CMFH Interviews

1. Where’s your byline?
The Reel Deal

2. Education:
MBA, University of Denver

3. Film education:
On set (The Laramie Project, 21 Grams, Silver City, etc.)

4. Indispensable film books:
AFI Movie Reference, Syd Field

5. Favorite film magazines and/or websites:
MovieMaker, EW

6. Describe a typical work week:
Long, deadline driven, and relief in the end

7. How many movies did you review in 2006?
42 officially, over 100 screened

8. What do you take with you to a screening?
Myself

9. Movie you lambasted that then got you lambasted, & have you since backpedaled?
Lambasting is not my style. I'm more of a constructive critic. But one of the more memorable reviews that I did that received dozens of letters (several from history professors across the country) was a piece I did on Cold Mountain.

10. To what extent do you believe home theatres will make movie theatres obsolete?
The content and distribution channels are already in place. And certainly, theaters will be hard pressed as technology moves forward. But home theaters will have a hard time replacing the social aspect of the theater. As long as theaters can adapt and continue to present new and exciting ways to watch movies (i.e. 3-D and IMAX), they'll be around for a long time.

11. Advice for hitting a film fest; What are your objectives?
Well, for starters, you have to be very selective. You're not going to see everything so don't waste your time. Pick and choose films with uniqueness, films that are getting advance buzz, and ones that are personally interesting.

12. Most over/under-rated film fest and why:
Any festival that makes it difficult for the press to do their job - festivals, you know who you are!

13. What fests did you attend in 2006, and which would you like to attend in 2007?
Not much of a film festival attender; however, Toronto is on the list.

14. How do you fuel yourself during a hectic fest schedule?
Caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine.

15. Your ideal film fest theme:
International

16. What do you consider the most prestigious non-Oscar film award?
The Worst Picture Razzie. LOL, j/k. The Golden Globes or the Palme d'Or.

17. Movies/genres you can discuss better than anyone else:
Foreign, independent, drama

18. If you were locked in a theatre with the work of three directors...
Alfonso Cuaron, Steven Spielberg, Cameron Crowe - how's that for diversity?

19. How often do you watch movies that you aren’t critiquing?
Very frequently - at least 3 per week.

20. Three favorite sick-in-bed/easy-on-the-head movies:
Rain check? I usually watch t.v. shows when sick-in-bed.

21. Surprising turn from one of your least favorite actors/directors:
Match Point - Woody Allen. Not a big Woody Allen fan, but this film was a winner with me. Surprising because Allen was not in the film and it was unlike anything he's ever done.

22. Three essential movies for a proper film-snob library:
Million Dollar Baby, Cinema Paradiso, and Casablanca.

23. How did you become a film critic?
Hard work and perserverence

24. Career moment you’re most proud of:
Named one of the Top 10 Critics in the country along with Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert.