Why John Waters, the Pope of Trash, keeps returning to the Bay Area

SFGATE: Anything else you think our readers should know about?

Waters: Other than, “Come to the Mosswood thing!” that’s the best I can do. I do Camp John Waters [a summer camp for adults], which is sold out. That’s in Kent, Connecticut. About 500 people come and live as my characters and live their lives for four days. We have guest counselors every year — this year it’s Deborah Harry and Colleen Fitzpatrick, who played her daughter in “Hairspray” and went on to be Vitamin C, the pop star. It’s really amazing. People have contests, we speak, we have dinners. Then I do a 20-city Christmas tour, so I’ll be back with a musical. I’m writing that. I’m writing new shows. I’m so busy, I think I’m overexposed. Maybe you shouldn’t hear about me for a while.

Casablanca (1942) **

Ms. Bergman lights up the screen and there's some nifty one liners in the dialogue but it's too long and the acting quality varies wildly.

La Notte (1961) **

A day in the life of a couple breaking up. Ms. Vitti and Ms. Moreau make it watchable.

Hustle (2022) **

Leans heavily on the sturdy Hollywood sports flick structure but keeps it interesting with real NBA stars as actors.

The Big Picture (1989) **

A gentle cautionary tale for aspiring filmmakers features some terrific performances, tons of big star cameos and a witty, humane script. The only drawback (and it's a big one since he's the lead) is Mr. Six Degrees Of Separation.

People Will Talk (1951) *

Not even Cary can rescue this bizarre attempt at depicting human behavior which fails miserably. Not one character in this film would ever be confused with an actual human being.

Licorice Pizza (2021) ***

Visual tone poem to being 15 in the 70's in general and in the San Fernando Valley in particular, is thoroughly enjoyable for viewers d'un certain age. Captures the vibe and the look to a certain extent with a terrific soundtrack. Game cast is excellent.

Five Graves to Cairo (1943) **

Well made play adaptation (unusual for a WWII spy story) marred by the unnecessary and overlong epilogue.

Interceptor (2022) *

Ms. Pataky looks great in a wife-beater.