The Unusual Suspects
With Rita Kempley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 16, 2003; 2 p.m. ET It's Friday afternoon and you can almost taste the popcorn. Whether you're planning to hit the theater or your local video store, Rita's here to help you wade through the sea of choices. It's also your chance to be a movie critic. Share your picks and pans, and tell us how things would be different if you ran Hollywood. Who would you cast in your movies and why? A transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Rita Kempley: Before we get going, I want you all to know this is my last show, at least for a while. I'm no longer doing movie reviews, but have decided to try my hand at feature writing. I'm hoping to stick to entertainment related issues -- right now I am working on a farewell to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" -- although I just might start stalking snipers. I think many of us have become friends over the years and I'll miss you very much. Maybe we can at least do our seance.
New Brunswick, N.J.: Hi Rita, Are you no longer being listed in the Entertainment Weekly scorecard? I haven't seen your ratings there recently. Rita Kempley: Hi New Brunswick,
They wanted me to stay on, but under the circumstances, I decided to give up the gig.
Washington, D.C.: When is Irreversible coming to this area? I can't believe this isn't here yet. Have you seen it? Rita Kempley: It's come and gone already. I guess there's not much demand for movies that include brutal rape and murder scenes lasting up to eight minutes.
Alexandria, Va.: So Rita, sci-fi fan that you are what's your take. Almost everything I've read said that despite it's stunning visuals, the Wachowskis miscalculated horribly by ignoring the central conceit of the "The Matrix" for "Reloaded" which was that Neo was "the one" and had mastered the Matrix. Within it he no longer even needed to fight since he could just unravel the digital code of his enemies. He was the only one who could see the Matrix for what it was and not suffer actual physical harm in its virtual reality. So what do we get. Lots of Neo fighting with people he supposedly knows aren't real and could make vanish with a blink of the eye. That seems to contradict the first film's own established reality for the sake of making a sequel. Rita Kempley: You've got that right. The rules of the movie's world are no longer standardized and that takes me -- and you it seems -- out of the movie. In one of the early fight scenes, Neo is surprised to cut his hand on some pointed object of one kind or another. An omen? It beats me.
Reston, Va.: Bye bye Rita. On a similar note Gene Weingarten mentioned during his chat that his cubicle was near Desson Howe's until a few days ago. Has Desson gone too? Rita Kempley: No, Reston:
The Weekend section just moved to the fourth floor, leaving us here on the 7 1/2 floor to go on without them.
Mister Jimmy: Rita, Noooooooooooo, say it isn't so!! I was wondering what was up. Haven't seen a review in the last couple of weeks. Glad to see that you'll still be at The Post though. Just wanted to say that it's been a pleasure chatting with you and the other Suspects every two weeks. You're a class act and will be missed. See ya at Halloween! Rita Kempley: Mister Jimmy,
I wish I could say it isn't so, but I am afraid it is. It's been a pleasure chatting with you and dear Miss Edie. Take care of each other.
Alexandria, Va.: I'm not THAT much of a movie fan, but I'm a big fan of yours, and will really miss you! Best of luck on your new venture -- just don't forget the unusual suspects! Rita Kempley: Thank you, Alexandria. How could I forget the suspects? Not possible. Like I said, this is the saddest thing about making the change-over.
Alexandria, Va.: Anybody else think Stephen Hunter was unnecessarily rough on poor Rock Hudson in his "Down With Love" review today? A "phony," a "poseur," a "natural born con-man?" Easy, big fella; he was a movie actor, not your Dad! Rita Kempley: Alexandria: Not to mention poor Ewan McGregor.
Matrix Reloaded and really disappointed kids: Rita -- what causes the "R" rating on Matrix? Is it more skin, more cursing, or video violence? After seeing the first movie, we let our oldest (then 14) go to the movie, and our youngest watched the video last year with us (9). Should they not see this one at 15 and 10? Rita Kempley: There's a long and ridiculous orgy scene intercut with a love scene between Neo and his love interest. It's no more violent, less probably, than a video game.
It really depends on how you feel about sweaty folk bumping and grinding.
Mt. Rainier, Md. : Oh, Rita, we're going to miss your chats and your reviews! But at least we don't have to miss your writing. I should think there would be some real pluses to moving to features -- lots of elbow room topic-wise and you don't have to sit through an hour and a half of dreck! Best of luck to you. Rita Kempley: Mt. Rainier:
I can't tell you how many times I've heard colleagues say, "I can't believe I just wasted two hours of my life on that dreck." I never said it, but I thought it and yes, the elbow room is nice, not to mention more time to think. Well so far anyway.
Arlington, Va: How much of his Matrix does Keanu show in his nude scene in Reloaded? Rita Kempley: It was too small to make out.
MINOR SPOILER: A Mighty Wind: I enjoyed A Mighty Wind, but I left the theater with a sense of a let-down after the final scene, which was basically a cheap sight gag involving the bassist of the trio. Did I miss some clues in the movie that would have made the joke funnier, or was it just an easy laugh and my expectations are too high? Rita Kempley: I'd go with elevated expectations.
Mighty Unpleasant Wind: My wife and I had seen and enjoyed "Best of Show" so we were looking forward to Christopher Guest's "A Mighty Wind." We were sorely disappointed. Instead of being funny we found it rather cruel, especially in regards to the Mitch and Mickey characters. In addition, one has to feel that the folk movement was essentially silly in order to laugh at the characters and the events in the movie because Guest does not make either particularly absurd in and of themselves. There were some exceptions, Fred Willard, Parker Posey and Jane Lynch's characters were clearly sendups and had funny moments, but the same can't be said for the others. It was a disappointing film. Rita Kempley: So I'm guessing you thought the Mighty Wind blew.
Lincoln Park Treehouse: I saw a nice article in the NY Post a couple of days ago explaining Rene Zellweger's absence at the post-Oscar parties. Apparently, she ripped her dress so she went home to change. Once there, she realized she'd locked herself out so her friend had to climb over the gate. That was enough to tell her she didn't want to go back out so she ended up scrubbing her floors. If that's true, I like the lady even more. Looking forward to seeing "Down with Love" this weekend ... and that dreamy Ewan McGregor. And Hunter is wrong, the guy can sing. Rita Kempley: Thanks for the anecdote. And yes, Ewan can to sing.
Reston, Va.: Decidedly non-Matrix ... can anyone confirm that the theme for the latest Lexus SUV commercial is the same as the theme used extensively during Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover". It's been bugging me for days. To follow up, will a cannibal theme increase Lexus sales? Rita Kempley: The theme music? Or the overall theme? I don't recall the music. I'm sure one of the suspects will. Perhaps the cannibalistic theme has to do with rabid consumerism.
Nani/Texas: Oh my dear, you will be sorely missed. First Eraserhead Guy and now our lovely Rita. I am truly saddened, but grateful for the times we shared. A couple of questions. What do you grow in your garden? As a child did you aspire to writing? Did you interview Billy Bob and what was your take on him? I loved your article on John Malkovich. Adios ... vaya con dios. Rita Kempley: Nana/Texas:
I still wonder what happened to our old friend, the E-Guy, too. Now don't go and make me get teary-eyed.
I don't have much sun, so I grow a lot of plants that are happy in the shade -- hosta, astilbe, ferns -- but no vegetables. Like Mr. Malkovich, I do grow herbs including basil, lavender and rosemary. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, that and my studies have kept me going through all the sad times.
I did talk with Billy Bob and I hate to say it, but he wasn't very amusing, bright or charismatic. If he offers a vial of blood, I still think you should accept.
Thank you, Malkovich was a hoot.
Re: 1st Matrix comment: SPOILER ALERT: I think part of the reason The One didn't turn out to be how we would expect was partially explained. We find out the prophesy which everyone, especially Morpheus puts his faith into, is a lie. Which means all bets are off, and everything they believed in is up in the air now ... Just what I got out of it. I don't think they were being inconsistent, just throwing a curve ball. Rita Kempley: That's entirely possible. Thanks.
Chicago, Ill.: Rita, Your bombshell announcement is tragic news for us but good luck. If you're happy with the decision that's what counts. I've got a Matrix question: saw a Wednesday night screening here in the Windy City, and before the movie started they showed an ad for Powerade with an actor mimicking Agent Smith telling us to drink his product, Apparently Powerade is the official "sports drink" of the Matrix. Personally, seeing these (and other) tie-ins for any movie, but especially for something like the Matrix, is revolting. While we're at it, why not film Easy Rider II and have Dennis Hopper do an ad at the start for a gated retirement community? Do you ever see any backlash against stuff like this? Is the money they make on these ads outweighed by the loss in "street cred"? Thanks. Rita Kempley: Chicago,
I didn't mean to drop a bombshell. I figured everybody would realize what was up when Ann Hornaday began doing more and more reviews.
I would think some prune juice would be nice or some Ensure.
I am sure the studios couldn't care less about their reputations when there is money at stake.
BROOMES ISLAND: Dearest Rita! One more Haiku!: No more popcorn junk
food free admission or perks
anymore. just work. Rita Kempley: Dearest Broomes Island,
No more popcorn gradu stuck between my teeth. I know that's not haiku. I do think I might be able to talk my way into a screening from now and then. No more cheesy studio give aways.
Mighty Silly Wind: Oh, I disagree with the person that thought Mitch and Mickey were cruelly lampooned. I felt that their story had moments of comedy (like the catheter thing), but overall, I didn't feel that they were being made fun of at all. They were sort of the "straight" characters. They were very sympathetic characters in my opinion, especially Mitch. I think they could have made him a buffoon, but instead he was just a strange person with some unresolved issues. I greatly enjoyed the movie, and I love 60s folk music. Rita Kempley: I didn't find the movie mean-spirited either. It reminded me of a concert on PBS, all the old folkies singing along to the music.
Malkovich: Did you actually like him? Do you think he's nuts? Rita Kempley: He was a lot of fun. Liked him very much.
BROOMES ISLAND: Dearest Rita!: Missed the solar eclipse on the island ... too cloudy sorry to say. But happy to see that the baby ducks and geese are back, parading down the causeway around dawn. We'll spend the summer watching them mature and then, literally, they will leave the nest. Speaking of natural phenomena, I did not miss the excellent "A Mighty Wind" last weekend. I was pleasantly surprised to see a packed theater full of 30- to 50- somethings who guffawed the whole way through. I thought the ending was very, very funny. The juxtaposition of Harry Shearer and his basso-profundo with the ... well, I won't give it away ... Also, you said that you were singing "E- A- Oes" all the way out of the theater. I kept on singing " A Mighty Wind is blowing ... " and laughing to myself. It's great to see a funny movie that's not too obvious. Going to see "The Matrix" this weekend. Was considering "X2" but that's SO last week! Dearest Queen, nice to have this opportunity to chat with you once again. Have a great weekend. I'll say HI to the baby ducks for you!
Rita Kempley: Broomes Island,
I didn't want to leave out this lovely posting. It sounds wonderful out your way.
20817, Md.: With a new child at home, we no longer go out to the movies several times a month (thank God for netflix). However, we have a babysitter this weekend. Outside of Matrix, what would you recommend we see that will be much better on the big screen? Rita Kempley: It's hard to beat "Bend It Like Beckham" for that walking-on-air feeling.
Bend it like Beckham : What a great movie. But what really struck me at how both this film and My Big Fat Greek wedding dealt with two cultures trying to hold onto some semblance of traditional aspects of the culture in a highly modern, or really very Western, environment. Yet Bend it like Beckham delivered in a way that was both funny yet respectful of the nuances that make Hindi/Indian families special. Whereas Greek Wedding was crass and made fun of the ethnic family to no end -- sure it was funny at times, but I laughed at how silly those Greeks were, instead of the funny aspects of juxtaposing immigrant culture with the newfound environment. Anyway, for those who haven't seen it, go see Bend it Like Beckham, a very family friendly movie. Thanks for letting me rant ... Rita Kempley: And now for another opinion ...
Somewhere, USA: I saw Billy Bob Thornton on Inside The Actors Studio a few weeks back and he came across as, well, very juvenile. He said things like "I hate rehearsals, they creep me out". But, he is an amazing actor. Rita Kempley: Somewhere, USA: Yes indeed he is.
Herndon, Va.: OUR SEMI-ABDICATING MONARCH: We'll miss you! As the one (I believe) who first called you "Our Queen," let me note Fridays will be a lot tougher now. Hope they do let you on for an occasional "feature" chat, if not for Halloween. Good luck! steve P.S. What the heck are we going to do with the Bun-O-Meter? (or Butt-O-Meter, depending on your religious preference) Rita Kempley: We are going to keep the patent on both Butt-o and Bun-o-meters. And we will resume work on them or it in future. Thanks for the coronation, Steve, and thanks to everyone else for playing along. I hope I will get to keep my tiara, if not my title.
Peoples' Republic: Farewell Comrade Rita me darlin'. The ole commune won't be the same. I do have to question the thought processes of whoever greenlighted Down with Love. Assuming that you can indeed make a sly send up of Pillow Talk, et. al., who in today's audience will get the joke, or want to see it if they don't? Rita Kempley: Good point, especially when you think about the studios' target of 14-to 26-year-old males. Not that it'll pass for a chick flick either.
Buffy Universe: Hi Rita -- since you're working on the Buffy piece, does that mean that you're a big Buffy fan? Rita Kempley: Hi Buffy:
Huge. I hope you'll like the story. I imagine it will run on the darkest of days, May 20.
Rita Kempley: So long for now ...
washingtonpost.com: That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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