Recently, I decided to go and check out the new film, Quinceanara, directed by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer. I was looking forward to seeing it because after knowing it played so favorably on the festival circuit. First winning both a jury prize and audience award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festivals and has been receiving kudos in every city that it played. But when I asked a friend if she wanted to join me, she stated, “Oh, I heard it wasn’t very good,” and mentioned an unfavorable review in Entertainment Weekly. I still went to see the film (alone) and I thought it was great. The audience was filled on opening weekend of a Friday night in Chicago, and everyone was laughing and clapping throughtout the movie. When I got home, I was curious to see this negative review so I looked it up online. While Lisa Schwarzbaum’s review clearly wasn’t recommending the film, but it she talked more about the filmmakers than she did the actual film.
I decided to look at a few other reviews on the site so I checked to see how they reviewed Little Miss Sunshine, which was currently featured on the cover of the magazine. Much to my surprise, they gave it a “C” and stated it was “unfunny.” Neither review made no mention of these films success at festivals. So basically, if I had never heard of this film, and Entertainment Weekly was my only source of information, for discovering films, I would not bother checking out either film.
Earlier in the summer, the point was raised asking about the relevance of reviewers after they slammed blockbuster hits including The Da Vinci Code, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. The audiences made it clear that despite reviews, they wanted some entertainment. But the difference is, both Da Vinci Code and Pirates had millions of marketing dollars behind them, so the audience at least were able to make the choice.
I think reviewers are entitled to their opinion, but I wonder if perhaps after going from screening to screening, some reviewers have forgotten that many people go to the movies simply to be entertained. If you don’t like a film, give a little perspective as to why. And for everyone else, I encourage to spread the word on the films you. Publicity in all forms, that's what I say.
Long live indie film,
Michelle
I decided to look at a few other reviews on the site so I checked to see how they reviewed Little Miss Sunshine, which was currently featured on the cover of the magazine. Much to my surprise, they gave it a “C” and stated it was “unfunny.” Neither review made no mention of these films success at festivals. So basically, if I had never heard of this film, and Entertainment Weekly was my only source of information, for discovering films, I would not bother checking out either film.
Earlier in the summer, the point was raised asking about the relevance of reviewers after they slammed blockbuster hits including The Da Vinci Code, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. The audiences made it clear that despite reviews, they wanted some entertainment. But the difference is, both Da Vinci Code and Pirates had millions of marketing dollars behind them, so the audience at least were able to make the choice.
I think reviewers are entitled to their opinion, but I wonder if perhaps after going from screening to screening, some reviewers have forgotten that many people go to the movies simply to be entertained. If you don’t like a film, give a little perspective as to why. And for everyone else, I encourage to spread the word on the films you. Publicity in all forms, that's what I say.
Long live indie film,
Michelle
posted by indieIN | 7:09 PM
1 Comments:
Well even tho I don't have any porn to offer, I just want to clarify and say I did want to see this film, but mentioned that EW suprisingly gave it a bad review, after I had read many glowing reviews elsewhere. I'm happy to hear another, and can't wait to see it (if its still playing, am being lazy indie movie buff right now). Michelle rightly pointed out that EW is just as much entertainment as any summer blockbuster, which I should keep in mind, no matter how clever those writers are. Damn you Lisa! You must have been having a bad day. Also: who could not LOVE Little Miss Sunshine? Pooh on you as well for that EW.
e.
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