Owen and Lisa answer your burning movie questions

eleanor Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 10:59 PM EST

eleanor Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST

The 1993 film PHILADELPHIA starring Tom Hanks concludes with a touching scene of Andrew Beckett's funeral. At the coalation (i.e. the after party), they show "home movies" of Beckett as a child. How were these "movies" filmed, and who was actually in them?

eleanor Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST

The 1993 film PHILADELPHIA starring Tom Hanks concludes with a touching scene of Andrew Beckett's funeral. At the coalation (i.e. the after party), they show "home movies" of Beckett as a child. How were these "movies" filmed, and who was actually in them?

Cheryl Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 03:41 PM EST

About maybe 10 years ago, a football movie came out where the opening scene was a game at night in a rainstorm...one of the players made a touchdown, pulled a revolver out of his pants, and shot himself. I'd like to watch it again, but can't remember the title. Any help would be appreciated!

John Caspian Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 01:50 AM EST

What was the name of the movie where a detective determines that a murderous demon is passing from one person to another. When a possessed person dies, the deomon has to have a living thing to pass into. The detective decides to kill the possessed man and die himself, denying the demon a body to pass into. But when he does so, at an isolated cabin in a snowy woods, the spirit passes into a cat, and the movie ends.

Paul Justin Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 02:23 AM EST

Recently I watched The Spiderwick Chronicles. I liked it, but couldn't help but wonder why is golden globe winning actress Mary Loiuse Parker said yes to such a normal and uncharacteristic mother role in a kid movie, exactly the same question I have in mind a few years ago when Kristin Davis turned up in Sharkboy & Lavagirl and The Shaggy Dog. In your opinion, is there any good example of a good actress still shine when she turns up to be "the mother" in kid movie?

Nick Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 04:46 PM EST

Don't you guys think there should be a Serenity sequel? How about a trilogy? Wouldn't that be way rad?

Nancy Mendez Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 02:46 PM EST

What would ever possess a perfectly fine critic to go over the line of reason and rate a perfectly decent film an F? Case in point...Owen rating PENELOPE an F and rating other disappointments C+, C, and C-.

Kate Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 02:15 PM EST

I've heard that most actors/directors/people who make movies have said that comedy is more difficult than drama. If this is the case, why are comedies and comedic performers so underrepresented during awards season?

Brad Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 01:20 AM EST

What up-and-coming actor or actress do you think has a body of work that you feel is owed more attention than they've received?

(Sidenote: in the actresses under 30 thing, EW omitted Sarah Polley who is among the best.. BIG oversight - no place to comment there)

sully Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 06:44 PM EST

why do you think there is an academy backlash against nominating actors that have a more mainstream appeal? A couple examples: Jim Carrey in the Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adam Sandler in Punch-Drunk Love, and Paul Giamatti in Sideways. All three are perfect examples of mainstream performers giving great, award winning performances, and yet the academy snubs them. Why?

Laurie Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 10:45 AM EST

I encounter people who hate movies that receive great critical acclaim because they don't like the characters (Pulp Fiction is an example). What do you think about the likability of characters contributing to the critical quality?

kim in kentucky Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 10:11 AM EST

I'd like to see a movie version of Miss Saigon

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

Collin Lucas Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 11:20 PM EST

Hello,
My question is this: What do you think the best way to find out about films that are outside of the mainstream and for which we are not exposed to trailers for (foreign/arthouse). Venues such as EW.com are great for their occasional low-budge/foreign reviews, but is there a site where one can sift through the endless amount of small films and find the ones to watch?
Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

queen of disrepair Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 07:46 PM EST

having just returned home after seeing "Semi-Pro" I find myself wondering why movies about nothing but funny shoot themselves in the foot by inserting a love story that only moves a couple of quick, lame gags? How can so many people not be willing to say "no" to subplots that don't add anything to the direct line of exposition?
About the Oscars, I would tier the ballots so that movies that job specialists decide as honor worthy (editing, directing, acting, cinemetography, sound, etc.)with the most nominations are the five top nominated films. After that, a second ballot is sent to all academy members just for Best Picture. If it is all about the industry and less the court of public opinion, wouldn't that make more sense?

Dru Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 01:10 PM EST

Why did Javier Bardem get an Oscar for killing people without making an expression for 2 hours? Nicole Kidman's forehead does better work.

whit Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 10:49 AM EST

To Mitchell,

Actually Gone With the Wind still rates as the number one box office movie (if you translate it for inflation), but I absolutely agree with you about the backlash. I don't get it. You loved it then, but now it's suddenly not "cool" to ever admit that you did. Same thing is happening to LOR (and I loved that too).

Gabby Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 02:28 AM EST

It seems foreign actors are always able to deliver a consummate American accent, so why are American actors, inversely, so unconvincing at assuming other accents? Can you cite any examples that prove this generalization wrong?

Mitchell M Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

How do you explain the backlash against "Titanic" (1997)? It is the most successful movie ever made and received near-universal acclaim upon release (not to mention 11 Oscars), yet now everybody seems to hate it. It happens to be my favorite movie and I am neither a teenage girl nor a fan of romantic movies for the most part.

Rob Grizzly Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:58 PM EST

Is there a reason that 70% of all movies are set in New York?

Mike Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 06:26 PM EST

Which one of your negatively reviewed films most improved on a second viewing?

Pamela Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 05:38 PM EST

Dear Owen and Lisa:

The word "quirky" is often used to describe (and not always in a good way) a pic full of off-beat characters - eg, Little Miss Sunshine and this year's quirk-fest Juno. But what film do you think started the whole "quirky" genre? Which at the time, was assumed to be a good thing! For me, its 1983's Local Hero.

Kate Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 05:34 PM EST

Do you feel that Foreign language films don't interest Americans in general because of selection the films that get imported to the U.S.? Or are we just too lazy to read subtitles?

nunya Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

What actors would you like to see act together in a film? (For example, I would love to see a film with Daniel Day-Lewis and Cate Blanchett and Tom Hanks).

Erin Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 04:56 PM EST

Should good movies have some redeeming quality or purpose? I'm thinking specifically of serious movies centered on sensitive subject matters. Should it just tell a story or is it necessary there be a purpose?

Troy Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 04:45 PM EST

I've noticed that the critics' picks have been glaringly absent from the last two years of EW's Oscar coverage. Who and what had your votes in 2006 and 2007?

orville Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 03:26 PM EST

Get out your crystal ball and predict what the next "new" or "innovative" idea will be that will make everyone jump on the badwagon to beat it to death in the rush to make a dollar off of it.

Ian Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

It seemed like a few years ago most people were complaining that the only films nominated by the Academy were the one's that were most popular and that the Academy should start nominating smaller, better films. Now that the Academy has finally decided to do this, it seems people are turning the opposite direction and think that popular films with a bigger audience should be nominated instead. Are they serious? Do you think the Oscars should be a popularity contest, or a place to reward true art? What could be done to make great films like "No Country" and "There Will Be Blood" as popular as "Titanic"?

Laura Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

My friends and I quote movies in conversation quite often. Office Space and all Austin Powers movies are our favorites. (the dumber, the better) Which movies do you find to be the most "quotable"?

Jay Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 03:16 PM EST

What sets of actors do you most commonly get confused? Who are the most, dare I say, interchangeable? Who sends you to IMDB fastest when trying to remember who was in an older film? (ex: Was that Pacino or DeNiro in that late '90s (sort of forgettable cop/gangster flick? Or was that Hope Davis or Laura Linney as the spunky yet conflicted single woman looking for love?)

Tink in Cali Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 03:14 PM EST

As a movie critic, do you have the time or inclination to watch television? If so, does it often influence your opinion of a movie? Examples: If you loved James Gandofini or Amy Ryan's television work, does it color how you review their film performances? If you recognize a plot device from a television show, does it lower your opinion of the film? Do you feel that television show directors make better or worse film directors? How difficult is it to judge each work based on its own merit?

Sue Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 02:33 PM EST

Do you ever wish you were on the other side - making movies yourself? If so, what would you do? (Direct, write, act?)

When watching a movie, how do you discern between whose work is whose? for example, how do you know whether a fast-paced movie is the work of great direction or excellent editing or a tight script?

Jeremy R Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

Not all remakes, updates and reboots are great. I'll give you Batman, Bond, and I even liked the latest Superman movie. But Transformers was too much, Dukes of Hazard was a bad idea, and Rambo was... Rambo. While I'm excited for the new Indiana Jones movie and Star Trek (and believe me a remake of The Hulk with Ed Norton sounds like a well-deserved "we're sorry" from Hollywood), but where do we draw the line? They're making board games into movies, they're taking eighties Saturday morning cartoons, and dolls for children (Bratz - I'm lookin' at you). Have they mined all fresh material out there? If this has to be a trend - what movies would you guys like to see made? More importantly, who should helm the weighty task of rebooting a franchise (or in some cases creating one)?

Andy Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 01:42 PM EST

How often does the best picture not win at the Oscars? Can you think of any glaring snubs in recent memory?

Rich Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM EST

When looking back over your career, do you find that you routinely judge one genre of movie more or less favorably? (and I don't mean obvious genres like torture porn) If it was unintentional on your part, why do you think the reviews came out as they did?

Amelia Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 01:26 PM EST

If you could only watch movies from one director for the rest of your life, what director would it be and why?

orville Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

Have you ever felt the need to go back and re-watch a film simply because nearly everyone in it became sensations (either for that film or for something different)? The "30 under 30" lists are making me think that I should go back and rent some of the "breakout films" again (although I disagree with what you list as some of the breakouts for some of the stars). Kids is at the top of the list.

Alison Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 01:13 PM EST

What's your take on recent installments of old series? (i.e. Rambo, Indiana Jones, etc.) Is this an attempt by studios to lure older audiences back to the movies? Or is this just an example of the lack of creativity that seems to be plaguing the movie industry?

Gene Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 12:59 PM EST

What are your favorite examples of great films based on average/ordinary source material? (i.e. books or older movies)

Eric Friedmann Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 12:54 PM EST

Chris G, I'll answer that question for you - NOTHING!

snarky Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 12:43 PM EST

I am v. excited for the upcoming SATC movie. What other TV shows could/should make the jump to the big screen? Are there any movies that should/could make the jump to the small screen?

Aaron Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM EST

When has someone else's insight on a film you found underwhelming spurred you to go back and watch it again with fresh eyes? Did your opinion ever change?

jeremy elliott Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM EST

Why was Keri Russel ignored during award season? I thought her turn in Waitress at least deserved a nomination!

Zane Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:27 AM EST

Do you think there will ever be another movie that will remain at the top of the box office as long as "Titanic"?

Chismism Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:17 AM EST

What movie has had the biggest set? What about the smallest?

Rahul Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:05 AM EST

How did 'Titanic' get away with a PG-13 rating with that nude drawing scene of Kate Winslet?

Chris G Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:02 AM EST

What film made within the last five years or so is destined to become a "cinematic classic" ala Citizen Kane or Casablanca?

Emily Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:55 AM EST

As movie critics, do you read the book a movie is based on before or after seeing the film? Or at all?

Lyn Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:50 AM EST

Who is the most underrated older actress in the business? Apparently, I am only allowed to know the work of 20 older women, but other women must be out there. Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench can't be in everything!

NineDaves Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:37 AM EST

There’s been speculation that the reason Oscar ratings have declined so much is because the nominated films aren’t necessarily crowd pleasers (and those that are, i.e. Juno, aren’t slated to win the big awards). What do you think about that? Would you make any changes to the awards to get people watching? Or should we just start nominating Seth Rogan and Will Ferrell movies?

Lucinda Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:32 AM EST

Is it just me, or are the ongoing "Highest-Grossing Opening Weekend Ever!" announcements not actually all that informative? I mean, of course Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is going to gross more this fall than The Order of the Phoenix did last year; the ticket prices keep going up! Do they ever count / annouce actual number of tickets sold? Because those are the numbers that truly matter, aren't they?

Dnnlnn85 Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:31 AM EST

If you could have any Hitchcock film given an updated treatment, which one would it be and who would you have direct it?

bj Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 09:39 AM EST

Do you think tv show to movie remakes are any good. GEt Smart Mission Impossible etc?
OR What do you think about reboots? Star Trek?

Ann Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 09:15 AM EST

When and why did western civilization decide that bodily fluids (eg vomit) were funny?

Eric Friedmann Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 08:47 AM EST

This questions concerns a specific movie: Michael Douglas made a wonderful film in 1979 called RUNNING. He played a divorced dad training and struggling for the glory of the Olympics. Except for one or two TV airings in the early '80s, the movie has disappeared. What happened to this movie?

David Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 08:46 AM EST

Sunset Blvd., Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods

Mel Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 07:41 AM EST

I definatly want to see a Wicked movie