In Reply to: Makes one think twice about looking for film commentary via an Asylum forum... lord posted by mobile homeless on July 31, 2001 at 08:41:46:
Yes, his review is PURE OPINION as are our responses, but to be fair isn't he as entitled to that level of enthusiasm? We should be able to share our differing viewpoints on film with greater decorum, don't you think? From my perspective, ranking movies is a VERY subjective process and I'm quite confident that everyone's lists would differ greatly. For instance, I'm a big fan of silent cinema, including the works of directors like Von Stroheim, Fritz Lang, Keaton, and Vidor, etc., and wide ranging Japanese, Chinese and European cinema of more recent vintage that's generally considered "art-house" fare, but I also like old Republic and Columbia serials from the 30's and 40's which have some of the most strained simplistic dialogue imaginable. The point is that I wouldn't want to rank genre against genre in a "best of" style run off because each form of cinema has it's own intrinsic value dependent upon the individual moods and motivations of it's audience.I'm not discounting obscure art house films by any means, but it seems like the defenders of this genre are often bitter about the lack of general public acceptance of their favorite small films. Admittedly, the major studios do little to promote these films and often they open at small venues in major metropolitan areas and then vannish within a week or two. Nevertheless, word of mouth can give a movie new life and intellectual quality needn't be sacrificed whenever elaborate effects are part of the production. IMHO, movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon prove that very point; the cream will rise to the top if it deserves to be there. Conversely, I don't know how many times I've gone to a critically acclaimed art-house film (Note: never, I mean NEVER go to a movie with the foreign pronunciation of food or attire mentioned in it's title) only to be bored to the point of nearly dozing off. Note: When you sleep through it you neither laugh nor cry, but you still kiss your bucks goodbye!
As far as "rewarding" movies, I would like to reiterate, for most people I have to believe that it depends on one's mood and tastes at the time. I would no more want to eat rich gourmet cuisine at every meal than I would want to chow down on an Egg McMuffin every day. Variety and different flavors are what makes food as well as movies a treat. At least that's my opinion. YMMV.
AuPh
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Follow Ups
- Sorry mobile, but don't you think that you're being a bit unfair to Carl's review? - Audiophilander 11:06:57 07/31/01 (16)
- Re: Sorry mobile, but don't you think that you're being a bit unfair to Carl's review? - Rich 14:06:05 08/06/01 (1)
- Sorry, did my snoring three rows back disturb you? - Audiophilander 12:44:34 08/07/01 (0)
- Where in the world did I mention art house movies? - mobile homeless 20:13:48 07/31/01 (0)
- Audiophil...some excellent points! - the-real-CarlEber 13:54:14 07/31/01 (10)
- Re: Re-read your post. Especially the last line. Amusing. <nt> - mobile homeless 19:57:28 07/31/01 (9)
- At least... - Rich 14:02:22 08/06/01 (8)
- And you're qualified to pass that little - the-real-CarlEber 13:04:50 08/07/01 (7)
- It's... - Rich 13:14:33 08/07/01 (6)
- and lurking here waiting for my post... - the-real-CarlEber 19:08:20 08/07/01 (5)
- Painful. - mobile homeless 15:06:59 08/08/01 (4)
- So you submit a personal "constructive criticism" by... - the-real-CarlEber 15:46:44 08/08/01 (3)
- And I thought you could not get any worse.... I assume the moderator will step in now <nt> - mobile homeless 16:17:02 08/08/01 (2)
- An admission. - the-real-CarlEber 16:42:41 08/08/01 (1)
- The above wasn't me, my moniker has now changed, AND I AM NOW ABIDING BY THE MODERATOR'S RULES - CarlEber 01:43:40 08/09/01 (0)
- You're spot on to! - Bas Horneman 13:12:19 07/31/01 (0)
- Like that song from the musical Caberet: "Money makes the world go around, the world go around" NT - Audiophilander 13:24:59 07/31/01 (0)