Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 07 > Entry
All the world’s a stage … except when it’s in the cinema
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Another longtime reader, first-time writer. Your recent list of good Brit films was a good one, except you didn’t include possibly the best: “The History Boys.”
Great acting, great story, great dialogue, an interesting take on history and culture. And it is a sympathetic but not glorifying treatment of homosexuality. Why didn’t you include it?
JOHN HAWKINS, Decatur
Dear The Play’s the Thing,
I did indeed see “The History Boys.”
I did indeed not include it on my list.
I did indeed think it likely a better play than a film (for example, most definitely, “Bug”).
I did indeed lose interest in the otherwise remarkable scene with excellent dialogue provided by Richard Griffiths in which the boom mike unexpectedly descends into view over the actors’ heads.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Waitress” recipe box and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Please tell your many readers, especially those over 60, not to miss seeing “Away From Her.” It is one of the rare adult movies, along with “The Queen,” that is beautifully directed and acted that I have ever seen. The story, the pace, the music. Perfect.
I feel sure “Away From Her” will win many Oscars next year.
SARA MITCHELL PARSONS, Decatur
Dear Public Service Announcement,
I do not think it necessary to be older than 60 to seek out and enjoy “Away From Her,” which looks deeply into one couple dealing with Alzheimer’s.
I agree it is a wonderful movie. And Julie Christie is more than wonderful in it. I feel sure she will be competing for a best actress Oscar next year. The film might also be up for a few other Academy Awards.
To be honest, I don’t think it a better movie than “The Queen.” Maybe that’s just me.
There are several other movies coming that I would recommend to moviegoers as, in your words, a rare adult movie that is beautifully directed and acted.
Look in the coming weeks for “La Vie en Rose” (the biopic on Edith Piaf; June 22), “The Golden Door” (the Italian film exploring a Sicilian family entering America through Ellis Island; July 6), “Steel Toes” (with David Strathairn as a Jewish lawyer defending a neo-Nazi; June 29), and “Talk to Me” (with Don Cheadle as real-life radio personality Petey Greene; July 13 or 20).
ALAN
P.S. You get a blue Sony blanket and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
How do movies that are universally “trashed” by critics (aka experts) on their release become revered “classics” that become “must sees” for succeeding generations?
Two that come immediately to mind are Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story,” based on a number of Jean Shepherd stories, and John Sturges’ “The Magnificent Seven,” based on “Seven Samurai.” In both cases, critics hated these movies. Clark for directing the “Porky’s” movies and Sturges for copying Kurosawa. Now both are considered modern classics of their genre. Even Jack Nicholson mentions “The Magnificent Seven” as one of his favorites.
How does this happen?
WAYNE RIDGEWAY, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Dear Let Us Count the Ways,
Maybe because:
Critics are fallible human beings.
Or … the mainstream public lacks artistic taste.
Or … Nicholson could have been drunk.
Or … everyone’s entitled to his or her own opinion.
Or … I wasn’t around at the time to set the record straight.
Know ye that:
“A Christmas Story” is an OK movie that I’ve been able to watch in small doses and is in no way ever to be judged better than “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“The Magnificent Seven” is an entertaining, often well-done film with a knockout score that in no way is better than “Seven Samurai.” “The Magnificent Seven” isn’t even better than “The Great Escape.”
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Because I Said So” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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