At the Movies With Ann Hornaday

Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday was online Friday, July 18 at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss the latest summer releases, from indies to blockbusters.

A transcript follows.

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Ann Hornaday: Hi everyone, happy Friday!

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re: Mama Mia: Technical question: can something be "filmed on location" if the location is a fictional place? (I'm not being snarky, just curious about the term!)

Ann Hornaday: No snark inferred! And yes, a movie can be filmed on location even if it's set in a fictional place. The term 'location' refers to any locale away from the studio where a movie is shot. So in the case of "Mamma Mia," even though the island itself is fictional, the movie was filmed on location in Greece.

Hope that makes sense!

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Fairfax County, Va.: This has been quite the summer for superheroes. Why is it that this category is so, well, all-powerful right now?

Ann Hornaday: It's a proven money-maker, comic books making perfect 'pre-sold' properties with built-in audiences. Note that most of this summer's superhero movies are sequels, meaning they're virtually no-lose propositions for the studios.

Of course, you also have the archetypal appeal of superheroes, whose mythic statures and superhuman abilities have made them irresistible story fodder since time began. ... But as far as Hollywood goes, it's all about sticking with success. Over and over and over again...

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Del Ray, Va.: I note with sadness the imminent demise of one of my favorite Internet movie sites -- mrcranky.com. For the past 12 years Mr. Cranky has provided insightful, concise, vulgar and opinionated negative reviews of all current films. Instead of stars to rate films, Cranky awarded bombs.

One bomb -- Almost tolerable

Two bombs -- Consistently annoying

Three bombs -- Will require therapy after viewing

Four bombs -- As good as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Bundle of dynamite -- So godawful that it ruptured the very fabric of space and time with the sheer overpowering force of its mediocrity.

Nuclear mushroom cloud -- Proof that Jesus died in vain.

Mr. Cranky's memorable review of "Spice World" consisted of three words: "No F---ing way!"

Whenever smart alecks and cineastes gather, the Crankster will be missed. Perhaps you might suggest this type of site as a second career for Stephen Hunter?

Ann Hornaday: I can't improve on this. With luck, Stephen will read this and consider taking time out from writing bestselling (and Wahlberg-ready) thrillers and otherwise thoroughly enjoying life!

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Washington, D.C.: Have you seen "Dark Knight" yet? And if so, can you share your thoughts?

Ann Hornaday: Yep, saw it earlier this week, and I pretty much concur with Mr. Hunter. Ledger is amazing, and it's a bravura performance, but the enterprise in its entirety is too long, too self-important and pompous and too lacking in genuine imagination. I also agree that Ekhardt was miscast.

I happened to have been sitting next to my friend and Baltimore Sun colleague Mike Sragow at the screening, and I think he hit it on the head when he pointed out that so many of these comic book/graphic novel adaptations get away with self-seriousness and pretentiousness that we'd otherwise pillory in garden-variety dramas. Kind of makes me miss "Iron Man."

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Gotham City: Hi Ann:

Just saw the Uptown premiere of "The Dark Knight" and I gotta say that the reviews are way off. The movie is EVEN BETTER than what critics are saying in my opinion. And Heath Ledger's performance was one of the best I've ever seen. Everytime he was onscreen and his scene ended, the audience erupted in applause. Even with all the hype and news around it, I believe it's one of the very select few movies that EXCEEDS ALL HYPE. Did you get to see it yet? What did you think?

Ann Hornaday: Whoa, delete previous post!!!!

Kidding. Although I do agree that Ledger was wonderful! (He seemed to have been channeling Jack Benny, Richard Kind and a Norwegian Black Metal rocker all at the same time.)

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Olney, Md.: HOw much do you want to bet Katie Holmes is ticked off that she turned down "The Dark Knight"? Although ... I totally love Maggie Gyllenhal and would much rather see her face on the big screen than Mrs. Tom Cruise.

Ann Hornaday: Love Maggie. She's one of those actresses who could be a star in any era -- her face reminds me of Lillian Gish, and she also has that saucy, knowing mugs that would make her a perfect romantic foil in the 1940s. Loved her in "TDK" too!

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McLean, Va.: Hi Ann,

Taking my 12-year-old niece to the movies tomorrow. "Wall-E," or "Kit Kittredge"?

She would be glad to see either, she says (she's very shy and won't express a definite opinion), but which would you choose?

Thanks!

Ann Hornaday: I haven't seen "Kit Kittredge" yet but I've heard lovely things about it. Finally caught up with "WALL*E" last weekend and I can vouch for that -- it's absolutely wonderful, and one of the best love stories I've seen in a long time! I think in this case you can't go wrong. Good luck and have fun!

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Batman: I'm so confused. I thought we already met the Joker.

Ann Hornaday: Just relax and enjoy the show...

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Gotham City: Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman! Batman!

Ann Hornaday: Altogether now...

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Fairfax, Va: Have been hearing good things about "Wall-E." Have you seen it ? What are your thoughts on it? If you have already answered, would appreciate a link. Thanks

Ann Hornaday: I did see it, and I'm happy to expand and expound. It's quite sublime, really, and almost totally silent film about a little robot that is so thoroughly anthropomorphized that within seconds you're in his camp.

You've probably read the reviews, so I don't go into more detail. Except that the coolest thing about seeing "WALL*E" for me was the audience. The film is preceded by an animated short, which looks a lot like an old-school Disney cartoon -- had the kids in the audience giggling in a way I haven't heard for a looong time. Delightful. Then "WALL*E" came on, and silence. The good kind. The kind that says, 'I'm with you, I care, keep going, tell me the story.' It was a terrific moviegoing experience, and it revived my faith in cinema.

So yeah, I guess I liked it.

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Journey to the Center of the Earth: Hi Ann,

See it in the theatre, or wait for it on DVD?

Thank you.

Ann Hornaday: You know what, if you can see it at a theater showing it in 3D, it's worth the trip. I'm usually seasick at 3D movies, but in "Journey" it really works -- it's a fun ride! If you go, let me know what you think!

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To IMAX or Not To IMAX:"Dark Knight" is playing at our local IMAX theater. I've not been to an IMAX movie before, so I'm interested in seeing Batman on that stage. But I would have to wait until next week to see it. So is seeing a movie in IMAX much different/better?

Ann Hornaday: You're asking the lady to just admitted 3D makes her seasick! I must admit the only IMAX films I've been to lately have been those fabulous nature docs at the Smithsonian, which have been terrific. I cannot even IMAGINE what watching TDK in that format would be like.

Chatters, anyone out there feel like weighing in on this one? (I'll be getting a Dramamine....)

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Batman, again: How many people do you think were in the theater next to me last night for the midnight showing of "Mamma Mia"?

And, yes, it was self-important, but I thought there was some fascinating exploration of good versus evil in "The Dark Knight" (the dark night, indeed).

I believe this generation's filmmakers are going to be studied for their treatment of torture and violence-in-the-name-of-good in the same way the 1950s sci-fi B-movies are studied for their anti-communist themes.

Ann Hornaday: Very intriguing! You just reminded me of the parallel between the coin-flipping character in "TDK" and Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men." Definitely something thematic going on...

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Katie vs Maggie: Stephen Hunter's review made a couple comments about how Maggie was perhaps too complex a presence for this film and that Katie, with her limited capacity as an actress and more conventionally pretty face, would have been the better choice.

Would "Dark Knight" really have been served by having a less-talented actress play Rachel, which is the gist I got from Hunter's review?

Ann Hornaday: Yeah, I gotta disagree with Stephen on that call. I'm not sure how being a good actress can be a bad thing -- definitely not in "TDK," to which she adds some fascinating layers.

Maggie rules. That is all.

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washingtonpost.com: This Joker Holds All the Cards ( Post, 17)

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Best Summer movie out there?: Rare babysitting night. Which movie in the theaters is the best summer flick -- and one which benefits from being seen on a big screen?

Ann Hornaday: Well, my fave of the season so far is "WALL*E," but for a bang-up, action-packed summer-movie movie, you could also try "Iron Man." (I have a reputation for hating it which has been exaggerated; I just didn't find it slam-dunk perfect.)

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Fairfax, Va.: Is it true that Pierce Brosnan's singing isn't very good in Momma Mia!?

Ann Hornaday: It's true. And it really pains me to say that, because I love PB!!! It's not even that his voice is that horrible, it's just very poorly suited to the material. Painfully poorly suited. I'd like to hear him sing in a pub one night after a few pints, with a fiddle and a penny whistle. Maybe then....

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Washington, D.C.: So do you think Momma! will do relatively good this weekend despite Batman?

Ann Hornaday: I'm not a tracking-numbers expert, but "TDK" is definitely winning the sweepstakes of who's planning on going to what movie this weekend. ... But "Mamma" does have high general awareness. Honestly, to quote screenwriter William Goldman's famous observation, 'Nobody knows anything.'

Most (or least) of all, me!

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Comic heroes: Any chance that Halle Berry will paint herself back into a catsuit? And when is Batman going to take on the evil Dr. Cubicle, who drops by and wastes your Friday morning with a long story of his boring vacation?

Ann Hornaday: After the drubbing Halle took for "Catwoman," I think she'll stay away from all things feline for the rest of her career.

Dr. Cubicle, good one!

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Annapolis, Md.: It seems like there's not that much out there to see lately. Is this my imagination? Seems like there's not a bounty to choose from anymore. The blockbusters are the blockbusters and that's one thing; but other regular movie fare seems few and far between. Comments?

Ann Hornaday: It's been pretty thin this summer -- the last just really good grown-up drama I saw was "The Visitor" (although there's a good French thriller coming to art houses called "Tell No One," check it out). And we have yet to see a sleeper hit on a par with "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Juno." So I agree it's been very lopsided. Wait until fall!

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Fairfax, Va.: I know it doesn't come out until May, but what do you think this J.J. Abrams-led quasi-reboot of "Star Trek" will do for the sagging franchise? Is it the last nail in the coffin, or does it reenergize it? Or somewhere in between with Paramount popping out sequels until it's no longer profitable?

Ann Hornaday: No idea. BIG question mark. It would be cool if he nailed it, though. I still have a soft spot for that one!

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Arlington, Va.: Did you see Journey to the Center of the Earth? If so, what did you think? Is Brendan Fraser over?

Ann Hornaday: It was good -- not great -- but a fun ride, and something the family will enjoy (as long as you don't take really little ones, because it can be kinda scary).

And Fraser: I still think he was so good in "The Quiet American." And he's just so darned LIKABLE....So no, not over.

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WALL-E: From another WALL-E viewer:

'Tis excellent, but be warned: That little robot will Trash-Compact Your Heart.

Bring the Kleenex, and be prepared to sob.

For what it's worth, I don't think the "plot" really holds up, either, so it's a bit like Iron Man -- totally excellent rides, brilliant character sketches completely worth seeing (although WALL-E is far more haunting), but both flawed movies.

Ann Hornaday: Well said! (And you're totally right about the sobbing.)

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ArtMovieLover, Va.: Cheer up, Ann. You were right about "Iron Man," despite what the fanboys say. And you're right about "Dark Knight," although I was persuaded yesterday that I had exaggerated my big misgiving -- length -- so I downplayed that aspect in my review. I liked much of the film and played UP those aspects, but now I'm wishing I'd been a bit more evenhanded. I fear I came across like one of the fanboys I was arguing with yesterday.

I did think "Dark Knight" worked well as social and post-9/11 commentary, but I take it that most critics, who haven't dug into that aspect of the film, find it too pat or too obvious. I liked that aspect of the film, but I guess that makes me a 9/11 obsessive. And we're not supposed to have any of those folks around anymore.

Ann Hornaday: Hey thanks for the support! And here's a little hint of something good coming down the pike: The documentary "Man on Wire," about Phillipe Petit's highwire stunt at the World Trade Center in 1974. Incredibly painful, cathartic and healing, and the words "nine eleven" are never mentioned. It's always there, isn't it?

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Baltimore, Md.: It's a shame Ledger is not here to enjoy all the accolades. Has this ever happened before in modern film history that an actor who wound up doing a memorable performance in a film was not around when the movie came out?

Ann Hornaday: What a good question. Two that leap to mind: I think James Dean might have died before "Giant" came out, and I have a dim memory of Marilyn Monroe dying before "The Misfits" was released, but I could be totally wrong about both.

Chatters?

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Washington, D.C.: I don't have anything against Momma Mia! n general, but I hope it dies a very quick death, and soon, because that _ _ _ _ _ _ song has been on a constant loop in my skull for the past two weeks straight. And I'm about to go freaking insane.

Ann Hornaday: I feel you. For some reason my brain has chosen "Take a Chance on Me"; for a while this week it was "Fernando," which isn't even in the freaking movie!!!

Diabolical.

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Juneau, Alaska: The headline and subhed on the Post's Web page for your review of Mamma Mia! seemed positive. But when I read the review, it seemed fairly negative. At the same time, there were sentences or fragments of sentences that the distributors can lift for their ads that put the film in a good light. So my questions: Is this a negative review, or did I misread it? Do you insert positive sentences that you anticipate will be lifted for ads?

Ann Hornaday: Hmm, that's interesting, I'll have to go back and look at the headlines. I'd say it was a mixed-to-negative review. There were things I liked about the film -- a couple of particular scenes, Meryl in general -- but all in all I found it forced and poorly made. Sorry if that didn't come across more clearly! (And I never, ever write anything to be quoted in ads.)

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Ann Hornaday: Well everyone, I hate to say it but our time is up. Off into the weekend -- we'll get together soon, and thanks a million for taking time to chat!

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