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CNN Live Today
Interview with Russ Leatherman
Aired July 12, 2002 - 10:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Is it heaven for you at the theater, though? Is it worth the price of admission? We turn to the voice of Mr. Moviefone, critic Russ Leatherman -- good morning, thanks for joining us.
RUSS LEATHERMAN, MOVIEFONE: What is going on, Daryn?
KAGAN: I am wondering if this movie is going on. I am hearing kind of mixed things. "Road to Perdition," did you see it, do you like it?
LEATHERMAN: I did see it, and I did like it. You know, critics are loving this movie, moviegoers are loving this movie. I guess, if people didn't like it, it might be because they thought maybe it was too dark, and not necessarily, kind of up type of summer movie.
But that is what is going to make it such a big hit is there is nothing else like it right now in theaters, and you know, you've got Oscar winners, it's directed by Sam Mendes, you know, with "American Beauty." And so, with this trio, and really such a great plot line, the movie has got to be good. How could you lose?
KAGAN: Well, I am hearing everything from another Oscar nomination from Tom Hanks to, This is too much. Sam Mendes tried too hard with this movie.
LEATHERMAN: You know, I don't think so. I think it was shot beautifully, it's amazing to watch. These are terrific actors, and you know, this is one of those movies, I guess you could shoot holes in it, but it doesn't make any sense. Moviegoers are loving it coming out of the theater, critics like it. Everybody is pretty positive.
KAGAN: OK, got it. Let's move to the complete opposite end of the cultural spectrum and talk about the Crocodile Hunter, who has a movie coming out.
LEATHERMAN: Yes, that's true, if you can't get enough of him on television, you can go see him in the theater, I guess. Yes, Steve Irwin is the Crocodile Hunter, and this is "Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course." It is the same stuff as you see on TV. They have actually intertwined kind of a ridiculous plot line. But if you forget about that and just watch him with the crocodiles and the spiders and all that stuff, it's OK.
KAGAN: Just OK.
LEATHERMAN: Just OK.
KAGAN: I mean, it is one of these things where you see stuff on television. We saw this with the "Powerpuff Girls" last week. The kids realizing, you know what, you can see this on TV for free. You don't need to pay money and go to the theater.
LEATHERMAN: Yes, I think that is definitely true. You know, you see a lot of that during the summer. It is kind of filler, and it is OK, and the crocodiles and the spiders and all that stuff look pretty cool on the big screen, so if you have the choice between "Powerpuff Girls," or the "Crocodile Hunter," you know, see them both.
KAGAN: And quickly, "Reign of Fire," Matthew McConaughey. We haven't seen too much of him lately.
LEATHERMAN: No, we haven't. This is a -- this is kind of a sci- fi adventure, these dragons, post-apocalyptic dragons really burn down London, and Matthew McConaughey is there to try to save it, and that's pretty much all that happens. That's it.
KAGAN: And -- that's it.
LEATHERMAN: That's it.
KAGAN: That is the beginning, middle, end of that story.
LEATHERMAN: Right. Exactly.
KAGAN: Reign of fire. One of our most faithful viewers here this time of day, Jamie Lee Curtis. She loves getting up in L.A. and watching this show.
LEATHERMAN: Well...
KAGAN: Keep in mind, she's probably watching when you review "Halloween: Resurrection."
LEATHERMAN: You know what, I love Jamie Lee. I love her.
KAGAN: There she is.
LEATHERMAN: But you know, just when you thought this franchise was dead, here it comes, "Resurrection." And it's -- it's the same stuff. Michael Myers is back, terrorizing a new set of teenagers. You know, it has got Tyra Banks, Busta Rhymes, and Doogie Howser is even in this movie.
KAGAN: Doogie Howser?
LEATHERMAN: Doogie Howser. I forget what his real name is.
KAGAN: Neil Patrick Harris.
LEATHERMAN: There you go. KAGAN: OK.
LEATHERMAN: I like -- I just like to call him Doogie. But you know, if you have nothing better to do, and that nine bucks is burning a hole in your pocket, go check this out.
KAGAN: Knock yourself out. Before we go, we have got to have you do that "Moviefone" thing.
LEATHERMAN: That, Hello, and welcome to Moviefone. For "Road to Perdition," press one.
KAGAN: Exactly. And to go to commercial press two, I guess.
LEATHERMAN: Press two.
KAGAN: All right, good. Russ Leatherman. Thanks so much for the reviews, and for our own personal performance for Moviefone.
LEATHERMAN: Thank you so much. We'll see you next time.
KAGAN: Appreciate it so much.
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