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CNN Live Today
'On the Big Screen'
Aired August 29, 2003 - 10:50 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Nemo may have had cause for concern for his first day of school, but not at the box office. This little fish story netted a couple hundred million dollars this summer. Not bad. Of course, Disney's hit came as no surprise if you've been with us on Friday mornings here at CNN. Basking in the wisdom of Mr. Moviefone, and since there is nothing much worth mentioning, or at least released this weekend, Mr. Moviefone is giving us an idea of what some of his best picks are this summer, and maybe one of your worst picks too. Let's begin with the best.
And you really did like this "Finding Nemo," as the rest of the market did?
RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": I did. The movie has made over $330 million. Moviegoers are actually responding to the good movies, which is great. This is I thought at the time it was one of the best movies of the summer. I think it's one of the best of the year. So if you're going to the movies this weekend, probably a good one to see again. Or you haven't seen it, definitely go see it.
WHITFIELD: And not just for kids, you're saying everybody of all ages might be able to enjoy this.
LEATHERMAN: I think this movie is for everybody. Like I said, I think it's maybe the best movie of the year so far. So definitely worth checking out.
WHITFIELD: Let's talk about a little action, best action film, your best pick?
LEATHERMAN: There were a lot of action films this summer. My personal favorite was "Pirates of the Caribbean." Johnny Depp was fantastic. I said that like Arnold there. Everybody loved him. It was a great movie, lots of action, lots of fun. I think "Pirates of the Caribbean," probably the best adventure movie of the summer.
WHITFIELD: I enjoyed that one, too.
Best comedy, "Bruce Almighty."
LEATHERMAN: Well, "Bruce Almighty" came out way early in the summer, and there's been lots of comedies since, and this one still sort of stands up as the best of the summer. If you love Jim Carrey, you're going to really like this movie. A lot of people aren't big fans of his. But still, it's a really good comedy. If you want to see something funny this weekend, go check out "Bruce Almighty."
WHITFIELD: All right, best drama?
LEATHERMAN: Well, I think the best drama was probably "Seabiscuit." This was a movie that was a nice triumph over adversity type of movie. Hasn't made a ton of money. It's approaching on $100 million. But if you want to go see a quality movie that will make you feel good when you walk out of the theater, "Seabiscuit" is definitely a good one to check out.
WHITFIELD: OK, that's a nice pick-me-up. All right, need I ask? The worst film of this year? I have a feeling that an awful lot of folks agree with you on this one.
LEATHERMAN: Well, certainly, the most overhyped and the biggest disappointment was probably "Gigli." But you know what? We're trying to move on. We've got the fall movies coming up. There's actually some great movies coming in theaters soon, so we're going to forget about "Gigli," try to forget about the summer and move on to some of the great fall movies.
WHITFIELD: Yes, I have a feeling not a whole lot of folks actually saw it, because so many of you guys, you critics discouraged so many folks from even wanting to see it that they just didn't want to waste their $7 or $8 or $10.
LEATHERMAN: That's exactly right. And here's what's happening, the movies that were really good this summer are the movies that made a bunch of money. The word's getting out about which movies good, which movies are bad, thanks to you guys and everybody else, out there trying to direct moviegoers. So we're keeping it safe out there, and I do look forward to the fall movies. I think "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is going to be great. Can't wait.
WHITFIELD: Good. We'll be talking about that soon. All right, Russ Leatherman, good to see you. Thanks very much.
LEATHERMAN: See you next weak. Bye-bye.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 29, 2003 - 10:50 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Nemo may have had cause for concern for his first day of school, but not at the box office. This little fish story netted a couple hundred million dollars this summer. Not bad. Of course, Disney's hit came as no surprise if you've been with us on Friday mornings here at CNN. Basking in the wisdom of Mr. Moviefone, and since there is nothing much worth mentioning, or at least released this weekend, Mr. Moviefone is giving us an idea of what some of his best picks are this summer, and maybe one of your worst picks too. Let's begin with the best.
And you really did like this "Finding Nemo," as the rest of the market did?
RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": I did. The movie has made over $330 million. Moviegoers are actually responding to the good movies, which is great. This is I thought at the time it was one of the best movies of the summer. I think it's one of the best of the year. So if you're going to the movies this weekend, probably a good one to see again. Or you haven't seen it, definitely go see it.
WHITFIELD: And not just for kids, you're saying everybody of all ages might be able to enjoy this.
LEATHERMAN: I think this movie is for everybody. Like I said, I think it's maybe the best movie of the year so far. So definitely worth checking out.
WHITFIELD: Let's talk about a little action, best action film, your best pick?
LEATHERMAN: There were a lot of action films this summer. My personal favorite was "Pirates of the Caribbean." Johnny Depp was fantastic. I said that like Arnold there. Everybody loved him. It was a great movie, lots of action, lots of fun. I think "Pirates of the Caribbean," probably the best adventure movie of the summer.
WHITFIELD: I enjoyed that one, too.
Best comedy, "Bruce Almighty."
LEATHERMAN: Well, "Bruce Almighty" came out way early in the summer, and there's been lots of comedies since, and this one still sort of stands up as the best of the summer. If you love Jim Carrey, you're going to really like this movie. A lot of people aren't big fans of his. But still, it's a really good comedy. If you want to see something funny this weekend, go check out "Bruce Almighty."
WHITFIELD: All right, best drama?
LEATHERMAN: Well, I think the best drama was probably "Seabiscuit." This was a movie that was a nice triumph over adversity type of movie. Hasn't made a ton of money. It's approaching on $100 million. But if you want to go see a quality movie that will make you feel good when you walk out of the theater, "Seabiscuit" is definitely a good one to check out.
WHITFIELD: OK, that's a nice pick-me-up. All right, need I ask? The worst film of this year? I have a feeling that an awful lot of folks agree with you on this one.
LEATHERMAN: Well, certainly, the most overhyped and the biggest disappointment was probably "Gigli." But you know what? We're trying to move on. We've got the fall movies coming up. There's actually some great movies coming in theaters soon, so we're going to forget about "Gigli," try to forget about the summer and move on to some of the great fall movies.
WHITFIELD: Yes, I have a feeling not a whole lot of folks actually saw it, because so many of you guys, you critics discouraged so many folks from even wanting to see it that they just didn't want to waste their $7 or $8 or $10.
LEATHERMAN: That's exactly right. And here's what's happening, the movies that were really good this summer are the movies that made a bunch of money. The word's getting out about which movies good, which movies are bad, thanks to you guys and everybody else, out there trying to direct moviegoers. So we're keeping it safe out there, and I do look forward to the fall movies. I think "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is going to be great. Can't wait.
WHITFIELD: Good. We'll be talking about that soon. All right, Russ Leatherman, good to see you. Thanks very much.
LEATHERMAN: See you next weak. Bye-bye.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
