Film critic Ty Burr took your questions
October 15, 2008
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Heading to the theater this weekend? Boston Globe film critic Ty Burr was online Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. to field your questions and comments about new and upcoming releases, and more. Miss the chat? Catch up here.
The transcript follows.
Ty_Burr: Hello out there -- anyone playing today? Ty Burr here for an hour of movie-related yapping.
Ty_Burr: Send your comments, questions, and condemnations to the queue and I'll answer as best I can.
Ty_Burr: Although I seem to be having wicked mouse troubles today, so apologies for any delays...
royal__Guest_: have you seen qaurantine yet?
Ty_Burr: No. Next question?
Ty_Burr: Actually, I'm not sure it's even screening for critics -- but if it is, I think Wesley got that one.
Cheesesteak__Guest_: Afternoon, Ty. Found your Body of Lies review interesting in light of other recent takes I've scanned on it (and its abysmal trailer). So you're saying the movie's good despite itself?
Ty_Burr: Hey Cheese, nice to see ya. Looking at the film's score over at Metacritic.com, it seems there are two kinds of responses...
Ty_Burr: People like me and Ebert and Scott Foundas who find it pretty good entertainment and those who think it's a total failure. I don't think anyone's taking the movie as seriously as it wants to be taken.
Ty_Burr: But Crowe's a lot of fun and Mark Strong is very good, Leo's fine. It's well-crafted. Could have been worse.
JenK__Guest_: I watched the Romanian film (I know I'll mess up the title) "3 months, something weeks, something days" on On Demand on a whim and loved it! Has that filmmaker done anything else? Or could you recommend any similar films that might also come from a foreign viewpoint
Ty_Burr: The title's "Four months, Three Weeks, and Two Days," Jen, and yeah, it's pretty great, isn't it? Though not for those who only like Hollywood movies that run at a Hollywood pace.
Ty_Burr: You might want to look into the other movies coming out of Romania, done in a similar style but from different directors. "12:08 Bucharest" is one. "The Death of Mr. Lazerescu" is another -- that one's fantastic.
Kayla__Guest_: Hi Ty...is the good buzz I've heard about Revolutionary Road true? I'm hoping so, loved the book, and am excited to see Leo and Kate together again. Do you or even critics in general have goodwill toward them as an on-screen pair?
Ty_Burr: No buzz yet, Kayla -- no one has seen it. But the book's held in high regard, as are the stars. I think everyone carries memories of "Titanic" good, less-good, or soppily romantic, but no one's denying they're both very good actors.
Ty_Burr: I'm just afraid people will confuse the film with last's year's sorta-dud "Reservation Road" and not go see it.
movietime__Guest_: Hi Ty, what do you think is the best thing about "Rachel Getting Married"? I really want to see that. How's Anne Hathaway?
Ty_Burr: The best thing? Oh, lots of things: The interplay between the cast members: DeWitt, Winger, Bill Irwin, etc. Hathaway's really very good; I think some people would have wanted a less, I don't know, *pretty* actress, but that's their issue, not Hathaway's.
Ty_Burr: I think she brings the right amount of selfishness and neuroses to the role.
Ty_Burr: The music is great, too -- I wish Robyn Hitchcock had played *my* wedding.
Ty_Burr: Best of all, it's a feel-good movie where the feeling good feels hard-won and deserved.
Ty_Burr: If that makes any sense.
Friday__Guest_: thank goodness it's Friday. Should I see "Rachel," "The Duchess," or "Blindess"?
Ty_Burr: Well, hell, what are you in the mood for? Family comedy-drama angst? period movie melodrama? Or optic apocalypse?
Ty_Burr: I'd go for "Rachel" myself -- "Blindness" struck me as overcooked and self-indulgent (it's also a lousy date movie, if that's what matters to you), and"The Duchess" is fine if not exceptional.
pedrioa__Guest_: i rented we own the night this week. i thought it was great. im surprised it didnt get more attention and feel like it didnt get the recongnition it deserved. is that a fair assessment? what did you think of it
Ty_Burr: Hey Pedroia -- good luck this weekend. I actually haven't seen the movie. Wesley reviewed it and I haven't caught up with it yet. But I think the director, James Gray, is really interesting...
Ty_Burr: If you liked "We Own the Night" you'd like his other movies.
Ty_Burr: "The Yards," "Little Odessa" -- they all have a very similar tone.
Ty_Burr: I saw his new one, a Brooklyn romance called "Two Lovers" with Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow, at Cannes -- interesting change of genre without changing his tone.
Ty_Burr: It's due to come out in early January.
mom_of_2__Guest_: Hello Ty...first time in one of your chats. Any good recommendations for kids movies out this winter? My kids were looking forward to Harry Potter! :( And are a bit too young for Twilight (? I think that's it)
Ty_Burr: Erm, yeah, unless you have a teenage daughter who's panting over cute vampires after reading "Twilight" the novel, you might want to stay away from the movie.
Ty_Burr: (I have one such daughter and, yes, I'll be screening it; her friends are already acting way too nice to me.)
Ty_Burr: "City of Ember" opening today is actually pretty decent for 8 or 9 and up I'd say; don't know if you've read the book it's based on.
Ty_Burr: I just came from the screening for "Secret Life of Bees" and was thinking I'd take my kids to see it. Some heavy-duty drama but nothing that's not in, say, "To Kill a Mockingbird."
hello__Guest_: What's up with the new Diane Lane-Richard Gear movie? I'm dying to see it! Is it out in some places but not others? Have you seen it? your thoughts?
Ty_Burr: Hello, hello. I have not seen "Nights in Rodanthe" -- again, Wesley got dibs on that one -- but I regret to inform you that reviews have been uniformly nasty. But this isn't really a critic's movie, and if you liked the book, or Nicholas Sparks' other novels, you might want to check it out. Be warned that the reviews are saying it's *not* another "Notebook."
JenK__Guest_: What is the feeling toward Keira Knightley. I like her lots but feel as though she only gets good reviews when she's in period pieces like The Duchess or Pride and Prejudice. I believe I've even seen her quoted as saying something similar about herself. Can she find success in more present-day type stuff?
Ty_Burr: Well, "Atonement" was almost modern-day :) And she was in "Bend it Like Beckham" and "Love Actually" early in her career. And let's not forget "Domino," much as some of us would prefer to...
Ty_Burr: I interviewed her last year when "Atonement" came out and she was very forthright about wanting to be in any film so long as the script was good, the character was interesting, and the people involved struck her as smart.
Ty_Burr: I don't think she worries yet about being painted into a period film corner -- she's young and can go in any number of directions.
critic__Guest_: Hi Ty, I'm wondering what made you want to be a movie critic. Thanks so much.
Ty_Burr: Geez, how many hours do you have to spare?
Ty_Burr: Briefly, I got into old movies as a kid here in Boston -- the usual black-and-white suspects -- and then branched out into foreign and other fare once I got to college. I just liked thinking and talking andwriting about them; luckily I was able to find a paying job doing it. Much to my mother's relief, I might add.
Ty_Burr: I was and am just fascinated by the form -- that a flat piece of film (I know, how old school) can take you anywhere on earth and beyond. And I love being able to direct readers to a movie that they might never otherwise have seen. I do believe a great movie can change your way of seeing the world.
pk__Guest_: Ty, what was your take on Sandler's recent Zohan flick? I thought it went beyond the gross-out humor we usually see with his movies. I didn't laugh one time and thought that while he was digging on both Palestinians and Israelis equally, it was tastelessly offensive.
Ty_Burr: What can I say, pk -- it worked for me. Not all of it, but more than usual for a Sandler flick. I think when you talk about comedy you really get into matters of personal taste. I do know people who *hated* Zohan, and others (who found it hilarious.
theatergoer__Guest_: What's your favorite theater in the Boston area? Why? How do you think the movie-going experience has changed over the years?
Ty_Burr: Guess that would have to be the Coolidge Corner, but that's a personal choice for me -- I grew up in Brookline and went there as early as age six. (Some of the movies I saw in Saturday matinees have long since fallen off the face of the earth.) I love that it's been renovated to nearly its old splendor.
Ty_Burr: I don't mourn the recent demise of the Circle Cinema -- my god, what a horrible theater that was; I say "Baby Mama" there with a loud buzzing coming out of the speakers the entire movie -- but I do wish there were more screens in the inner-Boston area.
Ty_Burr: Only two theaters in Boston proper now -- the Common and the Fenway. When I was growing up (grumble, grumble) there were at least a dozen.
Ty_Burr: You ever been to the "Cinema Treasures" website? www.cinematreasures.org, I believe. They have an entry for every local theater that does or did exist, with lots of good comments.
flightjkt__Guest_: Hey Ty - RE: The Secret Life of Bees, I'm getting a Driving Miss Daisy vibe from the trailer - should I expect a uplifting/feel-good sapfest, or something a little deeper?
Ty_Burr: Hi flight -- I too went in expecting phony uplift, and so did Wesley, but I admit I got verklempt in a number of spots. It's sappy but honestly so, and the cast -- Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okenedo -- mostly underplays.
Ty_Burr: Wesley liked it too, though he remained dry-eyed. Sorry, I'm a softy.
MLB_54__Guest_: Ty.. Was there ever any doubt that they would continue on with the Pirates franchsie or that Johhny Depp would be back. What surprised me is that he seemed the most anxious to come back, maybe he has alot of money in the US market, or had I should say, I don't know. Do you think Keira and Bloom will be back? I'd kinda like to see them introduce some newer characters.
Ty_Burr: My thoughts on this are that Depp held out until the money was truly superb, which allows him to live the life he wants to over in Paris with his wife and kids while letting him do smaller projects. I bet Knightley goes elsewhere but I bet Bloom would want to come back -- his career isn't taking off the way some people thought it would. And Geoffrey Rush would show up for the filming of a kid's birthday party.
MLB_54__Guest_: Ty.. What's your take on Dwayne Johnson? I just saw GamePlan this past weekend and saw him over the summer in Get Smart. He's actually getting very good and A game you just wanna like when you see him on screen. Is he a legit movie star now or still a wrestler who acts a little?
Ty_Burr: No, I think he's the real deal, MLB, or close to it. I don't think he'll have quite the movie career (or political career) that Ahnuld has but the general feeling of audiences and the industry is one of pleased respect. He seems like a really nice guy who's willing to play to the edge of his limitations.
Ty_Burr: Should he appear with Keira Knightley in a period flick? Probably not, but I say follow where your impulses lead you, Dwayne.
Cheesesteak__Guest_: Mandatory "Watchmen" buzz generating question. What's with the Buzz generating? I can understand SciFi.com pulling for it, but the NYTimes seems to have a weekly article about its production, the source comic, or the trial that may block its release. I may its not like there's a dearth of entertainment/film news out there, does Zak Snyder just have the ultimate PR machine?
Ty_Burr: I'm guessing the latter, Cheese. Either that or someone at the Times is a way big comics freak or wants to get ahead of what they think will be the next "Dark Knight."
Ty_Burr: Problem is -- and as much as I love the source graphic novel -- it isn't a household name property like Batman, Superman, Iron Man, Hulk, etc
Ty_Burr: Could go the way of "Mystery Men" or "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Unless it's a good movie, which neither of those were.
Ty_Burr: Problem is there's no real star to hang it on. So it'll have to be a *really* good movie.
flightjkt__Guest_: Hey Ty, since we're coming up to Halloween, I just wanted to ask yr opinion of 2 movies I discovered On Demand - the zombie satire "Fido" and "The Memphisto Waltz", a creepy early 70s flick w/a devil worshipping Alan Alda(!)....
Ty_Burr: "Fido" is a not bad zombie comedy, with Billy Connolly playing a zombie as houshold pet. Lowbudget, droll -- nothing special but it gets you there. "Mephisto Waltz"? Whoa, that's a throwback.. I saw that so far back I barely remember it. Think I'm mixing it up with that Karen Black devil-doll TV movie...
Ty_Burr: Did it hold up? Much of that early 70s suspense/supernatural/horror has dated very badly.
Ty_Burr: "The Exorcist" pretty much rewrote the rules of the genre when it came out a few years later.
Cheesesteak__Guest_: I nominate Dwayne Johnson as Heathcliff in a Keira Knightly Wuthering Heights vehicle.
Ty_Burr: God. He'd snap her like a twig if he embraced her.
mikef__Guest_: Hey Ty- How about "What Just Happened" with DeNiro and Bruce Willis? Also, it seems from his profile on IMDB that DeNiro is taking on gangster roles again (Frankie Machine, Street of Dreams)...thoughts?
Ty_Burr: Saw it yesterday; it's from director Barry Levinson and the reteaming with DeNiro would make you think it's going to be another "Wag the Dog"...
Ty_Burr: which it's not. An insider-y comedy about the life and agita of a Hollywood producer, based on a tell-all book by producer Art Linson.
Ty_Burr: Willis plays a superstar who shows up for a movie shoot with a huge beard -- which Alec Baldwin did on "The Bear" many years back.
Ty_Burr: It's an amusing enough movie but it didn't seem to serve any purpose -- I felt I'd seen it all before. BUT it was nice to see DeNiro appear to care about a role for the first time in a while.
Ty_Burr: I don't know what's going through that man's head, personally. His choices seem downright bizarre.
Ty_Burr: Not just in movies but in director's. I mean, Jon Avnet and "Righteous Kill"?
Peter_North__Guest_: Your profile says you worked at HBO years ago. There was a canadian hockey movie that was on quite a bit in the 80s. The main character's name was Dyson. A buddy & I seem to be the only ones who remember it. Any idea how we can find the title?
Ty_Burr: You don't remember any of the actors, Peter?
Ty_Burr: Doesn't ring an immediate bell -- have you snooped around IMDB.com?
Ty_Burr: Send me an email and I'll see if I can come up with a title. It sounds like a lot of things that were on the air when I worked there.
JenK__Guest_: Is Julia Roberts sort of done with the big screen? Besides that movie with Tom Hanks (who also seems MIA) last year, it's like she disappeared. I know she has some kids now, but does she have any movies in the works?
Ty_Burr: I get the feeling she's taking some time off -- and she may not be getting offered the kids of roles she wants.
Ty_Burr: She has one film in post-production at the moment -- "Duplicity," with Clive Owen, due out in March -- and a bunch of things in development.
Ty_Burr: Which means we won't be seeing her onscreen after March for quite some time.
Ty_Burr: She's 40, that unfortunate age (only in Hollywood) where you're no longer an ingenue and too young for Miss Daisy.
Ty_Burr: Michelle Pfeiffer's still trying to crawl out of that hole.
Cheesesteak__Guest_: Rocknrolla? Open to critics? Don't see a review here, I was just glad to see Edris Elba get more work.
Ty_Burr: It's on its way, Cheese -- It's opened in NYC already, I think, and rolls out around Halloween. I missed it in Toronto, but opinion's divided. Some think Guy Ritchie is back in form, others say it's less of the same.
brock_landers__Guest_: I loved the book the road and cant wait for the movie, do you know why there hasnt been a trailer. Its coming out in late november and it seems kind of weird
Ty_Burr: It's curious, brock -- there isn't a website that I can find, and no trailer either. It's a downbeat post-apocalypse story -- maybe they're *scared* to sell it.
Ty_Burr: More likely they're going to try a late-inning Clint Eastwood-style ploy and dump it right in the middle of awards season and try to change the game.
Ty_Burr: Unusual --a stealth movie. Could mean it's unwatchable. But I'll watch Viggo in anything, and the director's last movie, "The Proposition," was fantastic.
Ty_Burr: It's two past the hour and I have to take off. Thanks for coming by and chatting -- have a great weekend, all!
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