« Newman: The Political Paul | Main | Warren Buffet the Tunesmith... »

September
30Decoding the Critics

Tom Bernard, the veteran co-head of Sony Pictures Classics, has a theory about critics. He believes when critics in key communities are fired by their penny-pinching newspapers, it’s the movies that suffer – especially art movies. He feels he can statistically demonstrate that filmgoers learn to trust certain local critics and that, when they leave, box office sags.

I hope he’s right. I’d like to believe that amid the present media maelstrom, newspaper critics still wield some clout.

And I agree with Bernard that, when you read critics over a period of time, you can learn to decode them. Serious critics are reluctant to issue “raves” even when they admire a film, but you learn their nuances and figure out which films to put on your list.

Bernard can be shrewd in extracting words of praise (however skimpy) from kindly critics to use in quote ads, and when a David Ansen or a Richard Schickel say they admire a film, that registers.

Here’s the catch: When some distributors run banners of quotes from lesser critics, doesn’t that send the opposite message to savvy filmgoers? “The most romantic movie of the year,” says Stuart Lee of WNYX-TV about “Nights in Rodanthe.” “An American classic,” says the ubiquitous Shawn Edwards of Fox TV of “Appaloosa.”

If the filmgoers learn to decode critics, aren’t they also busily decoding the distributors? Thus banners from obscure critics are a signal to stay away.

Tom Bernard’s theory is interesting… depending on how far one wants to carry it.

Posted at 6:09PM in |

Comments

53YJGB Good! Wish everybody wrote so:DD

Posted by: oem software | 2/9/2012 6:08:35 PM

PoA1bl comment2

Posted by: oem software online | 1/13/2012 5:11:33 AM

9bpU7h comment1

Posted by: oem software online | 1/13/2012 4:34:32 AM

xv8ObX comment5

Posted by: buy discount oem software | 1/13/2012 4:09:00 AM

ckj0es comment6

Posted by: oem software | 1/12/2012 6:53:53 AM

8dJLs1 comment6

Posted by: discount oem software | 1/11/2012 1:09:30 PM

TfDCfK Received the letter. I agree to exchange the articles..

Posted by: Microsoft Office oem | 12/27/2011 4:13:11 PM

Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thanks!

Posted by: Bielizna Sklep | 12/20/2011 8:55:20 AM

I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Many thanks

Posted by: Pozycjonowanie Stron | 12/14/2011 2:05:01 PM

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?

Posted by: CNA Training | 12/10/2011 1:00:36 PM

jt0wtJ As usual, the webmaster posted correctly..!!

Posted by: Buy cheap OEM software | 11/9/2011 6:59:56 AM

LEqVAE Sometimes I also see something like this, but earlier I didn`t pay much attention to this!....

Posted by: Buy cheap software | 11/9/2011 6:59:56 AM

TqINSg Hi! Everyone who reads this blog - Happy Reconciliation and Accord..!!

Posted by: Cheap oem software | 11/5/2011 11:50:42 PM

9AvV3z Yeah, now it''s clear !... And firstly I did not understand very much where there was the link with the title itself !!....

Posted by: Buy OEM software online | 11/5/2011 11:46:46 PM

zcfM8e Last a few years has been to Ibiza, so met a person there whose style of presentation is very similar to yours. But, unfortunately, that person is too far from the Internet!...

Posted by: OEM software online | 10/29/2011 2:36:44 AM

hH9fll It''s straight to the point! You could not tell in other words! :D

Posted by: Cheap oem software | 9/25/2011 5:25:09 PM

5c2d4W Not bad post, leave it at my bookmarks!...

Posted by: Buy oem software online | 9/23/2011 7:54:33 PM

Thanks for tris interesting information! I found it very useful =)

Posted by: seroquel | 9/4/2011 11:41:57 PM

I’m really loving the contents of your blog. Hopefully you keep posting regularly. Thanks.

Posted by: buy plan b online | 8/28/2011 2:31:53 PM

Really interesting blog, keep up the good work!

Posted by: prednisone online | 8/27/2011 2:08:18 PM

Really interesting blog, keep up the good work!

Posted by: buy provera | 8/27/2011 6:30:35 AM

Really great article with very interesting information. You might want to follow up to this topic!?! 2011

Posted by: one good guyy | 8/21/2011 6:51:05 PM

Very Interesting Blog! Thank You For Thi Information!

Posted by: sdfsdgfd | 4/23/2011 1:14:56 PM

I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

Posted by: should i sell my truck to buy fuel effic | 4/3/2011 3:31:24 PM

You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material

Posted by: repossessed cars auctions | 4/2/2011 4:15:43 PM

I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.

Posted by: Pneutscughest | 3/28/2011 5:50:08 AM

You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material

Posted by: crernPlonse | 3/23/2011 10:14:58 AM

I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

Posted by: lose five pounds in five days | 2/14/2011 3:31:10 AM

Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.

Posted by: free high fiber diet plans | 2/13/2011 3:38:10 AM

The theme of your blog is really very beautiful,do you design it yourself?(Charlxtz)

Posted by: CerNuriquedug | 2/9/2011 9:34:14 PM

Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.

Posted by: tramadol use in dogs | 2/9/2011 1:10:55 AM

You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material

Posted by: 16 a day tramadol | 2/7/2011 5:37:33 AM

Great Blog. I add this Blog to my bookmarks.

Posted by: tramadol manufacturer | 2/6/2011 2:30:59 AM

I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

Posted by: tramadol hydrochloride alcohol | 2/4/2011 2:23:01 PM

You certainly have some agreeable opinions and views. Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.

Posted by: tramadol hcl pain | 2/3/2011 10:11:23 AM

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: dortiofendido | 1/26/2011 2:22:41 PM

I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

Posted by: babyscawica | 1/22/2011 8:59:29 PM

Awesome Post. I add this Post to my bookmarks.

Posted by: WeenVeibrehit | 1/19/2011 6:44:09 PM

You can have too much of a good thing

Posted by: BamaBelles | 12/6/2010 7:49:26 PM

Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.

Posted by: sok noni | 8/29/2010 10:44:15 PM

Thank You For This Blog, was added to my bookmarks.

Posted by: sok noni | 8/29/2010 2:14:43 PM

Thanks For This Blog, was added to my bookmarks.

Posted by: strona startowa | 8/29/2010 11:15:18 AM

You certainly have some agreeable opinions and views. Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.

Posted by: kredyty | 8/25/2010 1:23:41 PM

I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.

Posted by: kosmetyki | 8/25/2010 9:20:50 AM

Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.

Posted by: noni | 8/25/2010 5:18:59 AM

I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

Posted by: noni | 8/24/2010 7:32:34 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/11/2010 1:33:15 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/11/2010 1:33:10 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/11/2010 1:33:06 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/11/2010 1:32:58 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/11/2010 1:32:55 AM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/10/2010 12:47:23 PM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/10/2010 12:47:20 PM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/10/2010 12:47:14 PM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/10/2010 12:47:11 PM

Shield EC: new generation of antivirus. Online software stores started selling Shield EC antivirus. The new software provides efficient protection against banking trojans and viruses, including the notorious ZeuS – a thunderbolt of Internet banking all over the globe.
Shield EC is a result of two-year research and close collaboration of programmers and analysts from Martindale Enterprises LTD and Zeus Tracker, the main center for ZeuS epidemic prevention. The team of developers has received dozens of builds for comprehensive analysis, that’s why the output became a turnkey product, guaranteed to neutralize the threat, prevent data theft and money loss. Shield EC ensures the proactive protection of a PC even if the signature code hasn’t got to the antivirus databases yet.
"After two years of intense work we have gained quite impressive results. Introducing Shield EC to the market is another step towards making the Internet safe," says Kseniya Vasilyeva, the spokesperson for Martindale Enterprises Limited.
If you do have something to lose, install Shied EC to protect your bank accounts.

Posted by: eviseeprect | 8/10/2010 12:47:07 PM

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: gry online | 8/9/2010 5:29:10 PM

Great Post. I add this Blog to my bookmarks.

Posted by: konta osobiste | 8/7/2010 8:54:25 AM

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: diving | 8/1/2010 7:02:13 PM

You certainly have some agreeable opinions and views. Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.

Posted by: tahitian noni juice | 7/30/2010 6:06:54 AM

I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!

Posted by: vemmaie | 7/28/2010 4:52:48 AM

Very Interesting Information! Thank You For Thi Blog!

Posted by: vemmabz | 7/22/2010 3:59:40 PM

it has become nice this years

Posted by: eviseeprect | 7/16/2010 3:22:06 AM

Very Interesting Post! Thank You For Thi Information!

Posted by: buy vemma | 5/16/2010 1:46:03 PM

You certainly have some agreeable opinions and views. Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.

Posted by: love calculator | 5/14/2010 6:15:51 PM

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: golf clubs | 5/11/2010 4:01:38 PM

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.

Posted by: invosotoDus | 10/13/2009 9:29:33 PM

Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will add backlink - bookmark this site? Regards, Reader.

Posted by: invosotoDus | 10/11/2009 4:34:25 AM

I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful ...

Posted by: carrepossesseion | 9/14/2009 6:57:18 AM

Hey, Bart - If you want to bash film critics stay consistent. You snidely "look at the bunch of peole at the NY Times", single out Daris (interestly a woman) as being a no-nothing snob, then end your Critic Decoding with "To be honest, the only critics I listen are the big names..." and then include NY Times critic A.O. Scott.

Posted by: for P. Bart | 12/26/2008 7:40:46 PM

For a funny, enlightening take on critics, rent my feature documentary, HECKLER. We made a movie about how many critics on the Internet have become nothing more than "hecklers." And serious, quality criticism is dying fast.

Posted by: Michael Addis | 10/4/2008 7:04:20 AM

*Criticism* will always be a vital component of arts appreciation but I think the day of The Critic may have passed. When you look at the vast history of theater and music that goes back thousands of years, the single elite “expert” who passes judgment upon a piece of artistry is a relatively new phenomenon. Shakespeare managed to carve out popularity based on word-of-mouth and letters written amongst the upper classes. (Think of it as 16th century blogging.) He didn’t need an Ebert or a Travers to sign off on his latest work. I for one would rather the arts be debated and discussed in university classrooms and in restaurants rather than be reduced to the ridiculous thumbs up/thumbs down encapsulations we have today.

Posted by: everycritic | 10/3/2008 10:13:46 AM

I just believe critics have become largely irrelevant in today's context. Years of snobbery, posing and a clear agenda of trying to shape people's opinions have eroded their credibility with the public. People trust a friend's review more than a critics, and with good reason. Audiences and the entire system are way ahead of the curve, which is a pity, because it would be nice to have some realiable, honest and smart commentators that finds gems in the dark and point audiences to films worthy of recognition, but they're a rare species. Just look at the bunch of people at the NYtimes. If you can find a bigger snob and know-nothing than Ms.Mahola Dargis, holler. It is like listening to a pretentious, foolish relative at thanksgiving dinner pontify about movies or whatever. Critics can only blame their incompetence to blame for their sorry fate.

Posted by: steve | 10/3/2008 12:41:50 AM

Raving criticism is not a problem here in Portland, where Shawn Levy of The Oregonian is about as nuanced as they come. Just check out some of his recent picks:

Burn After Reading – “Not top-shelf Coen brothers, granted, but ordinary Coen is so much better than anything else.”

The Dark Knight – “Genuinely well-made and visceral Hollywood entertainment.”

Iron Man – “Director Jon Favreau surrounds Robert Downey Jr. with good actors, splashes around the special effects, and then, wisely, stays out of the way.”

Posted by: MarkMandel.com | 10/2/2008 6:12:22 PM

Correct! Rave reviews turn me off. Very rarely is a movie worth of such a review. Listen to Ben Lyons reviews. He raves and talks about great and brilliant. Problem is he wants his 10 minutes as much as 50 cent does. What comes from that are rave reviews thinking he is ingratiating himself to hollywood. In reality we have no respect or care for that type of critic. It''''s taken my some time but Roger Ebert is a damn great critic. I have recently bought his books and found a clear honest review in every one. I don''''t agree with all but most we are on the same page. Then go listen to Ben. Horrible.

Posted by: AnHonestAnswer | 10/2/2008 3:50:08 PM

I certainly agree. As soon as I see a poster with some critic from a local KWXYZ channel raving about a film, I have to wonder, "is that the best quote they can get?" I don''t know so much about the local critic clout thing, though. To be honest, the only critics I listen to are the big names - Roger Ebert, Peter Travers, A.O. Scott - and the smallest names - my close group of friends. I guess it does bode badly for newspaper critics.

Posted by: Jason | 10/2/2008 11:55:32 AM

Post a comment

Display Name

Change Image
Before submitting this form, please type the characters displayed above.
Note the letters are NOT case sensitive.

Peter Bart's Column

Oscar season spotlights disconnect
Kudos laud pics the studios routinely retreat from
It's always surreal during awards season to watch studio chiefs applaud the winning pictures, since these are the same movies that they'd previously turned down.
• read more

About

Peter Bart is the editor in chief of Variety and the co-host of long-running AMC talk show Shootout. PeterBart.com is his take on the world of entertainment, culture, politics and more.

Subscribe to Peter Bart's Blog Feed Subscribe to Peter Bart's Blog Feed

Recent Comments

Variety's Blogs

The opinions expressed on this blog are the opinions of Peter Bart only, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views or positions of the Company.
Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill & Evan Goldberg explain why they're convinced their next plane flight is doomed, as well as how they conceived of the idea behind SUPERBAD.; Knocked Up; Judd Apatow; superbad; AMC; Jonah Hill; Seth Rogen; Shootout; Evan Goldberg; Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill & Evan Goldberg claim that the web-only R-rated trailer for SUPERBAD has been its biggest marketing asset.; superbad; AMC; Jonah Hill; Seth Rogen; Shootout; Evan Goldberg; Nikki Blonsky reveals the unique and sneaky way the producers of HAIRSPRAY sprung the news that she had been cast as Tracy Turnblad.; hairspray; Neil Meron; Craig Zadan; tracy turnblad; AMC; Shootout; nikki blonsky; HAIRSPRAY Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, along with Nikki Blonsky (Tracy Turnblad), talk about working with John Travolta and why he was their natural choice for Edna Turnblad.; hairspray; Neil Meron; Craig Zadan; AMC; Shootout; nikki blonsky; john travolta; HAIRSPRAY Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron explain their choice of Adam Shankman to direct the film: "It's in the DNA."; hairspray; Neil Meron; Craig Zadan; AMC; Shootout; nikki blonsky; Adam Shankman; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Former Czech President Vaclav Havel explains his 18 year hiatus from playwriting and why he has decided to write again now.; Czech; AMC; Shootout; Vaclav Havel; playwriting; Nandita Das & Arsinee Khanjian, two jurors at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, discuss how they evaluate the films they see, and comment on the content of film festivals today.; AMC; Karlovy Vary; Arsinee Khanjian; Shootout; Nandita Das; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Monte Hellman at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival speaks on TWO LANE BLACKTOP, Francis Ford Coppola, and movies of the 70's, but explains "I don't think in decades."; Karlovy Vary; Monte Hellman; Two Lane Blacktop; AMC; francis ford coppola; Shootout; Danny DeVito shares his experiences working with Milos Forman and Jack Nicholson on ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, and recalls a basketball game soft-drink mishap during a break from filming.; one flew over the cuckoo's nest; MILOS FORMAN; AMC; Jack Nicholson; Danny DeVito; Shootout; Bud Cort (Harold) from Harold and Maude tells us why he thinks the film did so poorly when it was first released, and about his joy at seeing it evolve from "cult film" to "American classic."; AMC; Karlovy Vary; Shootout; Harold and Maude; Bud Cort; Cybill Shepherd talks about her first movie, The Last Picture Show, and how she worried about her nude scenes and making the other actresses jealous.; AMC; The Last Picture Show; Karlovy Vary; Shootout; Cybill Shepherd; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Ethan Hawke talks about the burden of having great success at a young age, and how Robin Williams helped him through a difficult scene in DEAD POETS SOCIETY.; Robin Williams; AMC; Ethan Hawke; Shootout; Dead Poets Society; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Ethan Hawke gives a glimpse into the making of his film THE HOTTEST STATE, and how he expects it to do in theaters.; AMC; Ethan Hawke; The Hottest State; Shootout; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Ethan Hawke talks about working with Denzel Washington on TRAINING DAY, and how Washington "walks the world like he owns the joint."; Ethan Hawke; Training Day; Denzel Washington; AMC; Shootout; Robert De Niro; WEB EXCLUSIVE! Ethan Hawke discusses what it's like for two actors to be married, and why Warren Beatty's ego is not in any danger.; AMC; Ethan Hawke; Shootout; warren beatty; Werner Herzog explains that he knew Steve Zahn would be perfect for his role as a POW in Rescue Dawn because he "loves actors who know how to milk a cow."; Sunday Morning Shootout; Steve Zahn; AMC; Rescue Dawn; Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog and Steve Zahn disagree over living in Los Angeles vs. Kentucky; Sunday Morning Shootout; Steve Zahn; AMC; Rescue Dawn; Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog explains how he had to "invent cinema for himself" because of his lack of access to technology growing up.; Sunday Morning Shootout; AMC; Rescue Dawn; Werner Herzog; Geoffrey Rush explains why he feels that Johnny Depp is one of the truly great actors of this era.; geoffrey rush; johnny depp; Geoffrey Rush gives a behind-the-scenes perspective on why the credit list is so long for PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN; geoffrey rush; pirates of the carribbean; candy; LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE herself, Abigail Breslin explains why she loves acting and speculates about the possibility of a career in show business.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; abigail breslin; Peter Guber; Alan Arkin explains why he doesn't mind when his characters die in the movies.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Alan Arkin; Peter Guber; Andy Garcia explains how he drew on 27 years of experience in film acting as he made his directorial debut with THE LOST CITY.; Andy Garcia; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; The Lost City; AMC; Peter Guber; Andy Garcia talks about the propensity for independent films to be recognized at the Academy Awards.; Andy Garcia; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Academy Awards; Peter Guber; Bill Paxton reveals how he found a way to identify with the character of a polygamist in BIG LOVE.; Big Love; Bill Paxton; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Brett Ratner talks about the driving force--desperately wanting to direct a comic book franchise film--that made him lobby to work on X-MEN: THE LAST STAND. (01m 24s); X-Men; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Brett Ratner; Peter Guber; Brett Ratner muses about being banned by (and subsequently, allowed back to) the Hotel du Cap, one of the hottest resorts at the Cannes Film Festival. (02m 16s); Cannes; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Brett Ratner; Hotel du Cap; Peter Guber; CRASH producer Bob Yari explains why he felt it was important that he press his lawsuit against the Academy.; Bob Yari; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; crash; Peter Guber; Charlize Theron describes what it felt like to win a Golden Globe.; Charlize Theron; Sunday Morning Shootout; golden globes; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Chris Rock talks about the difficulty he would have in branching out to non-comedic roles.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Chris Rock; Chris Rock discusses the tenuous nature of success in the entertainment industry.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Chris Rock; Chris Rock discusses what it's like to prepare for a tour, and reveals his key demographic.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Chris Rock; Chris Silverman discusses the value of constantly updated information in Hollywood. (01m 20s); Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Chris Silverman; Peter Guber; Clint Eastwood discusses his movie FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Flags of Our Fathers; Clint Eastwood; Peter Guber; Clint Eastwood recounts the difficulties of shooting a war movie on location in Iwo Jima which is considered a shrine by the local population.; Iwo Jima; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Clint Eastwood; Peter Guber; Kevin Costner discusses his role in the movie THIRTEEN DAYS; Shootout; Kevin Costner; Kevin Costner talks about the challenges of portraying a serial killer in MR. Brooks; Shootout; Kevin Costner; Kevin Costner discusses how important it is to offer studios a return on their investment in his movies, but declares that ultimately it's the end product that really moves him.; Shootout; Kevin Costner; Kevin Costner discusses he would have loved to play Steve McQueen's role in the movie SAND PEBBLES; Shootout; Kevin Costner; Craig Ferguson explains why he finds acting in big budget features repellent and yearns for a time when movies were movies.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; craig ferguson; Peter Guber; Cuba Gooding, Jr. reflects on some of the mistakes he made in managing his career after winning an Oscar for his role in Jerry Maguire.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Jerry Maguire; AMC; Academy Awards; Cuba Gooding Jr.; Oscar; Peter Guber; Mark Cuban gives his outlook on YouTube and the Web 2.0 phenomenon.; Mark Cuban discusses the possibility of buying the Chicago Cubs.; Shootout; Mark Cuban; Danny DeVito discusses his new Clickstar business ventures and the new channels he's developing.; Sunday Morning Shootout; AMC; Danny DeVito explains his perspective on why Arnold Schwarzenegger is so good at both acting and politics.; Arnold Schwarzenegger; Danny DeVito; Danny DeVito discusses the appeal of making movies in many different genres.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Danny DeVito; Peter Guber; LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE producer David Friendly explains how the film's cast found a nearly magical chemistry with one another.; Little Miss Sunshine; David Friendly; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Dennis Hopper discusses his involvement with the CineVegas Film Festival. (00m 45s); Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Dennis Hopper; Dennis Hopper reminisces about how art has influenced him as an actor and a director. (01m 03s); Art; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Easy Rider; AMC; Peter Guber; Dennis Hopper; Dennis Hopper discusses the pros and cons of the dissolution of Hollywood's old studio system. (o1m 56s); Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Dennis Hopper; Dennis Hopper ponders whether or not he'll be able to write a retrospective of his life--especially when he considers everything he'll need to leave out. (01m 24s); memoirs; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Dennis Hopper; Edward Norton explains his distinction between promoting his films and promoting himself, and why he prefers one over the other.; Edward Norton; Edward Norton discusses his sweeping new movie THE PAINTED VEIL.; The Painted Veil; Edward Norton; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Ed Norton; Peter Guber; Edward Norton recounts advice from and encounters with the inimitable Warren Beatty; Edward Norton; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; warren beatty; Peter Guber; Edward Norton bemoans what he calls the "orgy of self congratulations" that the awards season has become in Hollywood.; Edward Norton; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Ed Norton; Peter Guber; Emilio Estevez explains how a chance encounter while on a writing retreat at a ramshackle motel led to an unlikely inspiration as he wrote the script for BOBBY.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Bobby; AMC; Emilio Estevez; Peter Guber; Emilio Estevez recounts how difficult it was to shoot scenes of BOBBY at the Ambassador Hotel while bulldozers worked just off camera.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Bobby; AMC; Emilio Estevez; Peter Guber; Emilio Estevez describes how he made concessions in the filming of BOBBY in order to keep the film on budget.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Bobby; AMC; Emilio Estevez; Peter Guber; Greg Kinnear and producer David Friendly discuss the way LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE progressed from script to screen.; Little Miss Sunshine; David Friendly; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Greg Kinnear; Peter Guber; Greg Kinnear expresses why he chose to leave broadcast television to pursue a career in acting.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Greg Kinnear; Peter Guber; Greg Kinnear outlines the factors that inform why he chooses one role over another.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Greg Kinnear; Peter Guber; Director Guillermo del Toro talks about the success of PAN'S LABYRINTH, and the effect it's had on his career.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Guillermo Del Toro; Peter Guber; Pan's Labyrinth; Gwyneth Paltrow reflects on the pressure that comes with having won an Academy Award.; Gwyneth Paltrow; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Academy Awards; Oscar; Peter Guber; Helen Mirren discusses her preparations for THE QUEEN and transcending her roots.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; helen mirren; Hugh Hefner explains why he thinks that America will never return to the Victorian-esque sexual politics that characterized the 1950s.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Hugh Hefner; Peter Guber; Hugh Hefner describes how PLAYBOY found its way out of tough financial times back into the black.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Hugh Hefner; playboy; Peter Guber; Hugh Jackman explains how an early morning ritual helps him tap into the dark side of his personality in order to portray the character Wolverine in the X-MEN franchise.; X-Men; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Hugh Jackman; Peter Guber; Hugh Jackman explains how differently Broadway theater-goers approach a night at the theater compared with their London counterparts.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Hugh Jackman; Peter Guber; Jackie Earle Haley reflects on his life as a child actor and on his second shot at Hollywood.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; Jackie Earle Haley; Javier Bardem discusses his role in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.; Cannes; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Shootout; Javier Bardem; Peter Guber; Jennifer Hudson talks about her post-DREAMGIRLS success, and the new direction her career is taking.; Jennifer Hudson; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; DreamGirls; AMC; Peter Guber; Director John Lasseter talks about why Hollywood should focus more on making great family films.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; John Lasseter; Peter Guber; John Lasseter reveals the secret of the "creative brain trust" and the importance of honesty.; animation; john lassetter; John Lasseter reveals a proposed alternate title for the new film RATATOUILLE; sequels; john lassetter; Ratatouille; John Waters discusses the $70 million budget for HAIRSPRAY, and sympathizes with Pee Wee Herman.; Sunday Morning Shootout; John Waters; Pee Wee Herman; AMC; hairspray; John Waters explains why the childern's movie he is trying to make has become the most difficult project he has ever faced.; Sunday Morning Shootout; John Waters; John Waters professes his love for Kevin Federline and enthuses about the prospect of working with him.; Keven Federline; Sunday Morning Shootout; John Waters; Peter Bart; AMC; Britney Spears; Peter Guber; John Waters discusses his new TV show TILL DEATH DO US PART about spousal murders.; Sunday Morning Shootout; John Waters; John Waters explains why he has always been more attracted to villains in the movies.; Sunday Morning Shootout; John Waters; Kate Winslet sticks up for actor Jude Law, revels in the joy of playing a contemporary British woman, and rues the lack of bathroom breaks at the Oscars.; Kate Winslet; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Kevin Connolly and Lukas Haas discuss their new movie premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival; Lukas Haas; Kevin Connolly; Shootout; Kurt Russell talks about his experience working with Quentin Tarantino on GRINDHOUSE; Kurt Russell; grindhouse; Quentin Tarantino; Mark Wahlberg talks about his experiences working with Martin Scorsese on THE DEPARTED. ; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Mark Wahlberg; The Departed; Peter Guber; Matt Dillon muses about his first trip around the Oscar circuit, and his status as an "old pro." (02m 14s); Oscars; Matt Dillon; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Paramount Pictures producer Lorenzo DiBonaventure is critical of the lack of passion that he sees in many studio executives and financiers.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Paramount Pictures; Lorenzo DiBonaventure; Peter Guber; Paul Haggis, the writer and director of CRASH, talks about how his film has consistently defied expectations. (02m 24s); Paul Haggis; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; crash; Peter Guber; Rosario Dawson recounts how she watched RESERVOIR DOGS seven times in one week and was in awe of Quentin Tarantino's storytelling ability.; Shootout; Rosario Dawson; Tribeca Film Festival; Rosario Dawson shares her excitement about the audience reaction to THE DESCENT which was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival.; Shootout; Rosario Dawson; Tribeca Film Festival; The Descent; Terrence Howard explains the courage it takes an actor to challenge himself with a difficult role by declaring, "I refuse to look like a fool."; Sunday Morning Shootout; AMC; Academy Awards; Terrence Howard; Oscars; Tim Robbins explains why so many studios passed on producing DEAD MAN WALKING.; Dead Man Walking; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Tim Robbins; Peter Guber; Tim Robbins describes how preparation for a role often forces an actor to withhold judgment and find compassion for historical figures that they would normally be repelled by.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Tim Robbins; Peter Guber; Tim Robbins reflects on the professional price of being active politically and the personal price of remaining silent. ; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Tim Robbins; Peter Guber; Vin Diesel explains why he fell in love with the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons and what kept him playing even as he worked as a bouncer in New York City.; Vin Diesel; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Dungeons & Dragons; Vin Diesel recounts how he bought a Sidney Lumet book to learn how to direct when he was embarking upon his career.; Sidney Lumet; Vin Diesel; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Vin Diesel explains why he is the rare actor that actually enjoys promoting his movies.; Vin Diesel; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Peter Guber; Steven Spielberg describes his original vision for Dreamworks and reflects on the reality of the studio.; Sunday Morning Shootout; Peter Bart; AMC; Steven Spielberg; Peter Guber; Greg Kinnear and David T. Friendly discuss how their experimentation paid off when casting LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE; Little Miss Sunshine; David Friendly; Greg Kinnear; Jessica Biel shares her experience working with Adam Sandler and stresses the importance of variety in her film choices.; Jessica Biel;