The Meryl Streep character appears to be at least inspired by, if not actually based on, Bebe Buell. She had more-or-less simultaneous affairs with Steve Tyler and Todd Rundgren during the 1970s; when little Liv arrived she decided to nominate Todd as the dad, even though years later it turned out that Steve was the real baby's-daddy.

Apparently the script writers decided to conflate this true story with the novels "Lace" and "Lace II." (Remember the memorable lines from those classics: "Which one of you (censored) is my real (mother, father)?")

And yes, my gf's and I plan to see it.

The picture that runs with this story makes Meryl Streep look like Boy George.

Zacharek nails it again!

Perhaps the time has come to discuss Stephanie's place and role as a movie reviewer. I think her reviews are dark, negative, and dismal, but they are interesting and thoughtful. I do wonder why she choses to review material she doesn't seem to take joy from, but she has the good graces to not be boring about it. I love movies, often even bad ones, but can also see how reviewers, having had to see the latest Adam Sandler destruction followed by the Mike Meyers ego-fest might become jaded and saddened by movies. So many aren't just bad, but mean, nasty, corporate, and offense. Certainly *Mamma Mia* could well be seen in this exploitist light, another faux joy rip off. I had a pleasant time at the theater this morning, more remembering the times the songs brought back for me and for the extremely cute boys that littered the background (how I would have loved the job of casting extras for this movie!), but I also thought the cast seemed to be having a very good time and that carried me along happily. This movie won't make the AFI top anything list, but neither will ABBA, either. It was, however, a nice break in a very bleak summer (here in Sacramento the day often looks like Armageddon, with the smoke and heat). Stephanie's job isn't to like or promote movie's, but give us the springboard to discuss them, give shape and meat for discussion. She does that. I disagree with her frequently (and am likely to about Batman, haven't seen it yet), but at least she isn't vapid and boring, as most movies are today. We can disagree with her, but I think the calls to have her stop reviewing are uncalled for. I certainly wouldn't rely upon her for your sole source for movie reviews, but I would suggest that for any critic. The critics should provide deeper insights into the movie and the more view points the better for that, particularly contrary ones.

BUENA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL, a '50s flick that starred Sophia Loren as the mom with three dads.

Hmmm?... I just read "And, yet, between her pans of "Knight" and "Mamma" she posted a highly positive review of "Before I Forget"--and not a single comment has been posted about that one."

In my case, that would be because she said nothing positive that hadn't been said before, just as surely as (when she says something negative) I'm highly aware that I can read a "positive" review (from a more widely-known publication and almost always publisehd just before hers) by Zacherek, and I can tell exactly what she'll choose to react against.

She has adopted a postion (in the word's most purely strategical meaning), and she seems to be maintaining it quite admirably (in Paglian terms).

All I have to say is that she's obviously intelligent (not as though many of Salon's readers AREN'T), writes well (who doesn't among us?), and seems rather bent on solidifying her position as a provacateur. Oh...La Fatigue du Nord!......

It's a very simple procedure.....even the twitty, 24/7-faux-outraged girls at "Broadsheet" are managing to make hay for themsevles out of this method, to Salon's discredit.

and, yes, I know..."If you don';t like her reveiws, than stop reading them!".

Back to hauling mulch for me,

David terry

There was this buddy movie from the early 80s with Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard. In it, a woman deceives two of her ex-lovers from her youth, a mild-mannered teacher and a tough journalist, that each is the real father in order to obtain their help in finding her runaway son. It was a remarkably sweet movie, actually. Worth a rental.

But no ABBA music.

I can't wait for her explanation(s) as to WHY she hates the latest fil-um.

What a wet blanket.

Streep and Brosnan are to "Mamma Mia" as Hepburn and Brazzi were to "My Fair Lady" and "South Pacific" with voices dubbed by Marni Nixon and Giorgio Tozzi. I guess they're supposed to enhance the box office but they drove me away.

...crack me up. Y'all sure do get your knickers in a bunch sometimes, doncha?

Her pan of "Dark Knight" generated 500000 comments along the lines of "Does she HATE movies?," "Why does Salon continue to employ this hack and when will they hire a REAL reviewer?" and "Whatever she says I just assume the opposite" blahblahblah. And this for a movie that 99% of you haven't even seen yet because it didn't open until today.

Then she dismisses "Mamma Mia!" and a few of you are STILL going on about "Knight."

And, yet, between her pans of "Knight" and "Mamma" she posted a highly positive review of "Before I Forget"--and not a single comment has been posted about that one.

Hmmm...y'all get the vapors when she disses The Most Anticipated Movie of the Summer but you have nothing to say when she likes a small, art-house, gay-themed movie. Wonder why that might be? I probably won't see "Forget" at the theater but it's definitely a rental for me.

Like Zacharek I wasn't all that impressed with "Batman Begins" and I suspect I'll agree with her review of "Knight" but that being said I'm going to see it Saturday. And, yes, Ledger is the reason. I love me some Christian (::pant pant:: "American Psycho") but unfortunately for him Ledgermania's leaving him in the dust. :(

And I do find the whole Batman/Joker--Order/Chaos--Two Insane Guys Who Are Two Sides of the Same Coin mythos fascinating. So, yeah, I'm there tomorrow.

Unlike Zacharek I'll probably enjoy "Mamma" though that one, like "Forget", is a future rental. Yes, it looks fatally silly and ridiculous and, yes, it's totally gay-ass (I too haven't heard that phrase in years) but so what? As somebody said they're weren't out to make "Sophie's Choice 2" here. It might be this generation's "Can't Stop the Music" but how is that a bad thing? :)

As for the dude who squashed his 8yo niece's interest in seeing "Mamma": he needs to be slapped.