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.

Rita Kempley: Good afternoon, all.
Since we won't be getting together again before Thanksgiving, I think we should all share a movie, a performance, a special moment for which we are thankful.
As for me, well, I'm so glad that Winona Ryder didn't have to do time in the slammer. Phew, said I to myself, when the sentence was proved so light.

Laurie: Greetings Rita!

Not so impressed with HPII -- Daughter had just finished the book (she was told she could see the movie until the book was read) and just didn't love it. What the heck happened? Did Chris Columbus so want to get back on U.S. soil that he slapped it together? I know it will continue to make tons of money, but I am wondering about backlash.

Rita Kempley: Greetings Laurie:
I think Chris Columbus was hamstrung by the demands of Harry's fans. With the exception of your daughter, many kids expect the movie to reconstruct the book and that is what Columbus has done. Unfortunately, he gives every sequence the same weight and with the exception of the kids performances and Kenneth Branagh's pompous professor, the movie was flat. The first scene was the most energetic--never a good thing. Backlash? You'd have expected folks to stick up their noses at Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" after the previous installment.

Mister Jimmy: Hi Rita, when is your sabbatical over? Pleae tell me soon. Why did the Post have him review "Far From Heaven"? If there ain't no T and A or action, he's gonna slam any movie.

Also, I noticed that the WB network is airing "The Wizard of Oz" Sunday night at 7. I thought Turner bought all the rights for the film for the next zillion years. What gives?

Finally, stay away from the yams next Thursday. What a way to ruin a great turkey dinner.

Rita Kempley: Mister Jimmy:
I'm with you on the yams--also the sweet potatoes--even if they have baby marshmallows on top.
I'm coming back the first of February, wence I will claim all those movies that are action-unpacked.

As for Oz, I'm not sure. It could be that Turner sold it's film library. The WB may be renting it or perhaps they're all subsidiaries of one another.

Regards to Miss Edie.

Gamer: I know you didn't write the review, but I've got to gripe to someone about Stephen Hunter's review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It's just driving me nuts. For the most part, I agree with the point of his review: the movie lacks a good story and seems disjointed. But then he closes with the following: "He's like Holden Caulfield lost in a permanent, multimillion-dollar game of Dungeons and Dragons."

Okay, obviously this guy isn't a gamer (a gamer is someone who plays role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons). A good game of D and D is like a good movie or a good book: it has a good ongoing story with some plot twists, characters that we love or hate, action tempered with good dialogue.

I know this is petty. D and D is sorely misunderstood by the non-gamer population and just doesn't need this sort of bad press. In the 80's there was even a movement to ban it or slap warning labels on it, all due to complete misunderstanding of the hobby.

Rita Kempley: Dear Gamer:
Thanks for your petty comment. Always appreciated round these parts.

Re: Wiz of Oz: Turner bought the rights to the Wiz. Then Time-Warner bought Turner. WB = Warner Bros, i.e., corporate sister of CNN, Time Mag, AOL, etc, etc, etc.

Rita Kempley: Thanks.

Virginia: I saw a preview for Solaris last night and it looked interesting. Is there any advance word on whether the movie is worth seeing?

Rita Kempley: Virginia:
I just saw it this morning. It reminded me of "2001," which Soderburgh obviously intended. Some of the shots are identical as is the regally glacial pacing. The ending is also perplexing although no flying foeti. Very enjoyable, I thought.

Alexandria, Va.: Since the days of Remington Steele, when he was my first big crush and was cheated out of playing Bond by the nasty lawyers, I have been profoundly thankful for Pierce Brosnan. Though the quality of the movie built around him may vary, long may he reign!

Rita Kempley: I am thankful that the Brocoli Family--did you know one of their ancestors invented the nasty stuff--cast someone who doesn't creak.

Harry Potter: Now I haven't read the books, but I don't get the first posters gripes ... I thought this second installment was fantastic. And MUCH better than the first one. Does everyone think it's flat? I laughed, I got scared, I was excited about it all. And I'm 26 years old.

Rita Kempley: I don't know if everybody thinks it's flat, but I know that a lot of critics feel that way. Maybe fizzless is a better word. I felt that I was sitting through chapters instead of watching a movement. I did think the production was wonderful and agree that the sequel felt more organic than the first one.

Thankful: I'm thankful that Adam Sandler is remaking Gary Cooper films and not Jimmy Stewart films. I'm also thankful that Madonna isn't remaking Katherine Hepburn movies.

Rita Kempley: I am thankful for his performance in Punch-Drunk Love, even though I don't think it means he's a genius. I am even more thankful that I won't have to see that dumb, Christmas cartoon of his.

Washington , D.C.: ... Enjoyed your Halloween show a few weeks back. I was confused by it but I'll be prepared for next years. Also, would you ever consider doing a show on classic movie flubs? I love 'em. One classic one I know of is in 'Dr Jekyl and Mr. Hyde'(1920 with John Barrymore): In the first transformation scene from Jekyll to Hyde the glass containing the potion switches sizes when Jekyll raises it to his mouth and Hyde lowers it back to table after the change. Classic flub in a classic silent film!

Rita Kempley: I think it would be a lot of fun to talk glitches.
As for the confusion re our annual cyber seance, I blame myself. Forgot to dust the oujia mouse pad.

Drumaville: What I'm thankful for:

When John Wayne is overcome by familial love at the end of The Searchers and cradles Natalie Wood in his arms.

When Gene Kelly hands his umbrella to a soaked passer-by at the end of singing "Singing in the Rain"

When Harold Russell finally hugs his girlfriend at the end of "The Best Years of Our Lives"

When Jack Lemmon quietly says "I love you Miss Kubelik" at the end of The Apartment (even though she doesn't deserve him).

Burt Lancaster's 5 minutes or so of pure acting magic in "Field of Dreams"

John Cusack and Peter Gabriel in "... Say Anything"

The ringing telephone and Mark Knopfler's great theme music at the close of "Local Hero"

The best of all Bond girls -- Diana Rigg in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Rita Kempley: Drumaville:
Thanks for reminding us of all those lovely moments.

Nani Texas: I'm so thankful to Billy Wilder for his wonderful films, most of which I've preserved on video and play for my granddaughters. I get a kick out of their reactions to the "old timey" films. For one example, Sunset Blvd. The 13-year-old felt compassion for Norma Desmond, while the 19-year-old dismissed her as a "selfish creep". They both loved Some Like It Hot, while my favorite is Double Indemnity. Thank you Mr. Wilder.

Rita Kempley: Hi Nani:
One of the greats.

Arlington, Va.: I saw a sneak preview of "Solaris" the other night -- and enjoyed it a lot. But I saw about 25 people walk out after about an hour, and overheard several others talking afterwords about how much they hated it. Do you think it will make any money at all?

Rita Kempley: It far better than "Vanilla Sky," but it too is a small movie trapped in a huge production. If Tom Cruise couldn't save "VS," I doubt George Clooney can save "Solaris." I think a lot of people will find "Solaris" as bewildering as Cruise's vanity production. I think the pace will bother a lot of folks as well as the lack of action. It's pretty cerebral, don't you think?

College Park, Md.: I accept your challenge, my Queen. When I first saw Home for the Holidays, I did not like it that much, but somehow I ended up buying the video, and repeated viewings have given me new appreciation for it, as well as preparing me every year before heading home to MY family for Thanksgiving. So -- I am thankful for the talents of Holly Hunter. Does she have a new film coming out soon?

Rita Kempley: I was underwhelmed myself, but Home is almost a documentary about returning to the ancestral colonial for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or whenever. I don't know of anything coming up from Hunter, but I look forward to her return as well.

Herndon, Va.: OUR BELOVED HOLIDAY QUEEN: Well, James Bond is back, so I can at least look forward to about two hours of mindless fun. For those keeping up with the western festival on TCM -- it was the good and bad last night -- maybe the ugly was later. "The Oxbow Incident" obviously was the good, and, certainly on the all-time list of lousy big budget westerns -- "Nevada Smith." How you could have Steve McQueen, Brian Keith and Karl Malden (among others) and still end up with a lousy movie is beyond me, but there it is. Do you have any current "turkeys" you'd like to list for Thanksgiving? steve P.S. Does Mr. Hunter shoot his turkey?

Rita Kempley: Sir Steve: Of course, Mr. Hunter plugs his own holiday dinner. He also shoots the trimmings. Those riddled yams, man of man.
Holiday turkeys: I can't quite remember the title, something like Once Upon a Bloody Christmas. But the poster showed Santa wielding an axe as he prepared to dive down the chimney.

Washington, D.C.: Rita, Adam Sandler's movie is about Hannukah -- "Eight Crazy Nights." He did a song about it eons ago. It's part of his Saturday Night Live stuff and CDs.

Rita Kempley: Oy gevalt!

Capitol Hill: I'm thankful for the joy the animators bring to kids and adults in Shrek and the Wallis and Gromit series.

Rita Kempley: Me too.

Somewhere, USA: Adam Sandler is offensive enough, but when I have to see those stupid TV ads for his cartoon where not one but two characters make fun of the fat, non-athletic kid by referring to his boobies, I gotta think some kind of line has been crossed. Someone needs to kick that guys a_ _.

Rita Kempley: Let us petition the Motion Picture Academy . Get rid of the Thalberg presentation and just present a big ol can of whoop ass.

Olney, Md.: Well, I was really annoyed with Hunter's review of HPII -- but it was more because it was clear that he hasn't read the books and looks down his nose at the pop culture phenomenon of Harry Potter.

Nobody expects a HP flick to be an Oscar contender. Send someone to review it who doesn't feel that it's beneath him to watch a kid's movie.

Rita Kempley: Will pass this on to Donald Graham asap.

Glover Park: I'm thankful for that great Thanksgiving movie: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
And I miss John Candy.

Rita Kempley: That's my favorite road movie of all time.

D.C. Babe: I am thankful every day for a little work of genius called "Office Space" - it makes my days at this insane asylum bearable.

Rita Kempley: It's too bad that nobody went to see it when it first released. Hysterical. I think its on video though.

So much to be thankful for...: Kevin Spacey helping us to discover the true identity of Keyser Soze. And heck, I'm even grateful for K-PAX.

William Macy doing anything, anything at all.

Willem Dafoe goofing his way through Spiderman, and creeping me out completely in 'Shadow of the Vampire'

Rita Kempley: More wonderful choices.

Lurker Who Enjoys From The Sidelines: I'm thankful for our Queen and the other suspects who make this one of the best online chats around. Always clever, witty, fun and funny questions, responses, and comments.

Rita Kempley: Though I am known for my modesty, I just can't pass this one up. I was going to reveal that I was thankful to all of you all iwhen the show began, but I'm just to cussed cynical. Thank you lurker.

New York, N.Y.: Uh Rita, Eight Crazy Nights would be about Hannuka, not Christmas. He's Jewish remember, don't think he celebrates Christ's mass.

Rita Kempley: Mea Culpa

Annandale, Va.: I'm thankful John Candy graced the earth and left me with a career of films to enjoy, including the Thanksgiving themed Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. And, granted, it's not the world's greatest film, but I still break into laughter everytime I watch his antics in Going Berserk. Also, I'm thankful for the films of the fabulous Coen brothers -- including their simply wonderful The Big Lebowski -- as well as Scorcese's After Hours and The Fisher King with Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams -- two great actors. Hopefully this list is not too thankful for inclusion in this chat. Have a happy Thanksgiving Rita.

Rita Kempley: I'm with you on all of them except the Great Leibowski .

Arlington, Va.: Concerning HPII ... it's interesting to contrast Hunter's comments with Ebert, who gave it four stars. Guess we should be thankful for film critics and differences of opinion!

Rita Kempley: Well, at least, differences of opinion.

London Callin': Rita -- am I allowed to give thanks? (Well, the first Thanksgiving was actually held by us English.) So let's be thankful no one is preparing to do a remake of It's A Wonderful Life. On a personal thanks, believe it or not I went to the Bond premiere on Monday at the Albert Hall and walked down the 100 yard red carpet, hundreds of screaming fans, with a classic Bond girl on my arm - i.e., 70s. Halle looked fab!

Rita Kempley: London Callin":
Course you are. We're all so proud of your moment on the carpet. What's 30 years to a Bond Girl?

A Thankful Day: It was New Year's Day in either 1978 or 1979. As neither my brother nor I were big college football fans, we decided to go to the movies. We headed into Georgetown and caught "The Thief of Bagdad" at the Key, and then headed down to the Biograph for a double bill of "A Night at the Opera" and "A Day at the Races." A perfect day if there ever was one.

Rita Kempley: Now I wish I had a brother.

Trouble City, USA: Help!
I know the new James Bond movie is horrible. But it’s got the delicious Halle Berry in it! My wife knows that is the ONLY reason I would want to see the movie. Beside Hale, does 007 have any qualities I can use to sway my wife?

Rita Kempley: Trouble City:
Can't you go by yourself?

Sir Synergy: I'm thankful that somehow Peter Jackson was allowed to have hundreds of millions of New Line's money, with little interference. He's the anti-Soderbergh, in my opinion.

Rita Kempley: Sir Synergy: The more money, the more hobbits, the more hobbits, the better.

Alexandria, Va.: I am thankful that when you come back in February, you are not going to take any more cheap shots at size-8 actresses by calling them "fat," "doughy," or "lumpy."

Rita Kempley: Hmmm. Nope, I plan to move up to porky, schlumpy and elephantine.

Washington, D.C.: Any advanced word on The Two Towers?

Rita Kempley: I'm not allowed to say.

Flyover country: I'm thankful for the kissing scenes between Mel Gibson and Siguourney Weaver in Year of Living Dangerously

Rita Kempley: A terrific movie. Maybe his best.

Moments for which I'm thankful, Manassas, Va.: Two PTA picks: Melora Walters smiling at the end of Magnolia and Adam Sandler breaking down to the brother-in-law in Punch-Drunk Love

All of the moments in Citizen Kane. Damn.

"What's a-happenin' hot stuff?" -- Long Duck Dong in Sixteen Candles. Great.

Roberto Benigni standing on the chairs at the Oscars. I know, such backlash against this guy, but I loved that movie and I was thrilled when he won.

Fellowship of the Ring, when Sam swims after Frodo.

The Sweet Hereafter. All of it.

Many moments.

Rita Kempley: Beinigni was the best thing to happen to the Oscars since Palance's push-ups.

Washington, D.C.: Hi Rita,

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thinking of "What Dreams May Come". Our dog unfortunately, is near that moment. We'll miss him.

Rita Kempley: Oh, I'm so sorry about your dog. But if "Dreams" has it right, you'll be reunited by and by. I think "Dreams " has it right.

Burbank, Calif.: P.S.Wizard:

And although WOO could have been aired on Turner Classics (another part of the AOLTW family) I think that the thought was to air it on a more family-friendly environment. Watch the corporate synergy fly!

Rita Kempley: They ought to make a cereal called Acronyms. Kids could spell out their favorites in their bowls.

Lovely German lady: I'm thankful for Franka Potente! Let's hear it for a consistently interesting actress who doesn't fit the cookie-cutter mold.

Rita Kempley: Good choice. I also have hopes for the leading lady of "My Greek Wedding."

Somewhere, USA: Bloody Santa Axe = Silent Night Deadly Night.

Didn't that one actually get pulled from theaters after protests? I was a wee lad at the time and my memory is sketchy ...

Rita Kempley: Thank you Somewhere.

Buddy Hackettsville: I'm thankful for It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World.

Rita Kempley: Thanks, you're a real pal, Buddy.

Glover Park, Ill.: I'm thankful for Gabriel Byrne, Aaron Sorkin, and Amelie.

Rita Kempley: Whatever happened to Gabriel?

Washington, D.C.: About HPII getting four stars from Ebert -- (I haven't seen the second Potter yet, going tonight so this is not about the movie quality) but doesn't he give EVERYTHING a thumbs up these days. It seems that unless a movie is absolutely atrocious, he loves it! I really miss Gene Siskel who actually had some taste.

But still I am grateful to HBO -- for putting on edgy and brilliant shows like the Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm ... and for showing HPI!

Rita Kempley: You sure got that right.

Germantown: Well, I can think of a performance that makes me thankful. Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Conan the Barbarian". See, I don't like to be "alone" in the house, so I often play the radio or put in a movie while I do household chores or work on a quilt. I've seen Conan sooooo many times that I can entirely recite the movie (all 10 lines). Plus, I know exactly when to look up to see those muscles ripple. It's campy, I know. It's a guilty pleasure.

Contemplate this on the tree of woe.

Rita Kempley: Speaking of rippling--Solaris almost got an R because there are a couple of shots of Clooney's bumper. I think the first is a butt double, so maybe that's why the R has been downgraded to a PG-13.

Glover Park, D.C.: I'm thankful for invention of VCR -- then DVD. It's pales next to the theater experience, true, but I see SO many more movies than I might otherwise.

Rita Kempley: I think the DVD experience can be just as good. albeit in a diffferent way ,than the theatrical one. You pay more attention to performance and story because you are not overwhelmed by the effects and production values.

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: Hello your highness!

I just got around to catching "Monsters' Ball" on DVD and was amazed at how excruciatingly bad it was -- every single character was a caricature.

I recall that the thing got good reviews.

Do you think it's possible that such films play better when viewed without interruption by a paying audience watching a film screen rather than the likes of me, who had to make multiple trips to the liquor cabinet?

Rita Kempley: I think that in many cases, a movie seems all the better after a few trips to the cabinet.

Arlington, Va.: Rita:

Is Roger Dodger worth a trek to Bethesda or would I be better off heading to Shirlington to see Julianne Moore and co.? Thanks.

Rita Kempley: I think both are entertaining. But since you're so close to the Shirlington...

Minneapolis, Minn.: I am thankful for "The Third Man".

Oh, oh! and that great butt shot of Joseph Cotten in "The Magnificent Ambersons" - those wool pants ... WOW.

Rita Kempley: You just don't see those sturdy kind of duds anymore. The pants, not the movie.

Washington, D.C.: Rita,

If a film opens on a limited basis in New York and L.A. on Dec. 31, 2002, then opens in theaters nationwide in February 2003, is that film then considered for Academy Award consideration in March 2003 or the following year? Thanks.

Rita Kempley: Actually, it is eligible for a 2002 Oscar, which takes place in March 2003.

Dex, Harrisburg, Pa.: Actually, I'm reassured to hear your report about Solaris ... the Tarkovsky original was very ponderous (as were all of his films), but that's part of the appeal. What's the rush anyway?

I'll admit I was surprised to see the TV commercials selling it as a love story.

Anyway, I hope Andre Tarkovsky gets some attention if the flick is a hit -- although there's no need for any more remakes. Have you ever seen his "Stalker"? It's amazing.

Happy T-Day, Queen of the Big Screen.

Rita Kempley: I haven't seen the stalker. It's being advertised as a love story because it focuses on husband and wife rather than father and son.

Carl Tilders: Dear Missus Rita, they's a computer in the day-room up here at the nervous hospittle. Mmm hmm. It ain't got no sharp edges so they let me tinker with it from time to time, and I seen where Nani Texas rote you a letter a-saying that she likes me. Mmm hmm. Reckon what numbers do I put in to git her on the phone? I thaink she's cute too. Awright then. Thank yew.

Rita Kempley: Thanks Carl: I'm sure she'll be in touch.

Rita Kempley: Once again I'm thankful for having a chance to spend a little time with all of you smart, witty, angry and variously deranged souls. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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