Roxie Theater (Venue Partner)
3117 16th St
415.863.1087
This event has passed.
Film: Documentary
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
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- When
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Friday Nov 13, 2009 (7pm)
- Where
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- Price
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$9.75
- Links
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“In last year's American Movie Critics anthology, Phillip Lopate made a successful argument for "film criticism as a branch of American letters." Now, in Gerald Peary's new doc, For the Love of Movies, the director (and Boston Phoenix critic) plucks the narrative strand lurking beneath that rich, theoretical tradition. As in Lopate's essay collection, Peary begins with the fledgling, Birth of a Nation-era roots, works his way through Voice and Times heavyweights, and ponders the effects of the start-up generation. Old-guard favorites like Stanley Kauffman and Andrew Sarris are interviewed alongside Molly Haskell, J. Hoberman, and even newer, web-based reviewers. It's a fascinating look — sprinkled with some primo film-geek gossip — at the story behind the study.”
Stephen Gossett, Flavorpill
For a hundred years (virtually the history of American movies) film critics have championed this medium they so unabashedly love. They advise audiences in deciding what movies to see, and why. Better, their reviews illuminate the film-going experience, suggesting paths for readers to enter cinema more deeply, thoughtfully and appreciatively. With its entertaining, humorous and personal approach, FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES is the first documentary to dramatize the rich saga of American movie reviewing. Directed by Boston Phoenix critic, Gerald Peary, FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES offers an insider's view of the critics' profession, with commentary from America's best-regarded reviewers, Roger Ebert (The Chicago Sun-Times), A.O. Scott (The New York Times), Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly), Kenneth Turan (The Los Angeles Times). We also hear from young, articulate, Internet voices, including Harry Knowles (ainitcoolnews.com) and Karina Longworth (spout.com). From the raw beginnings of criticism before THE BIRTH OF A NATION to the incendiary Pauline Kael-Andrew Sarris debates of the 1960s and 70s to the battle today between youthful on-liners and the print establishment, FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES motivates audiences to consider reviews by the best American critics as a key component in watching movies in a deeper, more thoughtful, way. Narrated by Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson. Official Site. Directed by Gerald Perry. USA, 2009. Running Time: 81 mins.
