Movies chat with Ty Burr

Ty_Burr: Hello all. Ty Burr here from the Globe, sliding in just under the holiday wire.

Ty_Burr: Hope you're all surviving the season, and how about that snow? Oh, wait. Time for another screening of "An Inconvenient Truth."

Ty_Burr: If anyone's out there, please send in comments or questions and I'll answer as best I can.

Ty_Burr: Failing that, I'll just have to post the flames I've been getting for my review of "Rocky Balboa."

Jeannie: I don't like to look for the gaffs in movies,but... Any monkey with a prehensile tail like a capuchin is a New World monkey. A goof in a museum of science? Wher did research fail?

Ty_Burr: Jeannie's talking about "Night at the Museum." And, yes, you get a gold star from the gaffe squad.

Ty_Burr: Excellent spotting. My own pet peeve from the world of nature is the wide geographical distribution of the red-tailed hawk on soundtracks. Whenever you hear a hawk scream on a soundtrack, no matter where in the world the scene is set -- it's a red-tail.

jmo451: Having seen the Good German, I thought it worked quite well as a throwback and in keeping with the type of film it was trying to be, especially the acting, whereas most critics found the acting flat and not developed I thought that is what they were going for. What were your specific issues with it

Ty_Burr: Good question JMO...

Ty_Burr: My specific issues were A) Tobey Maguire didn't convince me that he could be bottomlessly corrupt and B) George Clooney's character got less and less interesting as the movie progressed. He essentially reacted to events.

Ty_Burr: He's not the best actor for that.

Ty_Burr: I thought Blanchett was fantastic though and really got the spirit of the thing, and I see your point about intentionalk flatness from the rest of the cast.

Ty_Burr: It just didn't work for me. I kept getting kicked out of the movie to admire the "experiment."

Ty_Burr: Blanchett is turning into one of my favorite actresses in the movies; she doesn't something different and unexpected with each role.

jmo451: That's true I suppose, I wasn't expecting it awhile back to be one of Soderbergh's experimental movies

Ty_Burr: He's an interesting case -- torn between Hollywood and art and sometimes caught in the middle.

jmo451: What do you think about some of his other work?

Ty_Burr: I'm open to it all -- I think he's close to a genius but sometimes lets his ideas run away with him. I admired Bubble more than I liked it, the Oceans duo was fun and nothing more.

Ty_Burr: Loved "The Limey" and even liked "Solaris"

jmo451: Definitely, and he brings something new every time, not exactly a discernable style

Ty_Burr: ... but a willingness to play with form and structure. Which is good.

Ty_Burr: But I think he sometimes loses sight of character and story and certainly emotion.

jmo451: True, but when his ideas come together with a great cast and screenplay like Traffic it really works

Ty_Burr: .

Sean: "Reverse-engineering a virgin?" How'd you sneak that one though?

Ty_Burr: Is that you, Burns? I'm just amazed I got "rogering" past the editors.

Ty_Burr: (both mildly off color phrases in my Good German review today, for those scratching their heads)

Sean: Yep, it's me. And "rogering" was my next question!

Ty_Burr: Just between you and me and the rest of the room, a dear sweet aged copy editor asked me what it meant, blushed when I told her, and kept it in.

jmo451: Have you had a chance to see Letters from Iwo Jima yet, unforuntately its not expanding here for a few weeks.

Ty_Burr: Yes, I have JMO. It's very, very good, a much better piece of work than "Flags of Our Fathers."

Ty_Burr: Very simple and straightforward for all that. Really elegant filmmaking on a tough topic.

Ty_Burr: By the way, I should mention that Sean is Sean Burns, mgr of the Waltham Embassy, but more to the point, fine movie critic for the Philadelphia Weekly.

Ty_Burr: Nice to have a colleague kibitz.

jmo451: I thought Flags issue was the nonlinear structure unlike the way the book is, and that the three who don't survive the battle weren't developed enough to feel something when they died.

Ty_Burr: All true, and I think Clint just bit off more than he could chew. It's a battle elegy, a returning-vet drama, *and* a deconstruction of an iconic American image. And a floor wax. And a dessert topping.

DeadWood72: Ty... I watched a DVD with my 12 year old daughter last night called Goal!.... It was a soccer movie that I thought was ok. She loved it, but I also think she probably could have written the script, it was kinda generic for me... Have you seen this?

Ty_Burr: Hey Deadwood... yes, I think I reviewed that about six months ago. Felt about the same -- there were hardly any good on-field sequences! Thanks for the remind, I have to watch it with my 11 yr old soccer fanatic now. A warning, though: It's the first of an intended trilogy.

Sean: Aw shucks. I just miss seeing you every day at screenings.

Ty_Burr: Don't be modest, now. Look the guy's stuff up online; he's brilliant.

cheesesteak: Oh, Sean is from my stomping grounds.

Ty_Burr: .

jmo451: True, I think it made more sense when Spielberg was developing it to direct, although the long hard look at the definition of a hero is true Clint Eastwood style.

Ty_Burr: WEell, I think he gets down into the muck of it more successfully in "Iwo Jima," although it's less obviously stated as such.

Ty_Burr: Like all great war movies, it's anti-war.

cheesesteak: So a few weeks back you were saying Children of Men was getting good buzz. Have you had a chance to confirm the buzz behind this year's "serious" christmas entry?

Ty_Burr: Yeah, it's a terrific movie, and Sean will back me up on that -- we staggered out of the screening, looked at each other, and said, whoa, was that one of the best things we've seen all year or what?

Ty_Burr: God love Alfonso Cuaron -- the man knows how to direct. Anyone else would have turned the premise into "Logan's Run" or another "The Island."

Ty_Burr: Instead it's gripping and upsetting and has some battle sequences that are among the best I've seen.

Sean: I didn't see anything this year that came close. Emmanuel Lubezski's cinematograpy is going to go down in film history.

Ty_Burr: .

cheesesteak: but as all great battles scenes, it's ultimately anti-battle, j/k.

Ty_Burr: :P

Ty_Burr: but, uh, yeah.

jmo451: I assume the Globe will hold off on publishing a formal review until its released around here?

Ty_Burr: On Iwo Jima? Yes, until Jan. 12. But I'll probably blog about it before then.

DeadWood72: Ty... My father and I are planning to see a movie tomorrow afternoon.... We Are Marshall or Rocky??

Ty_Burr: Well... I've seen Rocky Balboa and thought it was sweet but not particularly good -- but I'm getting flame-roasted by Stallone fans via email, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, I guess.

Ty_Burr: Haven't seen Marshall but I hear McConaughey's good. Wesley liked it. If you have a soft spot for the original "Rocky" and Stallone, I'd say "Balboa"'s your best bet.

jmo451: I got Children of Men at a screening in October, Cuaron has really out done himself, and its too unfortunate that he won't get any award contention unlike his contemporary Inarritu

Ty_Burr: .

cheesesteak: When did the "serious" christmas release start? I don't remember, but it seems like in the past 5-8 years, it's become a trend, I confess I can't really remember much further back. I know the "oscar excuse" and all, but why not role these on on the 22nd?

Ty_Burr: It's been a gradual development over the last 15 years or so...

Ty_Burr: The Oscar wannabes get backloaded into the post-Thanksgiving slot, summer is for blockbusters, February and August are the boneyards. It's corporate thinking.

Ty_Burr: That said, interesting to note that last year's Best Picture winner, Crash, was released in May.

jmo451: Have you had a chance to get over to the Brattle and check out David Lynch's Inland Empire? Honestly I've never been a huge fan but I think some of his films have had redeemable qualities, this time I think he's gone off the deep end. But Dern and Jeremy Irons do give compelling performances

Ty_Burr: I didn't enjoy it but I liked it, if that makes any sense...

Ty_Burr: He has gone off the deep end -- with the confidence of an abstract artist who knows exactly what he's doing. It's certainly not for everybody, and actually self-distributing it may have been the smartest thing he's done. Most of the audiences for it seem right on his wavelength.

surfric: ty, what is the greatest scorsese movie, in your opinion (I'll tell you if you are right)

Ty_Burr: Boy, tough one. Hard to choose between Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver... and After Hours, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Ty_Burr: Guess I'd have to say Raging Bull, though.

Ty_Burr: Why, what's the right one? :)

ChristmasDay: I am planning on seeing "Dreamgirls" on Christmas Day. It's gotten great buzz, but what's the deal with Beyonce getting top billing when she's not even the main character? All the reviews say Jennifer Hudson outshines her anyway.

Ty_Burr: Well, because she's the biggest star -- the selling point. And billing is all about selling the movie. Thing is, there's no real "main character"...

Ty_Burr: She and Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson -- who does swipe the movie, at least in her big number -- and Eddie Murphy all vie for screen time. It's an ensemble movie, really. But Beyonce is, well, Beyonce.

surfric: Mean Streets is the answer

Ty_Burr: *nods* and you are correct, sir.

surfric: Like them all tho

Ty_Burr: and you are correct, sir.

DeadWood72: Saw a preview last month with Happy Feet that was Vince Vaughn as Santa Claus's brother, with Santa played by Paul Giamatti. It looked veryt funny, but not coming out until Christmas 2007?? Why preview a movie so far in advance?

Ty_Burr: No idea, but I saw it too, and it looked fairly cute. I guess it's the marketing team trying to implant the movie in your brain early. Worked, didn't it?

mish: Goodfellas by far the best! He so should've beat Costner that year

Ty_Burr: YOU are correct, sir. Or ma'am.

jmo451: What's your opinion on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's rule that films like Apocaypto and Letters are Foreign films and ineligible for Best Drama (not that I'd rank Apocalypto that highly although it was an interesting film I guess).

Ty_Burr: I think it's bunk. I do like the fact that two movies with subtitles will get mass distribution, forcing even lazy middle-american meat-tubes to read. But these are both Hollywood films made by mavericks.

Ty_Burr: They're recognizable within the mainstream in everything except their languages -- that should be acknowledged.

Ty_Burr: Some Inland Empire follow-ups...

Sean: I just wish he'd go back to shooting on film. The horrible camcorder picture quality kept knocking me out of the movie's spell.

Ty_Burr: .

jmo451: True, it seems anyone I know who's seen Mulholland Drive either loves it or regrets ever spending the time to watch it, but like this one for me it was the performances that made it alright for me, Naomi Watts in that one.

Ty_Burr: .

mish: Ma'am. i think i am the only woman who could quote that movie!

Ty_Burr: Oh, you're not alone, I'm sure. Any hands there?

jmo451: True, they shouldn't be called Foreign Film by the Globes either

Ty_Burr: though... if these are foreign press people, should *all* Hollywood movies be foreign? My head hurts...

babble: Hello Ty, I was thinking of seeing Stranger Than Fiction but wonder if the premise would get tired very quickly, is it worth seeing?

Ty_Burr: You know, Wesleyt reviewed that one and I still haven't caught up with it, despite being an Emma Thompson fan. Sean, you still there? Opinion?

DeadWood72: Is it true Stallone is really doing a Rambo 4? I didn't realize that Rambo 3 left so many unanswered questions?

Ty_Burr: Yes, it's true, slated for 2008 release. Then -- wait for it -- the return of "Cobra." A boy can hope, at least.

Ms_Fit: Hi Ty, what have you heard about Love in the Time of Cholera...this is one of those books that you think, yeah, this would be a great movie but it's probably going to be a lousy one once it does get made. Mixed emotions about this and Benjamim Bratt???What's that all about?

Ty_Burr: Wel,, Mike Newell can be a very good director... and Javier Bardem is no slouch, either.

Ty_Burr: Bratt's been trying to break out of the TV-star box for some time now...Did you ever see "Pinero"?

Ty_Burr: I don't begrudge him the attempt -- it sounds like it will be an honorable stab at getting Marquez to screen. Maybe too honorable.

cheesesteak: Your a disease, Ty, and rejuvenated Stallone is the cure.

Ty_Burr: Spoken like a true Marion Cobretti fan, cheese. I think Sly is probably already after me.

jmo451: Stranger Than Fiction is an interesting case, could have been better and a lot of comedic talent like Emma Thompson and Queen Latifah is underuesed, Maggie Gyllenhaal did surprise me though.

Ty_Burr: .

Ms_Fit: Yes, I'm pretty non-lussed by Bratt. I don't see what all the swooning is about to be honest and guess that taints my opinion.

Ty_Burr: Fair enough. In his defense, it can be hard for actors who are typed as TV heart-throbs to try something different. I know, boo hoo hoo. But still, give the guy a chance. Maybe they'll mess up his face or something.

Sean: I thought Stranger Then Fiction was dumbed-down Charlie Kaufman. Rent Adaptation instead.

Ty_Burr: .

Ms_Fit: No, I don't begrudge him the attempt either...maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. As you say, Newell and Bardem are not slouches.

Ty_Burr: .

Ty_Burr: Could be worse... Tom Cruise starring in 100 Years of Solitude.

cheesesteak: Or maybe Rambo IV will be a return to the plight of the vet first blood was allegedly about, in this installment Rambo fights the V.A. for prescription benefits.

Ty_Burr: and takes on Dick Cheney in a mano-a-mano shotgun pellet fight in the Texas underbrush... I like it... has possibilities.

jmo451: Agreed Sean, the concept was very Kaufman, but I didn't think it was horrible. Although I could tell the audience hadn't really seen any comedy of this style before as thy found it so much funnier than I.

Ty_Burr: .

DeadWood72: You've got to be kidding about Cobra...... He could have at least chosen Cliffhanger, his last good movie in my opinion, over Cobra...

Ty_Burr: Yes, yes, I'm kidding about Cobra... it's my favorite bad Stallone movie, so I hold it close to my heart.

jmo451: Have you had a chance to see The Painted Veil yet? It seems that Warner Borthers collaboration with China on that film hurt its release and they've done very little to help its chances for box office and awards success

Ty_Burr: Too bad, because it's a good movie. Not a great one, but absolutely beautiful to behold, with a tremendous score by Alexandre Desplat. And anything with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts in it is worth seeing.

cheesesteak: Over the Top for me.

Ty_Burr: .

DeadWood72: worse than Stop or My Mom will Shoot??? I wouldn't go that far..

Ty_Burr: more Stallone choices...

Sean: Did you know that Cobra was actually the script Stallone turned in when he tried to "re-write" Beverly Hills Cop?

Ty_Burr: Really? Hadn't heard that. It could have been a classic with a little "Axel F" music behind it.

jmo451: Agreed, they're what had me interested, and Yari's company is certainly getting a lot of bigger independent films this year (two with Norton) how did you find Shreiber's performance?

Ty_Burr: (Liev Schreiber plays the diplomat Watts character has an affair with in Painted Veil) He's good, but it's a very supporting role; he doesn't have that much screen time. Toby Jones of "Infamous" has more scenes than he. It's very Maugham overall; I kept envisioning Bette Davis and Paul Henreid in it.

DeadWood72: I saw an awful one on HBO maybe two months ago.. I couldn't even watch the whole thing it was that bad. No idea the name but it was Sly befriending a woman whose father was a mob guy and she never knew it.... Man, that was awful...

Ty_Burr: That would be Avenging Angelo

Ty_Burr: This is why he's doing Rocky Balboa and Rambo 4, folks...

Ty_Burr: It's called honest career desperation.

jmo451: Painted Veil is a remake of a Greta Garbo film correct? written by Maugham

Ty_Burr: Yes, though I've never seen it. Last big Maugham movie to hit the screen was "The Razor's Edge" with Bill Murray, back in the 80s.

Sean: Hey, as long as Stallone doesn't try to remake Get Carter again, I'll be fine.

Ty_Burr: .

jmo451: Speaking of Tom Cruise, what do you think of his future collaborations with Robert Redford and Spike Lee, Lions for Lambs and Selling Time?

Ty_Burr: Remains to be seen. Tom wants to set himself up as a producer of vision. I think he perhaps admires Clooney's arrangement with Soderbergh, even though it has broken up since. If he can fund people and stay out of the way, maybe.

cheesesteak: Ok, if you were forced to go with Sylvester Stallone to a movie opening this July 4th, which would it be: Transformers or "Live Free or Die Harder"? (ignore the Planet Hollywood business connection at your own peril.).

Ty_Burr: Oh, definitely the Willis movie. If I'm forced to eat cheese, at least it'll be cheese I'm familiar with.

jmo451: Well he is attached to star in both films as well

Ty_Burr: The Spike Lee film is only rumored as far as Cruise appearing in it. Don't know about the Redford. Stars drop in and out of movies in the early stages very often -- it's one big game of Stratego.

Ty_Burr: Although I wouldn't mind watching a SPike Lee movie starring Tom Cruise -- could go some interesting places, some of them ones Cruise might even be aware of.

Ty_Burr: Folks, it's 2 pm by my watch, so I'd best move on.

Ty_Burr: Thanks for coming by -- enjoy the movies -- and remember: friends don't let friends go to "Rocky" movies alone.

Ty_Burr: Happy holidays all!