Dann still doesn't like 'Secretariat'

Say ‘I'm wrong' Dann!

Dear Dann: To say that you were way off with your horrible Pits rating of “Secretariat” is a gross understatement.

We have all seen it and think it is excellent. On Columbus Day, the theater was packed and dozens of kids and adults loved it. And they all clapped at the end.

What more can you ask for?

No vampires, murders or cartoon-type movies. See it again and think of all the good sides.

Please see it again or we just forget all your previous good work. Bill Hurlbutt, Lincolnshire

P.S.: I have been wrong millions of times, but I always admit it. Just admit you made a goof and you will be a hero.

Dear Bill: I would like to be a hero.

I really would.

I'm just not sure that embracing a movie with a main character devoid of a dramatic arc, some pretentious biblical references, hokey dialogue and John Malkovich's over-the-top comic relief character will make me one.

Bill, early in my career I learned that it's a good idea to ignore audience reactions when it comes to assessing the value of a motion picture.

In 1980, two Daily Herald pals and I went to see the original “I Spit on Your Grave” at the old two-screen Elk Grove Cinema.

After a lengthy scene in which a man violently beat and raped a woman, some guy in the audience, apparently impressed with the rapist's hard work, shouted “Give him a hand!”

The entire theater broke into cheers and applause.

What more can you ask for, Bill?

Although there can be consumer adviser aspects to a movie review, critics are not consumer advisers.

The critic's job is to determine the value of the motion picture, regardless of its box office popularity and regardless of audience reactions.

Perhaps this anecdote can best explain how this all works.

A while back, I judged the Teen Film Festival at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Two of several film shorts won awards.

One film showed three teen lads, accompanied by a bouncy pop song, jumping around, running and acting crazy, while reacting to a collage of psychedelic images projected behind them. The audience roared with laughter.

The other film told a dramatic medieval knights tale. The filmmakers wrote a script, made costumes, designed and built sets, choreographed sword-fight scenes and attached a full-blown score (albeit cobbled together from the scores of other Hollywood movies).

When it came time to vote for the Audience's Choice Award, the viewers gave the honor to the bouncy, funny rock video.

When it came time for me to name the best movie of the festival, I gave first prize to the entry that demonstrated a superior understanding of film construction.

The knights' tale used crosscutting showing two events happening simultaneously by cutting between the two. It also utilized “Mickey-mousing,” the process of matching visual actions with the music to create a one/two audiovisual punch.

The audience didn't care about any of that. Viewers voted for the movie that entertained them the most.

As they should have.

The critic voted for the best-made movie.

As he should have.

“Secretariat” is a wonderfully entertaining motion picture for many Daily Herald readers.

It's just not a very well-made one for the Daily Herald film writer.

I guess I'm not cut out to be a hero, Bill.

So, I'll just have to stay a critic.

‘One Year' in Antioch

“One Year,” shot entirely in Lake County, follows Sam (Bryan Harris) as he interviews for a job and his memories race back to fifth grade where his teacher Mrs. Carroll (Antioch actress Elizabeth Tannehill) exerted a pivotal positive influence on his life's direction.

Volo filmmaker Tom Kleine wrote, produced and directed the indie movie “One Year” as a prequel to his award-winning 2008 film “One Week.” When he's not making movies, Kleine teaches special needs students in kindergarten, a job he's held for eight years.

“One Year” will be shown at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Saturday at the PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch. Tickets cost $10.

Note: The 6 p.m. showing offers both “One Year” and “One Week,” two shows for the price of one. Go to oneyearfilm.com for details.

Charlie! You tramp!

Chicago's Music Box Theatre will present a Charlie Chaplin marathon retrospective through Nov. 5 with nine features and seven shorts, all in brand-spankin' new 35 mm. prints! Tickets cost $9.25 per show, but all-Chaplin advance passes can be purchased for $30 ($35 day-of at the box office).

“City Lights,” “The Kid” and “Modern Times” are just a few of the titles on the schedule. Go dressed as Chaplin's Little Tramp on Oct. 31 and get in for a measly $6. Go to musicboxtheatre.com.

After Hours winners!

The top winning entries of the After Hours Film Society Student Short Film & Video will be shown at 5 p.m. Monday at the Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. General admission: $9.

Local first place winners include Elmer Anderson of Naperville for “Skate or Die,” Rachel Head of Villa Park for “History's Fire” and Eric Sikora of Lisle for “Holiday Armageddon.”

Second place winners include Paula Rooney from Villa Park for “LEAP Fine Arts Field Trip” and Adam Tanguay from Downers Grove for “Island of Man.”

David Pierson of Wheaton won a merit certificate for “Sign Episode 2 Trailer.”

Honorable mentions went to Edgar Barerra of West Chicago for “This I Believe,” Michael Lorenz of Naperville for “The Brave Balloon” and Cory Lusk of Naperville for “A Day in the Life.”

Go to afterhoursfilmsociety.com for the complete list of winners or call (630) 534-4528.

Kids fest starts

More than 270 movies from 40 countries! More than 90 world premieres! The 27th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival starts today, and runs through Halloween eve with workshops, visiting filmmakers and panels. Go to facets.org/kids for tickets and program information. You'll be glad you went. And take a kid, too. (773) 281-9075.