the philosophy of films

[steampunk42]

Once again i have come to a roadblock in my career as an independent reviewer. Last Month my mother told me she had read all my back reviews and told me she was ashamed of how i criticized others work. This got me to start looking at the story of films in a more deeply philosophical way...almost to the point that the last month my film watching has been the influential on my life. Not to say that there were still some pretty down right awful films. however the fact remains that no matter the quality of a film we cannot escape the fact that there is always going to be a lasting effect on us the viewer. whether it be sadness, fear, or adrenaline fed longing for adventure the fact remains that we are effected the films we view whether we wish to be or not. Guess the only way you the escapist can really comment is to tell me how either agree or disagree with my new found idea of film. also i'd like to know what films have effected you the most.

 

[The 5th Hour]

Films are just another way of story telling, and the only way you can tella good story is to appeal to the emotions of the audience. That's how they connect and can fell 'part' of the story. And like most stories they open up our imaginations to new worlds and ideas that we have never even thought of, part of an interaction of sharing something creative.

Probably my best example is Grave of the Fireflies. An animated film set in WWII Japan featuring two children. It was one of the few films ever to make me cry, but one of the amazing things was that two Chinese nationals who watched it with me also cried (if you know anything about the feeling the Chinese have for the Japanese you'll know). That movie stuck with me for a long time and still comes to me when I reflect on humanity and what it means.

 

[the Dept of Science]

There are plenty of films which I have watched in my life which I have forgotten about completely, ie. didn't have any discernable lasting effect.

I'm not sure if thats the point you were trying to make, but if it was, then I disagree.

 

[Killbot]

Someone told you a badside to your job and you let it get to you? I mean, your independent... so what do you write into IMDB on a regular basis or something and tell your mum so she gives you a pat on the back/head?

If a movie can have any effect on someone's life you probably need better role models, however good the film. Its art! No one has ever bust out crying over the Mona Lisa promising to change their ways. Its just entertainment.

Film cannot change the way anyone thinks or feels, they just think or feel that it does - looks to me like your mother is the true source of inspiration here.

 

[steampunk42]

Someone told you a badside to your job and you let it get to you? I mean, your independent... so what do you write into IMDB on a regular basis or something and tell your mum so she gives you a pat on the back/head?

If a movie can have any effect on someone's life you probably need better role models, however good the film. Its art! No one has ever bust out crying over the Mona Lisa promising to change their ways. Its just entertainment.

Film cannot change the way anyone thinks or feels, they just think or feel that it does - looks to me like your mother is the true source of inspiration here.

i right for a small indie paper called "the back-page" and its not that i let it get to me, i just noted the criticism and decided that maybe my thinkiung could stand to be changed a bit

additionally i never said it affected people in a huge way, but are you telling me that you have never been affected by a film you have watched evn a little bit?

 

[Killbot]

Well never be afraid to point out the BAD in peoples work, if they got sloppy we want to know if someone found out before we pay to see it! That's half of a critics JOB! They're supposed to tell us if was a lot of old tripe.

Being critical is fundamental, not only to professional criticism but to the World as a whole! Look at Americas education system, failing abysmally because they aren't being criticized (the teachers not necessarily the pupils).

A good critic should point out the good, the bad and the ugly in a film, as well as its promise as a artistic medium, its obvious demographic and why!

As for films never effecting me, no, not on a long term basis, ever. But then you could go into the whole story through medium philosophy and that's all rather complicated.

 

[Veylon]

For my two cents: I'd say that if you're going to criticize, try to be constructive. Don't just say X is bad, suggest an alternative. If there's a plot hole, if a character acts stupid, if a scene feels false, offer a solution. This shows that you are really are thinking about things and that you have some knowledge from the creative side.