Many movie actors and filmmakers go to San Diego to promote their new films, probably because of that city's proximity to Hollywood. During my work as a film critic there, I met Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Ian McKellen, Joey Lauren Adams, M. Night Shyamalan, Hope Davis, John Herzfeld, Mike Figgis, Gregory Nava, Michael Rapaport, Lorenzo Lamas, Douglas McGrath, Charlton Heston, Masayuki Suo, Tony Shalhoub, Jan Sverak, Emilio Estevez, and Matthew Broderick. 

Although I view having my picture taken with celebrities as unprofessional, Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller, co-stars of Hackers, insisted. I'm glad they did. My grandchildren ask to see that photo every time they come to visit. They are among Jolie's many fans now, so my status with the younger set seems secure -- for a while, at least.

Visiting San Diego for a personal appearance in connection with L. A. Confidential, Guy Pearce looked nothing like the prim detective from that acclaimed film. With his spiked hair and leather jacket, the diminutive actor resembled a rock star instead. Larry whispered to me, "I think they've brought in a ringer." But I disagreed. Why? Looking closer at the Australian-born Pearce, I spotted those penetrating blue eyes and high cheekbones that make him so photogenic in such movies as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Rules of Engagement and Memento.

Instead of the elitist Shakespearean actor I expected, Sir Ian McKellen was very easy to talk with. He described growing up in an area of England where he attended live theater productions three times a week, which probably explains his great love for the theater over film. However, by serving not only as the lead actor but also as executive producer for Richard III, McKellen claimed he gained a new respect for making movies. Recognizing the need to include American film stars to make his movie a more bankable production, he supported casting Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr. in the roles of Queen Elizabeth and her brother.

"Obtaining Bening was an example of virtue rewarded," McKellen declared. "Our director, Richard Loncraine, had Warren Beatty's phone number from 10 years ago when Warren called to congratulate him on his direction of The Missionary. I warned Richard that the number was not current, but he called anyway, and Warren answered the phone. When Richard asked if he knew how we could get Annette for our project, Warren replied, 'Why don't you ask her yourself?' He put Annette on the phone, and the rest is history."

Before being interviewed at San Diego's Planet Hollywood, Emilio Estevez, who stunned me by his uncanny resemblance to my late cousin Sanford, added his hand prints to the celebrity collection there. Wanting to be known as something more than a "comedy guy" from those Mighty Ducks movies, he had recently directed, wrote, and co-starred in The War at Home. "My father (Martin Sheen) and my brother (Charlie Sheen) have each appeared in Vietnam War films, so some critics are calling me the last Sheen out of Saigon," Estevez said.

Insisting his new film, which featured his father in a starring role, emerges as more than a Vietnam War film, he explained it focuses on the tragedy in a dysfunctional family resulting from loss of love and communication. Admitting to feeling intimidated by his father while directing him, Estevez stated, "I held my ground anyway and wouldn't let him play the role exactly the way he wanted. I really believe this is the best work he's done in years."  Having recently seen The War at Home, I agreed with him.

Although I didn't officially interview Matthew Broderick, I met the popular star of Ferris Bueller's Day Off at a holiday celebration in Horton Plaza. Broderick's musical comedy performance in the San Diego trial run of How To Succeed in Susiness without Really Trying received unfair pans by local critics. While shaking his hand, I told him not to worry. "I saw your show and you were terrific," I exclaimed. I mentioned my background in musical comedy to make sure he understood my credentials. Broderick thanked me, smiled one of the widest grins I've ever seen, and wouldn't let go of my hand. Later, when he won the Tony for this same performance, he said nothing about my encouraging words. I was heartbroken.

New director Douglas McGrath entertained us with his witty responses during a spirited interview. Looking much too young to be the successful filmmaker who had just finished adapting for the screen and directing Emma, Jane Austen's most amusing literary masterpiece. McGrath confessed he hadn't even heard of Emma before joining the team of writers at Saturday Night Live. "All the SNL writers were surprisingly well-read," he said. "They could even put together complete sentences. One day they started talking about Emma and encouraged me to read the book."

Drawn to comedy because of his own humorous outlook on life, McGrath explained he knew right away that Austen's novel would make a wonderful movie. "I took my screenplay and recommended myself as the director," he admitted. He got the job, but only after explaining that he wanted to pace the movie like George Cukor's bubbling comedies of the 1930s and 40s and to give it a visual impact similar to Vincente Minelli's famous musicals (Gigi and Meet Me in St. Louis). When I asked McGrath why he added an archery contest between Emma and Mr. Knightley that wasn't in the book, he laughed and said, "To tie into the summer Olympics. McDonald's may soon offer little Emma puppets complete with their tiny bows and arrows!"

Like most humorists, McGrath "always leaves them laughing." For my last question, I inquired what he wanted readers to know about him. "Where to send money!" he replied.

The more sedate Masayuki Suo, director of Japan's enchanting Shall We Dance? turned the tables on my husband and me. He videotaped our entire interview to include in a documentary about his trip to America. At the close of the interview, he persuaded us to pose in a ballroom dance position. Suo sends no word yet about our stardom in Japan.

Two other directors surprised us, but not quite in the same way. Darkly handsome and very serious M.Night Shyamalan, doing a press tour for his first movie Wide Awake, looked more like a film star than a director. Because Wide Awake went straight to video, we never dreamed Shyamalan would be one of Hollywood's most acclaimed filmmakers a few years later. I believe this director's experience working with a child actor in his debut movie prepared him for the challenge of The Sixth Sense, his Oscar-nominated second flick about a young boy, played brilliantly by Haley Joel Osment, who sees dead people everywhere.

John Herzfeld also came across more like an actor than a filmmaker. In San Diego to promote 2 Days in the Valley, the energetic director acted out his first movie job right in front of our eyes. He jumped to his feet to show how he stood as an extra in "some movie about graduation " that ended up being Dustin Hoffman's The Graduate. I think he even expected applause as he sat down. Instead of clapping for Herzfeld, I gave his edgy ensemble crime drama a glowing review the following day.

When Charlton Heston received his 1995 Lifetime Achievement Award in San Diego, one of the multiplexes honored him by showing a different one of his films on each of their 24 screens. But Touch of Evill, my favorite, was missing. I expressed my disappointment to Heston as he held court in the huge lobby. Not expecting to hear any more about my concern, I felt pleased when he later announced to the group during his acceptance speech that program officials had not been able to secure a proper print of Touch of Evil. Evidently, Heston was disappointed too, probably because he wanted fans to view this Orson Welles classic on the big screen. "People see most of their movies at home on television today instead of in movie theaters," he complained. "And the emotional impact is not the same." I couldn't agree more.

(Excerpts from "Episode Three," CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, published by Hats Off Books. Available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and by special order at your favorite local bookstore.)

"Cute little gizmo" drawing by San Francisco artist Martin Whitney. Visit his Website at www.blessmyheartart.com.