cover image Screening Party

Screening Party

Dennis Hensley. Alyson Books, $16.95 (297pp) ISBN 978-1-55583-733-4

A sort of Oprah's Book Club for filmgoers, journalist Dennis Hensley's movie discussion parties have allowed members to examine the merits-or weaknesses-of Glitter, The Sound of Music, Taxi Driver and other movies that have made a lasting impact on pop culture. Screening Party collects a handful of those saucy discussions, serving as not only a compendium of hilarious criticisms, but also an intelligent commentary on how deeply movies can affect our culture. On St. Elmo's Fire, one member asserts, ""It's a good movie,"" but, after receiving a straight-faced, silent response from the group, reconsiders with, ""Okay, it's not, but it's got so much nostalgia value."" They evaluate the five actors who've played James Bond over the last 35-plus years-Sean Connery wins as Best Bond-and ruminate on the character himself (""James Bond is completely offensive,"" states one member, while another suggests, ""I like Bond because he's self-created"").