Join film critics in lively disection of popular movies at library event

Whether you give a movie a thumbs up or thumbs down, it's always fun to hear what the professionals have to say. Their thoughts on the plot, acting, setting and authenticity may have you nodding in agreement or shaking your fists in fury, but either way, it's hard to tear yourself away once they get going.

Local moviegoers have several opportunities to hear from the experts by attending "Dann and Raymond's Movie Club" at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.

Led by Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire and award-winning author Raymond Benson, these lively discussions will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, today, Dec. 6 and Jan. 3, in the library's Audiovisual Department on the first floor.

In addition to his position at the Daily Herald, Gire is president of the Chicago Film Critics Association, but said being a film critic was never part of his plan.

"After taking a couple of cinema classes in college (Eastern Illinois University), I received permission to make 16mm movies in lieu of a senior paper and a graduate paper," said Gire. "So when the Daily Herald decided to add critics to its staff, I had the right credentials at the right time."

I asked Gire what draws people to listen to a film critic's opinions, and he said he "hopes it's because the individual critic has established a sense of trust with people, so that even if they violently disagree with the critic, they still are willing to hear a different take on the movie. I think that critics as a whole have to break through their stereotyped image as snooty elitists, and remember to have fun with an art form that is also the quintessence of entertainment."

And even though people sometimes get their feathers ruffled by critics whose opinions differ from their own, those attending the library movie discussions "have been quite nice," Gire said. "So far, Raymond and I have escaped being tarred and feathered by torch-bearing, disgruntled library patrons."

The other half of Dann and Raymond is not only an author, but also a former composer, computer game designer and stage director. And as if that isn't enough, Benson is also the fourth official author of the James Bond 007 novels and a board member of the Ian Fleming Foundation since 1995. He is an active member of International Thriller Writers Inc., The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and ASCAP.

What will you find at "Dann and Raymond's Movie Club?" Plenty of wit and humor, critiques of actors and plots, a few arguments, a chance to voice your own thoughts and plenty of fast-paced commentaries.

So, if movies are your thing, check out one or all of the upcoming Movie Club events. There's no fee, just register by calling (847) 923-3347.