At the Movies With Ann Hornaday

Wondering whether to see "Body of Lies" or "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" at the movies this weekend? Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday can help you decide. She was online Friday, Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET to answer all your cinema-related questions, and also to discuss the credit-crisis documentary "Maxed Out," the "movie club" assignment from her last online discussion.

Hornaday has been a film critic for the Post since 2002. Prior to that, she reviewed movies for the Baltimore Sun and the Austin-American Statesman.

Submit your questions and comments any time before or during the discussion.

A transcript follows.

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Ann Hornaday: Good afternoon, chatters! Let's talk movies!

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Sacramento, Calif.: I would venture to guess that -- based on your previous reviews -- you will not pick "Body of Lies" as your preferred movie. Inexplicably you don't seem to appreciate good acting or really good actors, as is Mr DiCaprio. Based on your hyperbole of "Tropic Thunder," you like comedy with gratuitous insults that purport to be funny.

Ann Hornaday: Hi Sacramento -- I hate to undermine your assumptions about me, but I actually quite liked "Body of Lies," even though I did think DiCaprio was the weakest link in it -- but I think he's done some outstanding work in the past, starting with "Gilbert Grape" and more recently in "Catch Me if You Can" (what an underrated movie!), "The Departed" and "Blood Diamond."

"Body of Lies" isn't his best work, but Russell Crowe is amazing and it's a really well-made political thriller. So I'd recommend it, by all means.

As for "Tropic Thunder," we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Cheers!

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Ann, you done me wrong!: I usually agree with you, "Marie Antoinette" notwithstanding, but "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" simply dreadful. Completely gross and yucky, and did I say gross? I kept waiting for the cops to arrest all those underage drinkers, but it as not to be. I'm not that far removed from my teen years, but what was shown in the film was nothing whatsoever like what I experienced, thank goodness. Oh, well, we all blow things sometimes. I'd like to get my friends' reactions but I have told all of them not to see it!

P.S. If a cell phone gets wet, it stops working.

Ann Hornaday: Oooh, sorry! I guess every critic deserves a few get-out-of-jail free cards every year, and I'll use yours on this one!

You're right about the gross-out factor, which in fairness I did mention in my review; I think they were pandering to the whole Farrelly Brothers/Judd Apatow market with the gum shtick, etc. And yes, I agree, the movie bore no resemblence to any real life I'm familiar with, but that's why they call it escapism.

Thanks for writing! I hope I don't let you down again!

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Baltimore, Md.: Ann, I love your reviews but any chance you'll return to Baltimore? Charm City readers need you desperately.

Ann Hornaday: Helloooo, Baltimore! (I'd sing "Good Morning, Baltimore," but it's afternoon.)

You're so very kind to write, but I must say, as someone who still lives in Charm City, we're blessed with outstanding local critics, including Michael Sragow at the Sun and the good folks at the City Paper. ... And of course you're always more than welcome to subscribe to The Washington Post!

Thanks for your kind words, though, they're always appreciated!

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Fairfax, Va.: I know Abrams has denied it, but do you think Shatner will be making a cameo appearance in the new "Star Trek" movie?

Ann Hornaday: I can't tell if the recent dust-up between Shatner and Abrams is genuine or a clever viral marketing ploy....Shatner vociferously denied being asked to do a cameo last month, then put a video up on YouTube about it. Again, can't tell if it's all on the level or a goof.

But because I'm such a trusting Pollyanna, I'd say the chances are slim we'll see Shatner in the new 'Star Trek' movie.

Chatters, thoughts 'n' feelings?

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Manassas, Va.: Hello,

Was it you I asked a week or so ago about a release date for "The Perfect Game"? If not, can you please find out? It was originally supposed to be released in August about the time of the Little League World Series (which would have been appropriate). Now with baseball season almost over, I'm curious as to when it will FINALLY be released.

"The Perfect Game" is a feel good story about a rag tag group of kids from Mexico who make it to the Little League World Series in 1957. The pitcher pitches the first perfect game in LLWS history.

Ann Hornaday: Hi Manassas!

Thanks for writing back. I did ask a local press rep for "The Perfect Game's" studio, and he said chances were slim that it will open in theaters -- most likely it will show up on DVD.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! It does sound like an amazing story!

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Washington, D.C.: Have you had a chance to see "Happy Go Lucky" yet? And do you know when it will be in D.C.?

Ann Hornaday: Thanks for that question! I have seen "Happy-Go-Lucky" and it opens in Washington next Friday, Oct. 17. I'm always loathe to tip my hand but I will say: See it. It's amazing. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

That is all for now.

Chatters, the system is moving a little slowly today so if I'm late getting to your questions, that's why. It's not that I haven't had my coffee!

Next!

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Freising, Germany: Whenever I watch a James Bond movie, I'm left feeling entertained, but none the wiser about the world affairs. What would you say about "Body of Lies"?

I've read some David Ignatius, and I've found him to be entertaining but realistic. How is it with this film? Also, any word about how Mr. Ignatius felt about the film version of his bvook?

Ann Hornaday: Hello, Germany! Great to hear from you!

You're absolutely right about David, very entertaining but very astute regarding the world he's writing about. I think "Body of Lies" very much lives up to that standard -- it's entertaining in the James Bond/Mission:Impossible sense, but also incredibly on-point about the subtleties of geopolitics, especially regarding the Middle East and US military/intelligence policy.

What I also liked about the film, and this is I'm sure all to David's credit, is its depiction of the Arab world, not as a monolith or scary "Other," but as a diverse, lively, even friendly place. We need more of these nuanced, cosmpolitan portrayals, not just of the Arab world but the entire world.

Hope you enjoy the movie!

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Bellefonte, Pa.: What are the most important and/or beautiful, moving films you have seen in the last five years that a man over 55 would appreciate?

Think "senior" with a lot of life experience, concern and not much time left. Ed

Ann Hornaday: What a lovely question! Thanks so much for writing!

Off the top of my head, I'll throw out a few recent movies I've found particularly moving: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and "Into the Wild," both from last year, were really poetic, transcendent -- and very, very sad -- portrayals of people coming to grips with their mortality ...

This year I've really enjoyed "The Visitor" and "The Edge of Heaven," the latter a German-Turkish film, in case you're interested in foreign-language movies....And, as odd as it sounds, I really thought "WALL*E," the animated movie, was quite fine and surprisingly meaningful.

Also from last year, I thought "Children of Men" was really well made, and had a lot to say about the world we live in (warning: it's really, really dark).

And, because it's important to laugh, I'd also recommend a recent comedy, "Ghost Town" -- which is funny but also deep in its own way. And there's the upcoming movie I just answered a question about, "Happy-Go-Lucky" -- funny, but with really profound observations about how we choose to live our lives...

I'm sure I'll think of more...But that's a start. Thanks again for the question, it reminded me of what's important about even something as seemingly trivial as The Movies!

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washingtonpost.com: Hey, folks. We are having technical difficulties with our discussion tool so Ann is unable to answer additional questions. She is terribly sorry about this -- as are we here at post.com -- but please meet her at the same time and same place on Oct. 24 for another movie discussion. Thanks again, and our apologies!

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