Rita Kempley (Craig Cola/ washingtonpost.com)

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It's Friday afternoon and you can almost taste the popcorn. Whether you're planning to hit the theater or your local video store, Rita's here to help you wade through the sea of choices.

It's also your chance to be a movie critic. Share your picks and pans, and tell us how things would be different if you ran Hollywood. Who would you cast in your movies and why?

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Silver Spring, Md.: Thanks for your review of "Spy Game." Us "guys" feel it's about time we got equal time from you on "non chick flicks!" I guess, as they say, all good things come to those who wait and wait and wait. BUT don't think 20 years is a long, long time?

Rita Kempley: You're welcome, Silver Spring. Actually, it hasn't been 20 years. When I was a critic in Weekend, I was it, so I did whatever needed doing. And while Hal Hinson and I were co-critics in Style, well, Hal was a sensitive guy. The only movie we ever crossed horns over was the first Bat Man. He won, but he had to trade me three first picks for it. Things got out of whack when Steve Hunter came aboard. But I think we're trying to come up with more balance. I did "Behind Enemy Lines" today. I believe I mentioned ammo.

Washington, D.C.: Good Day: I hope you go back to a weekly chat at some point!

I saw the Phantom Menace for the first time the other night on television. I remember the criticism of the film when it came out --and largely it was about Jah Jah Banks. While it was annoying, that character was not the real problem.

Mr. Lucas seemed so busy with special effects that he completely forgot to give Liam and Ewen any direction whatsoever. Neither one did anything other than deliver their lines in the most straight-faced, deadpan manner I have seen. They were both totally void of any kind of emotion or enthusiasm. I remember Mark Hammel showed excitement, fear -- well a whole range of emotions.

Mannequins could have stared in Episode One and the difference would have been negligible.

Rita Kempley: Washington: I hope so, too. Those were mannequins.

Hal Hinson: Now there's a name from the past. Whatever happened to Hal? I thoroughly enjoyed his reviews.

Rita Kempley: Hal moved to L.A. and went to work for New Times for a short while. I believe he is freelancing these days.

Laurel: Actually, I always thought you were a little more fair about guy flicks than Miss Manners was.

My brother and I always used to say that she thought every film should be Terms of Endearment.

Rita Kempley: Laurel: Judith Martin was really miscast as a movie critic even 23 years ago. Imagine what she'd think about this year at the movies.

Irate: Attention, all evangelical Christians, leave Harry Potter alone, PLEASE! This is a movie with no bad words or sex and only fantasy-like violence (and not that much.)
It's great escapism. Why don't you ec's go find some R or NC-17 rated movie to pick on?
Maybe Queen Rita can give you suggestions!

Rita Kempley: Irate: I saw one story about an evangelical leader who declared that witchcrfat lead to homosexuality. I'm still trying to figure that one out. I think "Fat Girl" might just be the ticket. It was banned in Ontario, for God's sake.

Rockville, Md/: Back to George Lucas -- I lost faith in him after that 2-hour long promotional for Ewok plush toys called Return of the Jedi. I think Stars Wars/Empire Strikes Back were flashes in the pan for him and he's run out of gas for the long haul of the story. Maybe he'll get smart and let someone with more writerly and directorial talent take over for the next films.

Rita Kempley: Rockville: You might be right about Lucas. Perhaps he ought to give up on the Star Wars chronicles and try his hand at something else. He's definitely gone stale.

Cap Hill Grrl: Rita-

Trying to pick a movie for tonight...I've narrowed it down to 4 and would appreciate any insight you have! I've got it down to Amelie, Fat Girl, The Heist and The Man Who Wasn't there...to guide you my 3 fave movies are Magnolia, Dirty Dancing and Almost Famous. Thanks!

Rita Kempley: Cap Hill Grrl: I'd go with Amelie. I think that's the best fit.

Miss Edie the Egg Lady: Well, hello dear. I think I can speak for all of the "Suspects" by saying that you are terribly missed on your off-Fridays. I don't even leave my mobile home on Capitol Hill.
"The Endurance" sounds fascinating! How is the visual quality of the photographs and footage from 1914? No doubt digital enhancement helps quite a bit. I plan to see it this weekend if I can get Mister Jimmy away from his soap operas.

Rita Kempley: Miss Edie: So good to hear from you. I miss you guys, too. Those brats on "Survivors" should have to sit through "The Endurance." There'd be no more whining about rat-kabobs, I can tell you. The photographs are extraordinary. I believe there's also a shorter I-MAX print on the film, though I'm not sure it has or will play in the area.
Perhaps we can get together next Friday at 2 and deck the trailor. They do have halls, right?

MagnoliaGuy, Alex., Va.: If the Christian Conservatives are so upset at Harry Potter how will they react to Lord of the Rings, as it was written as a somewhat Christian allegory/analogy by Tolkien, himself a friend of C.S. Lewis also a writer of fantasy involving wizards and whatnot meant as Christian allegory?

Regardless, I have great faith in the Lord of the Rings despite the presence presumably of CGI-stuff which tends to stand out on screens like sore thumbs.

Rita Kempley: MagnoliaGuy: I can't imagine what they'll find offensive. But the latest buzz from the distributors screening has been terrific and those guys usually tell you if something reeks.

Wilmington, Del.: Ms. Kempley,

Have you seen or heard anything reliable about The Lord of the Rings: FOTR? Is this a movie/genre you care about or not your cup o' tea?

Rita Kempley: Wilmington: Yes, I love fantasy and science-ficiton. So I'm really looking forward to LOTR.

Re: Lucas: You mean like Willow or Howard the Duck?

Rita Kempley: I was thinking about something more along the lines of Farenheit 451 (sorry don't remember the exact number).

Alexandria, Va.: As an adult I found the Harry Potter movie boring, even though the rest of the audience loved it.

Was this movie specifically aimed at children? Unlike "Star Wars" and other science fiction epics none of the stars of this film have even entered puberty yet.

Rita Kempley: Alexandria: I couldn't agree with you more, although I didn't really begin to nod off till the second half. I'd say it's aimed at children more so than Shrek or even Monsters, Inc.

Bigimot: Good afternoon Rita!

I see that LoTR has a nice little marketing tie in with BK...... plastic drinking goblets in 4 designs. and so it begins.....

Any LoTR fans who care to continue to bash Harry Potter for commercialization? The moral high ground has been lost, alas!

I do confess that I am starting to look forward to LoTR. Enough reality TV--more fantasy for these times, I say.

Rita Kempley: Bigimot: Good afternoon to you, too. Yep, those glasses do look pretty tacky. I don't think ticket prices alone would be enough to cover the cost of the movie. At least, the studio obviously doesn't. As I've probably said before, my favorite tie-in was Fievel the Mouse as a Christmas ornament.

Sir Synergy: My Queen

Random musings

1. Have you had a chance to see any of the Lord of the Rings Footage? No matter the result, it certainly was verrrrry risky for New Line to give $300 million for a (basically) 9-hour film to a director who had never had a box office hit.

2. How happy is Time/Warner, with both LOTR and Harry Potter in their corner?

3. Tell me A Beautiful Mind is better than that trailer?

4. Any real Oscar sleepers beginning to bubble up? Seems like poor Steve Buscemi might fall by the wayside. Fingers crossed for Andrey Tatou, Sissy Spacek, and Tom Wilkinson.

5. What DVD would you give as a present this season?

6. How do you make being the Queen seem so effortless!

Rita Kempley: Sir Synergy: It was risky, but the 30 minutes of footage I saw was gorgeous. Most of it was action-oriented and the pacing was fine. Of course, you can't really tell if that's the case throughout. I don't think of the Hobbits as looking like teenage boys, but maybe that's just me. The suits are delirious of course.
I missed a screening of Beautiful Mind, so I can't help there. I was going to say "Apocalypse Now," but maybe that wouldn't be quite the ticket this Christmas. And my final answer: It looks easy because I'm having fun.

Arlington, Va.: I have found that my adult friends who found Harry Potter boring were the ones who hadn't read the books. The others seemed more inclined to enjoy it. I found it entertaining, but slightly tedious near the end. The book is still better though.

Rita Kempley: Arlington: I really enjoyed the books. I don't believe the film captured the writer's sense of whimsy.

Not quite: Hi Queen Rita--can you tell me about the new Sissy Spacek movie with Morrisa Tomei? What's it called, when can we expect it? It sounds like it might be good. What's the scoop?

Rita Kempley: Not quite: The movie is called "In the Bedroom." Marisa Tomei is excellent, a surprise for me, as was Sissy Spacek and the rest of the cast. An incredibly moving film about parents overcome by the loss of their only son.

Mister Jimmy: Hi Rita,
After seeing such positive reviews, I checked out "Amelie" last week, and while I found it absolutely hysterical at times and was blown away by the cinematography, I was getting quite frustrated with the poor dear.

I understand the reason for her shyness, but come on ... Amelie took ---forEVER--- to finally face her man. Thankfully, I gave into Miss Edie much quicker than that ... then again, she is quite the charmster.

Enjoy your weekend, my queen.

Rita Kempley: Mister Jimmy: Well, she was a bit on the timid side. Me, I just move in with anybody who catches my eye and refuse to leave. I find this quite effective.

20036: You're awfully slow today, Rita. Is someone sitting on your hands? Should we call for help?

Rita Kempley: Actually, you are giving me a chance to gripe about this new type face that somebody or other installed. All thye letters run togetehr and if I don't stop and try to fix them, it's harrd to figure out what in the helll I'm tallking about. The ills are especially annoying. IF you don't mind the misspelling I can go faster.

Washington, D.C.: When will "In the Bedroom" open in this area?

Rita Kempley: Christmas day.

Mt. Rainier, Md.: I'm beginning to think those 'right wing conservatives' are a creation of Potter's publishers, because nobody else is gaining a thing from all their carrying-on. I probably wouldn't have read the first book except for all the hoo-haw about how evil it is. As it is, Rowling hooked me and I'm hers for life (or as long as she's writing HP anyway). And yes, I'm definitely going to see the movie.

Rita Kempley: Mt. Rainier. And I'm not going to try and stop you, but you have been warned of the dangers. You could go to hell.

Washington, D.C.: THX-1138? I think it was one of his (Lucas') first films, had Robert Duvall in it...

Rita Kempley: Thank you. I stand corrected. I got the wrong number. Ha ha.

Los Angeles, Calif.: Look at it like this. If LOTR is the monster hit I suspect it will be, will people be seeking out other Peter Jackson classics like Dead Alive or Meet the Feebles?

My Queen, have you ever seen or heard about Meet the Feebles?

Rita Kempley: L.A.: Or "The Frighteners."

The Hill: Please don't judge all evangelicals by the extremes. I would consider myself an evangelical Christian and I LOVE the Harry Potter series! So do many of my friends. So does my baptist minister father. That said, I was somewhat disappointed in the movie, it just seemed like it was missing something. I really enjoyed the Chess match and I thought the casting was great. What's the chance that we'll get a different director (someone who didn't bring us Home Alone) for the next one?

Rita Kempley: The Hill: My uncle is a southern Baptist minister, who broke both fists pounding the pulpit--I swear--yet he is a very sweet person. He just doesn't want anybody to suffer hell and damnations. I believe the director and the kids have already been signed. So I think we're stuck with Chris Columbus.

Bashful Lurker: Good gracious, where is E-boy today?

Rita Kempley: Ask and it shall be given.

EraserheadGuy, D.C.: Great news! I recently attended and enjoyed a Smithsonian lecture on the films of David Lynch and learned that he is readying “Eraserhead” for release on DVD! At last, after so long in the wilderness, cinema’s greatest achievement will soon be widely available! A reason to go on living!

If Nani/Texas is with us, I’d like to ask that she post here the transcript of a hilarious exchange she had with a viddy store clerk when she asked if they had E. She first posted it in Sharon’s chat. It was priceless.

Rita Kempley: EraserheadGuy: Great to hear your news. If Nani isn't here, maybe we can get her to tell us about it the week after next. I still have the E-items in a secret locations.

Enough Harry Potter Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: No question, just a rant.

Rita Kempley: Meee tooooo.

Re: LA: Heavenly Creatures was an awfully strong Peter Jackson film. More than makes up for his splatter films.

Rita Kempley: Thank you, Heavenly.

"In the bedroom" or in the morgue?: No, don't answer, but ... did you say "the loss of their son"? From the trailers I've seen, I know of his dating still-married Tomei and I know of the nasty husband, and I know there's trouble there for Spacek's son. Do I know now more than I should ("loss"?)? Argh.

Rita Kempley: No, I don't think so. I hope not because they have been advertising the movie that way. I think they almost have to lest audiences go in expecting a more melodramtic family film. The performances are what count. The foreshadowing makes it pretty clear that no good will come from the relationship.

Georgia: Just got done with the book by Dave Barry - "Big Trouble." On the cover it says it will be a movie, but do you think the content will ever be appropriate since 9/11 (terrorism on airplanes, nuclear warheads, etc. . )

Rita Kempley: Georgia: I thought Collateral Damage, the Schwarzenegger movie, would never release, but itt's back on the schedule for early next year. And I believe the same is true of the other movie, though if I were charge, I'd release on video.

Pentagon City: I enjoyed your review this morning on the new action-war flick and your lack of condescension, which usually accompanies movies of little interest to the gentlepeople. A good honest rockem-sockem film, where the good guys can whip up on the unfriendlies, can be a refreshing change to sensitivity. Granted, even though the plot might be lacking, all that hardware and testosterone makes the story line almost inconsequential. Next week I’ll play hooky form the office and pick up a matinee. What some of us need is a little more cerebellum and less cerebrum in our lives. Keep up the good work.

Rita Kempley: Why thanks PC: I had a great time. The pace never lagged and you are right, the plot didn't matter.

EraserheadGuy, D.C.: Since Nani doesn't seem to be with us, I found this in Sharon's archives:

Nani/Texas: Here's what happened when I tried to rent Eraserhead at the local (only) video store (actually combination gasoline station/grocery with a few videos for rent, mostly Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone, you get the idea).

Clerk: Do we have what?

Me: Eraserhead.

Clerk: What is that, is that a cartoon?

Me: I don't think so.

Clerk: Well what kind of "pitcher" show is it?

Me: I don't know. See there's this nice young man named EraserheadGuy who writes in to the Washington Post film reviewers about Eraserhead and I .....

Clerk: (eyeing me suspiciously) ... the "Warshington" Post? Wait a minute, is this one of them what you call cult pitcher shows?

Me: It just might be.

Clerk: Hmmph ... we don't rent them kind, we just have the normal movies.

Rita Kempley: Thanks EraserheadGuy: That's priceless.

I have a crush on Ron Weasley: He beats out that Potter mouse any day.

But besides that, the movie was pretty boring. It had none of the suspenseful buildup of the books.

Rita Kempley: Yes, he was a cutie pie.

Alexandria, Va.: I think the Harry Potter captured PERFECTLY the utter mediocrity of the book.

Rita Kempley: I know I said no more Potter, but ...

Ricmond, Va.: Gosh ... no one ever says enough Eraserhead ... oops, I guess that's ErasEerhEad (and I swear I don't mean this to be snide ...)

Rita Kempley: From now on you have to be Ricmond.

Charm City: I need you to arbitrate this one...The Dude wants to see Harry Potter tonight, I want to see Amelie. Who should win, in your Queenly opinion?

Rita Kempley: You should.

Herndon, Va.: BELOVED QUEEN: Saw both "Heist" and "Spy Game" last week. Found both enjoyable, although "Spy Game" was a bit over the top for me. I'll say this for Redford - he's not trying to hide his age. The trouble with "Heist" was too many "surprises" and (WARNING IMPORTANT PLOT LINE REVEALED) no real justification for Gene Hackman's girl friend to switch over. Mamet, as always, is great with dialogue. Steve

Rita Kempley: Hi Steve: I really believe this is REdford's best performance since "Out of Africa." Another thought: It may be one of a few movies that couldn't have been made without modern technology. Usually, characters have to lose the cell phones and their computers go down.

Are you still there, Rita?: Me Kim O'D just saying hello. When are we going to share some popcorn, dear?

Rita Kempley: Hi Kim: I'm still here because I always try to get to as many folks as I can. It's harder now that I'm only on every other week. Lots more questions. Let's plan on doing a special popcorn show. Just let me know.

In the Confused Bedroom: Today's Variety makes it seem that he's just paralyzed and NOT dead -- there's a shot of him in a wheelchair next to Sissy. What gives?

(You don't have to spoil it, just confirm that there's no instantly dead son.)

Rita Kempley: No instantly dead anything.

Arlington, Va.: Hi Rita -

I have a strange question for you. Do you attend most of your screenings alone? I ask because when I was in New York I used to go to the movies alone all the time. However, in D.C., I feel like I stick out. I'm a SWM in my mid-30's and based on the strange looks I get, I often feel like people think I must be some sort of pervert, which I'm not by the way.

This has made me very self-conscious and I rarely go by myself any more. I'd be curious as to what others think.

Thank you.

Rita Kempley: Arlington: That's a shame. I really hate to hear that. I go by myself sometimes. But since I often attend critics' screening, I have a lot of buddies to hang with anyway. Did you ever think that maybe they are looking at you because they think you're adorable.

Re: Bigimot: Enough with the high handed indignation about commercial tie ins.

Let's see, New Line shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars for THREE films, without knowing how the first one would play or perform in the theaters. They want front end money to recoup their costs.

After all, if either Harry Potter or LOTR failed at the box office, the Time/Warner movie division would be in serious financial trouble.

I suppose the unfortunate BK-glass tie in will disqualify you from considering LOTR a worthy artisitic achievement?

Rita Kempley: I plan to collect all the glasses and then, 50 years from now, sell them on eBay for unheard of prices.

Sorry for another Potter: I think we are all forgetting that the target audience for the Potter books and movie is 9 - 13.

Rita Kempley: No problem. And they did hit the target.

WFU alum: I don't know if this was killed last week, or if I posted it too soon... One semester I almost lived in Piccolo Dorm, and even I'm beginning to wonder if they really need to remake Brian's Song. It looks true to the original, but then why not just bring back the original? What's your take? Me, I'll watch it, just to see if they get the WFU fight song right this time.

Rita Kempley: WFU: I think you posted too soon and you may have posted right in the middle and I zoomed past you. I'm sorry. I don't think there's any need whatsoever for a remake of Brian's Song. I'm not sure if there was any reason to make the original. Not that I didn't bawl like a big baby.

Courthouse: Gee. I always wondered if I was gay because of genetics or because my mother dressed me in girls clothing. Now I find out it was a voodoo curse. Thanks you, great Evangelical leader for clearing that up for me.

Rita Kempley: Courthouse: I am happy that this has been cleared up for you.

WFU alum: I hope, I hope, I hope I haven't submitted this question 4 times already, but I keep getting an error, so I just can't know. I finally watched Blade Runner this past weekend, and loved it. I grabbed the Director's Cut, though, and there's a part of me wondering if I did myself a disservice by seeing this first? Or does the presence of the Director's Cut make the theatrical version an unnecessary step in the enjoyment process? (I know Eraserheadguy would probably have an opinion if he's lurking around today).

Rita Kempley: WFU: I am getting right back to you to make amends. I think the director's cut is better because it does away with Harrison Ford's leaden narration. The studio's thopugh people would be too dull-witted to figure out what was going on. I also prefer the ambiguous ending. But if you want to compare and contrast, why not see the original. I can tell you that Ridly Scott borrowed the final footage from Stanley Kubrick, who shot it "The Shinging."

Arlington Girl: Tell Arlington that if he doesn't want to go to the movies by himself I am a mid-30's SWF that would love to join him.

Rita Kempley: That sounds like a wonderful idea.

Bethesda, Md.: Not sure this has been addressed in a previous chat, I've been away for a while. But when I got back I noticed you and Desson are maintaining what was supposed to be a summer-only schedule of alternating weeks for this discussions. Are we going to get both of you back on a weekly basis? With the alternation, and because one of you is here Mondays and the other is Fridays, it's almost two weeks with no discussions on film, then we get two in four days (weekend in the middle). Sniff.

Rita Kempley: Bethesda: I'm sniffing too. But there's the recession and all that to be considered and I know that the big bucks they are paying us most eat into the budget something awful. Perhaps we could take up a collection. A few pennies from each of you. We might even throw in a pencil.

You slay me!: This was a great typo:

the final footage from Stanley Kubrick, who shot it "The Shinging."

Shing, shing, shinging, indeed.

Rita Kempley: And you sleigh me! I told you this typeface sucked.

Brian's Song: Not a theatrical, but nonetheless, will you be watching ABC's remake on Sunday night? I know it's sappy, but that movie... that song... they still get to me... all these jaded years later.

Rita Kempley: Enjoy, sweetie.

Arlington, Va.: Maybe "Fat Girl" was banned because it's an awful movie. I went to see it mainly based on the strength of The Post's review and was quite disappointed. The slow pace was OK. When it was dealing with the girls' rivalry and their closeness I thought it was pretty good. But the out of left field ending was just plain stupid. What had been a pretty good movie ended up being a bad movie. I'm not one who needs a happy ending, but I do like my endings to at least make some sense.

Rita Kempley: It definitely wasn't my review.

Indianapolis, Ind.: The distributors really like LOTR? That's a great sign, considering the movie is three hours long.

Any realistic chance of Oscar noms for this if the buzz apparently matches reality.

Some of the clips have been jaw dropping to me. The CGI quotient might not be as high as Harry Potter because of the natural weirdness of the New Zealand locales.

(Don't laugh at the idea of LOTR for Best Pic. Gladiator won for goodness sakes)

Rita Kempley: Indianapolis: Anything is possible when it comes to the Oscars. With a large ensemble cast, it's less likely that an actor will be singled out for a nomination. Certainlyspecial effects, production values and artisttic design will be big categories this year.

WFU alum: Point of irony: The premiere of the new Brian's Song conflicts with Love Feast, the single biggest campus gathering at Brian Piccolo's alma mater. Come on, ABC, pull it together!

On a different note: Jai guru deva. Om.

Rita Kempley: On another note: ba ba ram ewe to your flock be true.
With that I will say so long for now. See you in a couple of weeks--I will have seen the Lord of the Rings by then and we can plan our big holiday special and ytear end shows.
Good bye. Love you guys. Don't forget to send those pennies.

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