It's commonly accepted that everyone's a critic, but what about in the pre-internet days, when there wasn't a comments section to sound off in? Occasionally, SBS's The Movie Show would let the moviegoing public have their say, especially when the show's mail response indicated a significant disparity between the views of David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz and the rest of the country. Taking a mic and camera outside theatres after screenings, 'vox pop' interviews were conducted with audience members fresh from the dark of the theatre - revealing some eloquent, opinionated speakers, as well as a whole lot of people chuffed just to be on camera (and in nearly every case, truly eye-catching clothing and hairstyles).
Portrayal of Asia in Western Movies
Margaret asks attendees of the Singapore Film Festival in 1993 about the best and worst representations of Asia in western cinema. Choice quote: "I can't tell you what I thought is the worst film on Asia, because there are so many."
Crocodile Dundee 2
Tepid responses for the follow-up to the runaway Aussie smash ("It didn't have any of the charm of the first one, I'm afraid.")
Distant Voices, Still Lives
Terence Davies' fragmented memoir of growing up in post-WWII London was rated five stars by both David and Margaret, but the public who rushed to see it on the basis of their raves was split down the middle. "One response is it was above me, but the other possibility is it's just stupid," one viewer memorably quips.
Betrayed + Beaches
David and Margaret were divided on two films from 1988; the forgotten Tom Berenger/Debra Winger thriller Betrayed, and the beloved Bette Midler weepie Beaches. "Maybe people don't care about the filmmaking qualities of a film, they just want to experience emotion, and Beaches sure gives them emotion," concludes Margaret.
Afraid to Dance
Afraid to Dance was a 1988 Australian film seeking local distribution; The Movie Show held a special screening for it to attract interest. The response was generally warm, with one major exception. "The main character had no endearing qualities whatsoever, I just found him quite repulsive."
