Ask Nathaniel. Even Though He's Slow To Respond.
Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 11:00AM 
I apologize that I never responded to the last batch of questions. I had trouble parsing them -- a lot of essay length questions (be gentler with me), questions we'd answered before, or questions that made me feel guilty. Why don't I ever talk about Garbo? I don't know. Why don't I watch Breaking Bad? I don't know x 2. When am I bringing back "Reader of the Day"? I don'--oh wait, this month! It's Reader Appreciation Month) Still more of the questions, a lot of them, had to do with The Dark Knight Rises and I answered all of those to the best of my ability in my longwinded review. So let's open the floor back up and I'll try to answer questions as soon as (gulp) Wednesday!
P.S. Remember, if it's more suited to a top ten list style answer, I never answer it. I just file it under "top ten list" possibilities.
Reader Comments (35)
Your personal preference - Michelle Williams or Amy Adams? Who will win the oscar first?
Dream roles for your favorite actresses?
Do you think (or hope) that Winona Ryder will regain some of her former glory and go on to be nominated for another Oscar in the future? Or even win one?!
What is your most anticipated new fall TV show?
What did you think of Megan Draper on Mad Men? Were you one of the people who loved her...or did you grow to despise like so many seemed to?
Top 5 Streep performances that were not nominated for an Oscar?
Breaking xenophobia, classic era film isn't my thing but, I do feel like a film snob because I'm able to embrace and enjoy foreign films, mainly those limited to European countries. Sure, Australian films are fine since they speak English but, I haven't mustered any interest in anything they have except Judy, Nicole, and Cate. Canada gave us Cameron and Cronenberg, and I'm so grateful. My main disinterest lies in Asian. I just can't and don't start with me on Bollywood, the dancing alone is a deal breaker. Nathan, is there anything you can suggest to break me out the narrowness?
This time of the year is brewing with anticipation towards the crop of potentially stellar flicks to be released. Which one are you looking forward to the most in terms of Oscar glory (The Master for me) & which one are you personally head over heels for regardless of Oscar chances (The Master again lol) and why?
Tarantino used to be one of my favorites, an autuer I felt I could always count on, and while I let him splurge on Kill Bill, I've lost faith since Death Proof & Basterds. Do you think when Django is *cough* unchchained we will know for sure his promise & talent has diminished or do you think he has another Pulpfiction in him? Is he trully gone as a great?
With the news of Paul Thomas Anderson having trouble finding theaters to exhibit "The Master" in 70mm, what are your thoughts on the "right" way to see a movie? I've heard people insist that if you're going to see movie A, you absolutely must watch it in 70mm/in 3D/in Imax/on blu-ray/with Dolby surround sound, or else it's not going to be as good.
Do you think there's an ideal way to watch a movie, and if you don't watch it in that format, the movie loses something?
How do you think Eva Green would fare as Ava Gardner in a biopic? I recently visited the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, North Carolina, and no one had a more biopic-worthy life than her.
Who is your director "blind spot"-the director you know you should invest more time with, but for whatever reason have never gotten around to?
We've already seen a smattering of films with heavy Oscar buzz (Beasts of the Southern Wild, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.) live up to their promises and it's only early August. Now we're hearing high praise for "The Master." Are you getting the sense that after a weak 2011, this may be one of the strongest years of the decade?
Considering this weeks Sight & Sound announcement, which recent films (parse that however you like: last 20 years? last 10?) do you think will be talked about in 25 or 50 years as legitimate contenders for such a list? Which do you hope will gain favor as time passes to become one such film?
My answer to the latter question is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. In fact I think I'd strongly consider placing it on my top 10 all-time ballot just 5 years after it's release. I know you were a fan when it was released but had some reservations. How has it aged for you? Now that we're well into the brilliant second act in Brad Pitt's career (and I know you're a fan like me), has his performance as Jesse James grown on you at all?
I figure it's a fitting time to give this film another look-see anyways since Brad Pitt has had such grand success of late and since Andrew Dominik is finally releasing another film.
David Fincher just did a new commentary track for "Chinatown" and Martin Scorsese has done commentaries for films other than his own. What director would you like to hear a commentary for and what film?
From the 12 years you've done the Film Bitch Awards, do you ever look back at past medalists and think you've overestimated the quality of their work to the extent that you wish you had given the prize to someone else? Also, do you ever look back at movies and their respective parts (actors, directors, writers, etc) and think you liked them more than you think, to the extent of making them Film Bitch Honorees? If so, can you give specific examples. Thanks, Nat.
Seeing that "The Paperboy" trailer is out and the reviews from Cannes, what are your Oscar predictions for this film? Does it have any? All I'm hearing at the moment is Nicole Kidman's performance. Personally, if she does give an amazing performance- which I'm sure she does- I think she has a better chance being nominated and even winning in supporting. But the trailer makes it seem lead, and if she really isn't lead she probably won't get a nomination. Anyways, thoughts? And do you think she can pull it off?
3 quick questions about Woody:
Which films directed by Woody Allen have you NOT seen?
Which less acclaimed/underrated Woody Allen film is a guilty pleasure of yours?
Which of his more acclaimed films is overrated?
If you could do a commentary track for a film, what would you pick? Would it be a film you know a lot of trivia about, or just one that you particularly enjoy analyzing?
Last month was the 30th anniversary of Fassbinder's death. Any thoughts on him?
For some reason, I can't stop trying to (re)cast August: Osage County's trio of sisters. Juliette Lewis is such a refreshing, beguiling choice whereas with I'm looking forward to what Julia will bring to the table even if I'm admittedly a little bored with her casting. Assuming that you're familiar with the play, which trio of actresses do you think would make the most appealing and believable sister act, and why?
WHATEVER HAPPENNED TO FILM BITCH AWARDS? :(
Who are some currently underutilized/underrated actresses that you wish Hollywood would give a fairer chance to show us the full measure of their unappreciated talents? And additionally, who are some actresses of yore that you feel never got the right opportunities to show audiences all they could do?
Which book and/or play would you like to see adapted for the big screen?
Which book and/or play would you least like to see adapted?
What movie based on a book and/or play would you like most to see remade (a la "True Grit" or "Total Recall" (I know that's from a short story, but I needed another example))?
Best in show in The Sound of Music? Besides for the Goddess that is Julie Andrews.
Which Olympian would make the best movie star?
I have a 4 yr old I am trying to introduce to good, left-of-field cinema (moving away from the modern animated films which dominate DVD shelves for this demographic). Last weekend, had great success with Buster Keaton's "Steamboat Bill Jr". Do you have any recommendations for great films which both small kids and adults can enjoy? Help me Nathaniel! Pixar is good, but one can only take so much!!
The Film Experience has been an important part of my daily routine for over ten years now, and it is one of the reasons I am thankful to live in the age of the internet. How would you have shared your love for movies (and actresses and cats) if we were living in an era before the Internet? What would TFE's 1975 predecessor have looked like, for example?
Is their any particular tendency in or trope of contemporary film criticism that you would change or retire if you could?
Jamie:
These are my 5 top Streep performances that were not Oscar nominated:
1. The Hours
2. The Manchurian Candidate
3. Falling in Love
4. Death Becomes Her
5. Dancing at Lughnasa
(Almost made it: Heartburn)
What are yours?
PD: I've been reading the early reviews for Great Hope Springs on Rotten Tomatoes and they are glowing! Could Meryl seize the comedy-performance spot at the nominations that Nathaniel is currently predicting will go to Streisand or Wiif?
In honor of Marilyn Monroe's week, and just because I recently re-watched How to Marry a Millionaire, I'm not going to ask you to re-cast it with modern actresses. I'll ask you to assign the three roles (Bacall, Grable and Monroe) to yourselves, the guys who do the podcasts :p.
Why hasn't Hollywood ever made a film about cricket?
What literary work would you like to see filmed? Director and stars?
Marilyn Monroe died 50 years ago. This year, Lana Del Rey sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President".
Do you think Miss Del Rey has acting potential in order to star in a movie (according to her videoclips)?
Comment on the state of Nicole Kidman's career. Can she have another year like 2001, or have the movies, or the landscape of movies, changed too much? At this point of her screen career, will she be remembered as a great actress? Ask that question in Satine's voice if that helps you answer it.
Do you think it's possible that either Pacino or De Niro could ever have a comeback role that would earn them another nomination/win, or are their careers as awards contenders over?