Weinstein Defends 'The Reader'

With the high-stakes game of Academy Awards happening this weekend, a group of industry heavyweights associated with Kate Winslet flick The Reader issued a press release condemns their movie's critics. Among those who "condemn the fringe criticism" are Harvey Weinstein and director Stephen Daldry, who argue against accusations of Holocaust denial. They even enlisted Elie Wiesel to denounce the criticisms, which came basically from two bloggers on Slate and the Huffington Post. Nobel Peace Prize winner versus a HuffPo blogger? "Leave it to Harvey to pull out a cannon when a water gun would do," critic Sharon Waxman notes. "Because when it comes to the Holocaust and Oscars, no one will outshine Harvey's anti-genocide credentials."