The Film Habit #58

Last week in the mail section, I addressed the difficulty some movie websites have getting along with one another. It’s petty and sad. Surprise, a lot of the guys behind the movie websites you love are brats. I’m not saying I’m better than them… you’ll have to be the judge of that. But I am really disheartened by the childish, egomania sometimes being thrown around out there from one site to another. Ultimately, I’m sure none of you really care. You’re here because you love movies, not because you want to see some puffed up geekboy take credit for inventing the idea of discussing movies on the internet.

We at Cinema Blend feel the same way, and we’re more interested in what’s good out there than what isn’t. Rather than trash the big players intent on treating us like crap, I thought I’d take a minute to discuss a few of our peers who aren’t run by total asshats. Yes I know, I’m praising our competition. Don’t be frightened. We know you’ll still come back.

So here’s a list of just a few movie resources run by good people with good intentions. No jerks, lunatics, or selfish bastards here. Great people talking movies, sharing their opinions, bringing you the latest in movie reviews and news.

Websites That Aren’t Crud

Classic Horror - Those of you who’ve been visiting Cinema Blend for more than five minutes, might remember Nate Yapp. Well, long before he hung out here cranking DVD reviews, he’d started the web’s most respected horror resource. They’ve even been praised by Roger Ebert. After all these years, CH has only gotten better, and they’re the only horror website I visit. Nobody knows horror (and Cameron Crowe) better than Nate.

Dark Horizons - One of the originals, DH is run by a guy named Garth, whose name you may not have noticed even if you visit the site a lot. He’s a little more low key than some of his competitors, but you’ll never hear a bad word about Dark Horizon’s head honcho. Garth’s a class act.

The Movie Blog - Run by John Campea, it’s not a movie website, it’s a blog. What’s the difference? Calling your website a blog sounds pretty freakin trendy, and it gets you a little extra traffic from all the media nerds out there who like to say they’ve been out surfing the “blogsphere”. That’s alright, because Campea and the gang deserve it. Their daily podcast “The Audio Edition” is second in quality only to our “Audio Blend”. Together, they’re the only two movie podcasts on the internet that are worth a damn. Trust me, I’ve checked out the competition.

Beyond Hollywood - He ran the popular Asian film site NixFlix until a run in with NetFlix cost him his domain name. Nix has since rebuilt and moved over to Beyond Hollywood and continues to cover great things like Asian cinema along with things I don’t care about like Anime. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. He’s good people though, and he knows China better than anyone, outside of people who actually live there. Stick it to the greedy fat cats at NetFlix and give Beyond Hollywood a chance.

Monsters & Critics - They’re based in the UK, but their coverage isn’t. M&C is more of a traditional news source, an entertainment site that just happens to also cover regular world news. We’ve worked a lot with them in the past few months, and site owner/editor James Wray is a cool cat (did I just say that?). He keeps his site fresh, clean, and comprehensive, and earns the respect M&C has been getting in its brief life of one year and a half.

Film Rot - CB’s relationship with Film Rot and their site-runner Mediamelt started out a little rocky, but the fact that we were able to straighten that mess out at all is a testament to the kind of good people Melt keeps on his staff. Sometimes their updates aren’t as regular as we’d all like, but if you’re looking for the unexpected, there’s a good chance FR will have it. If you’re just looking to catch up, their newsfeeds are a comprehensive headlines listing of every worthwhile movie site on the planet… including us.

Shayamalan’s Movie Of The Week

The most important issue facing movie fans right now isn’t the box office slump, or piracy. It’s a ridiculous plan to simultaneously release movies on DVD and in theaters. This is the movie industry’s response to their overblown claims that they’re losing millions to movie pirates. This is their response to audience disinterest in going to the theater. They’re not lowering ticket prices, they’re not trying to make better movies, they’re not even considering simultaneous, global theatrical releases. Nope, they’re basically abandoning the theater and trying to sell more DVDs.

What’s really sad about this is that there are one or two respected filmmakers out there supporting this half-cocked idea. Steven Soderbergh in particular. So far, everyone else has been silent… at least until last week when finally, someone of note spoke out against this shortsighted idea. M. Night Shyamalan has come out against it, and he has this to say about it, “It's heartless and soulless and disrespectful. And of course, cable companies are behind it, and internet companies. They need their product. But they have to wait their turn. Wait for the thing to finish its life."..."If you inspire audiences, cinemas will be packed.” And the man is right. This isn’t about what’s best for the art form, or what will help bring more movies to more people or whatever malarkey is inevitably going to be used to sell it, it’s about green corporate greed.

The thing is, there’s a difference between watching a movie on DVD and in theaters. Don’t talk to me about how kickass your home theater setup is, that’s not what I’m talking about here. Seeing a movie in the cinema is an experience, and that experience is also a part of the film itself. Now in some cases this is irrelevant. Crappy, low budget Indies play just as well on your television as they do on a theater screen. But a movie like King Kong needs the heart and soul of a movie theater. It needs the big screen, it needs to be a shared experience. Shoving a movie like that, which was made and intended to be seen on a big screen out on DVD is just flat out wrong headed.

Look, there’s a reason we have a dividing line between movies and television. They are different! A simultaneous release on DVD and in theaters blurs that line. Why not simultaneously release CSI on television and in theaters while you’re at it? Because it wouldn’t work. It’s a television show and it doesn’t belong anywhere but on the small screen in your house. Putting movies right onto your TV means the artform loses something by doing that, and eventually it’s going to affect the quality of the product you’re getting. It becomes less about creating a big, powerful, art event, and more about how many DVD units can we ship by Thursday.

“Movies are the definitive art form of our lives,” continues Night. “We have been seduced by the DVD and what will sell the DVD. It has been the worst year in cinema for quality." It almost sounds like he’s blaming the over emphasis on DVD sales as part of the reason for this year’s decline in quality. Is he right? Is this a symptom of the blurring of the line between cinema and television? Are movies becoming more like low-quality TV movies of the week than cinematic adventures? For the most part, television folks, isn’t art. It’s product. Sometimes it’s a good product, but it’s still a product. Movies have managed to separate themselves as an artform, but as that line between TV and Movies blurs further, I think we’re going to lose that.

Like it or not, simultaneous release for DVD and theatricals is happening. So far though, it’s only for low budget projects that probably wouldn’t have gotten much notice anyway. For films like that, maybe it’s a viable alternative. But for the movies of a filmmaker like Shyamalan, we can’t allow it. "Great movies connect everybody. That's when humanity grows. What is art? Conveying that we are not alone," says Night. It's great that he's talking... but when are other filmmakers going to speak out?

Gimme A Kiss

And now for the only thing you people really care about… yourselves! We get e-mail, here's some of it. Not all of it of course! My inbox is so full... aw who am I kidding, we're not that popular. This is all of it. I've revamped the email section a little, brought in Shatner to straighten things out. Who better than the Captain?

me or I'll come up with my own content.

Abbey Healey in FH #57 Florrie: Obviously, you come up with your own content and know Nothing about Abbey Healey or her representation. I do not represent her and do not need to. She is an awesome human being along with being an actress of great potential. Unheard of in hollywood. You have never met---nor do you have a chance to know who she is. The people who need to know her do. I don't know where you come up with these names or information but you should check and recheck your sources. Josh: Yes, we do come up with our own content. If we didn't, that would be called stealing. I'm not sure what information you're talking about. The only information I have I got from you. I don't know where you came up with these names or this information, but you should check and recheck your sources.

Utter Confusion OpaNoma: Ferrell Good Open-Mouth Kisser… on nemesis, that is.. Josh: Okay…..

Josh's Review of Doom Chad: Let me first start by saying I'm not a fan of your site although I do frequent it from time to time out of boredom, but not too much. The reason I do is that I find it amazing that you manage to review that many movies yet don't get paid for it. That being said, it is even more baffling that after watching all these movies you rarely have any good reviews or opinions. But I can understand that since people generally have different judgment. However, it is usually a reviewer's job to be somewhat impartial and review the movie on different points. Your nerdy fan-boy side gets ahead of your better points sort of the way a 13-year-old's crotch controls his actions. Anyway, I think you just hit a nerve on that review for Doom, which I decided to see yesterday against my better judgment. I'm actually very surprised that you've never played this game but I guess that's time better spent writing half-assed reviews all day long. The movie version is nothing like the game; in fact it doesn't even play like a game. You are just wrong. Hope you can admit that. By the way, no one should see this movie, it’s really bad so don’t give anyone false hopes. Moving along, I think the biggest flaw about your site has got to be your news team. You guys aren't funny in the slightest bit yet you try so hard. You gloat like you're opinion actually is reputable. Is it too hard to report the news without spitting out your two cents every other word? I can't make it through one paragraph without forgetting what the hell it is I was reading. There it is, you are not funny nor does your opinion on the news matter to anyone; just report the damn news like you're supposed to do. God, a journalism class would hopefully do you well. I’m sorry your website will never be any better than what it is blatantly ripping off, aintitcoolnews.com. You can go ahead and quote me if you want; even give some of your smartass remarks. I don’t give a flip either way. Or perhaps you can learn from my comments. No need for reply, PS – Tell that Matt Sinopoli guy that his comics are really bad in a dreadful way as far as being funny. I can’t see even a little forum community being amused by that stuff. Josh: I'm looking for a point in there somewhere, but it's really hard to find it. I agree, the movie doesn't play like the game… you can't play the movie. You just buy a ticket and watch it. Maybe that's what threw you, you kept pushing the "left" button on your D-Pad and The Rock kept going right! Damn the frustration! They should have fixed the movie's coding before releasing it. Worse, the flick doesn't even come with online play. Unforgivable in this era of Xbox Live dominance. You're not a fan of our site… yet you frequent it rather regularly? If you're bored, why not go somewhere else? It's not like the world is running out of internet and Cinema Blend is the only thing left. There's plenty of free porn still out there you know. It sounds to me like you've got a crush on us, and just can't bring yourself to admit it. Well forget about asking us out, because I think we can do better than you. But that's probably just my crotch talking. I'm going to take your email as a huge positive, a sign that even though we completely suck, there's something about us that keeps even those who hate us coming back. You poor saps, you're hooked.

Josh's Reviews A History of Violence Laurie Pepper: I'm bookmarking this site. I looked up reviews of the turkey I saw last night and you are the ONLY critic who got it right. I almost walked out of A History of Violence in disgust -- it was so bogus. You detailed the crime perfectly. thanks. Josh: Thanks Laurie, glad we hooked you. Yours is a response I'm getting from a lot of people regarding that review. It's another case of complete critical/audience disconnect that seems so pervasive this year. More on that the next time I write a Film Habit.

Scott on American Zion Kyle Groves: Your opinion of this movie and it's trailer mean nothing to those who really know what the movie is about. If you really knew the church's history and what the movie is about then there would be no reason for you to speak the way you did. Those who persecuted Joseph Smith and the members of the church are no better than someone of your character that would rather tear down something that you do not even know about before gathering facts first. I do not blame your opinion because of the misinformed hatred of others that has spoiled it for you but I do know that it come from your own personal lack of information about the LDS church and Joseph Smith. I am not calling you ignorant but your opinion of the LDS church and Joseph Smith are. I challenge you to gather your information from liable sources next time and to watch the movie before bashing on it. Josh: Yawn. Really, nobody cares about your crappy Mormon movie. That doesn't mean we hate you personally, we just aren't interested in your little group's propaganda, Passion of the Christ, cash-in flick. It looks like shite. That's as you yourself say, just our opinion. Deal with it. I hope you enjoy it wallowing in it and convincing yourself that it's good. You're uninformed! It's the official battle cry of desperation. Why is it that we must respect everyone's religion? If I don't believe in it, why do I have to tiptoe around it and pretend how wonderful it is? No one is nice to Scientologists, but that seems to be ok with everyone. Say you don't really care for a lousy movie trailer made by Latter Day Saints and the world ends. Well, American Zion looks like it sucks, and please stop riding your bikes down my street bothering people. We're not interested.

We've Got A Pulse Nix: Just wanted to drop a line and say that if you take a chance with Pulse (or Kairo), you won't be disappointed. It's slow going (all of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's movies move with the pace of molasses, and that's insulting the speed of molasses) but it's creepy as hell in places. The first 30 minutes is like sleep walking, but at the hour mark things pick up noticably. (Even so, if you dislike the Japanese idea of lengthy, static stationary long shots, this is not a movie for you.) And forget about a feel good ending. Kiyoshi hates that, too. To sum up: it's nothing like Ringu (or that really, really bad Fear Dot Com that came out a few years back), but you should definitely stay away if you have trouble dealing with "traditional" Japanese moviemaking, because it's a slow film, there's barely any sound (or dialogue), but it is probably the creepiest Japanese movie I've seen. I gave Ringu 3 stars; Kairo 4, and I HATE slow, "traditional" Japanese movies. But this one, it's so damn creepy that I just couldn't stop watching. Josh: Good to hear that the movie's every bit as good as it looked from the trailer. I'm picky about horror movies. I'm getting a little sick of the stock Japanese stuff we've been inundated with lately. If this is different, count me in. Creepy is good.

The Legend of Zorro's Typos James: Regarding your review of The Legend of Zorro, Per Dictionary.com: Succession: "The act or process of following in order or sequence." Secession: "1. The act of seceding. 2. often Secession The withdrawal of 11 Southern states from the Union in 1860-1861, precipitating the U.S. Civil War. " It's: "1. Contraction of it is. 2. Contraction of it has." Its: "The possessive form of it" Usage note: "Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it and is correctly written without an apostrophe. It should not be confused with the contraction it's (for it is or it has), which should always have an apostrophe." If you want to be taken seriously as a journalist or writer, you should consider proofreading your work before posting it for thousands to see. Josh: Thousands? You give us way too much credit. I think we're more in the dozens range. Thanks for being smarter than all of us. Now run off and cure cancer! I'm tired of waiting. Congratulations to James, he's won our "Horrible Person of the Week" award! Good work James! You're not only a genius, you're a winner!

Puffball Nell: Monaghan and Armagh are two of the nine counties of Ulster, the area that covers most of the northern part of Ireland. Six of the counties form the country of Northern Ireland that is part of Great Britain. Armagh is one of these, along with Londonderry, Tyrone, Antrim, Down and Fermanagh. Monaghan is not in Northern Ireland but is part of Ireland proper, a totally seperate country, as are County Cavan and County Donegal. Consequently, the Monaghan/ Armagh border is one of the places worst hit by the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, with Monaghan being a strondhold of the republican IRA. It seems a strange place to shoot a film, though the new peace deal with the IRA may calm the situation. Which side of the border are they shooting on? I would guess the Monaghan side, because of the restrictive tax laws on the Britain side. They had better be prepared for some Unionists, who are pretty pissed off at the moment, to be protesting if they do. Hope that helps Josh: Not sure which side of the border it is they're shooting on for the film, probably the side with the fewest bullets. It's easy to forget what a tumultuous place Ireland still is. I think in America we still tend to think of it as one big commercial for Irish Spring. Those little Leprechaun's are cleanliness dynamite!

---

Hey! Do you like writing for mildly successful movie websites with no guarantee that you'll ever be paid? Are you over 18? You're in luck. CinemaBlend.com is looking for writers just like you. If you think you can capture the signature Cinema Blend style as a critic, interviewer, and/or news reporter send me an with a few samples and we'll talk.

DISCUSS THE FILM HABIT IN OUR FORUM