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Whoppers: In "The Aviator," Howard Hughes is depicted coming to Katharine Hepburn's rescue after she's ended their affair. Hughes learns that a sleazy Hollywood tabloid is about to publish incriminating photos of her with Spencer Tracy. Hepburn's new lover is married, and Hughes realizes that the publicity could ruin her career. There's a dramatic scene of Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes negotiating for the negatives, which ultimately are handed over in return for stock in his airlines. The only problem is none of this happened. "The Aviator" -- a Golden Globe winner for best drama and a sure bet to score...

BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE Documentary or Fiction? The first misconception to correct about Michael Moore's The Big One is that it is a documentary. It's not ­ Moore doesn't make those. As was proven after the release of Moore's debut, Roger & Me, the director uses real people, places, and circumstances, then stages events (see Harlan Jacobson's piece in the November/ December 1989 Film Comment for more details). Reality ­ a fragile commodity in any "fact-based" motion picture ­ takes a back seat to what will play well on a movie screen. As a result, it's best to consider Moore's films...

The first misconception to correct about Michael Moore's The Big One is that it is a documentary. It's not ­ Moore doesn't make those. As was proven after the release of Moore's debut, Roger & Me, the director uses real people, places, and circumstances, then stages events (see Harlan Jacobson's piece in the November/ December 1989 Film Comment for more details). Reality ­ a fragile commodity in any "fact-based" motion picture ­ takes a back seat to what will play well on a movie screen. As a result, it's best to consider Moore's films as entries into the ever-growing...