The film "Kansas City" wasn't so bad, I guess

I never liked most of Robert Altman's movies but I guess it's worth noting that the KC born filmmaker died today.

Many of his films engaged directly in social comment and the Kansas City, Missouri, born Altman was always considered a maverick and outsider in Hollywood where profits takes precedence over politics.

He was nominated as best director five times: for "MASH," "Nashville," "The Player" (1992), "Short Cuts" (1993) and "Gosford Park" (2001), but never won.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of arthouse movies unless there is some explicit non-homo sex displayed BUT I think one of Altman's greatest achievements is capturing a full frontal crotch shot of Julianne Moore in Short Cuts. Truly, that is one of the great moments in Cinema history.

However, I have to say that I always liked "Kansas City" because it did a fairly decent job in depicting the corrupt and racially divisive roots of this town. Also, it was fun seeing Harry Belafonte talk crazy about something other than politics.

I remember that the production had a lot of people excited about the future of filmmaking in Kansas City when I was first entering college. However, like most other trends that white, hipster kids celebrate . . . That never really panned out. Still, a few of my friends had a chance to see just how screwed up Steve Buscemi's teeth are in person and I can tell you for a fact that Jennifer Jason Leigh is every bit as cute in person as she is on screen and you don't get half of that molested teenager vibe that she puts on in her better acting roles. On a personal note, a year after the movie was completed I received college credit for making sure another Hollywood film crew had a steady supply of beer and discreetly leading hookers to the rooms of visiting TV personalities.

So I guess, in the end, this passing of a Hollywood connection to KC is a little sad.