At the Movies With John Anderson

Wondering what to see at the movies this weekend? Join critic John Anderson for a discussion of cinema on Friday, March 21 at 12:30 p.m. ET. He'll recommend what to hit, and tell you what's best to miss.

Anderson, who is writing reviews regularly for the Post during Stephen Hunter's book leave, is a member of the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics. He has contributed to numerous publications, including Newsday, Variety, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Submit questions before or during the discussion.

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John Anderson: Hey, happy good friday everyone (is that blasphemous?)Nice to be here again.

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Ocala, Fla.: A tribute to Paul Scofield who uttered screenwriter Robert Bolt's immortal screen line -- to paraphrase -- Sir Thomas More says to a man that betrayed him "I can understand why a man would give his soul for all of Europe but sir you gave it away for Albania?" The country might be wrong but that line has always stuck with me. Thanks for this venue.

John Anderson: Scofield should also be remembered, among many things, for that great performance in "Quiz Show."

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ArtMovieLover, Va.: I didn't get this part of your "Snow Angels" review:

"In one sequence, Arthur and his father are talking, and as the conversation hits a wall and the two characters stop short, the camera just keeps moving -- which is not just dramatically appropriate but seizes the eye (and body -- you reflexively want to go back through space). The strategy of physical/visual engagement in 'Snow Angels' keeps the film from getting too cerebral or self-indulgent or self-satisfied, the way an innovative work might when it limits itself to inside the skull."

--My reaction was exactly the opposite. That shot, and another like it, as the camera pans off a detective in the middle of a discussion about a missing child, serve no purpose other than to call attention to the strange, wandering camera, thereby removing viewers from the world of these characters. How is that a positive thing? Also, I counted this occurring only twice. How does that constitute a "strategy"? It seemed haphazard to me.

All that said, I found the film admirable in some ways, though ultimately far too bleak to recommend. Not that I don't recommend bleak films. I do. But I won't be recommending this one, that's for sure.

John Anderson: Seems to me you "got it" all right, and just disagree with it. I certainly don't think it was haphazard at all; that's far too dismissive for such an intelligent movie.

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Atlanta, Ga.: When my friends and I gather to eat dinner and discuss the career trajectory of Cuba Gooding Jr., we generally arrive at the consensus that he reached maximum hack velocity after "Jerry Maguire."

BUT I was flipping through cable TV the other day and I ran across 1994's "Lightning Jack" in which Mr. Gooding Jr. played Crocodile Dundee's mute sidekick. Good Lord. I've never seen mugging so enthusiastically inept before. I had to volunteer the next day at my local soup kitchen to wipe the stain from my soul.

John Anderson: I tend to agree although when he played nicky barnes in America Gangster it was kind of cool -- made me wonder if it would have been a more interesting movie if he'd been in then title role, rather than the intractably noble Denzel.

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River City: re: Cuba Gooding, Jr. Watch "Shadowboxer" for a strong, poignant provocative acting job. The film was dark, challenging, engaging and thoughful. It got very little exposure (lots of controversial subjects), but was very, very strong in my mind. A great job by Cuba, but seen by few. Otherwise, yes, he doesn't seem to get challenging roles ... is that his choice or the casting agent's?

John Anderson: I think that among black actors there's only a certain number of good roles (roles they can't plausibly get white guys to play, that is), and like everywhere in movie world, there's a hierarchy. At the top of which is Denzel for certain roles, Morgan Freeman for others, Terrence Howard maybe. Cuba is short, pugnacious and overacts. Have you seen "Daddy Day Camp," by the way?

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Bethesda, Md.: I recently saw "There Will Be Blood" and, while I certainly didn't hate it, nothing much happens. (Warning: spoilers ahead.) DDL doesn't encounter many roadblocks to getting what he wants, only characters brought in to specifically die get killed and the two times there might be any dramatic tension, the kid gets shipped off to school and then he shoots the brother. I don't get the love.

John Anderson: what do you think is a better movie?

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ArtMovieLover, VA: Dare I follow up? HOW did I "get it"? Because I was completely taken out of the film for a few moments? That's your point, right -- that this keeps the movie from being too insulur, as these indie dramas can be.

I don't think that washes, for a number of reasons, but bottom line, if Green wants to keep me at arm's length, why does the film end up as so unremittingly depressing? The humor doesn't help, nor do the strange camera movements. You can see where the story is heading, and it's overwhelmingly glum.

John Anderson: I said you "got it" because you didn't seem to misunderstand what I wrote, you just disagreed with it which is your prerogative. But i have to say, cinema is supposed to be a visual medium unto itself, not the portable version of a stage play. And if tragedy was inherently unworthy of attention, we wouldn't have half of Shakespeare.

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Fairfax, Va.:"What do you think is a better movie?"

"Savages"................

John Anderson: yes.....(he said, waiting for other shoe to drop)

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Javier Bardem-: Finally got around to seeing NCFOM (great) and was wondering if you have any recommendations on older movies Javier was in. I love foreign films as well, so ANYTHING..he certainly was a good choice on Oscar night. Thanks.

John Anderson: Bardem was great with director Pedro Almodovar when he was still a Spanish actor and not an international CELEBRITY (Live Flesh, High Heels) He also was great in Before Night Falls, the second in the Julian Schnabel oeuvre, and for a change of pace, Mondays in the Sun. I think he's terrific. He seems nice, too.

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University Park, Md.: My spouse and I thought "Into the Wild" was just brilliant, quite a kudo since we both loved the book as well. We saw all the Best Picture nominees, why the snub? Do you think it is some kind of resentment with the Academy and Sean Penn?

John Anderson: Penn's not too popular. he's too petulant. easily perturbed. Given the stuff that DOES get nominated, i think that's the primary problem. Great ator though

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re: Have you seen "Daddy Day Camp," by the way? : I know. I feel bad because I know he's capable of so much more (the other actors in that movie, not so much, eh).

John Anderson: I think it comes down to three words -- food, shelter, clothing. people have to survive. if you're an actor, you act when they let you

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Fairfax, Va.: How do you think Tyler Perry's new movie will do this weekend? Why wasn't it reviewed?

John Anderson: thanks for asking!!! it wasn't reviewed because Lionsgate didn't screen it!!! because they obviously thought it would get TRASHED!!! and probably for good reason!!

Desson got the assignment, and his review will appear tomorrow. We're all praying for him...

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Los Angeles, Calif.:"Funny Games." Fow wide is 289 theaters? How bad is a gross of $520,000 or $1,799 per location? More about the review in a follow-up, if I may.

John Anderson: Can you hear that sound? It the sound of a bomb being dropped with the name "Funny Games" inscribed on its shell casing.

Not good. Interesting movie though, by an important filmmaker.

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Baltimore, Md.: Re Paul Scofield: The NY Times has a wonderful obit online which clearly shows that Scofield was held in awe by other actors. He was universally said to be a kind and polite man, but he knew how to put in a zinger in a very British way. Once asked why he never went to Hollywood he said, "They already have British actors there. Like Basil Rathbone and Cary Grant."

John Anderson: yeah, you got the feeling you wouldn't want to engage in a battle of wits with Paul Scofield. And Hollywood doesn't like people who have its number (or, at least, are willing to voice it)

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Minneapolis, Minn.: As long as you brought up Cuba Gooding, Jr. the biggest (yes, I'll say it) tragedy to me is that he won the Oscar over William H Macy for "Fargo"!!!

John Anderson: yeah, it was highway robbery. or like having a car dealer undercoat your new car when you specifically told him not to....

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Penn's not too popular. he's too petulant. easily perturbed: what alliteration!

John Anderson: we try.

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Baltimore, Md.: As bad as Cuba Gooding can be, he was great in "Gladiator" (not the Russell Crowe version). It's one of those movies that I have to stop and watch while channel surfing.

John Anderson: i have that involuntary urge with 'Silverado."

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Atlanta, Ga.: As crtic, are you bothered when parties refuse to screen their films? Why? Why not?

John Anderson: well, for one thing, it forces you to go out on a friday morning, see what you already expect to be a bad film and write the review in 15 minutes because the deadline has become more onerous than usual. Worse, you can't quite trust your own judgment, because there's a certain resentment factor in having your time controlled by people you wouldn't have in your living room. Additionally, the movies are, almost invariably, horrible, because if they were any good they would have been screened. Sometimes, though, the movies are perfectly decent and some marketing twerp has decided they're better off getting through a weeekend (or an opening day)without any review at all.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Yeah, your review was interesteing to read, which I really appreciate because I'll never see the movie. So, you say it's "not a date movie, and while that may sound facetious, bear with me: A date movie is meant to appeal to that soft part of the brain that, when probed, releases hearts, flowers, endorphins and a fond feeling for whoever is sitting beside you." Check.

But really an art movie? How does it qualify?

John Anderson: To my mind, one of the qualifications for "art film" is one that explores its own role within its medium. Hanecke does this by manipulating our expectations, our perceptions and our complicity in the violence that makes up so much of modern culture. Which is not, by definition, a pretty thing

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Silverado:: I love that moment when Cleese opens his mouth for the first time ever in a Western:

"What's all this, then?"

John Anderson: Cleese is fantastic (like i need to say that). never mind "Star trek"-- when's the "Fawlty Towers" movie going to get made? Que?

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Los Angeles, Calif.: ArtMovieLover's prob with the drifting camera in "Snow Angels" reminds me of the blood splatter on the lens in "There Will Be Blood." I think in the right hands, these filmmaker tells are very effective. It's been more than 100 years of us getting used to moving images to break rules.

The one I don't like though is -- it's hard to describe without a visual -- is the one shot through something in the foreground, it's not a POV and it's not straight on, it's like I'm spying on the action. That shot should be banned!

John Anderson: I have to confess, i had a problem with the blood on the lens during that otherwise fantastic battle scene in 'Children of Men." Took me right out of the movie. so i guess it depends

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River City: I think it comes down to three words -- food, shelter, clothing. People have to survive. if you're an actor, you act when they let you

Yes, and I do the same. My career choices aren't out there for the world to judge, but I have taken jobs because I needed the stablity of health care, mortgage, food. If I can't get my dream gig (who does, one percent of the world?) I still need to eat and find a way to feel fulfilled.

John Anderson: This health care, mortgage and food of which you speak .. are these items readily available?

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John Anderson: hey everyone, thanks for the exchange. Really fun. Hope we do it again. have a happy Easter weekend. Good time for the movies (except the Tyler Perry film!!) J

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