Category Archives: Movies

“I’m very concerned that we don’t make movies that are original anymore.” — Robert Zemeckis

It’s his birthday today. While Robert Zemeckis has gone on to be a bazillionaire and one of the most successful producers in Hollywood of fairly middle-brow movies, he started off small and rowdy – with two films I love: first, … Continue reading →

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Elvis takes New Orleans: talking King Creole on the Guide for the Film Fanatic podcast

My pal Jason Bailey is a film critic, author, and podcast host. He has many! I’ve been a guest on all of them, I think. His new podcast is called Guide for the Film Fanatic, using as its inspiration the … Continue reading →

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“I don’t care how afraid I may be inside — I do what I think I should.” — Katharine Hepburn

Barbara Walters: “Kate, you always wear pants. Do you even own a skirt?” Katharine Hepburn: “I have one, Miss Walters. I’ll wear it to your funeral.” Dan and I discussed her, in my interview with him about his new book. … Continue reading →

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“I think a fear of portraying something negatively ends up creating more stereotypes.” — Sophia Takal

It’s Sophia Takal’s birthday today. “You probably can’t tell this from “Green,” but I actually think that art should have a sense of humor about itself. Art is very important and it can change lives, but it doesn’t actually save … Continue reading →

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“You are not acting so much as being. The result is realism.” — Gary Cooper

It’s his birthday today. Cary Grant had a funny theory about Hollywood and how stardom was being like a crowded streetcar. Peter Bogdonavich asked Cary Grant to elaborate. Grant said: Becoming a movie star is something like getting on a … Continue reading →

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“I started at the top and worked my way down.” — Orson Welles

It’s his birthday today. When Orson Welles was just a teenager, he traveled to Ireland. And although it seems improbable (perhaps not, because this is Orson Welles we’re talking about), he decided to audition for the newly-formed Gate Theatre, and … Continue reading →

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“I’ve always had everything I wanted, and I never wanted a great deal. ” — Aline MacMahon

“I pass emotions through a filter not generally used by actresses. I find the ground to meet my characters and am able to move from one feel to another. It is real stuff — no tricks, simply expressed.” — Aline … Continue reading →

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“I was never totally involved in movies. I was making someone else’s dream come true. Not mine.” — Mary Astor

“The reminder that there are people who have worse troubles than you is not an effective pain-killer.” — Mary Astor It’s her birthday today. Her memoir is great, by the way. Her story was told – by everyone else – … Continue reading →

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“If one devalues rationality, the world tends to fall apart.” — Lars von Trier

It’s his birthday today. So … happy (?) birthday to this provocative sometimes-maddening always-fascinating auteur. Question mark due to the doubt that “happy” has anything to do with the Danish film director, who has been poking the bear from the … Continue reading →

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“A woman came up to me after one of the screenings with tears pouring down her face and sobbed, You’ve defined my entire life for me on the screen.” –Jill Clayburgh

This was part of a larger series. I would throw a name at Mitchell, ask him to describe that person in “one word” and then we would discuss. Here’s our discussion on Jill Clayburgh, whose birthday it is today. SOM: … Continue reading →

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