"Where Movie Critics Get A Taste Of Their Own Medicine!"
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An interview with: LEONARD MALTIN is a 20 year veteran film critic, best-selling author and film historian. Well known for his commentary on "ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT," Maltin will now appear on a new syndicated movie preview show called "HOT TICKET" (Paramount Domestic Television) which debuts the week of September 17, 2001. |
If you're not watching Leonard Maltin on "Entertainment Tonight," then you're probably reading one of his #1 bestselling books - his most recent "Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide (2002 Edition)." Maltin is a film critic, best-selling author and movie historian. He is one of America's most popular critics and his accomplishments span over 20 years in the entertainment world. Mr. Maltin will now be on a new movie preview show called "HOT Ticket" (Paramount Domestic Television) appearing as the veteran film critic among a panel of guest celebrities. Todd Newton (current host of E!'s "Coming Attractions") will be the host. It was a great privilege to speak with Mr. Maltin and now I'd like to bring this interview to Critic Doctor readers.
KANE: You have a new TV show coming out called "HOT TICKET" (Paramount Domestic Television). What will make this show HOT as compared to other shows we've seen such as "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" (Buena Vista TV) or "The New Movie Show with Chris Gore" (FX Channel)?
MALTIN: It's a different show. It's not "Ebert & Roeper" and you would have to be an idiot to try to imitate or copy what has worked for them - or for Roger and Gene for so many years. This is more like "Politically Incorrect," with celebrity guests. I think Chris Gore has other film writers and film critics. This does not. I am the only critic on this panel. It's a different spin.
What we are trying to tap into is the fact that everybody loves
to talk about the movies. It's what people do at dinner parties.
It's what they do at the water cooler Monday morning. It's what
they do at the locker room at school. Everyone talks about the
movies. We're trying to play off that interest - both for the
people at home and for the people we invite to be our guests.
KANE: How many guests will you feature on each show and can you give us some names of those already invited to appear?
MALTIN: Three. Our first show (which airs the weekend of September 22) will include Rick Fox (of the Los Angeles Lakers who also started an acting career on HBO; and is also married to Vanessa Williams); Catherine Bell (who is the leading lady on the TV series "Jag") and Teri Polo (who was in "Meet the Parents" last year and will be in the new John Travolta film this fall "Domestic Disturbance"). It's a range of people and that's what we want to try to do. Have musicians, stand up comics - all sorts of people.
KANE: In your new book "Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide (2002 Edition)" you mention that you're wife, Alice, and even your teenage daughter, Jessie, contribute reviews in your book. Will they ever appear on "HOT TICKET?"
MALTIN: I have no idea. Maybe when we're up and running for a while. Like any show, once you sort of find your footing and the audience has discovered you, you can have fun and try different stuff.
KANE: E! Entertainment's Todd Newton will be hosting the show while you serve as veteran film critic. Have you worked with Todd before and did you play a part in picking him as the show's host?
MALTIN: No and no. Uh, but I was very happy that we hit it off right away. We took a liking to each other and we also understand our respective roles on the show. I'm not the host. He is. So I'm not trying to usurp him, and he doesn't pretend to be a film critic. I think we've established a very nice rapport.
KANE: What exactly is your role on the show?
MALTIN: Everyone gets his or her chance to speak. Some people are telling me they see me as kind of the voice of reason. Maybe. Depends on the conversation and whether we agree or disagree on a particular film or how far flung the opinions get to be. There's no predicting it because every week we'll have a different dynamic. We'll have different guests and we'll be discussing different films. Comedies or dramas will inspire a different tone of conversation I think.
KANE: Now are you going to be talking about current films in the theaters?
MALTIN: Yes. We're also going to do some coverage of video and DVD. We have something I think is really cool called TRAILER TRYOUT. We take a brand new trailer, something that has just been released, and review the trailer!
KANE: That's a good idea. I like watching movie trailers, but it makes me mad when the studios reveal too much.
MALTIN: Exactly! And we'll talk about that. Does it give away too much? Does it make you want to see it? You know, all those things.
KANE: Some people think of movie critics as arrogant, overly opinionated, mean people with pens. What advice do you have for those who take your opinion on a movie "personally?"
MALTIN: First and foremost I'm a movie fan and a moviegoer. As a critic, I think what I add to that is an educated eye. I've seen a lot, I've studied a lot and I've learned a lot. But that doesn't mean I don't still go to have a good time, to enjoy the film for whatever it sets out to be. In the end, it's just an opinion. I learned this a long time ago, Herb, that no matter what I say - I'm not going to change someone else's mind any sooner than they could change mine. Everyone's entitled to an opinion and everyone has one.
KANE: I think the key ingredient is how you come across with that opinion.
MALTIN: Well yes. You talked about that image of arrogance. I think there's no quicker turn off for people if they think someone is being elitist or, you know, snobby in some way.
KANE: What movie did you write your very first review on and where it was published?
MALTIN: Very good question, and I don't know the answer to that. It would have probably been in college. I was writing before that, but no movie reviews per se, when I went to NYU. They had a very professional daily newspaper and I became first the film critic and then the entertainment editor. That was the first time I reviewed movies on a regular basis, which was a great experience
KANE: What review are you most proud of and why?
MALTIN: Oh, well I would have to say I'm proudest of one that people still stop me and tell me they remember on "Entertainment Tonight" when I reviewed the movie "Transylvania 6-5000" (1985). I did it by sort of swaying along to the old Glenn Miller record of "Pennsylvania 6-5000" (1940) until it got to the end of the first line and I said over it "Transylvania 6-5000" and I simply said - STINKS! It doesn't sound very funny when I describe it, but it played funny and it was a one-word review essentially. But I thought it was a rather complete review.
KANE: Sounds like the shortest review in history.
MALTIN: I actually got in the Guinness Book one year for the shortest movie review ever. There is a movie called "Isn't It Romantic," a 1948 movie and the review reads: "No." [Critic Doctor note: See page 685 in "Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 2002 Edition" to read the review.]
KANE: What review are you least proud of and why?
MALTIN: I don't know that there is such a thing. I mean, I make mistakes like anybody else. Uh, but I don't know there is something I can say I'm not proud of or least proud of.
KANE: Now that "HOT TICKET" is coming on TV, Critic Doctor will be keeping a watchful eye on your show because our site specializes in reviewing the opinions of movie critics. As a film critic, do you mind someone reviewing you for a change?
MALTIN: I think it is fair game. I don't like being criticized any more than anyone else does. I'm no different than any other human being [laughter]. Uh, but as I say - it is certainly fair game.
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KANE: How do you get loud people to shut up in a movie theater?
MALTIN: Move. Nothing works.
KANE: Do you eat popcorn at screenings?
MALTIN: Yes.
KANE: Do you eat candy at viewings?
MALTIN: When I'm being naughty. Raisinets.
KANE: Where's your favorite spot to sit in a movie theater?
MALTIN: Midway - on the right.
KANE: When you go to a movie, with whom do you usually go with?
MALTIN: My wife.
KANE: What three movies do you hate?
MALTIN: Hate is too strong of word. Films I dislike are "Maximum Overdrive" (1986), "Cool World" (1992), and "Moment By Moment" (1978).
KANE: What three movies are your favorite?
MALTIN: "Casablanca" (1942), "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Singin' in the Rain" (1952)
KANE: What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
MALTIN: "The Adventures of Robin hood" (1938) by Erich Wolfgang Korngold
KANE: Have
you ever been punched or verbally assaulted (in person) by someone
in the movie industry because of one of your reviews?
MALTIN:
Never been punched. Uh, have
been tongue lashed once or twice.
KANE: What question would you like to ask the Critic Doctor? Ask it and I'll answer it with the published interview.
MALTIN: Why do some readers or fans allow themselves to become so overheated in responding to reviews?
CRITIC DOCTOR'S ANSWER: I think it depends on a lot of different things. If someone has passionate feelings about a movie (good or bad), it's easy to redirect that passion to anger when they read a review opposing their opinion. Then the reader starts to paint an ugly picture of the critic - a half-brained, arrogant, snobby, rude person who has no personality, no friends and no life. Readers may feel it isn't fair a person of this nature has all this power to thwart his or her opinion. They themselves feel their very intelligence has been insulted.
Mostly, though, I think it is the overall tone of a movie review that may displease readers and fans of film. Critics like to play with words and sarcasm is often the root of all humor in reviews. When you poke fun at a movie in a negative way, believe it or not, you are poking fun at those who enjoyed the film. The challenge for readers is to learn to appreciate diverse opinions. The challenge for critics is to control their sarcastic nature so as not to offend anyone. But then again, what fun is that? I sometimes think it is the reader who needs to get a life. It's only a movie for crying out loud!
-- CRITIC DOCTOR
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