There is no such thing as a perfect movie.
No matter how integral a certain film may be to the history of cinema, no matter how widely beloved it might be by a mass audience, and no matter how politically and sociologically relevant it may have been to the modern world, there is always an error, a nitpick, an omission, or a production problem that can be included. No work of art is going to be 100% unassailable, largely because a wide swath of humanity will be able to see it, and no two people are going to feel exactly the same way about it.
In modern parlance, the closest critics and audiences may be able to come to a measurable consensus is the approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The way Rotten Tomatoes works: professional critics, writing for a broad gallery of approved outlets, submit a review to Rt, selecting it to be "fresh" or "rotten.
No matter how integral a certain film may be to the history of cinema, no matter how widely beloved it might be by a mass audience, and no matter how politically and sociologically relevant it may have been to the modern world, there is always an error, a nitpick, an omission, or a production problem that can be included. No work of art is going to be 100% unassailable, largely because a wide swath of humanity will be able to see it, and no two people are going to feel exactly the same way about it.
In modern parlance, the closest critics and audiences may be able to come to a measurable consensus is the approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The way Rotten Tomatoes works: professional critics, writing for a broad gallery of approved outlets, submit a review to Rt, selecting it to be "fresh" or "rotten.
- 3/19/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The general consensus among sci-fi fans is that Nicholas Meyer's 1982 film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is the best of the 13 extant "Star Trek" movies. Watching the film, it's easy to see why it has this reputation; it's a corker of a thriller. It's a film that deals with Kirk getting older and having to face the consequences of his reckless younger days as a captain, facing the fact that he may not be the hero he thought he was. Moreso, though, the film features a very non-Trek villain in Khan (Ricardo Montalbán), a vicious ultra-human hellbent on revenge. Khan was such a powerful villain that he kind of altered the way "Star Trek" movies were perceived, and many of the more recent Trek flicks eschewed the show's typical bent toward diplomacy and science in favor of morally simplistic, violence-ready hero-vs.-villain stories.
Trekkies have a wonderful...
Trekkies have a wonderful...
- 1/28/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
How intense is the pressure of being CEO of HBO? You’re constantly calling Kim Cattrall, enduring the other execs at Craig’s passive aggressively asking how “Max” is going, and ever since his show ended, dealing with John Wilson filming outside your house. But the worst part of the job is that TV critics can just say whatever they want, like it’s a college campus before 2010. So who can blame the HBO head for carving out a few hours of his day to seek revenge on those critics?
But it all fell apart Nov. 1, when Rolling Stone revealed that six tweets mocking TV critics who wrote negative reviews about HBO shows were actually composed at the direction of Max CEO Casey Bloys under fake names. Most were posted by the account @KellySh33889356, who was “Kelly Shepherd,” a blond “Mom. Texan. Herbalist” who wears a tasteful black striped button...
But it all fell apart Nov. 1, when Rolling Stone revealed that six tweets mocking TV critics who wrote negative reviews about HBO shows were actually composed at the direction of Max CEO Casey Bloys under fake names. Most were posted by the account @KellySh33889356, who was “Kelly Shepherd,” a blond “Mom. Texan. Herbalist” who wears a tasteful black striped button...
- 11/11/2023
- by Joel Stein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spike Lee called out film critics who suggested that Do the Right Thing would spark riots when it opened in 1989, while expressing his gratitude for late reviewer Roger Ebert, who praised the film after its Cannes debut. “He was very crucial in my career,” said Lee as he received the Ebert Director Award, named for the late film critic Roger Ebert, at the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Awards on Sunday.
“Your husband got behind me, because there was mother f–kers in the press who were saying that Do the Right Thing...
“Your husband got behind me, because there was mother f–kers in the press who were saying that Do the Right Thing...
- 9/11/2023
- by Carita Rizzo
- Rollingstone.com
Spike Lee blasted critics who suggested that “Do The Right Thing” would spark riots when it opened in 1989, while honoring one of the reviewers who came to the film’s defense. The remarks came as Lee received the Ebert Director Award, named for the late film critic Roger Ebert, at the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Awards on Sunday.
“Your husband got behind me when those mother f–kers in the press were saying that ‘Do the Right Thing’ was going to incite Black people to riot,” Lee said, as he accepted his prize from Chaz Ebert, the late critic’s wife. “That this film should not be shown in the United States.”
Lee cited David Denby and Joe Klein as two of the most prominent critical voices against the film, which has gone to be considered one of the greatest films ever made. The pair wrote, Lee recalled, that...
“Your husband got behind me when those mother f–kers in the press were saying that ‘Do the Right Thing’ was going to incite Black people to riot,” Lee said, as he accepted his prize from Chaz Ebert, the late critic’s wife. “That this film should not be shown in the United States.”
Lee cited David Denby and Joe Klein as two of the most prominent critical voices against the film, which has gone to be considered one of the greatest films ever made. The pair wrote, Lee recalled, that...
- 9/11/2023
- by Brent Lang and Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood, many actresses came and went. Those we remember are the ones who were able to make a clear and distinct mark on cinema, and a lot of that has to do with their found niche. Marilyn Monroe had brilliant comedic timing and could grab the camera's attention, even in small roles. Bette Davis, while deemed difficult to work with, was known as a most serious actress. The list of notable actresses goes on and on.
The one Golden Age actress that remains quite baffling is Ava Gardner. While included on the American Film Institute's Top 100 Stars list, the performances Gardner had put out over the course of her career were arguably weaker compared to her contemporaries at the time. She did make a name for playing seductive beauties earlier on in her career in films like "The Killers" and "The Barefoot Contessa," but, upon review,...
The one Golden Age actress that remains quite baffling is Ava Gardner. While included on the American Film Institute's Top 100 Stars list, the performances Gardner had put out over the course of her career were arguably weaker compared to her contemporaries at the time. She did make a name for playing seductive beauties earlier on in her career in films like "The Killers" and "The Barefoot Contessa," but, upon review,...
- 10/30/2022
- by Sarah Musnicky
- Slash Film
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.News Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria.The lineup for this year's Venice Film Festival has been announced. In-competition titles include Carlos Reygadas' open-relationship romance Where Life is Born (the auteur's first feature in 5 years), Shinya Tsukamoto's much-anticipated samurai film Killing, and Jennifer Kent's The Nightingale, a Gothic revenge story set in Tasmania. The Venice Documentaries section joins an eclectic range of heavy-hitters, from Gastón Solnicki (Kékszakállú) and once-retiree Tsai Ming-liang, to Errol Morris and Frederick Wiseman, whose Ex-Libris: The New York Public Library screened in competition at the festival last year.Meanwhile, the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival has followed suit, releasing the names of the films set to premiere at its Special Presentations and Galas. Notably, this edition reunites the festival with Barry Jenkins, whose James Baldwin adaptation If Beale Street Could Talk will have its world premiere.
- 7/25/2018
- MUBI
Jeff Bridges is cinematic giant known as much for his laid-back attitude as his screen roles. Now he is up for an Oscar in a reprise of the True Grit role made famous by John Wayne
At a recent soiree in the rarefied surrounds of the Paley Centre in Beverly Hills, Jeff Bridges attended an unusual movie premiere. Instead of a film featuring him playing a big role, the movie was about his life.
As part of PBS's American Masters series, the star-struck crowd at Paley watched an 82-minute documentary detailing Bridges's escapades in Hollywood. Afterwards he indulged in a Q&A with the crowd. The experience, he said, had been just like watching a "giant home movie".
So it should be. For Bridges, who grew up next to Beverly Hills, has spent most of his life in the Hollywood system. He was born into a showbusiness family, had his...
At a recent soiree in the rarefied surrounds of the Paley Centre in Beverly Hills, Jeff Bridges attended an unusual movie premiere. Instead of a film featuring him playing a big role, the movie was about his life.
As part of PBS's American Masters series, the star-struck crowd at Paley watched an 82-minute documentary detailing Bridges's escapades in Hollywood. Afterwards he indulged in a Q&A with the crowd. The experience, he said, had been just like watching a "giant home movie".
So it should be. For Bridges, who grew up next to Beverly Hills, has spent most of his life in the Hollywood system. He was born into a showbusiness family, had his...
- 1/30/2011
- by Paul Harris
- The Guardian - Film News
With just over three weeks to go before the 2009 Oscars on February 22 it is time to begin doing a little Oscar prognosticating for the top six categories and I will have three more installments published every Thursday leading up to Oscar night. Of course, the last installment will feature polls where you can vote on All of the categories, but for now let's keep it to the top six since there is enough to talk about here as I don't think these are all as cut and dry as it may seem... Well, at least half of the categories don't seem all that cut and dry. As far as Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor go I think we have relative locks in Sean Penn, Kate Winslet and Heath Ledger. At this point it would surprise me if the Oscar wins went to anyone else based on what we have seen so far.
- 1/29/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Popnography Jamie Bell in the TinTin movie. Yes
Getty Images best and worst of SAG red carpet
Best Week Ever on Evan Rachel Wood. 'Her lips are busy!'
My Stuff & Cr*p listen to tracks from all the nominated Oscar scores
Just Jared interviews Alan Cumming. He's started directing again
Yuppie Punk mp3s to coincide with this year's Oscar nominees
Empire Driver and Swank co-starring in a legal drama that hopes to be all Erin Brockovichy
Movie City Indie Dustin Lance Black's on the abundant Milk nominations
Charlie Rose Great conversation about Benjamin Button with Ao Scott and David Denby. Watch it
The Daily says goodbye to celebrated author John Updike who died earlier today. As you may know, Updike's last novel, published just about a year ago now, was a sequel to The Witches of Eastwick called The Widows of Eastwick. He didn't like the 1980s...
Getty Images best and worst of SAG red carpet
Best Week Ever on Evan Rachel Wood. 'Her lips are busy!'
My Stuff & Cr*p listen to tracks from all the nominated Oscar scores
Just Jared interviews Alan Cumming. He's started directing again
Yuppie Punk mp3s to coincide with this year's Oscar nominees
Empire Driver and Swank co-starring in a legal drama that hopes to be all Erin Brockovichy
Movie City Indie Dustin Lance Black's on the abundant Milk nominations
Charlie Rose Great conversation about Benjamin Button with Ao Scott and David Denby. Watch it
The Daily says goodbye to celebrated author John Updike who died earlier today. As you may know, Updike's last novel, published just about a year ago now, was a sequel to The Witches of Eastwick called The Widows of Eastwick. He didn't like the 1980s...
- 1/28/2009
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Google Video is hosting a recent episode of the Charlie Rose Show featuring David Denby of the "New Yorker" and A.O. Scott from the "New York Times" as they discuss the recent Oscar nominations and it already has folks such as Patrick Goldstein comparing this back-and-forth to "the hapless new 'At the Movies' team of Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz," of course not in a favorable way. Agree or disagree with what they are saying it is fun to listen to since most critics are always better when they put the pen down and have a less formal outlet for letting their opinions be heard. For example, I am not a huge fan of A.O. Scott, but in this roundtable he does a very good job of holding his own, especially when backing up The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as Denby has pretty much turned his ear and is...
- 1/27/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
American comic Rob Schneider has furiously labeled movie critic Patrick Goldstein "unfunny" and "pompous" for his attack on his contribution to cinema. The former Saturday Night Live star has taken out a full-page advertisement in the Hollywood Reporter attacking Goldstein's article on January 26, in which he blasted movie studios for making lackluster sequels like Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. His verbal assault mirrors Owen Wilson's recent defense of Starsky & Hutch co-star Ben Stiller, who was criticized for his "tiresome" screen presence by New Yorker magazine's David Denby. Schneider writes of Goldstein, "Most of the world (has) no idea of your existence. Maybe you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize because they haven't invented a category for 'Best Third-Rate, Unfunny Pompous Reporter'. I can honestly say that if I sat with your colleagues at a luncheon, afterwards they'd say, 'You know, that Rob Schneider is a pretty intelligent guy' ... whereas, if you sat with my colleagues, after lunch, you would just be beaten beyond recognition." On gossip website Pagesix.Com, Goldstein responds, "I haven't received so many congratulatory phone calls since Billy Crystal wrote a letter to the editor comparing me to Roy Cohn."...
- 2/8/2005
- WENN
Owen Wilson has lashed out at a New York film critic, for lambasting his movie pal Ben Stiller "tiresome" screen presence and for being the "crudest version of the urban Jewish male on the make". New Yorker magazine reporter David Denby wrote a scathing review of Stiller's latest film Meet The Fockers last month, saying, "Stiller is not a natural comic. He's not effortlessly funny. There's nothing wrong with the features, but they don't quite go together." In response to Denby's critique, American gossip site Pagesix.Com reports Wilson has leapt to the defense of his Zoolander and The Royal Tenenbaums co-star. Owen writes, "I read David Denby's piece on Ben Stiller with great interest. Not because it was good or fair toward my friend, but exactly because it wasn't. I've acted in 237 buddy movies and, with that experience, I've developed an almost preternatural feel for the beats that any good buddy movie must have. And maybe the most crucial audience-rewarding beat is where one buddy comes to the aid of the other guy to help defeat a villain. Or bully. Or jerk. Someone the audience can really root against. How could an audience not be dying for a real 'Billy Jack' moment of reckoning for Denby after he dismisses or diminishes or just plain insults practically everything Stiller has ever worked on? And not letting it rest there, in true bully fashion Denby moves on to take some shots at the way Ben looks and even his Jewish-ness, describing him as the 'latest, and crudest, version of the urban Jewish male on the make'. The audience is practically howling for blood! I really wish I could deliver for them - but that's Jackie Chan's role."...
- 2/7/2005
- WENN
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