In 2003, this column debuted as a Friday feature called “Ask the Critic.” A year later, under the more sonorous title of “问米克拉萨尔,” it migrated to Sunday Datebook, best known by Chronicle loyalists as the “Pink” section, where it has enjoyed a happy home ever since.
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Chronicle staged a celebration of the column’s 20th anniversary, with a program called “问米克拉萨尔Live,” hosted at Manny’s and moderated by Senior Arts and Entertainment EditorMariecar Mendoza. It was just like the column, only with people asking me questions directly and me not having to write the answers.
It was a lot of fun, and as a souvenir of that event, here’s a sampling of some of our conversation.
The following answers given live at the event have been edited for length and clarity.
Dear Mick:In recent years, what genre of films shows the most promise to you and why?
Brandon Hughes, San Francisco
Dear Brandon:I don’t know about potential, but I know I feel — in terms of realization at least — it’s comedy. Comedies used to be very restrained. They used to be corny, and now comedies are just totally going for it. Like, I just saw “Joy Ride,” which is pretty hard core, and another movie called “圣rays,” which has one of my favorite endings of any movie. So I like comedy because it’s gotten very honest. Rawness without honesty is, of course, pointless. But honesty without rawness can’t really fully be honest.
Dear Mick: Your reviews have such a deep understanding of human nature. Can you speak about how you developed the skill?
Barbara Greenstein, Alameda
Dear Barbara: It’s two things: One is a natural ability, and the other is a natural ability covering over a weakness.
I seem to have to be intuitive with regard to emotions and social dynamics. But I’m not very good on visuals, which is a little bit of a problem if you’re a film critic. I don’t notice camera movements unless I see the movie a second time. When I watch a movie for the first time, I see it as reality, so I’m not noticing some of the things that other film critics are noticing and that I应该be noticing, so then I wind up leaning on the thing that Ican做的。
Dear Mick: In a typical week, how often do you look forward to seeing a film you’re assigned to review as opposed to dreading it?
Brad Nelson, Alameda
Dear Brad:Dread is a big word. I don’t really dread movies, but I don’t really look forward to many, either. But there are movies that, on the day of, I think, “Oh, good, I’m going to that.” Like “Oppenheimer.” And then maybe two weeks go by, and the Liam Neeson movie, “Retribution” is coming out, and I’m glad to see that. But it doesn’t mean I’m dreading the other ones. I’m just working.
Hi, Mick:What blowback did you get from that Kevin Spacey article?
Katherine Krebs, San Francisco
你好,凯瑟琳:Kevin Spaceyhas been tried for sexual assault on both sides of the Atlantic, and he was found not guilty in both places. So I wrote a column saying it’s time to let this guy make movies again, and the mail was surprising. I’d say 85% positive. A lot of those people said, “I just want to say I agree with you, because I know you’re going to get tons of negative mail.” But I didn’t. And the ones that were negative weren’t nasty.
Dear Mick LaSalle:一个re there certain actors and actresses who, because of previous performances you’ve seen, you just can’t be objective anymore?
Howard Fischer, Albany
Dear Howard Fischer:No, I don’t think so. I think I can always be objective. But I can do this, not because of some moral discipline, but rather because it’s the easier thing to do. Being objective just means I’m just paying attention, as opposed to trying to keep a thought in mind.
Have a question? Ask Mick LaSalle at mlasalle@sfchronicle.com. Include your name and city for publication, and a phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.