I'm generally known as a carefree, easygoing guy. I don't tend to get worked up easily. I'm all for differences in opinion, especially when it comes to something as diverse and subjective as film culture. But seriously. Berardinelli drives me mad.
Here's the kind of critic who spends more time talking about how much more sophisticated his taste is compared to the "average viewer" than actually revealing anything insightful about the films he comments on. Not to mention the fact that he considers his taste sophisticated simply because he watches films that are subtitled or in black and white (or both!). His reviews are formulaic as hell - describe the plot, then talk about how good or bad the acting, script, and directing are without ever explaining *why* they're good or bad (and ALWAYS complain that the pacing is wrong).
In one review, he talks about his "avowed dislike of all things animated." How shallow is that? And though I'm going for a lowblow here, I can't resist... Seriously, dude, Patton is the #1 film of all time? Fuck off.
― Anthony (Anthony F), Wednesday, 6 April 2005 20:51 (twenty years ago)
He's a web guy, right?
>Patton is the #1 film of all time
Are you sure he isn't Dick Nixon? I don't think it's even Franklin Schaffner's (third-)best film.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 7 April 2005 12:45 (twenty years ago)
1 and 2 =
planet of the apes and....
papillon? i haven't seen
the boys from brazil. i only vaguely recall
papillon, actually, but i am so ready for the new steve mcqueen dvd box.
― a spectator bird (a spectator bird), Thursday, 7 April 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)
Every time I remember that his reviews have been collected and published, I don't know whether to weep or get off my ass and start synopsizing indiscriminately.
― Eric von H. (Eric H.), Thursday, 7 April 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)
Here's his top 20. Patton's a lame choice, the Decalogue is not.
1 "Patton" (1970)
2 "Decalogue" (1988)
3 "Rear Window" (1954)
4 "City Lights" (1931)
5 "Schindler's List" (1993)
6 "The Godfather" (1972)
7 "Casablanca" (1942)
8 "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
9 "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
10 "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988)
11 "Citizen Kane" (1941)
12 "The Life of Brian" (1979)
13 "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975)
14 "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)
15 "Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources" (1986)
16 "Raging Bull" (1980)
17 "Dr. Strangelove" (1964)
18 "Three Colors: Red" (1994)
19 "Cinema Paradiso" (1988)
20 "The Lord of the Rings" (2001-2003)
― Grand Epic (Grand Epic), Sunday, 10 April 2005 08:56 (twenty years ago)
That really is a bland list, even if he does get on my good side by including Spielberg and Kieslowski.
― Grand Epic (Grand Epic), Sunday, 10 April 2005 09:49 (twenty years ago)
I know that knocking someone for their favorite films is cheating (I hate turning "Best" lists into weapons for ego battling), but I think this just goes to prove what a moron this guy is, and morons have no right to condescend the way Berardinelli does.
And I'm not impressed by the inclusion of Kieslowski (I don't believe that simply including a European art master amongst your favorite filmmakers is something to boast about). Especially when his assessment of the film includes such insightful observations such as:
"Even the weakest part of Decalogue is superior to about 95% of what is shown on movie screens today."
"It's hard to stress how strongly I recommend this film, even for the subtitle-phobic."
"If any movie has the power to change a life and provoke deep introspective thinking, this is it. It's powerful, masterful, and unforgettable."
Yes, and I'm sure that Decalogue is the FIRST movie to warrant this kind of praise. But, hey, let's not forget when James begins to wax philosophically on the age-old question, "What does it mean to be a movie?"...
"Some might argue that Decalogue isn't really a movie at all, and (at least technically) they would be correct. The series was originally produced and shown on Polish TV in ten one-hour segments. However, its distribution outside of Poland has been predominantly theatrical, and, since I initially experienced it in a theater (in five two-hour parts), I consider it to be a movie."
You know, that Ten Commandments thing they show on TV a lot is kind of long. Sorry, guys. I don't consider it a movie.
― Anthony (Anthony F), Sunday, 10 April 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)