Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 36 - 55 of
225 (Page 3 of 12)
Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: Mr. Butler I was wondering if you have had a chance to see Grizzly Man, and if so what your thoughts are about it. I've been checking local theaters and have'nt found it anywhere in town, Im hoping, we in kansas city get a chance to see this film
Answered 08/22/05 19:05:45 by Robert W. Butler
A: "Grizzly Man" opens in KC on Friday 8-26. It will be reviewed in that day's FYI section, along with an interview with director Werner Herzog.
Submitted by Joan Riscoe from O.P. Ks
Q: Dear Mr. Butler
I just returned home from seeing Broken Flowers on your review in today's paper. I would like to know who paid you off to recommend that womive to anyone? I was not the only person very disappointed, as most people leaving were appologizing to the person next to them and saying what an awful movie it was. I will certainly rethink seeing an movie that you recommend in the future.
Answered 08/22/05 19:03:40 by Robert W. Butler
A: Welcome to the club. I loved the movie. Obviously lots of paying customers don't.
As for my payoff, it wasn't nearly enough.
Submitted by Curtis from Olathe, KS
Q: I'd like to take my family to the drive-in movies this weekend. Can you recommend one of the drive in theaters and more importantly are they "safe" to bring a family there?
Answered 08/22/05 19:01:40 by Robert W. Butler
A: How safe are KC's drive ins? Well, I'm not aware of any "incidents" at local ozoners. In fact, they tend to attract family audiences. So I think you're safe in bringing the family.
Submitted by Mr Banjo from Morton Illinois
Q: I was born and raised in K.C. and have many fond memories of the old movie theaters. I was glad to hear that they are going to renovate the Empire. I remember the Lowes Midland as one of the most beautiful theaters I had ever seen. Has that one ever been restored? What a tragedy if it wasn't.
Answered 08/22/05 18:59:02 by Robert W. Butler
A: The Midland is still in operation (albeit as a live performance hall) and still as goregous as ever.
Submitted by Matt from Grain Valley, MO
Q: Mr. Butler:
While watching TV this evening, a trailer for the upcoming film "Four Brothers" aired. The trailer features a fly over of I-35 from around Southwest Boulevard, north toward downtown. Thanks to TIVO, I know I'm not mistaken.
I thought the movie was set in Detroit, as some dialog in the trailer indicates. Are the producers trying to pass Kansas City off as Detroit?
Thanks so much.
Answered 08/22/05 18:58:24 by Robert W. Butler
A: News to me. If indeed it's aerial footage of KC, it may have been obtained from a stock footage warehouse that has all sorts of generic film clips which can be purchased by film and TV production companies.
Submitted by jackass jones from KC, MO
Q: I have e mailed you several times as well as calling you, this is my last corespondence.The movie "The Aristocrats" is coming soon, just freshly banned from AMC theaters. The editor on the movie is Emery Emery (his real name, his parents did not like him much) He is a native from KC and a good friend of mine. Why is it the star chooses to do stories on reality stars and passing fads (mellisa scatlin) however, when someone from the KC comedy scene (Emery or James Johann from "Comedy Central's Premium Blend") make it or at least cracks the surface you decide to ignor them?
Answered 08/22/05 18:57:10 by Robert W. Butler
A: Emery Emery is interviewed in this Thursday's Preview section (8-25).
Submitted by dancingbear357 from Kansas City, Mo
Q: Why is it that a movie that has wide appeal, and does well at the box office, will many times be panned by your movie critic(s)? I've seen a movie receive one or two stars by you, yet it will become a blockbuster.
Answered 08/22/05 18:56:17 by Robert W. Butler
A: Simple. A popular movie isn't necessarily a good movie. It simply means that the Hollywood studio and its huge marketing department have convinced thousands of customers to spend their $8 on opening weekend.
Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: I need titles of foreign films--one was about unhappy unrelated people who studied Italian in night school and ended the term with a trip to Italy. The second was about a young man who, fearing he would be fired, took the advice of a neighbor and claimed to be gay. He kept his job and the film was about his complicated life after this claim. We enjoyed both films which we saw on your recommendation and would like to get DVDs if available, but it is hard to research availability without the titles. Thanks.
Answered 08/22/05 18:53:54 by Robert W. Butler
A: "Italian for Beginners"
"The Closet."
Both are on video.
Submitted by Jimmy from Independence, Missouri
Q: I am trying to get information on getting started in journalism, writing as a movie critic. I have no idea where to begin. How can I get started in something like this?
Answered 08/22/05 18:52:45 by Robert W. Butler
A: Begin by writing movie reviews. Write long ones. Short ones. Develop your own voice.
Also, read other critics. Find one you like and try to decide just what it is about his/her work that appeals to you.
Of course, you can always take a critical writing course at the local college.
Will you ever get a job reviewing? Odds are against it. Only 100 or so newspapers in the US have a full time movie critic. You've got a better chance of landing an Internet gig or perhaps on a radio station. Of course you'll be paid little or not at all.
So do it for the love of it. And don't give up your day job.
Submitted by John from St. Louis, MO
Q: Is it just my imagination or are most of the movies released anymore remakes of other movies, or sequels to other movies? (Or for originality, a movie based on a TV series?) Or, has this always been the case - with the poorer examples of remakes from previous decades totally forgotten about now?
Answered 06/28/05 13:25:36 by Robert W. Butler
A: No, it's not your imagination.
Submitted by Mike Levitt from Kansas City, MO
Q: Mr. Butler:
In your review of George Romero's 'Land of the Dead', you refer to him as the "man who invented zombie movies..." That was 1968. Some six years earlier, Herk Harvey, a Lawrence, KS industrial film maker, along with his partners John Clifford and Maurice Prather, wrote, produced and directed "Carnival of Souls". An idea Herk came up with after coming across an old abandoned carnival site in Salt Lake City after shooting an army training film in Utah.
It is well known that Romero garnered many of his ideas from "Carnival of Souls."
Sincerely,
Michael S. Levitt
P.S. my father, Stan Levitt was one of the feature actors in the film.
Answered 06/28/05 13:25:23 by Robert W. Butler
A: I'm quite familiar with "Carnival" and have a poster from the movie in my home. Signed by Herk Harvey.
Anyway, "Carnival" is a ghost story, not a zombie story.
Submitted by L. Butler from K.C., Mo.
Q: Mr. Butler: It seems that several weeks, perhaps months, ago I read that a movie is being made about Truman Capote's experience when he wrote In Cold Blood. A part of the article focused on the actress who plays Harper Lee, who accompanied Capote to Kansas at that time. I believe the article said that production had started in October. Will there be such a movie? Can you tell me anything else about it? Thanks.
Answered 06/28/05 13:24:37 by Robert W. Butler
A: The upcoming film "Capote" stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote and Catherine Keener as Harper Lee.
Submitted by Kim L. Scharff from Norborne, MO
Q: In the 6/22 Star, the movie "Downfall" was listed as showing at Screenmasters Theater. Where is that theater located?
Answered 06/28/05 13:22:40 by Robert W. Butler
A: Not Screenmasters. Screenland. It's at 17th and Broadway downtown (just behind the Denny's) and it's a small gem, a 150-seat theater that's comfortable and civilized. Call them at 816 421 2900 or go to www.Screenland.com.
Submitted by Ian from Kansas City, MO
Q: Robert,
May I through your column, encourage all movie enthusiasts like all of us, to consider taking a great class at the Metro Communitiy colleges. I took a 2 week intersession class at Maple Woods entitled: 'Film as Literature.' They also do the normal 8 & 16 week classes too. The class is of course is about the movie industry.
We saw numerous movies, commented and wrote on them, and had the option to do a presentation about a movie too. We also discussed the roles of producers, directors, cinematographers etc.
I now have a much more and deeper understanding of films in general and am now viewing movies like I never did before. A great course which I thoroughly recommend, plus you get 3 credit hours.
Perhaps some of your more vehement critics in this colunm should take this course, then maybe they would cut out their arrogance and rudeness, and write something remotely intelligent.
Regards.
Answered 06/28/05 13:21:47 by Robert W. Butler
A: Sounds cool. We could use more. Despite the fact that today's youngsters see movies all the time, they have virtually no movie literacy...no sense of movie history.
Submitted by Jeff East from Mission ,Kansas
Q: Bob
Why would Ron Howard make a great movie
about James Braddock the fighter in Cinderella Man,
yet completely destroy the true character of Max Baer Sr.??? This character portrayal was completely fictionalized and not true about who he really was as a human being or The World Champion boxer he became. You might want to talk to Max Baer Jr. directly in Lake Tahoe,Nevada. I have the number! Call me if you want to speak to him about this misrepresentation of Max Baer.
Thanks
Jeff East
913-485-1587
Answered 06/28/05 13:19:20 by Robert W. Butler
A: Jeff:
You've been in Hollywood long enough to understand the need for certain elements to keep the public happy. Every movie needs a villain.
Is "Cinderella Man" a slur on the memory of Max Baer? Yes. Is it a pretty good movie in spite of that? I think so.
Remember...there's history and then there's Hollywood.
Submitted by chuck from kc
Q: I have always read your reviews to see if I would like a movie. This, in spite of only writing you to let you know when I think your an idiot. Only because I admire you so much, do I get cranky with some reviews. Your latest - Hollywood has no idea what is going on-- is perfect. Not lnly perfect, but well stated and understandable for guys like us. Thanks for all your hard work through the years. All of my 50 something friends ask "Did Butler like it?" when we get ready for a film. Thanks again -----chuck lowe
Answered 06/28/05 13:17:37 by Robert W. Butler
A: Jeez, Chuck...thanks. Now if I can only make inroads with the twentysomethings.
Submitted by Anonymous from OP
Q: I'm new to the community and want to know where foreign films and art films are shown. Also, is there a theatre in the KC area that offers dinner/drinks in the theatre? Dallas has such a theatre (Angelika) and it's a terrific venue (combines the dining/drinking with foreign/art films).
Answered 06/28/05 13:15:40 by Robert W. Butler
A:
Kansas City has numerous art house screens...in fact far more than you'll find in any other city this size.
The Tivoli in the Manor Square development in Westport has three screens.
So does the Glenwood Arts on the east side of the Metcalf South Shopping Center in OP (se corner of Metcalf and 95th).
The Rio is one block west of Metcalf on 80th St. in downtown OP. It's a single-screen house.
Nearing completion are the new Fine Arts in downtown Shawnee, and the four-screen Leawood Theatre at 95th and Mission Road in Leawood.
As for eating and drinking and moviegoing at the same time, try the
VIP Room at the Palace on the Plaza. And opening in early July is the Majestic, a three-screen, adults-only-after-4 p.m. movie experience with an open bar, a full service restaurant and an Improv comedy club all under one roof. It's near KCI on the nw corner of Barry Road and I-29 in the Zona Rosa shopping district.
Submitted by Anonymous from Kansas City, Missouri
Q: I recently watched the film "Missing." I was doing some research on it on the Internet Movie Database and came across a film called "Machuca." "Machuca" is about two Chilean boys and a girl during the '73 coup and it looks great- but so far, it's only opened in New York (five months ago), and two international film festivals in the U.S. this summer. Is there any possible way you could find out if it will get a wider North American release- whether in theatres, or on DVD/VHS? "Machuca" looks absolutely wonderful and I would hate to think it'll be one of those smaller films that disappears from the U.S. forever after one brief showing in a big city.
Answered 05/23/05 16:42:55 by Robert W. Butler
A: I can almost guarantee that it'll be available on DVD and VHS. Right now Brian Mossman (of the Rio adn Glenwood Arts) and Jerry Harrington (of the Tivoli Manor Square) say they don't know if they'll be booking the movie...but say it's possible.
Submitted by Patty from Belton, MO
Q: Will we ever be able to purchase "Bizarre, Bizarre" on VHS or CD? If not, when will it be shown again?
Thanks!!
Answered 05/23/05 16:41:48 by Robert W. Butler
A: You can purchase a copy directly from the filmmaker. Ben Meade can be reached at his office at Avila university. 816 942 8400
Submitted by Edward St.Antoine from Westland, MI
Q: Yep, yet another "reviewer" who has no concept of what a movie is supposed to be. Or is it that you subscribe to the "I'm not going to like it and therefore be contriversial" group. Or better yet, the "I can't like it because the unwashed masses do"? I suspect the latter.
Answered 05/19/05 19:27:41 by Robert W. Butler
A: Um...is there a question anywhere in there?
