|
Behind The Screen
With Desson Howe
Washington Post Film Critic
Monday, Feb. 3, 2003; 12:30 p.m. ET
Washington Post film critic Desson Howe brings Behind The Screen Live Online for a discussion on filmmaking and the art of the cinema. Have you ever wanted to know what the director had in mind when making a particular film? Or why the producer altered the original screenplay? Why was an actor or actress cast over another? Howe has answers to these and other questions about filmmaking.
Howe, a movie critic at The Washington Post for 15 years, was raised in England where he was entranced, like most, by Hollywood movies. And it was a visit to see David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia," that made him realize movies had to be a part of his life.
The 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.
Desson Howe: Greetings fellow movie fans. A little sun cracking through the cold front this weekend and now. And always, movies to talk about. Has anyone had a chance to see Russian Ark at the American Film Institute? Or were you all watching stubbled stud boy Colin Farrell? Huh? Let's talk.
What happened to the movie "Max"?:
I thought it was opening about a week ago but have heard nothing. John Cusack is the star, I believe.
Any thoughts?
Desson Howe: The movie opens this Friday. And yes, John Cusack is the star, as an art gallery owner who discovers a new talent whose name is ... Adolf Hitler.
Columbia, Md.:
Desson, I think 2002 will go down as one of the greatest movie years. Adaptation, The Hours, Chicago, About Schmidt, 25th Hour, Catch Me If You Can ... you could go on and on. Do you agree? Also, I know the fame of 1939 (Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz, if I'm not mistaken). Are there any other years that have a special reputation for greatness?
Desson Howe: I agree it's been one of the best years in recent memory, in terms of Hollywood films. And the best Christmas season in ages. But few of them will be remembered 2 or 3 years from now. 1939 is a huge year for instance: Wizard of Oz, Rules of the Game, Ninotchka, Dark Victory, Gone with the Wind, etc.
Washington, D.C.:
Why do films such as "The Gray Zone" get
such brief distribution? Is it because the
studios believe they've already sunk too
much money into a movie and don't want
to invest more in publicity and distribution,
or are there other reasons? The Post
had an interesting article about this
particular film last fall, but it seemed to
disappear from theaters in a week's time.
Desson Howe: It's a market economy. If they don't come to see it, it's gone. The public can only blame itself for its own movies and its own political leaders.
Ann Arbor, Mich.:
What five movies do you think will be nominated for Acadmey Awards? How does this list correspond with what you think were the five best movies of 2002?
Desson Howe: Gangs of New York, About Schmidt, Adaptation, Chicago, The Hours, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Lord of the Rings. 5 out of these, I think. I might have missed a title or two in my haste.
Mclean, Va.:
Any buzz, word, or indication on when the "Human Stain" will be out? I just read the book which is very intelligent, very real, and pretty sinister.
Thanks.
Desson Howe: Probably coming out in the fall. A Miramax picture with Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Nicole Kidman.
Washington, D.C.:
Desson,
I was wondering if you had any thoughts
on the SAG awards coming up. Who
would your picks be for Best Ensemble,
Best Actor and Actress of this year?
Desson Howe: Ensemble, I'd say Chicago and Adaptation are neck and neck. I suppose Lord of the Rings a close 2nd or 3rd. Best actor: Jack Nicholson comes to mind (won Golden Globe too). Best Actress: maybe Diane Lane in Unfaithful or Meryl Streep in Adaptation. Julianne Moore in Far from Heaven was powerful too.
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.:
Is the film "Guru" coming to the D.C. area? I want to see it but can't find any listings for it.
Desson Howe: Yes, it's scheduled for February sometime. Which could mean anything. Could be March. Jimmy Mistry stars as an Indian dancer who travels from New Delhi to New York city where he is mistaken for a spiritual healer by the city's upper crust. Has Heather Graham and Marisa Tomei.
Laurel, Md.:
Oh well, the top five box offices of the weekend were The Recruit, Final Destination 2, Biker Boyz, Kangaroo Jack and Darkness Falls. So anyone who just indisciminately showed up at their local cineplex and bought a ticket to whatever was showing probably thinks the current movies are worthless piddle. Which is WAY TOO BAD because there are probably more good to excellent films out right now than any time I can remember. It does make me wonder:
Are we finally seeing the results of the pledge to make better films that became an issue in the 2000 Presidential election? For a couple of years, it seems there have been more really stupid comedies doing well at the box office, and fewer hyper-violent or super-sexy movies, which is the effect that a push to clean up films would have on low-grade cinema.
But maybe we've reached the point in the life-cycle of movies that there are more About Schimdt's and Adaptations than would have been made a couple of years ago.
Desson Howe: Well, it's great that all those films are out, or were recently out. But we're getting a whole cartload of you know what as well right now. I've seen 3 or 4 bad teen comedies already and it's only just February. The bad never stops. The good comes and goes. And it's always nice when it does. Hard to gauge a rash of good films coming out and peg it to something previous. Films take 2 years to make, and that's when they're going top speed. Yes, 2000 was about that long ago. But I hesitate to make generalisations about these things.
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.:
Hate to be a bother, but I've been awaiting Max with great anticipation as well -- when I typed it into the Entertainment Guide nothing came up. You wouldn't happen to know WHERE it's opening Friday, would you?
Desson Howe: Well, Dupont, sounds like you don't have to walk too far. It's at the Dupont exclusively. That fine theater where everyone in the room has to stand up if one person wants to cross his legs. Tight little space.
Long Beach, Calif.:
As one who is fascinated by Hitler
and the Third Reich, and as an art person,
I find it absurd for a legitimate art dealer
to be showing interest in the art work of Adolf Hitler. The work he did was charming
at its best, and crude in general. The portrayal of him as a two-bit post card illustrator is really quite accurate. How is this movie going to float, based upon the low grade of Hitler's art work?
Desson Howe: I think that's what the film will be all about. This wouldn't be the first time in human history someone thought well of someone's mediocre work.
Washington, D.C.:
What have you heard about Willard? It's nice to see Crispin Glover with a starring role again. I think he is perhaps the only actor who could make that movie without being overshadowed by the rats.
Desson Howe: You're right. It's intriguing casting. I think he might even scare the rats. Check out WillardMovie.com
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.:
Hi Desson!
I need some old movie recommendations. I'm in my late 20s and have been in the mood lately to catch up on some classics that I've never seen. (I rented "The Way We Were" this weekend -- WOW!) My favorites are "Lawrence" (of course), "All About Eve," "Citizen Kane," the Hitchcocks -- all the usuals, really, but I'm looking for more.
My Blockbuster is absolutely terrible, so browsing the aisles does me no good. What are some of your and the readers' favorite classic films? I'm especially enjoying romances lately, but welcome any and all suggestions!
Desson Howe: Well, I'll put it to the gathered cast here. Romances? I would say Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier, Pride and Prejudice (the older one); Dark Victory; Ninotchka; and anything with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn: Woman of the Year, Adam's Rib, etc. Philadelphia Story too. And if you haven't seen It's A Wonderful Life, well, get to it.
Vienna, Va.:
Hello Desson,
I have to say that I actively look for your reviews before I see a movie and the majority of the time you are right on the money. I haven't seen anything within the past couple of weeks (with the exception of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) that looks either hilarious or action packed and might be worth the $8.50. The Recruit seems like the same garbage CIA "mole" plot that Hollywood has been churning out for years. And the Romance comedies that are out now make me want to gag on the $4 feedbag of popcorn that the pimply kid behind the counter forced on me ("For a dollar more you can get a large").
Are there any good comedic or action movies that are coming out in the next few weeks that would be worth my attention? Are there any movies you are looking forward to in this realm of cinema? Please don't say Daredevil. (It looks like another Batman and Robin type of comic book movie).
Thanks and I look forward to you next review.
Desson Howe: Thanks Vienna. Too kind. Comedic upcoming? The trailer looks okay for Bringing Down the House, with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. Action, well, don't see too much in near future.
To Dupont Circle:
Classics: "Sullivan's Travels". Delightful.
Desson Howe: Yes. Anything by Preston Sturges.
Falls Church, Va.:
I confess that I am a Welles fanatic. Do you have an opinion of "The Magnificent Ambersons" and any idea when it will be available on DVD? For years, it landed in the Sight and Sound Polls, but now seems to have evaporated. I know there is controversy surrounding the film -- it was taken out of Welles' control and re-edited with his disapproval. Touch of Evil was similarly bowlderized but was thankfully restored. Maybe there doing the same with TMA?
Desson Howe: Sorry, I'm not one who checks out the DVD reissue side of things. So I don't know about that. But in terms of the film, Magnificent Ambersons is an incredible movie. One of the very best. And Touch of Evil. Love it. Both are great bets to have on DVD.
Fellow Old Movie Lover in Dupont:
Dont forget Audrey! Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's are must-sees. And don't miss Marilyn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Desson Howe: Yes, yes.
I must vent:
I saw Rabbit Proof-Fence yesterday at the Outer Circle. First, what an amazing story and the young actresses portraying the three half castes were phenomenal.
Now to the venting. The theater was quite crowded because it is small and, I imagine, lots of people were intrigued after the article in yesterday's Outlook section. People arrived in streams between 5-15 minutes after the movie started. They did not bother to speak in whispers as they tried to find seats and express their surprise at the number of people there. A woman sat with her son on the floor behind me. The boy must not have been too interested because it sounded like he was flipping a cassette tape. To add insult to injury, she was reading the last subtitles to him! Aarrrghh!
Other than that, it was a fine movie.
Desson Howe: My goodness. People should have to take some kind of test before they're allowed into theaters. Consideration is not the prevailing slogan, is it.
Long Beach, Calif.:
How should Americans brush up on English slang in order to understand British comedy? Sometimes, you'd swear they were speaking a foreign tongue. Any cheap CLIFF
NOTES style English-American slang dictionaries?
Desson Howe: Hey, the world has to constantly catch up when it comes to watching American movies and all that street slang and regional accents. But anyway. As for British slang, you could start with this: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/
Laurel, Md.:
Re: Films and Political Leaders
Both aren't ENTIRELY the public's fault. The Press plays a role in deciding whether Alan Keyes or Ralph Nader is a serious candidate or not. As related to films, why do the "Entertainment Tonight" type shows devote so much more time to Kangaroo Jack and Darkness Falls than to City of God or Russian Ark?
Surely it's not that unbiased journalists or reviewers have determined those to be the more important or worthwhile films.
Desson Howe: No, it's that the entertainment industry and Hollywood are incestuous cousins. Anything made by the studios and heavily advertized by those studios will beget cheesy interviews with ridiculous television personalities on shows like ET or Good Morning Mediocrity, all posing as movie critics who wouldn't know Akira Kurosawa if they tripped over his Tokyo grave.
Washington, D.C.:
Greetings fellow D.C. United supporter -- looking forward to the new season?
A film question -- any idea when Love Liza starts here? If it isn't soon, I'm going to have to make a road trip to NYC ... Have you seen it?
Desson Howe: Hello back to you. May DCU play better than, well, the last 4 years. As for Love Liza, it opens this Friday. I liked it reasonably so. And Philip Seymour Hoffman is enjoyable.
Classics...:
Les Miserables - the old version is great and will make you wonder what anyone sees in that musical.
Desson Howe: Thanks.
Re: I must vent:
I saw The Piano this weekend (brilliant) -- at the end of the movie, there is a profile of Adrien Brody and someone shouts out "Look at that shnoz!" In a holocaust movie! Also, dude to my left kept heckling the screen too -- when SS troopers killed a family in the street he yells "Somebody call the cops." I was wishing the 3rd Reich was on hand to do a job on my moviegoing cohort.
Desson Howe: Wow. Why did they even come to the movie if they're that insensitive? Amazing.
Charlottesville, Va.:
What type of programming will the AFI
Silver Theater have when it opens in, I
think, April? Will it be showing films on a
close to continual basis or have
intermittent festivals and features as was
the case at the underutilized AFI theater in
the Kennedy Center?
I hope the former is the case. I know that
it's market dynamics, but I find it a shame
that one cannot see great films on a wide
screen if one lives outside Manhattan,
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and
perhaps Boston and Chicago.
Desson Howe: I tried getting my AFI contact on his cell phone. To no avail. But what he told me recently is that the AFI will retain the Kennedy Center location and the Silver Theater. What this means in terms of programming, I don't know. Will it be the same fare in both places? I will ask him later and try to remember to post it next time. Maybe you can jog me, if I don't.
Washington, D.C.:
Let me just say that "Sullivan's Travels" is
not a funny film. Clever, perhaps, but so
self-consciously so. And let's face it,
people just recommend Preston Sturges
because it's a prestige choice and they
think they'll sound sophisticated. On the
contrary. Lubitsch is good; "To Be or Not
to Be" is one of the funniest films ever.
"Ninotchka" is stolid; Garbo may have
laughed but you won't.
Of course, for true greatness one must
turn to Renoir, the greatest director in
Western cinema. And while we're at it, let
me put a plug in for Chaplin. I know all
about the critical disdain for the pathos
and melodrama of his films, but the
physicality of his wit is amazing. He was,
as Fields famously stated, the greatest
ballet dancer of his time. People praise
Keaton, again, but they want to look
intelligent and sophisticated and yet
achieve the opposite effect.
Desson Howe: Well, I agree with you on the people you have recommended. And yes, Sturges is prestige, but he's worth it. And I could care less if I look like a snob for saying so. Lubitsch is great. And I adore Chaplin, sentimentality and all.
For Movie Houses to consider ... :
Greetings Desson,
After reading the transcript from last week, I have a suggestion to post to all movie houses that experience pre-sale tickets, crowds and holding of seats to big movies (I am referencing Gaithersburg's disappointing experience): reserved seating.
I too, saw TTT on opening night, and stood in line, in the freezing cold, with a crowd of other people. Fortunately, numbers were passed out as you arrived (and you had to be there to get one -- you could not claim 10 tickets unless all 10 of your party were there), and you were assigned a seat when you purchased your ticket.
The theater is independently owned, and the Owners did their level best to put groups of people in clumps through out the theater. There was not ONE complaint. The Owners even got up on the stage for an hour of silly games (for movie posters and other movie paraphernalia) and sold great snacks until the midnight viewing time.
I will not patronize any other movie house except this one. It took probably more organization from the management, but everyone was willing to play fair and to respect the spirit of a bunch of goofballs freezing in the December night to see the first show!
Thanks,
Desson Howe: Thanks for a very thoughtful set of points.
Bellefonte, Pa.:
Hello Desson, and happy Monday to you. It's a pleasure to chat with the man who quite possibly has the world's greatest job. What screenwriting magazines, if any, do you read? Did you see The Bread, My Sweet? It's a nice low-budget movie starring Scott "Chachi" Baio that opened here over the weekend. Rosemary Prinz did a terrific job in it as Bella.
Desson Howe: Thanks Bellefonte. I agree it's a fantastic job. Although I think the greatest job is to not have one at all. I used to read screenplay magazine, but I tend to have too little time, what with all the newspapers to read, a family, soccer, and trying to teach my neighbor to pick up after her rotweiler.
Atlanta, Ga.:
Can't have 'All About Eve' on the list and not add 'Sunset Boulevard'...
Desson Howe: Sunset Boulevard! One of the greats.
Washington D.C.:
In light of this weekend's disaster Desson, I recall a TV show about space ships that starred Andy Griffith. It was called Salvage 1. I remember it as being pretty good. Actually very good IMHO. It was about a wealthy scrapyard dealer who built his own space craft and launched it from his junkyard. They flew to space to retrieve NASA junk left in orbit and brought it back to earth to sell as scrap. It came out as a TV movie then went on as a series. Co-starred Trish Stewart and the late Richard Jaeckel. Can't find in nowheres today!
Desson Howe: That was 1979. Didn't see it. But sounds way intriguing!
Fairfax, Va.:
Desson,
Just saw One-Hour Photo the other day. Have to say I was in awe having watched it. Robin Williams gives a great performance and the movie just had this eery quality throughout. Thoughts?
Desson Howe: Agreed. A small movie, perhaps. But perfectly realized. And Williams was chillingly good and sad. I liked it much.
Another Old romantic movie recommendatoin:
Rebecca with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier.
Desson Howe: I get the chills just THINKING about Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers, when she suddenly appears in front of Joan Fontaine. A tragic romance, I'd say.
Arlington, Va.:
For anyone wanting lists of great movies, they should look at the American Film Institute's lists of greats (100 Greatest American Films, which are also broken down into 100 Most Laughs, Thrills, Passion, etc.)
I love reading the lists just to remember those I've seen as well finding inspiration for checking into those I haven't seen.
Desson Howe: Yes, a good source of such things. Agreed.
Chino, Calif.:
Speaking of rude moviegoers, I have to
mention the movies I saw while in state prison in California. The inmates would wildly cheer any and all violence, including
mayhem against the good guys. I asked a guard about it, and he said that they won't
watch anything other than biker and street
gang movies, "so just give them what they want".
Desson Howe: Maybe they should be forced to watch Preston Sturges when they're very bad.
Nani/Texas:
Classic romance films: Penny Serenade (Cary Grant, Irene Dunne), My Favorite Wife (same cast), A Place in the Sun (Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor); My Cousin Rachel (Richard Burton), Leave Her to Heaven (Gene Tierney, Cornell Wilde) Other great classics: Gentlemen's Agreement; Baby Doll, A Face in the Crowd, The Third Man, Double Indemnity, Sorry Wrong Number ... and many more!
Desson Howe: Very good list.
Alexandria, Va. -- of interest to Dupont Circle:
For the Dupont Circle poster who is fed up with his local Blockbuster -- all I can say is subscribe to Netflix.com immediately! I just signed up a couple weeks ago. For $20 a month, I can have as many movies as I can watch (3 out at a time). They have thousands of titles, all very easily researched. Browse by title, by genre, by director, by foreign films, by classics ... I have more than 40 titles in my rental queue already. Fabulous site.
All on DVD of course. Considering how cheap DVD players are these days, no real reason not to spring for one.
Desson Howe: Exactly. Great information for all.
More old movies:
Some other favorites with romantic aspects: Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot and Double Indemnity.
Desson Howe: Hey, ANYTHING by Billy Wilder. Be serious.
Bethesda, Md.:
"The bad never stops. The good comes and goes."
And how quickly! Drumline and Antwone Fisher have been moved out of my three nearby multiplexes to make room for Just Married and other crap.
Good harvest this year, but I just hate having to squeeze two or three movies per week in a two month period while the rest of the year is more like a desert. And I'm thinking specially about average cities, at least the D.C. area still has a few quirky, less mass-oriented theaters. But think South Florida ...
Desson Howe: The more people respond to good films ....
Old movies:
BUSTER KEATON! Try especially, if you can, to catch his movies accompanied live by the terrific Alloy Orchestra -- they're a trio that puts scores to tons of silent movies: Nosferatu, Steamboat Bill Jr., Fatty Arbuckle's stuff. As for Keaton, put all your money on Sherlock Jr. -- one of the funniest movies ever made, see it however you can.
Desson Howe: Buster is king. Without him, Jackie Chan wouldn't exist.
Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Hi Desson,
Look, I like Almodovar. But I saw Talk to Her this weekend and I Cannot Believe the hype this dumb, dumb movie is getting. Dumb! The relationship between the two male protagonists is totally unbelievable and unlikely, Begnino is totally unsympathetic, it was gratuitous and not sexy, heavy-handed and not as subtle as everyone is claiming. Of course this is my humble opinion. Why the monolithic love for Pedro? I don't think he can do no wrong, do you?
Desson Howe: Sorry about your bad experience. But I'm afraid, I disagree myself. Found it unbelievingly touching. None of his characters are ever believable. They are part of a parallel universe. And I've had my Almodovar flicks that I didn't care for. But this one, I loved it.
Tysons Corner, Va.:
Oh, can I add a couple to the list of classics?
Lion in Winter
Becket
Bringing Up Baby
Some Like It Hot
Desson Howe: OKay. think we 've got enough here. What's great is to see the passion for the classics that one simple question can strike up.
I recommended 'Sullivan's Travels"...:
... and didn't say it was funny, I said delightful. In fact, it was all I said and I'm at a loss to understand how could that sound prestigious or sophisticated. Did Washington, D.C. re-read his/her own rant?
That's so ... funny.
Desson Howe: Oh well.
Response to Film Classics:
"Splendor in the Grass" is a stunning movie. The story is intense and deeply moving. The actors (Wood and Beatty) do an amazing job and the ending is brilliant. I get choked up just thinking about it. And read the book "The Way We Were" because it is soooo good.
Desson Howe: For your intensity, I'll post this.
20015:
Glad to see you don't have a lot of time for Colin Farrell. In the interests of full disclosure I haven't seen any of his films but good god, I saw him on some program last week w/ Britney Spears in tow and he was "effing" it up and generally acting like a complete idiot. Made me ashamed to be Irish with his whole "Aah Jaysus how'ya" routine.
Desson Howe: I don't dislike him. But I'm not going to start a scrapbook of photos or anything.
St. Mary's County, Southern Md.:
For the cinema fan wanting recommendations for old movies: Casablanca. What a great movie! Besides the ones Desson mentioned, some of my favorites are "It Happened One Night" (Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert) and "Key Largo" (Bogart and Bacall).
Enjoy!
Desson Howe: Nice to hear from Santa Maria, Md.
Long Beach:
I've viewed "THE PARTY" starring Peter
Sellers as a cult classic, yet never see it
on the art cinema circuit. Is this because of
Claudine Longet being in the film?
Desson Howe: Yes, there is a conspiracy to prevent any films with her being on the arthouse circuit. The FBI is part of it.
Arlington, Va.:
Any early buzz on "Gods and Generals" the Civil War epic opening Feb 21st?
Desson Howe: It's supposed to be good. Coming in the next couple of weeks here.
Bethesda, Md.:
Regarding the rudeness of movie patrons now a days, I find it incredible they weren't taught better manners. Is it more polite to shush someone or to whisper, "could you please be quiet"? It annoys me no end to hear people talk during a movie, as though they were home. Oh, and what's with people putting their feet on the backs of seats that are occupied? That's annoying as well and equally discourteous.
Desson Howe: You have to spot your enforcer when you go into a theater. Hopefully the usher or mgr who'll talk to these troglodytes.
London, England:
Hi Desson
Had One-Hour Photo been released just before Christmas and had Miramax promoted it, I have no doubt Williams would get an Oscar nomination. Good as Nicholson is -- we've sort of seen that performance before. But I thought Robin rose to a whole new level. Talking Miramax, you promised to come back with any response to my query that Gangs of New York is far from historically accurate. But in fact, works to misportray history in a quite outrageous way by denying the mutilation, torture and mass murder of Africa-Americans in 1863 New York -- including the burning down of an Orpanage.
Desson Howe: As for your comments on One Hour, I agree 100 per cent. He could have been pushed around Christmas and aced a nom.
I did get a response on your other question and you can be the judge of how useful and considered it was.
Response from Matthew Hiltzik SVP of Corporate Communications, sent Tuesday, January 21, 2003 1:27 PM:
RE: Online question: Gangs of New York/Miramax The
film is based on a compilation of stories and is a snap shot of the difficult time in American History. The discussion of this period in this chat session is an encouraging sign that people are learning more about the impact of the draft riots in history.
Here was your posting:
London, England: Hi
Desson. I've read quite a few articles claiming that "Gangs Of New York" is not simply
historically inaccurate, but that it actively works to supress the facts behind the mass
murder of African-Americans in 1863 New York. In particular, Jonathan Foreman at the
other Post (New York) says, and I quote: "The Civil War is casting its shadow over the
city with the 1863 Draft Riots. These began with assaults on police by Irish immigrants
enraged by Lincoln's conscription order on July 11, 1863. Very quickly, they turned into
a monstrous pogrom, with a 50,000-strong mob murdering and mutilating every black they
could find.
The Coloured Orphans' Asylum was set on fire, followed by several black churches and
the Anglican mission in Five Points. The city's small German Jewish population was also
attacked. Panicked blacks fled to the safety of British and French vessels at anchor in
the East and Hudson rivers. Many drowned. Those who were caught were often tortured and
castrated before they were killed. In the film, you don't see any of this. Instead, a
voice-over quoting from telegraph reports briefly mentions some of the mob's racist
violence."
Now I read that world statesman and part-time pop star Bono pops up at the Golden Globes
yesterday, and boasts that, "This film is absolutely accurate in historical detail.
[Director Martin] Scorsese was even convinced to take out certain scenes in which an
Irish gang ran marauding through the streets of New York and tried to burn down an
orphanage of black children. Harvey [Weinstein] convinced Marty to take that out."
Clearly both cannot be correct. Do directors have an absolute moral duty to tell the
truth in movies -- or does artistic license allow them to mis-portray history?
Arlington, Va.:
I saw The Hours recently. The story and acting were great, but the dialogue itself seemed to me rather overly intellectual (i.e., real people don't talk that way). Is this just because I'm not smart enough to understand, or would this be more clear to me if I read Virginia Woolf's books?
Desson Howe: It was a theatrical film. And yes, a film about a literary woman and people who were affected by same. So it would seem to the uninitiated that it was so, I guess.
"Look at that schnoz":
Wow, that's exactly what one of my friends said during Disney's Beauty and the Beast when the Beast turns back into the prince. We were 16 at the time. Frightening to think that an adult would think that's an appropriate comment, especially during a movie like The Pianist.
Desson Howe: Eek.
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Do you really think that My Big Fat Greek Wedding will be nominated for multiple Academy Awards? I feel that there are MUCH more deserving movies out there ...
Desson Howe: I am smiling at your premise: that the deserving will be nominated. I congratulate you on your delightful view of the world.
Washington, D.C.:
More and more trailers give away not only the plot but the obvious ending of films (e.g., "Main in Manhattan," "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,"). Is the objective to make the film as safe as possible (e.g., if you take a date, you can bank on a happy ending)? Of course, endings of most such films are obvious soon after the film starts (e.g., "Sleepless in Seattle").
Desson Howe: These movies are not designed for the brightest bulbs in the moviegoing community. I think that's fair to say.
12th Floor Metro Center:
Don't laugh, but I went to see Final Destination, Part II, this weekend, and liked it! I enjoyed the first one as well. This one was a lot gorier than the first, but had its comedic moments (assuming these were purposeful).
Desson Howe: Aha. So you liked it, huhhhh? Nothing wrong with that!
Old Movies, Young Minds:
I was watching cable recently and my 21-year-old on break sat down right as Casablanca came on. He was waiting on a buddy to come over and go out to Adams Morgan. They never left ... Sat through the whole thing and thought it was "awesome". Very shortly thereafter I was able to convince him to watch Dr. Strangelove and he howled along with me and Slim at the end! All they need is exposure!
Desson Howe: Excellent.
20015:
Uuummm, temper your enthusiasm for Netflix -- just about every new release has a "long" or "very long" wait once you've been a subscriber for a few months -- they save all the new releases for new subscribers
I've been a member since the summer of 01 and am about to cancel in frustration.
Desson Howe: Uh oh.
Bethesda, Md.:
Desson:
Regarding old movies, is there any venue that is showing them, like the olf Biograph and Key theaters used to? (And for those of us who've been in D.C. a long time, like the original Circle Movie used to?) There are a number of classics that are just not the same on the small screen.
Thanks for these chats -- they're always worth while!
Desson Howe: Could be one or two in the near future, including the revitalized Avalon. Probably coming in the next few months.
Desson Howe: Sorry to close the session. But have to go, everyone. It's been a pleasure. Talk to you all in two weeks. Keep up the search for good movies.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay Tuned to Live Online:
Sports:
The Chat House, 1:30 p.m. ET
Travel
Talk, 2 p.m. ET
Politics:
The Budget & Performance, 2 p.m. ET
Rob
Pegoraro: ISP Directory, 2 p.m. ET
Weather
Warriors: NBC4's Bob Ryan, 2 p.m. ET
Weather
Warriors: WUSA9's Topper Shutt, 3 p.m. ET
Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with
washingtonpost.com
e-mail newsletters.
Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com.
Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.
| |
© Copyright 2003 The Washington Post Company | 
