Directors Get Their Due Online

Internet Usenet discussion groups are simply loaded with fan-based areas devoted to specific actors and actresses. In the past year, however, a new trend has developed: groups devoted to the most important person behind the camera--the director.

The activity level of each group is somewhat dependent on movies in current release, though many are bustling now since we are in the throes of the prestige film season.

The Quentin Tarantino Usenet group, alt.fan.tarantino, is one example. With the pending release of “Four Rooms,” which includes a Tarantino-directed segment, this popular area is loaded with animated discussions of all his films (most notably “Pulp Fiction”), analysis, commentary, goofs and trivia.

Martin Scorsese’s latest film, “Casino,” is the primary topic in his area, alt.movies.scorsese. There are the inevitable comparisons to his 1990 gangster epic “GoodFellas,” of course, along with debates regarding “Casino’s” Oscar chances.

Thanks to video, discussion of older films keeps other notable directors’ Usenet groups busy, even when they are between projects. The Steven Spielberg group, alt.movies.spielberg, still swings with talk on most of his films. Stanley Kubrick enthusiasts can head to alt.movies.kubrick, and Tim Burton zealots can find cinematic companionship at alt.movies.tim-burton.

Legendary directors long gone are also represented. Charlie Chaplin fans aren’t staying silent at alt.movies.chaplin, and Hitchcock devotees say good evening at alt.movies.hitchcock.

Remember that Internet Usenet Newsgroups are also available on America Online (keyword Usenet), Compuserve (go Usenet) and Prodigy and TimesLink (jump Usenet).