Comments on: On camera. http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:22:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Sameer Vasta http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1519 Sameer Vasta Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:47:15 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1519 Ken, I'm sure that having children definitely changes movie-going habits. Still a long way away for me yet though! Ken, I’m sure that having children definitely changes movie-going habits. Still a long way away for me yet though!

]]> By: Ken Allan http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1518 Ken Allan Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:43:13 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1518 Kia ora Sameer Over the years my reason for going to movies has changed. Used to be I'd go watch the 'in' movies - the ones that the critics raved about and that won Oscars. Now I go to be with my family. This century a movie theatre was built in the suburb where my family and I live. It has three theatres and is a luxuriously comfortable and <a href="http://www.empirecinema.co.nz/" rel="nofollow">splendid theatre complex</a> - we can walk to and from the theatre during the summer - magic on a fine summer's evening. I now go to the movies as a family outing, following the films that my children want to see. Their taste is not bad, I hasten to say, and they have taken me to movies I'd never have seen left to my own choice. The Lord Of The Rings trilogy was one set of movies I probably would not have seen but for my fanatical daughters and their love of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson" rel="nofollow">Peter Jackson</a>'s movie making. Best wishes for Christmas and the coming New Year from Middle-earth Kia ora Sameer

Over the years my reason for going to movies has changed. Used to be I’d go watch the ‘in’ movies - the ones that the critics raved about and that won Oscars. Now I go to be with my family.

This century a movie theatre was built in the suburb where my family and I live. It has three theatres and is a luxuriously comfortable and splendid theatre complex - we can walk to and from the theatre during the summer - magic on a fine summer’s evening.

I now go to the movies as a family outing, following the films that my children want to see. Their taste is not bad, I hasten to say, and they have taken me to movies I’d never have seen left to my own choice.

The Lord Of The Rings trilogy was one set of movies I probably would not have seen but for my fanatical daughters and their love of Peter Jackson’s movie making.

Best wishes for Christmas and the coming New Year
from Middle-earth

]]> By: Nav http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1517 Nav Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:52:09 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1517 Definitely watch Let The Right One In. Definitely watch Let The Right One In.

]]> By: Sameer Vasta http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1514 Sameer Vasta Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:57:34 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1514 Alright, I think I definitely need to get my hands on a copy of <i>Let the Right One In</i>. Anyone know where I can find it? And <b>Danielle</b>, I definitely did like <i>Treeless Mountain</i>. Might need to watch it again because by the time I saw it at TIFF my head was exploding with exhaustion. Alright, I think I definitely need to get my hands on a copy of Let the Right One In. Anyone know where I can find it?

And Danielle, I definitely did like Treeless Mountain. Might need to watch it again because by the time I saw it at TIFF my head was exploding with exhaustion.

]]> By: Danielle http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1513 Danielle Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:08:55 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1513 Honestly Sameer, Let the Right One In was one of the most tender depictions of youthful romance I'd seen in a long time. While it had the entire undercurrent of anticipation and anxiety, at the heart it is unexpectedly touching. Treeless Mountain which I saw at TIFF has had me raving since I watched it as well, simple, extremely realistic (no non-diegetic sound, WHATSOEVER) and not too saccharine or too dismal. Honestly Sameer, Let the Right One In was one of the most tender depictions of youthful romance I’d seen in a long time. While it had the entire undercurrent of anticipation and anxiety, at the heart it is unexpectedly touching.

Treeless Mountain which I saw at TIFF has had me raving since I watched it as well, simple, extremely realistic (no non-diegetic sound, WHATSOEVER) and not too saccharine or too dismal.

]]> By: Jenna http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1512 Jenna Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:46:44 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1512 I think the distinction you are trying to make, tederick, is actually between good and bad film reviewing. And, yes, Sameer, Let the Right One In is phenom. You will enjoy it. It's what Twilight wishes it could be. I think the distinction you are trying to make, tederick, is actually between good and bad film reviewing.

And, yes, Sameer, Let the Right One In is phenom. You will enjoy it. It’s what Twilight wishes it could be.

]]> By: Sameer Vasta http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1510 Sameer Vasta Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:59:44 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1510 You're right <b>Jenna</b>, perhaps I wrote in haste. I am not deriding the work of critics; in fact, I still believe that the film critic is a dying breed that needs to be resurrected in order to further enrichen the industry. I think I have just become disenchanted with the importance that "best of" lists seem to command at this time of year. Thanks for knocking my head back into place. And <b>Matt</b>, you're right. Ever since I stopped writing my review as I watched the film, I've learned to have much more fun at the cinema. I was missing that. Didn't get to see <i>Let the Right One In</i>. Recommended? You’re right Jenna, perhaps I wrote in haste. I am not deriding the work of critics; in fact, I still believe that the film critic is a dying breed that needs to be resurrected in order to further enrichen the industry.

I think I have just become disenchanted with the importance that “best of” lists seem to command at this time of year. Thanks for knocking my head back into place.

And Matt, you’re right. Ever since I stopped writing my review as I watched the film, I’ve learned to have much more fun at the cinema. I was missing that.

Didn’t get to see Let the Right One In. Recommended?

]]> By: tederick http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1508 tederick Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:39:36 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1508 Learning to stop analyzing and start enjoying is a key distinction. Sometime around 2005 or 2006, I noticed that my process of watching a movie had become simply one of pre-composing my review in my head while the reels unspooled. Where's the fun in that? The signal problem (for me anyway) of reviewing anything is the way it limits us from our emotional understanding, or more importantly, our willingness to accept whimsy. I've reviewed far less films in the last 2 years, but I feel like I've enjoyed a lot more, and been receptive to more things. This year's been a nasty bit of business, though, which is doubly disappointing after the strength of 2007. Still, Dark Knight is on my list, as is Wall-E. Did you see Let the Right One In? Good on you for picking Medicine for Melancholy, a film that few will see, but is among the best-made, and most lovingly-made, movies I've seen this year. Learning to stop analyzing and start enjoying is a key distinction. Sometime around 2005 or 2006, I noticed that my process of watching a movie had become simply one of pre-composing my review in my head while the reels unspooled. Where’s the fun in that? The signal problem (for me anyway) of reviewing anything is the way it limits us from our emotional understanding, or more importantly, our willingness to accept whimsy. I’ve reviewed far less films in the last 2 years, but I feel like I’ve enjoyed a lot more, and been receptive to more things.

This year’s been a nasty bit of business, though, which is doubly disappointing after the strength of 2007. Still, Dark Knight is on my list, as is Wall-E. Did you see Let the Right One In?

Good on you for picking Medicine for Melancholy, a film that few will see, but is among the best-made, and most lovingly-made, movies I’ve seen this year.

]]> By: Jenna http://itellstories.org/2008/12/19/great-films-2008/#comment-1507 Jenna Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:25:35 +0000 http://itellstories.org/?p=1240#comment-1507 A "so-called “best of” list based on arbitrary criteria?" Why would anyone make a list based on "arbitrary" criteria? It think the criteria most critics use and that certainly you or I might use (for example in compiling this list you have here) to evaluate films are very carefully selected for good reasons. And I think this list you made gives some examples of some of the best review-writing I've seen in a while. So just because it isn't typical, doesn't mean it isn't a film review. Good job! And good choices! Other films I loved this year: Burn After Reading, and Let the Right One In, OBVS!!! A “so-called “best of” list based on arbitrary criteria?” Why would anyone make a list based on “arbitrary” criteria? It think the criteria most critics use and that certainly you or I might use (for example in compiling this list you have here) to evaluate films are very carefully selected for good reasons. And I think this list you made gives some examples of some of the best review-writing I’ve seen in a while. So just because it isn’t typical, doesn’t mean it isn’t a film review. Good job! And good choices! Other films I loved this year: Burn After Reading, and Let the Right One In, OBVS!!!

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