For the most part, the choice of movies to review on any given Friday is dictated by what is opening that week. If The Hills Have Eyes is the new movie, you pretty much have to see it and review it. Occasionally you have several movies to choose from, and you make the wrong choice. When Snow White had her 50th anniversary, for example, I reviewed a magnificent Argentine film called Man Facing Southeast instead. I thought my news director was going to fire me on the spot.
What was the worst film you had to review?
No one sets out to make a bad movie, but the kind of movies I put in that category are movies that pretend to be something they’re not. I’m in the minority on this, but I think a movie like Lord of War is a good example – a well-crafted, brilliantly acted movie that was presented as a hilarious satire. The hero is small-minded, selfish, cruel, reprehensible, the movie is filled with unspeakable acts against children and women, and guns are a kind of macho Holy Grail. Even if you do find it merely hilarious, it’s in your head forever. The moving image always says “yes.”
What was the meanest thing you ever wrote in a review?
With the exception of movies that make me angry, I’m notorious for not being mean enough, at least on television. It’s hard for a woman to say something mean on television and not be perceived as bitchy. Marlo Thomas was right when she said that a man has to invade a small country before he’s considered ruthless. All a woman has to do is put you on hold.
What is the Cannes Film Festival -- featured in this book -- really like?
A friend of mine says that describing some things — a person, for instance, or the Cannes Film Festival — is like taking one photograph of the Grand Canyon and saying, “This is what it’s like.” The Cannes experience, for a journalist, is frenetic and frustrating and infuriating – so many movies, so many celebrities, so many deadlines, so little sleep. At the same time, you’re on the most spectacular stretch of beachfront property in the world, and there are hundreds of movies being screened and bought and sold, all within a three mile radius of where you’re standing. There is always the chance of stumbling upon a movie that will change the way you see the world, or entertain you, or inspire you to become a painter, so you forget the fight you had with your editor.
Article comments
1 - Gordon L Hauptfleisch
Highly entertaining and enjoyable interview, Scott. Looking forward to Part Two.
2 - Scott Butki
Thanks, Gordon
3 - Scott Butki
And we STILL need to get the answer to the giraffe question.
4 - Lizbeth Hanson
What a great interview! She is really interesting and fun... you ask great questions (and you two seem to have a good repartee)... you should have her as a regular guest or something! (Just discovered your column because this was posted on Digg and have an idea for you: It might be cool to have a picture of the people you interview, in addition to their book cover, if that's possible.) I'm looking forward to reading the second part next week!
5 - Scott Butki
Thanks for the compliment.
I figure we get the book cover via the Amazon ad.
I'd be up for adding a photo of the person interviewed, especially if the editors agree that is a good idea.
Meanwhile we have an update on the giraffe issue, namely this article.
I'm going to email the person quoted and ask him to come quick.
6 - Scott Butki
I may have just proven Halle Berry wrong.
According to The Living Desert Web site,
"Giraffes are water efficient because they do not sweat or pant."
7 - Ally from Orlando
When is the next part of this interview being posted? It is very interesting.
8 - Scott Butki
Within the next week.
I am glad you liked it.
9 - Scott Butki
I'm writing about part 2 tonite. It should be published within the next 24 hours if all goes right.
10 - Scott Butki
The first part has been published here.
11 - Wes
Cool insider's view on celebrities and the interview process. Quick correction: In your last posting, I think you meant the second part (not first part). I only point that out because I was looking for the second part and couldn't find where it was posted... others may have a similar difficulty. Thanks for the interesting interviews.
12 - Scott Butki
You're welcome. Thanks for the correction.