Peter Travers on new movies

(CNN) -- This summer's movie scene was a bit disappointing at the box office. With the fall movie season about to get underway, movie-goers are wondering if the studios will have anything better to offer.

Peter Travers is "Rolling Stone" magazine’s film critic.

Chat Moderator: Welcome to the chat room, Peter Travers.

Peter Travers: Hello.

Chat Moderator: What new movies are coming out this weekend?

Peter Travers: Well, first is "Meet the Parents," with Robert DeNiro being funny. Then there is "Bamboozled," with Spike Lee being angry. There is a movie called "Get Carter," with Sylvester Stallone scowling. Those are the three big ones.

Chat Moderator: What's your recommendation for moviegoers?

Peter Travers: Definitely, Robert DeNiro, in "Meet the Parents." It is the funniest movie out there, and who doesn't want a good laugh?

Question from Monkey: Should I purchase a ticket this weekend, or wait till next summer to see a good movie?

Peter Travers: No. I say purchase that ticket to "Meet the Parents," and you will see a good movie.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Entertainment

Chat Moderator: DeNiro seems to be doing several comedies lately. Is he changing genres?

Peter Travers: I don't think he is changing genres as much as finding himself more comfortable in comedy than drama. He did "Analyze This" last year and had one of his biggest commercial hits, while his dramatic roles haven't pleased critics or audiences.

Chat Moderator: Some movie industry watchers said that the release of "Remember the Titans" may have signified the end of the recent box office slump. Do you have any projections for attendance this weekend?

Peter Travers: Yes, I do. I think that "Meet The Parents" will be the number one movie this weekend, and "Remember the Titans" will be breathing down its neck, but that means that we will have two huge box office hits in one weekend to break the slump. This is Columbus Day weekend, which means everyone has three days to go to the movies.

Chat Moderator: Are there any sleepers we should look for this weekend?

Peter Travers: Oh, yes! There is a movie opening this weekend called "Tigerland." It is a story of soldiers heading for Vietnam and going through boot camp. It is directed by the man who did the last two Batman movies, and he has changed his whole approach and made it a gritty, compelling movie without stars, but a strong story. This one deserves to be a sleeper.

Question from Monkey: Have you seen any Oscar performances to date? Are there any to look out for this fall?

Peter Travers: The ones I have seen so far are in the movie, "Almost Famous," which is still playing, starring Frances McDormand. So far this year, the Oscar favorites would be Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich," and Russell Crowe in "Gladiator," but a performance to watch for comes next week with Joan Allen in "The Contender," a political drama that gives this under-rated actress her first staring role.

Chat Moderator: Is "Bamboozled" classic Spike Lee?

Peter Travers: I don't think that anyone would call this a classic. I think it was made with passion, but not a lot of logic. The trouble with Spike Lee is that he has wonderful ideas for movies and then lets his anger get the best of him. He always winds up shooting himself in the foot. This could have been a great movie, but it goes off the rails, and the best I can say about it is that it is a near miss.

Chat Moderator: Is "Get Carter" a remake?

Peter Travers: Yes, it is. It is a remake of a Michael Caine movie that was made in 1970, and it was a huge cult movie success. In fact, the director of that first movie has a movie this year called "Croupier," which I think is one of the best movies of the year. Sadly, Sylvester Stalone is no Michael Caine.

This is the kind of movie that is so bad that the studio refused to show the movie to critics until today -- its opening day. People should realize, when they don't see a review in a newspaper on the day a movie opens, that counts as its own bad review. It means they have something to hide, and they should keep hiding this movie.

Question from Monkey: Did you like "Best in Show"?

Peter Travers: I loved "Best in Show." It is a movie about people and their dogs and trying to figure out who is more neurotic, and any dog-owner on the planet should not think of missing this movie.

Question from FreeMcSorley: How about "The Contender"?

Peter Travers: I think Joan Allen's performance in that will get her an Oscar nomination.

Question from Monkey: Anything big for Christmas?

Peter Travers: Oh, there are always big plans for Christmas. We have movies with Mel Gibson, Sean Connery, Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, George Clooney, Kevin Costner, Adam Sandler. Next to summer, the Christmas holidays are the biggest movie-going time of the year. We all seem to want to get away from our families as soon as possible and rush out to the movies.

Chat Moderator: What kind of buzz are you hearing about some of these Christmas releases?

Peter Travers: Well, the biggest buzz is on two movies. One is called "Unbreakable," which stars Bruce Willis and is directed by the same man who did the Sixth Sense. It is a suspense thriller very much like the Sixth Sense, and the expectations are very high for it.

The other big movie is called "Castaway," in which Tom Hanks is marooned on a desert island. If you saw "Survivor" on television, maybe you think you have already seen this movie, but Tom Hanks can never be counted out when it comes to big movies and lots of Oscar nominations.

Question from Z-hg: I've heard "Castaway" is a disappointment to test audiences. What have you heard?

Peter Travers: I have heard the same thing. A lot of people believe that the television series, "Survivor" was more exciting, because it had a lot of people on the island. Tom Hanks is all by himself, and test audiences who watched the uncut version of this movie had to watch Tom Hanks, for almost an hour, say not one word. So I think they are cutting that movie to make it move along a bit faster, but again I say, "never discount Tom Hanks."

Question from KimTheKitten: When is "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" coming out?

Peter Travers: That is a Thanksgiving movie, and it stars Jim Carrey, who seems to be experiencing a popularity backlash. His last movie, "Me, Myself and Irene," was a box office disappointment, so there is some worry that the Grinch may not be all everyone expects it to be.

Question from Monkey: Generally speaking, what is the lead-time for reviewers to see a movie before release?

Peter Travers: Well, it depends on what kind of publication you work for. I work at a magazine where I need to see the movie four or five weeks before it is released. A newspaper critic or a television critic can see a movie the day before it is released. That's a big difference. But, hey, I'm not bitter.

Chat Moderator: With the new releases and the other film offerings, what do you recommend people try to see this weekend?

Peter Travers: I would say you should see "Almost Famous." I think, of all the movies that are currently at the multiplex, "Almost Famous" is the best one and the one that is most likely to receive an Oscar nomination as Best Picture. Don't let it slip away.

Question from Z-hg: What have you heard about "Pearl Harbor"? I'm very excited about this film.

Peter Travers: "Pearl Harbor" will be the most expensive movie ever made. It has a budget going in of $250 million dollars, which is $50 million dollars more than "Titanic." It is due to open on Memorial Day weekend, the year 2001. The Walt Disney Company, who is releasing this movie, is now indulging in silent prayer.

Question from Mrs: What do you think of "Nurse Betty"?

Peter Travers: I think "Nurse Betty" is a very under-rated, misunderstood comedy, in which Morgan Freeman gives one of the year’s best performances. Why doesn't this man get the credit he deserves? So this weekend, skip "Get Carter" and go check out "Nurse Betty," just to see how good Morgan Freeman is.

Chat Moderator: Do you have any final thoughts for us?

Peter Travers: We have gone through a long summer of very long, very bad movies. The fall is beginning to change all that. There are some really exciting things out there. It is time, again, to get fired up about movies.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us today, Peter Travers.

Peter Travers: My pleasure. Take care, everyone, and happy movie going.

Check out the CNN Chat calendar
Post your opinion on our message boards

Prepare to laugh in 'Meet the Parents'
10/6/00