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10 Questions with ... Max Weiss
October 25, 2005
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NAME:Max WeissPOSITION:co-host, Max and Mike On the MoviesMARKET:NationalBORN:Brooklyn, New YorkRAISED:Long Island
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I was a staff writer and columnist for the Baltimore City Paper; now, I'm Senior Editor, Baltimore magazine, Media and Film Critic, WBAL radio, and co-host, Max and Mike on the Movies.
1. You were a writer and film critic first, then ended up on the radio, too. How did you get into radio?
My career has been very serendipitous. I was never one of those kids who knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. I knew, vaguely, that I liked to write and loved film criticism, but I didn't think I would BECOME a film critic. But the opportunity presented itself (I was working at the Baltimore City Paper as a staff writer and the regular critic couldn't make a screening. I filled in and, in true "All About Eve" fashion, eventually won the job).
Similarly, I'd always known that I loved to entertain. My friends used to tell me that I should be a stand-up comedian. But I HATE stand-up comedy-I find the whole dynamic really awkward. (Audiences can turn on you on a dime.) But, one day, WBAL, Baltimore's biggest talk station, asked me to come on and dish about the Oscars. The minute I sat down in front of the mic, I was like, "Yeah, this is home!"
2. What are you passionate about?
Wow. So much. First and foremost, my family. They have been my support system my entire life and I'd be lost without them. Then, good food, sports (especially Terps basketball and the Baltimore Orioles), my 17-year-old mutt, my iPod, my Mini Cooper, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," great writing (I just picked up Zadie Smith's "On Beauty." Dang, that girl can write!). Lately, I've been getting into red wine. Mostly Zinfandels and shirazes. ("Sideways" kinda killed merlot, huh?)
3. You tend to favor "small" and indie movies- what part of your personality do you think leads you towards that kind of movie? What turns you off about the average major studio/big budget release (not that you don't like some of them)?
With such oxymoronic studios as Warner Independent, there's no such thing as an "indie" film anymore. So I'm going to quote the film critic Leonard Maltin and say there are two kinds of films, good ones and bad ones. I like films that have something to say; that have a voice, a shred of originality, a new way to entertain or make you think. Most importantly, I like films done by individuals who are passionate about entertaining or enlightening (or, ideally, both.)
4. You're in Baltimore, which isn't one of the Show Business Capitals of the World. Do you think that living away from New York and L.A. gives you a different perspective on film? Does it give you a better perspective on what the "real world" is like that the typical New York/L.A. critic doesn't get?
Great question. The answer is both. In some ways, it would be easier to do a movie show out of L.A. There's just so much more access there. But, on the other hand, it's good to always keep a perspective on this business. Most people don't know (or care) about the box office returns and things like percentage shares and above-the-title billing. It's also important for me to remember that most people haven't heard of Wong Kar-Wai (the director of "2046," and one of the great talents to watch right now.) People really just want to go to the movies and be entertained.
5. What would be your five desert island DVDs (assuming that one of the items you had was a DVD player and an energy source, of course)?
"This is Spinal Tap"
"Vertigo"
"Manhattan"
"The Way We Were"
"Lost in Translation"6. Who's the most overrated actor in the business? The most underrated?
Most overrated? I'm allergic to Kevin Costner.
Most underrated? Philip Seymour Hoffman. But not for long.
7. What one thing about you would surprise people if they knew about it?
I keep very few secrets. That's kind of part of my personality. I have a glass head. But maybe people don't know that I seriously considered a career as a professional cellist.
8. What do you do for fun?
Most of the stuff I'm passionate about is the stuff I do for fun. But I will own up to an addiction to "America's Next Top Model." (See? Glass head.)
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...a double espresso.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best advice? Mumble with authority.
Worst advice? To put this icky, smelly stuff on my nails to keep me from biting them. I just ended up biting the icky smelly stuff.
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