Member Wisdom

OFCS members answer the question: A recent article in the Chicago Tribune claims that online reviewers have “dumbed down” film criticism. Where does Internet-based film criticism fall behind its print and broadcast counterparts? What makes Internet-based film criticism stand out from other mediums? Answers after the jump.Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl: I don’t agree that internet film criticism is generally inferior to criticism formerly or currently available in print or broadcast and I have yet to see an article which offered anything other than anecdotes and bogus comparisons in this regard. Most traditional media critics have never been of the caliber of […]

OFCS members answer the question: “Is it possible to teach film criticism? If so, what’s the most important advice you would impart to students about what to expect from the work?” Answers after the jump. Nell Minow, Movie Mom: It is a good thing for anyone considering film criticism to take some classes. There are skills that can be taught as in any other form of analysis and any other kind of writing, and it is a good way to stretch your skills, acquire some expertise, and get constructive feedback. It’s also a good way to network with other people […]

Filmmaker Kevin Smith’s recent tirade against critics — who savaged his film Cop Out — has inspired plenty of reaction, including this open letter from OFCS member Mark Dujsik: It’s not personal. It’s professional. Look at criticism as a necessary evil, if you must look at it disparagingly. I don’t think you do. After all, you’ve delved into it yourself, as a guest host on the now cancelled “At the Movies” (twice), during your touring sessions, and in off-the-cuff remarks, like the one how Tim Burton not reading comic books explains his Batman. Read the rest here.

OFCS members answer the question: In the age of Twitter and Facebook, is it possible any longer to maintain the secret of a film’s twist or surprise ending? Will the easy dissemination of spoilers change how filmmakers make films? Answers after the jump. James Plath, DVDTown.com: That’s like saying, “In an age of immoral behavior, is it possible to be moral?” Of course it is. Just because others give away plot points and endings doesn’t mean that a critic has to. In fact, I’ll wager there’s a large segment of the public out there who thinks that Twitter and Facebook […]

OFCS members answer the question: What does the firing of Variety’s staff film critics, and the statement by Variety editor Tim Gray that “it doesn’t make economic sense to have full-time reviewers,” mean — if anything — for the future of film criticism? (Background on the issue here and here.) Answers after the jump. Glenn Erickson, DVD Savant: The film reviews were always my reason for looking at Variety as well. They’re collectively one of the best and most objective resources of film history, documenting how movies entered the exhibition market. As far as I’m concerned, the trade paper is […]

OFCS members answer the question, suggested by member A.J. Hakari: “In the past week or so on Twitter, Kevin Smith has taken a lot of critics to task for not ‘getting’ Cop Out, which has incurred some pretty poor reviews. I know I’d like to know what my fellow OFCSers think about the issue, whether he should be more open to criticism or at least handle it with more maturity than he’s been displaying on his Twitter account.” Answers after the jump. Felix Vasquez, Cinema Crazed: Kevin Smith has evolved in to an interesting creature lately. The once confident indie […]

OFCS members answer the question, suggested by member Don Levit: “What do you think was the biggest cinematic flop, disappointment, or failure of the 2000-2009 decade?” Answers after the jump. A.J. Hakari, Passport Cinema: Popular opinion would probably lean towards Gigli (which, even though I didn’t like it at all, is still far from the be-all, end-all of crap films). Personally, I’d choose Delgo, a film I’d actually been sort of following for years until its release. From time to time, I’d read blurbs on its piecemeal progress and how such a homegrown flick acquired its unusually star-studded cast. But […]

In advance of the release of Green Zone and the possibility of The Hurt Locker winning Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars, the members of the Online Film Critics Society have voted Kathryn Bigelow’s movie about an American bomb disposal squad in Iraq the best movie about the Iraq/Afghanistan/GWOT war. With 34 members responding to the poll, The Hurt Locker came out on top by a wide margin: 22 votes. Other films that received at least one vote: The Messenger (3 votes)In the Valley of Elah (2 votes) And with one vote apiece: Battle for HadithaDelta FarcePig HuntRedactedTaxi to the […]

OFCS members answer the question: “How much should critics worry about spoiling a film?” This was inspired by critic Christian Toto calling out Rex Reed for spoiling The Wolfman in his review of that film and Stephanie Bunbury’s recent discussion in The Sydney Morning Herald about how long critics should wait before not worrying about spoiling. Answers after the jump. Felix Vasquez, Cinema Crazed: Critics should worry a great deal because even in the face of our decreasing relevance we still hold the power of the film in our hands. Most, if not, all of us are able to watch […]

In advance of the release of his latest film, Shutter Island, the members of the Online Film Critics Society have voted Goodfellas their favorite Martin Scorsese narrative (ie, non-documentary) movie. The 1990 mob drama came out on top by a slim margin: with 37 members voting, 10 named the film their favorite, but the second ranked movie was close behind. Other films that received at least one vote: Taxi Driver (9 votes)Raging Bull (6 votes)The King of Comedy (3 votes)Bringing Out the Dead (2 votes)Casino (2 votes)The Aviator (1 vote)Cape Fear (1 vote)Kundun (1 vote)Mean Streets (1 vote)New York, New […]