Free-Talking on Cinema, Movies, and Film (4)
by HELEN GEIB
Free Talking Series: Next Post
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NOVEMBER 3, 2010- NEW POLLS!
The election is over, but the Commentary Track polls are still open. Not even remotely consequential, but much more fun: Vote now for the best movies of 2006 and 2007!
The reader favorites for 2004 and 2005 were Million Dollar Baby and Syriana, respectively. Frankly I was surprised by both results, and most especially that they won by large majorities. The rest of the vote was fairly evenly spread over the field in ’04, while more than half the titles in ’05 didn’t get any votes (unsurprising since many of the shortlist titles for 2005 had very limited, and in some cases no theatrical distribution in the US).
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OCTOBER 30, 2010- WHY I READ MOVIE REVIEWS AND WHAT I SAW IN THE THEATER THIS MONTH
So, well, only two free-talking posts for October. Not what I had in mind for the feature, but work got crazy, plus I moved, and there was that weekend spent clearing out the garage, and basically it was one of those months. Anyway that’s the lead-in to my belated “thank you” to the commenters who wrote on why they read movie reviews, and the explanation for why there’s two topics in today’s post.
Why I Read Movie Reviews:
I actually don’t read reviews very much. I don’t like to read reviews of movies I plan to see because they so often give away too much (the trailer has already given quite enough away, thank you very much!). I don’t like to read reviews of movies I plan to review because they can color my writing; not so much in phrasing, although that can happen, as in focus and organization.
Most often when I read a review it’s either of a movie I know I won’t see or of a really good, substantive movie that I want to think about more deeply. In both cases, but especially the second, I look for critics who write well, who are knowledgeable about film- and preferably also about art and culture more generally, and who can give me new insight into films and filmmaking.
What I Saw in the Theater This Month:
Farewell (France)
The Social Network
Castle Under Fiery Skies (Japan)
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Red
Bride of Frankenstein
A good month! Liked them all.
What did you see in October?
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OCTOBER 7, 2010- WHY DO YOU READ MOVIE REVIEWS?
The part of the blogosphere devoted to movies has seen a lot of discussion this year over the future of film criticism. The decline of print journalism, rise of the internet and all that. One aspect that received short shrift in the debate was the consumer perspective. So, I thought I’d ask some people who I know read movie reviews: Why do you read reviews? What do you see as the good and the bad of internet criticism? I’d really like to hear your answers, to these and any other questions you think I should be asking.
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Free-Talking Series: Prior Post
I read Helen’s reviews on CommentaryTrack because they’re written by a fellow Drew Physics alum. You’ve come so far since we co-edited the Dilated Times back in 96-97!
In this age of $10 movies I do sometimes check sites like RottenTomatoes to get a general sense of whether a movie I want to see *isn’t* good. Beyond that I usually read reviews after seeing visually amazing films (like Avatar) or creative, thought-provoking films (like Inception) to see what people with far greater movie knowledge than I have to say about them.
My comments about the visuals are often limited to “wow, that looked cool,” whereas someone like Helen, with an understanding of film design, can put that coolness into words and will bring my attention to the reasons a particular part of a movie was so stunning.
I’m never at a loss for words when discussing characters, plot, pacing, or even some aspects of direction, but a good review has fully formed, fairly intelligent thoughts about these things – making my ramblings sound like a 9th grader’s essay.
Helen has always been smarter than me, particularly when it comes to movies, so why wouldn’t I want to know what she has to say?
Heather, thank you so much for the lovely compliment! Although, you are really too modest. :=)
Thank you also for the thoughtful response. I don’t read reviews of movies I intend to see (partly to avoid spoilers and partly because reading someone else’s review first can color my own), but I’ll look up a review by a trusted critic when I’m on the fence. My main go-to reviewers these days are Joe Morgenstern (WSJ) and Kenneth Turan (LA Times). Both are very knowledgeable about film and heavy on analysis, light on plot summary.
I like to see a movie knowing as little as possible (I often close my eyes during trailers!) so I usually read reviews after I’ve seen the film. I enjoy criticism which discusses story themes and character as well as some technical aspects of cinema such as direction and cinematography. I want to know enough to marvel at the craft and skill involved but not enough to destroy the illusion and ‘movie magic’.
I also read reviews of movies I’ll never have the opportunity to see in a theater. The world of DVDs is vast and time is limited; I’m grateful for guidance.
The key is to find capable critics and read them regularly to test their judgements against ones own. Most reviewers are utterly useless as critics and uninteresting as writers. That judgement applies equally to print and internet content. The ones I read I value as much for the quality of their writing as for their insights into films.
I read a few reviews here and there just find out WHY certain critic feel the way that they do about certain films. When it comes to Roger Ebert, A.O. Scott, or Michael Philips I like to read their reviews for the language, humor, and explanations of why movies succeed or fail. I don’t, however, read about films that I would eventually review, for obvious reasons.
I don’t hate the internet age but when it comes to the internet being a household commodity it’s rather disappointing; but nearly disappointing as 3D movies. ;O)
In this age of marketing overload, I like to check out reviews for two main reasons:
1) To keep away from flicks I won’t enjoy.
2) To get ideas for movies that will broaden my horizons, get me out of my comfort zone.
I enjoy checking the reviews here.
I read movie reviews to find someone who has the same taste. Then I can just look up their reviews and if they hated something, I don’t have to waste my time watching it. When I read People magazine, their book reviewer had the same taste so it was a good way to find books I might otherwise have overlooked! Same goes for movie reviews!
Syriana is my movie of 2005 so I’m happy with the result. :O)
A terrible month for moviegoing for me when I only see two movies. I enjoyed both Farewell and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. I’m envious and intrigued by the one you saw with the great title Castle Under Fiery Skies. That doesn’t sound like multiplex fare!
October was not exactly a great month at the multiplex, but you should make an effort to catch The Social Network before it leaves town. It’s well worth seeing.
Castle Under Fiery Skies was, as you surmise, a special showing (at the local Landmark theater, but sponsored by a local Japanese culture society). It’s an excellent historical drama set at the end of the Warring States period, and revolving around the building of the great castle commissioned by Nobunaga a few years before his assassination. Nobunaga is a supporting character in the film, however. He is shown as fully aware of his castle’s obvious symbolic importance, but the film goes a step further in exploring the idea- and reality- of nation-building through the metaphor of the monumental construction project. The hero of the piece is the architect/ construction manager/ workmen’s village headman, and the other principal characters his immediate family of wife and daughter and extended family of loyal artisans. The climax rivals any battle sequence in intensity and import.