I started reading movie reviews on yahoo via the internet in 2003. I like the way yahoo has a movie section with reviews from some of the renowned critics in North America. I began reading different critics and came across the reviews of Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle and immediately liked his writing style, and over time seemed to agree with his reviews about 90% of the time. On Friday’s when new movies come out, I read what Mick has to say about the week’s new movies.
Mick LaSalle has over twenty years experience as a film critic, is the author of two books on pre-code Hollywood, has written in excess of 1500 reviews for the San Francisco Chronicle, given lectures at various film festivals, has taught film at Universities in California, and also worked as an on-air film critic for KGO-TV. Mick was kind of enough to answer my questions...
Alex: What was the first movie you watched growing up and how would you rate it?
Mick: It was either KING KONG VERSUS GODZILLA or A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT was better.
Alex: What inspired you to become a film critic?
Mick: I was hired by the Chronicle, and once here, it was clearly the job I wanted.
Alex: Does the San Francisco Chronicle assign you movies to watch, or do you choose them yourself?
Mick: It's a little of this and a little of that.
Alex: What criteria do you use to assign an overall grade?
Mick: You know when you see it. There's no rating chart or grading system. You can't apply formulas to art.
Alex: How long does it typically take you to complete a review?
Mick: Between an hour and a half and two hours, longer for a masterpiece like THE NEW WORLD or INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Then we're talking more like four hours.
Alex: Do producers, directors, and actors ever give you feedback regarding movies you've reviewed, or is that considered inappropriate?
Mick: Surprisingly never.
Alex: I noticed sometimes your overall grade of a film might be completely different, good or bad from other established reviewers. Do you ever reread your reviews and sometimes wished you had given a different grade, or are the final grades essentially set in stone?
Mick: Very rarely. I mean, rare enough that I can't think of any examples offhand.
Alex: Have you ever re-watched movies over the years and formed a different opinion?
Mick: Sure. But again, I can't think of many examples. Sometimes I'll like something less the second time, but it might mean I'm wrong the second time or that the movie is better off being seen in a theater.
Alex: Have you ever walked out from or turned off a movie because you found it so bad?
Mick: If I'm not reviewing, I walk out of about forty percent of the movies I see. Once they go bad, they almost never get better.
Alex: What's the best low budget/independent movie you've ever seen?
Mick: REVOLUTION SUMMER was pretty good. So was that one with Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland -- Matthew Bright's movie. The name escapes me for some reason. (The Movie is called FREEWAY.)
Alex: Do you believe in guilty pleasure movies? If yes, what's your favourite one?
Mick: I never have guilt. If I like something, I always have a reason for really thinking that it's good. Like NAKED KILLER. I genuinely think that's a good movie.
Alex: With HD movies and home entertainment systems becoming cheaper every day, will there come a time when people stop going to the Cineplex?
Mick: No, but there may be a time when people over thirty stop going to the Cineplex.
Alex: Finally, are you a fan of the Oscars in general and the voting process?
Mick: No, and no.
Mick LaSalle has over twenty years experience as a film critic, is the author of two books on pre-code Hollywood, has written in excess of 1500 reviews for the San Francisco Chronicle, given lectures at various film festivals, has taught film at Universities in California, and also worked as an on-air film critic for KGO-TV. Mick was kind of enough to answer my questions...
Alex: What was the first movie you watched growing up and how would you rate it?
Mick: It was either KING KONG VERSUS GODZILLA or A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT was better.
Alex: What inspired you to become a film critic?
Mick: I was hired by the Chronicle, and once here, it was clearly the job I wanted.
Alex: Does the San Francisco Chronicle assign you movies to watch, or do you choose them yourself?
Mick: It's a little of this and a little of that.
Alex: What criteria do you use to assign an overall grade?
Mick: You know when you see it. There's no rating chart or grading system. You can't apply formulas to art.
Alex: How long does it typically take you to complete a review?
Mick: Between an hour and a half and two hours, longer for a masterpiece like THE NEW WORLD or INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Then we're talking more like four hours.
Alex: Do producers, directors, and actors ever give you feedback regarding movies you've reviewed, or is that considered inappropriate?
Mick: Surprisingly never.
Alex: I noticed sometimes your overall grade of a film might be completely different, good or bad from other established reviewers. Do you ever reread your reviews and sometimes wished you had given a different grade, or are the final grades essentially set in stone?
Mick: Very rarely. I mean, rare enough that I can't think of any examples offhand.
Alex: Have you ever re-watched movies over the years and formed a different opinion?
Mick: Sure. But again, I can't think of many examples. Sometimes I'll like something less the second time, but it might mean I'm wrong the second time or that the movie is better off being seen in a theater.
Alex: Have you ever walked out from or turned off a movie because you found it so bad?
Mick: If I'm not reviewing, I walk out of about forty percent of the movies I see. Once they go bad, they almost never get better.
Alex: What's the best low budget/independent movie you've ever seen?
Mick: REVOLUTION SUMMER was pretty good. So was that one with Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland -- Matthew Bright's movie. The name escapes me for some reason. (The Movie is called FREEWAY.)
Alex: Do you believe in guilty pleasure movies? If yes, what's your favourite one?
Mick: I never have guilt. If I like something, I always have a reason for really thinking that it's good. Like NAKED KILLER. I genuinely think that's a good movie.
Alex: With HD movies and home entertainment systems becoming cheaper every day, will there come a time when people stop going to the Cineplex?
Mick: No, but there may be a time when people over thirty stop going to the Cineplex.
Alex: Finally, are you a fan of the Oscars in general and the voting process?
Mick: No, and no.
Since 2003, Jay Onrait has been co-hosting the 2 am edition of SportsCentre on TSN with Dan O’Toole. Both Jay and Dan have acquired many loyal viewers who tune in to watch them report sports with a comedic twist. Many highlights from the duo anchoring the sports news have gone viral on the internet, including the top 10 Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole moments found on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAInXxNyIE&feature=related
Alex: Who inspired you to become a sportscaster?
Jay: Rod Smith and Darren Dutchyshen.
Alex: What sportscasters do you admire and respect?
Jay: See above. Plus O'toole, Duthie, Bob Mckenzie, Darren Dreger. Basically everyone I work with EXCEPT Producer Tim.
Alex: Do you have a favourite sport?
Jay: Hockey
Alex: If you could be a professional athlete for a day, who would it be?
Jay: One day? I'd be the other striker on FC Barcelona with Leo Messi.
Alex: Can you describe what a typical work day is like for you?
Jay: Come in. Write show. Watch sports. Host show. Go home.
Alex: Which major sporting event would you attend if you could go back in time?
Jay: Wow, tough one. I would say probably Wrestlemania III.
Alex: What’s been your most embarrassing moment on television?
Jay: Every night it gets more and more embarrassing.
Alex: As someone who works in Toronto, can you explain why Leaf fans are so passionate and supportive of their team, despite not winning a Cup since 1967 and missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons?
Jay: It’s like Boston with the Red Sox, there's almost more passion when you don't win. I wonder what it will be like it they actually do win again. There's just so much love for NHL hockey in the GTA. Should be three teams in the so-called "Greater Golden Horseshoe".
Alex: What do you do in your spare time to unwind?
Jay: Rest and listen to tunes. Nap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAInXxNyIE&feature=related
Alex: Who inspired you to become a sportscaster?
Jay: Rod Smith and Darren Dutchyshen.
Alex: What sportscasters do you admire and respect?
Jay: See above. Plus O'toole, Duthie, Bob Mckenzie, Darren Dreger. Basically everyone I work with EXCEPT Producer Tim.
Alex: Do you have a favourite sport?
Jay: Hockey
Alex: If you could be a professional athlete for a day, who would it be?
Jay: One day? I'd be the other striker on FC Barcelona with Leo Messi.
Alex: Can you describe what a typical work day is like for you?
Jay: Come in. Write show. Watch sports. Host show. Go home.
Alex: Which major sporting event would you attend if you could go back in time?
Jay: Wow, tough one. I would say probably Wrestlemania III.
Alex: What’s been your most embarrassing moment on television?
Jay: Every night it gets more and more embarrassing.
Alex: As someone who works in Toronto, can you explain why Leaf fans are so passionate and supportive of their team, despite not winning a Cup since 1967 and missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons?
Jay: It’s like Boston with the Red Sox, there's almost more passion when you don't win. I wonder what it will be like it they actually do win again. There's just so much love for NHL hockey in the GTA. Should be three teams in the so-called "Greater Golden Horseshoe".
Alex: What do you do in your spare time to unwind?
Jay: Rest and listen to tunes. Nap.
Dileep Rao has catapulted himself out of obscurity, appearing in back-to-back- to-back Hollywood blockbuster movies: Sam Raimi’s horror film Drag Me to Hell, James Cameron’s science fiction film Avatar, and Christopher Nolan’s thriller Inception, starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Dileep graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a B.A. He later attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and received an M.F.A. Dileep has been working hard at his craft over the years and continues carefully reading scripts before embarking on a project.
Dileep’s convocation speech/interview in 2010 at UC San Diego:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-hiDaUYEfA
Alex: What do you think makes a good director?
Dileep Rao: Clarity of vision, totally technical understanding, a strong understanding of how actors work (if it’s a narrative film). Most important thing: experience.
Alex: When you’re working on set, are you the type who stays very serious and in character between takes?
Dileep: For the most part no because the films I’ve made do not require complicated emotional realities. For other parts I may. For parts of Drag Me (Drag Me To Hell), I had to keep some very scary stuff very close.
Alex: When you watch the movies you’ve been in, are there better acting takes you felt you did which didn’t make the final cut for some reason?
Dileep: It’s all too far away at that point and I rarely, if ever, look at the monitor as an actor. It takes me out of the rhythm.
Alex: How do you breakdown a script and prepare for a role?
Dileep: This is like an entire class. You have to know your character inside and out, what he looks like, what he wears, how he walks. What his biography is, what he does, what are his vices, his secrets. Why does he do what he does? This is a very complex question and too much to go into quickly.
Alex: Do you ever read great scripts offered to you, but refuse a role because you simply think you’re not right for the part, despite the director and or producer really interested in you?
Dileep: Yes.
Alex: Besides acting, what jobs could you see yourself doing successfully?
Dileep: Honestly? I could have been a doctor, a lawyer; I may yet run for office. Scientist, teacher, advertising creative type, many things.
Alex: I was shocked when film critic Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle told me that no producers, directors, or actors have contacted him with feedback regarding the reviews he’s written.
Do you read critics reviews before seeing movies and believe they are a valuable tool for people wanting to get opinions before spending their hard earned money going to the Cineplex?
Dileep: I do but I think film criticism has gotten generic and has less to do with seeing films as part of an art form and a continuum and more to do with either warning or enticing a possible viewer. I don’t think that’s the point and that’s why all this amateur movie reviewing has diluted the process. A great critic is a champion of the medium, well versed in how the art works, is in constant dialogue with the artists who make it, fearlessly opinionated and connected to the history of the process and art. Not a consistently disappointed aesthetician nor a fan. The latter of these are simply not informed enough to be worth reading.
Alex: What are your favourite movies and acting performances of all-time?
Dileep: This is again a very long question. Briefly: Citizen Kane and Welles in it, Welles in The Third Man, Pacino in the Godfather films, DeNiro in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown and Carnal Knowledge, 2001, The Shining, Days Of Heaven, Back To The Future, Daniel Day Lewis in nearly anything, ditto Gary Oldman. Schindler’s List, The Abyss. This is too hard. Children Of Men.
Alex: What acting projects do you currently have lined up?
Dileep: Can’t say for now…
Dileep graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a B.A. He later attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and received an M.F.A. Dileep has been working hard at his craft over the years and continues carefully reading scripts before embarking on a project.
Dileep’s convocation speech/interview in 2010 at UC San Diego:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-hiDaUYEfA
Alex: What do you think makes a good director?
Dileep Rao: Clarity of vision, totally technical understanding, a strong understanding of how actors work (if it’s a narrative film). Most important thing: experience.
Alex: When you’re working on set, are you the type who stays very serious and in character between takes?
Dileep: For the most part no because the films I’ve made do not require complicated emotional realities. For other parts I may. For parts of Drag Me (Drag Me To Hell), I had to keep some very scary stuff very close.
Alex: When you watch the movies you’ve been in, are there better acting takes you felt you did which didn’t make the final cut for some reason?
Dileep: It’s all too far away at that point and I rarely, if ever, look at the monitor as an actor. It takes me out of the rhythm.
Alex: How do you breakdown a script and prepare for a role?
Dileep: This is like an entire class. You have to know your character inside and out, what he looks like, what he wears, how he walks. What his biography is, what he does, what are his vices, his secrets. Why does he do what he does? This is a very complex question and too much to go into quickly.
Alex: Do you ever read great scripts offered to you, but refuse a role because you simply think you’re not right for the part, despite the director and or producer really interested in you?
Dileep: Yes.
Alex: Besides acting, what jobs could you see yourself doing successfully?
Dileep: Honestly? I could have been a doctor, a lawyer; I may yet run for office. Scientist, teacher, advertising creative type, many things.
Alex: I was shocked when film critic Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle told me that no producers, directors, or actors have contacted him with feedback regarding the reviews he’s written.
Do you read critics reviews before seeing movies and believe they are a valuable tool for people wanting to get opinions before spending their hard earned money going to the Cineplex?
Dileep: I do but I think film criticism has gotten generic and has less to do with seeing films as part of an art form and a continuum and more to do with either warning or enticing a possible viewer. I don’t think that’s the point and that’s why all this amateur movie reviewing has diluted the process. A great critic is a champion of the medium, well versed in how the art works, is in constant dialogue with the artists who make it, fearlessly opinionated and connected to the history of the process and art. Not a consistently disappointed aesthetician nor a fan. The latter of these are simply not informed enough to be worth reading.
Alex: What are your favourite movies and acting performances of all-time?
Dileep: This is again a very long question. Briefly: Citizen Kane and Welles in it, Welles in The Third Man, Pacino in the Godfather films, DeNiro in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown and Carnal Knowledge, 2001, The Shining, Days Of Heaven, Back To The Future, Daniel Day Lewis in nearly anything, ditto Gary Oldman. Schindler’s List, The Abyss. This is too hard. Children Of Men.
Alex: What acting projects do you currently have lined up?
Dileep: Can’t say for now…
Barry Tanenbaum is a veteran professional poker play who resides in Las Vegas, and has written books such as ‘’Advanced Limit Hold'em Strategy’’. Besides being an author, Barry is a poker coach and writes articles for: www.cardplayer.com. You can visit Barry’s website to learn more about this accomplished player: www.barrytanenbaum.com.
Alex: As a poker teacher what do you look for in identifying a good limit poker player and how can you make them even better?
Barry: Good limit players are aggressive, do not mind volatility, and try hard to get the money in when they are an odds favorite even they will only win once in a while. Value betting and play variation are also keys. Very few players do all of these well, and I help them see where to improve. My lessons are specifically tailored to the individual student, so I do not have a set program.
Alex: Can a very good limit poker player translate those skill sets easily to no limit poker?
Barry: No. They are entirely different games. For example, if you raise with A-K and flop a king, in limit you tend to bet all the way and make a decision if raised. In No Limit with deep stack, if you raise preflop with A-K, flop a king and get called on the flop, you must slow down and proceed with great caution. NL has lot to do with stack sizes which limit players almost never consider. Very different skill sets. I wrote a series of columns in Card Player describing some of the basic adjustments a limit player must make.
Alex: What is the lowest limit level to make a comfortable living and what would be a suitable bankroll?
Barry: Depends on what you consider a living, but probably $10-$20. Your bankroll depends on your personal style and the type of game you play in. I recommend StatKing available for Conjelco.com (I do not get any money from this endorsement) for any aspiring pro. It has a bankroll tool that gives you the answer based on your own play. Conventional wisdom is 300 big bets.
Alex: Where and when do you think are the best limit games that offer the juiciest action?
Barry: I have no idea. I only play highish limits at Bellagio here in Las Vegas. I do not travel the country looking for juicy games.
Alex: Most poker players say you can’t bluff in limit poker, especially the lower limits. Can you give examples of good limit bluffs?
Barry: I wrote an eight-part series on bluffing at limit hold'em. I recommend people read it. All my columns are available at www.cardplayer.com.
Alex: Is tight and aggressive ABC poker the way to make money in limit over the long run or can loose-aggressive players with great reading skills be more effective?
Barry: Hard to say. My book "Advanced Limit Hold'em Strategy" recommends a style which I believe can be adapted to any game. ABC poker is OK for low limits. But it is hard to get good action in tough high-limit games.
Alex: What's been your best and worst session in terms of big bets won and lost?
Barry: Not relevant, as I play very few hours per session due to health reasons. In six hours, which I no longer can play, my best was +$6400 and my worst was -$4800 at $30-$60 (which I also no longer play).
Alex: What are some of the biggest mistakes you see poker players make at the table?
Barry: Playing too many hands. Being too clever. Not respecting raises. Not counting the pot. Not reading specific opponents. Thousands more.
Alex: With the popularity of No Limit poker, is limit poker becoming extinct across the globe?
Barry: Maybe. I have little visibility across the globe. I still believe no-limit is an unfair game with the best players having too much edge. It makes for great TV, but is tough to maintain long term. Limit is much fairer in that weak players can win on occasion.
Alex: Which professional limit poker players would you avoid playing against based on their level of skill?
Barry: Not a reasonable question. A game consists of nine players. Any one of them may be much better than me, but it is the composite of the players that make a game. I avoid confrontations with some players in almost every game to some extent or another. I want to be in pots with weak players, not strong ones.
Alex: As a poker teacher what do you look for in identifying a good limit poker player and how can you make them even better?
Barry: Good limit players are aggressive, do not mind volatility, and try hard to get the money in when they are an odds favorite even they will only win once in a while. Value betting and play variation are also keys. Very few players do all of these well, and I help them see where to improve. My lessons are specifically tailored to the individual student, so I do not have a set program.
Alex: Can a very good limit poker player translate those skill sets easily to no limit poker?
Barry: No. They are entirely different games. For example, if you raise with A-K and flop a king, in limit you tend to bet all the way and make a decision if raised. In No Limit with deep stack, if you raise preflop with A-K, flop a king and get called on the flop, you must slow down and proceed with great caution. NL has lot to do with stack sizes which limit players almost never consider. Very different skill sets. I wrote a series of columns in Card Player describing some of the basic adjustments a limit player must make.
Alex: What is the lowest limit level to make a comfortable living and what would be a suitable bankroll?
Barry: Depends on what you consider a living, but probably $10-$20. Your bankroll depends on your personal style and the type of game you play in. I recommend StatKing available for Conjelco.com (I do not get any money from this endorsement) for any aspiring pro. It has a bankroll tool that gives you the answer based on your own play. Conventional wisdom is 300 big bets.
Alex: Where and when do you think are the best limit games that offer the juiciest action?
Barry: I have no idea. I only play highish limits at Bellagio here in Las Vegas. I do not travel the country looking for juicy games.
Alex: Most poker players say you can’t bluff in limit poker, especially the lower limits. Can you give examples of good limit bluffs?
Barry: I wrote an eight-part series on bluffing at limit hold'em. I recommend people read it. All my columns are available at www.cardplayer.com.
Alex: Is tight and aggressive ABC poker the way to make money in limit over the long run or can loose-aggressive players with great reading skills be more effective?
Barry: Hard to say. My book "Advanced Limit Hold'em Strategy" recommends a style which I believe can be adapted to any game. ABC poker is OK for low limits. But it is hard to get good action in tough high-limit games.
Alex: What's been your best and worst session in terms of big bets won and lost?
Barry: Not relevant, as I play very few hours per session due to health reasons. In six hours, which I no longer can play, my best was +$6400 and my worst was -$4800 at $30-$60 (which I also no longer play).
Alex: What are some of the biggest mistakes you see poker players make at the table?
Barry: Playing too many hands. Being too clever. Not respecting raises. Not counting the pot. Not reading specific opponents. Thousands more.
Alex: With the popularity of No Limit poker, is limit poker becoming extinct across the globe?
Barry: Maybe. I have little visibility across the globe. I still believe no-limit is an unfair game with the best players having too much edge. It makes for great TV, but is tough to maintain long term. Limit is much fairer in that weak players can win on occasion.
Alex: Which professional limit poker players would you avoid playing against based on their level of skill?
Barry: Not a reasonable question. A game consists of nine players. Any one of them may be much better than me, but it is the composite of the players that make a game. I avoid confrontations with some players in almost every game to some extent or another. I want to be in pots with weak players, not strong ones.