This letter is directed at Michael Gates, Collegian Arts Writer, for his rather ignorant and shallow article "Oscars will go to predictable picks" of March 28.

By the time this letter sees publication, if it does, the Academy Awards will be over. That fact, however, will not stop me from pointing out some of the articles greater flaws.

First, Mr. Gates seems to believe that an actor must be nominated at least once before deserving an Oscar.

River Phoenix: "His nomination is probably more of an attempt to encourage him."

Or Jodie Foster, "who should prove herself in more roles before being given such wide ranging recognition."

Perhaps neither of these actors deserves the award, but as to their careers, I would point to Tatum O'Neal, who won best supporting actress for "Paper Moon," and she wasn't older than 12. She must have had one big career before then, eh?

Mr. Gates also has a fetish with sympathy votes," such as the one that he thinks Edward James Olmos may receive for "Stand and Deliver," since "he probably won't make any more decent films," or the one which Sigourney Weaver, who -- even though a Yale trained dramatic actress -- has "no recognizable talents," will win for "Working Girl."

The whole problem with this article and Mr. Gates' critiques would seem to be their lack of depth.

When talking about "Tucker: A Man and His Dream," Gates said, "The movie looks incredibly boring, and Francis Ford Coppola hasn't been churning out American classics lately."

At least, not since he directed the "American Classic," "The Godfather," right?

What is Gates' obsession with the past? The nominations are for now, not what has come before.

In closing, I would just say that the one seemingly accurate comment Gates makes, about the Academy being reliant upon politics and predictability, may not be entirely accurate.

The Academy has pulled a surprise out of the hat before, like William Hurt winning best actor over Jack Nicholson two years ago, when every critic in Hollywood had Nicholson for the statue.

Everyone is entitled to his opinion, and just because Gates hated Kevin Kline in "A Fish Called Wanda," whereas I think he deserves the Oscar, doesn't mean that he is wrong.

I do think, however, that Mr. Gates needs a broader base of factual knowledge upon which to base his opinions.