each other like that. { dont tell me they were born like that, thats bull}

She kind of goes off the rails there, doesn’t she? I didn’t even know where to begin explaining the things wrong with that e-mail, so I just sent her this reply: “Ah. Well, thanks for demonstrating to me and my readers that you’re not stupid after all.”

If you should walk outside between now and Feb. 25 and find yourself in Provo, Utah, do two things: First, fire your travel agent; then, go see “Much Ado About Nothing” at Provo Theatre Company.

Yes, the director and some of the cast are friends of mine. But irregardlessly, this is one of the most enjoyable Shakespeare productions I’ve seen, inventive and funny and clever from beginning to end.

Christopher Clark, the director, knows his Shakespeare, believe me. Many is the time I have been edified and/or bored by Chris’ elucidations. He even lived in England for a year so he could study the art of directing Shakespeare — a good thing to learn, but such a sacrifice to learn it. (Have you ever tried to find a good restaurant in England? Forget about it.)

The cast includes such noted comedic actors as Brett Merritt, Hailey Smith and Jake Suazo. They make me laugh every time I look at them. The mark of a good Shakespeare production is whether it’s easy for a modern audience to follow the tricky language, which in turn depends on whether the actors understand their lines and deliver them in a way that conveys meaning. This entire cast speaks Bill’s dialogue as though it were their native tongue, and so the audience has no trouble following it.

I assure you, the show is hilarious. If you don’t agree, I’ll refund your money, provided you can find me, and provided I have enough cash on me, which I never do. But still, trust me, it’s funny.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 25. Tickets are $15, or $12.50 for students and seniors. Call (801) 379-0600 or visit the Web site for more info.