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"Who are you to do this asking?" - Just a film aficianado desiring accurate, first-hand information ...

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on December 15, 2006 at 02:22:58

In Reply to: "All I ask of folks who choose to criticize a film is that they've at least seen the film." That is of course a truism. posted by clarkjohnsen on December 14, 2006 at 08:18:11:

...before making a determination to see a film; just like most folks. Unfortunately, reading selective published reviewers doesn't provide the kind of accurate first hand information that allows one to discuss the film further and with any knowledgeable authority. Such exchanges can make the difference between staying home and watching a DLP projected film or going out to catch an iffy film at one of our local cinemas. Anybody can read a published review and post it as if it should be the last word on the subject (especially if the review becomes the primary topic of discussion and is taken to literally by folks who haven't seen the film in question).

No condescension intended, but is that clear enough for you, Clark?

>>> "Inasmuch as I post pointers to reviews that are laudatory as well as critical, are you suggesting that only the latter be removed from this forum?" <<<

I'm not suggesting that anything be removed! If I've done anything it has been to apply common sense consistently and, using poker vernacular, "calling the bluff" of those posting second-hand opinions in order to "keep 'em honest." If you prefer to post cut 'n paste reviews that are critical of films you haven't seen, that's your business, but I won't be the only one proffering challenges to it.

With cut'n pasted reviews of current films there's the very real liklihood of disuading folks who have seen a film from sharing their informed opinions rather than disagree or try to debate with the jaded perspective of a professional newspaper critic who isn't going to provide feedback.

Now if YOU have seen the film too, that's a whole new ball game, because it's entirely reasonable to bolster your own opinion with that of a reviewer you agree with. The rationale there is that you can debate the qualities and/or inperfections of a film intelligently by sharing your own experiences and recommend or discourage a filmgoer based on first hand knowledge.

>>> "Have you ever considered simply not reading the offending texts?" <<<

That isn't the point. If one is trying to find out about a film from fellow filmgoers who've seen it the so-called "offending remarks" (assuming them to be from a second or third hand source) only serves to cloud the issue.

>>> 'Also note, I was a huge and early fan of such as Pirates of the Caribbean, and a detractor of LOTR II, which I did bother to see in the director's cut on the big screen. I am far from averse to what I call "matinee movies".' <<<

And I'm not criticizing your sharing of opinions on either film even though I enthusiastically concur with the former opinion and strongly disaggree with the latter.

FTR, and allow me to reiterate my comment from the earlier post: I do respect your informed opinions and appreciate the quality of your prose.

AuPh

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