I assume the perks for film writers aren't that much different than they are for music critics. Getting into shows, free CDs or DVDs, invitations to a few parties, etc.

That apparently wasn't enough for film blogger Jeffrey Wells, of Hollywood-Elsewhere.com fame (?). The LA Weekly's Nikki Finke (who writes its Deadline Hollywood Daily blog), got a hold of an e-mail Wells sent to director James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line) asking for, well, here's the quote, just read it:

I am on my knees, Mr. Mangold, saying thank you, thank you and thank you again for persuading Vinessa Shaw to do her first flat-out, boob-baring nude scene. I was in heaven as Crowe drew her on his notepad. Please tell me there's somebody on the Yuma team who can slip me some stills of the shooting that day… please. I'm serious. I know you think like I do in this respect, so please … as one good hombre to another … you don't have to be the guy who passes along the stills. Just tell the still photographer or the editor or whomever caught her as she posed. I'm not a sleazebag either — I don't pass along stills to the Mr. Skin crowd or my friends. This would be just for my, myself & I. [sic]  At the very least it would be great to grab some frame captures from the film itself. Or some unused footage of Shaw and Crowe doing whatever. Out-takes, perhaps.

In the paragraph before that, Wells explains that he isn't all that crazy about the movie. His explanation is priceless, too.

The idea that a blogger with some influence would ask for masturbatory material upsets my conscience, whether it be in exchange for a positive review or not. This sort of thing was bound to happen sooner or later in the blogosphere. I guess I should be grateful it was Wells and not Harry Knowles. That image would upset my conscience – and my stomach.

(A necessary and sincere tip of the hat to James Wolcott.)