The Unusual Suspects
With Rita Kempley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, Aug. 30, 2002; 2 p.m. EST
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.
College Park, Md.:
Saw "Mulholland Drive" the other day on video. Pretty damn good. I wonder when Lynch is going to get an Oscar. I wonder if he really cares. I dunno, when it comes to mysteries, nothing beats a Lynch film. He is the only director in which I would trust using the dream cliche.
Rita Kempley: College Park: I think he might feel a bit like Altman did when asked how he felt about his nomination last year: "Isn't that the award they gave Spielberg." Although Lynch probably isn't that jaded and I suspect he realizes his work isn't apt to attract a majority of Academy voters.
Arlington:
Hi, Rita! I finally rented "Amelie" last week and I really enjoyed it, although I wasn't as bowled over as some. My question, though, is about the English subtitles and who writes and quality controls them? My French is pretty good and I try to watch a French movie without reading the subtitles, although it's very difficult. In "Amelie", I noticed that the subtitles were terrible: inaccurate and incomplete in places and in others it seemed like the translator was using an outdated French-English dictionary.
It's a real shame because some of the dialogue was great and involved subtleties that the English text didn't even attempt to pick up. This makes me wonder (1) does a studio do any quality control on its translations before it distributes its movie internationally, and (2)how much we might miss when we rely entirely on subtitles in watching a movie, especially in more exotic languages like Chinese or Persian. If a major French production relies on such poor translation, what about the more low budget ones?
Rita Kempley: Hi Arlington: I understand enough French to realize when the English subtitles don't jive with the French dialog. I imagine,. filmmakers who aren't fluid in both languages presume they've hired competent subtitlers.
Long Beach:
Speaking of Spielberg, I am aghast
at the product tie-ins Hanks and Steve have
done with the rudely placed and obviously
fascist inspired WWII Memorial. Your thoughts
about Hollywood backing lackluster memorials
for commercial gain?
Rita Kempley: Long Beach: Whether they stand to gain from their support of the monument, many of us in Washington feel like the monstrous thing will ruin the look of the Mall. I think Mr. Hanks should stick to acting. Of course, lots of celebrities lobby for their favorite causes and are far less offensive than the tobacco lobby.
Sir Synergy:
Oh Wise and Benevolent Queen.
I have a book recommendation for you. Kevin Murphy from the Mystery Science Theater show has written a book called "A Year at the Movies". He watched a movie a day in a theater and chronicled his travels. It's not so much a movie review book, but a surprisingly intelligent analysis of how we watch movies, not just what we watch.
His section on sneaking into Cannes with Richard Corliss makes the whole book worth it ...
Rita Kempley: My Good Sir: Thanks for the recommendation. I'll buy it as soon as I finish a collection of short stories, "Smoke and Mirrors." One of the best stories looks at Snow White from the Queen's point of view. Turns out Snow is a vampire.
Burbank:
I've heard that proficiency in English can get a French citizen arrested.
Perhaps the translations are bad in order to
avoid charges from the Ministry of the French
Language.
Rita Kempley: Alors!
Herndon, Va.:
OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN: As we approach the end of the "summer semi-blockbuster" cycle and breathlessly await the "Christmas blockbusters" that will attack sometime after Halloween, do you discern any trends? All I can see is that there'll always be a place for romantic comedies, romantic/raunchy comedies and rauncy comedies.
Rita Kempley: Sir Steve: Long time, no hear. The only trend I have noticed is an industry wide lack of imagination and daring.
College Park, Md.:
My Big Fat Greek Golden Anniversary: Rita, Greek Wedding is a cute little film, but enough already! It's been showing at my favorite theater -- the Old Greenbelt -- for what seems like decades. When I e-mailed to ask them to change pictures, they said their contract requires them to show the film until weekend houses fall to some level. Is this common?
Rita Kempley: Hmm. I don't know much about exhibitors' contracts, except that they agree to take B if they win the rights to show A. My guess is that they are still making money on the movie and will hang on to it until the picture runs out of steam.
Mister Jimmy:
Hi Rita. Well, Miss Edie finally forced me to watch my first Austin Powers movie earlier this week. It was the second in the series, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
On a more current note, I saw an interesting article in USA Today earlier this week on the marketing of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Turns out they planned to market this thing quietly the entire time, hoping that word of mouth would keep it alive and then they'd slowly move it into more and more theaters. I don't care that I've been deceived; I'm just glad the movie is doing so well.
Rita Kempley: Hi Mister Jimmy: I don't think the marketing was really that deceptive. But I do wonder if they are being honest about the process.
BTW when are you and Miss Edie tying the knot?
A.U.:
Speaking of Lynch, has anyone sent out that search party for E-guy yet?
Rita Kempley: Where is E-Guy? Anybody run into him on another chat?
SciFiGirl:
Rita -- how pleased was I to see you and another moviegoer encompass two of my favorite things into one exchange: The person recommending A Year at the Movies by someone associated with MST3K (still one of my favorite shows by far) and by YOU reading a book of Neil Gaiman short stories (Gaiman is one of my favorite writers and when I met him earlier this summer I thought I was going to faint I was so excited). Gaiman is a terrific writer and is getting into writing film scripts (I believe he's co-writing The Fermata right now, based on a Nicholson Baker book).
And on a film note I will say that I saw Mostly Martha last week, and it once again proved to me that a European can take a quintessentially American film type (a romantic comedy) and put a spin on it that makes it thoughful and poignant. It was a formulaic movie saved by fabulous performances and good direction.
Rita Kempley: SciFiGirl: I hope Gaiman can stand the script-writing process. There's another story in the same collection about an English novelist's idiotic experiences in the Holly Woods.
L'Academie, France:
Miz Kempley...
Non! It iz "Zut Alors!" not merely just "alors!" Ah, the indignity! Is zis what happens when these cowboys eat zeir McDonald's? What sacrilege for our beautful language....
Rita Kempley: Oh, zut.
Re: Subtitles:
Best not to diss the French when talking of subtitles for French movies.
Anyone who's done translation knows you generally hire a native speaker. Thus, we have only ourselves to blame!
Rita Kempley: I was talking about the English subtitles on French films. I disseth not.
College Park:
Me again ... slow work day
Re: subtitles. I always thought it was better to see a movie with subtitles than dubbed. I still kind of feel like that, but I saw Crouching Tiger subtitled and it was fine. Then my brother got the DVD and we tried the dubbed version and really enjoyed, much more complex dialog, much richer. The disconnect between dubbed voice and the mouth of the actor really wasn't an issue as it used to be.
Rita Kempley: College Park: Yes, if they can convince us dogs are talking, then surely they can apply the same technology when dubbing.
Greensboro, N.C.:
Hi Rita,
I finally dragged my wedding-fatigued finance to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding. What a disappointment! Are these tired ethnic jokes still funny? Not that there were many jokes, just one or two repeated ad infinitum. And am I supposed to empathize with a 30-year-old woman who feels she has to beg her father to take a computer class? Judging from the uproarious reaction from the audience, I'm obviously missing something. Could you, or maybe some of the peanuts, please explain the appeal of this movie?
Rita Kempley: Hi Greensboro,
Wedding fatigued? Maybe MBFGW just didn't measure up to your expectations. And no, you are not supposed to identify with a grown women who has to have her father's approval. You are, however, supposed to emphathize with her plight. If you don't, you just don't. The movie reminded me a lot of "Moonstruck," another ethnic Cinderella story. I am probably having a senior moment, but there is a wonderful indie movie about a disastrous Brooklynite's wedding. A simple title: Anybody remember?
Smoke and Mirrors?:
Hola, Rita! Who is Smoke and Mirrors by? Amazon.com has a ton of entries for that title.
It's not Gregory Maguire, is it? That man is brilliant ...
Rita Kempley: Neil Gaiman. He's also written graphic novels, novels, children's books and some non-fiction. He's a new discovery, a recommendation of a screenwriter friend, whose upcoming sci-fi thriller "The Manifestant" will arrive at a theater near you as soon as it gets out of turn-around. Cross your fingers.
Indie wedding movie:
Are you thinking of Nancy Savoca's "Household Saints"?
Rita Kempley: That is another good one, but not the one I'm trying to recall.
Buscemi-fan:
Hi Rita! Long time no chat. (I'm actually supposed to be WORKING on Fridays...)
Since Steve B. hasn't done anything much lately, I'm now obsessed with Lord of the Rings. Do you know if Peter Jackson pulled a Hitchcock in Fellowship of the Ring, i.e., placed himself in a scene? I'm thinking of when the Hobbits first enter the town of Bree in the rain, and a big bearded guy eating a carrot looks right at the camera. (OK, I admit I never realized this until I bought the DVD and watched it over and over.)
Rita Kempley: I understand. You've had your hands full with your--2 or is it 32-year-old.
I don't know about that, but you're probably right. I think the carrot is a dead give-away.
Lassieland :
At what point do animals with moving
lips become bored and go back to being animals without dumb dialogue? ARF
Rita Kempley: I'm surprised PETA hasn't looked into this.
Lakewood the home to nothing exciting:
Dear Rita,
I took a trip to Hollywood -- now I finally understand how many of the movies we see get made.
There is nothing like being told -- that is a really neat story - real depth -- but it's just not commercial.
I miss your reviews. I think you nailed Possesion right on the head. I am glad I checked your chat for input on My Big Fate Greek Wedding. It was because of the comments I read here that I went and finally had a wonderful movie experience for first time since last Fall. Hi to Miss Eggy and to the missing in action eraserhead.
Rita Kempley: Hi Lakewood,
Glad to hear of your enlightment.Did you make it to Frederick's Lingerie Museum on Hollywood Blvd.? Vivien Leigh's corset from GWTW and a Madonna bustier.
MagnoliaGuy, Alex., Va.:
Dubbing is unforgivable except in old Godzilla movies -- saw them that way as a child on Channel 20 in D.C. and nostalgia is a powerful force. The lack of subtitled editions on most Hong Kong action DVDs put out in the U.S. by Miramax/Disney is exactly why there is a boycott underway by great numbers of fans such as myself. One only has to look at the Jet Li and Jackie Chan features on DVD in America to see not only the lack of extras but lack of even subtitles. And worse still is the retitling, the new music, the arbitrary cuts, etc. Rant over My Queen.
Rita Kempley: MagnoliaGuy: I think dubbing is a must in the old Godzillas. I am glad to hear of this boycott. Do the folks at Miramax know about it? I'm sure Disney could care less. Everything they do is dubbed unless cartoon mice, duckies and such really can talk.
Wedding Disaster movie:
There was a wedding disaster at the end of Royal Tennenbaums, but I wouldn't say the movie was "about" the wedding.
Rita Kempley: Fun movie. Now out on video if anybody is interested.
Hollywood:
Lovely Rita, There is no Frederick's Lingerie Museum. There is only Frederick's of
Hollywood's Lingerie Museum.
Rita Kempley: Once again, I stand corrected.
Washington, DC:
Choice between The Good Girl and One Hour Photo tonight. Are they both worth seeing in the theater?
Thanks for doing these chats.
Rita Kempley: I liked both so it depends on your mood. One Hour Photo is the better of the two, though I felt like the art direction was intrusive and some of the dream sequences obvious. And there are some plot problems, but it doesn't really much matter unless you're picky. Very eerie.
The Good Girl is lighter in tone, but like "One Hour," it's not the same old thing and features intriguing performances.
Possession:
Rita--
Missed your review? What did you think of Possession? I thought it was higgly-dee horrific. Amazingly bad. In fact, I walked out after the waterfall scene even though the guy who played Gwyneth's love interest looked damn good without a shirt on. Anyhow -- please tell me I'm not alone in LOATHING this film......
Rita Kempley: I didn't care enough to loathe it, but I know you are far from alone.
Bambi's Mother:
I always hated the way they made me sound in that movie. I don't sound like that in real life.
Rita Kempley: Deer Bambi's Mother: While I am sorry to hear about this, aren't you dead? If so, please join us this October for our annual cyber seance. We'd love to hear more.
Re: Peter Jackson cameo in LOTR:
Yep, that belching guy is him alright. Yet another line item for the Fellowship of the Ring drinking game.
Rita Kempley: I didn't know that carrots came back on you? I always thought it was cucumbers.
Long Beach:
What's the most outrageous thing you've ever seen in a movie house? (outside
of what was on the screen) P.S. This is not
meant to be a sex question.
Rita Kempley: Hmm. I've seen critics making out. Not a pretty sight, I can tell you. Homeless folks used to spend the day sleeping at the old Outer Circle. I believe you could spend the day watching movies for one or two dollars. I've had a rat run over my foot at the Uptown a few years ago and I once almost drank a cock roach that crawled into my diet coke at the Biograph..
Silver Spring:
Re: Neil Gaiman ... He co-wrote a wonderfully
twisted novel with Terry Pratchett called "Good
Omens". Best description I've seen so far for it is
Monty Python meets The Omen. Witch finders,
satanic nuns, Tibetan monks, and an adorable
hellhound. The movie script is in the works, and
Terry Gilliam has been signed to direct.
Rita Kempley: Thanks for the input.
Buscemi-fan:
Good memory -- he's 2 going on 33 next month. (His brother is almost 6 though!)
Rita Kempley: Yes, but his brother was born before we met. So I can be forgiven for not remembering that.
Indie Wedding Movie:
Rita,
Are you thinking of the movie True Love with Annabella Sciorra? The girl who wants multi-colored pastel mashed potatoes to match the multi-colored pastel brides maid dresses?
Rita Kempley: Yes! Yes! That's it.
New York, N.Y.:
True Love.
Rita Kempley: Thank you, too
Arlington, Va:
The movie about the disaster Brooklynite wedding? Do you mean "True Love" with Annabella Sciorra? The one that ends with her bawling in the ladies room? I hated that movie, but I'll never forgot it. Does that mean it's considered art?
Rita Kempley: Yes. If you hate it, you can be assured that it is most definitely art. Or that it touched upon some terrible repressed memory. Or you just plain disliked the darn thing.
Arlington:
We're going to start a dinner movie club. We're all into films, and are not afraid of something difficult. We want to watch something good (obviously), funny or serious (whichever), from any time period. what do you recommend?
Rita Kempley: Arlington: I think you have to start out with a couple of food movies. "Babette's Feast" might be ideal. "Water For Chocolate" if you're feeling in the mood for Mexican. "The Big Night," a fabulous Italian feast; "Tampopo," very adventurous Japanese noodle movie. (Save this for last.)
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Is Scorcese going to be the Robert Altman of this year's award cycle? I'm already seeing articles mentioning how great it would be if "Marty" finally won Best Director. Personally, I can't even begin to fathom why Gangs of New York has taken three years to finish. Heck, Peter Jackson filmed three LOTR movies in the same stretch ...
Rita Kempley: Good old Marty. It didn't really take that long to film. I suspect it took that long to fix. Plus, it was supposedly rescheduled after 9-11. Could be the truth. I'm suspicious.
Rita Kempley: Well, as my psychiatrist always says: "I am afraid our time is up for today." If only I made as much money as she does.
Anyway, you kids have a great holiday weekend and I'll see you in a couple of weeks.
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