Flak's 2004 Oscar Dialogues

A great benefit of Web-based outfits like Flak is that the staff can be geographically remote, able to collaborate even when we can't all sit around the same boardroom table. The obvious downside is that we rarely get to, say, sit down over coffee and hash out those opinions that don't make it into print.

Our film critics are getting this out of their system in the wake of the Oscar announcements by chatting about whether the films that got Best Picture props should instead be sent to the back of the prop closet. Joining Flak's regular roster of rumbustious reviewers is Martin Scribbs of Mixed Reviews and Noel Murray of The Onion and Nashville Scene.

New conversations will be posted every day this week.

Tuesday: Andy Stilp and David Essex go to town discussing just what is signified by the sound and fury of The Return of the King. Plus, Tony Nigro and Andy Ross tackle The Lord of the Rings as multimedia event — can The Return of the King be the best film of the year if next fall's extended DVD is even better?

Wednesday: Stephen Himes of the "Show Me" state defends Mystic River against Bostonian James Norton, who says local crowds didn't cotton to Eastwood's movie.

Thursday: Rumaan Alam tries to convince Tony Nigro that something's missing from Lost in Translation.

Friday: Martin Scribbs fires a few shots over the bow in an attempt to bring down Master and Commander, but Stephen Himes stays the course.

Sunday: Noel Murray wants Stephen Himes to keep Seabiscuit away from the glue factory.

— graphic by D.P. Barsam (barsam@hotpop.com)