Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson narrates this illuminating overview of film criticism in the U.S., written and directed by Gerald Peary—himself a veteran critic for the Boston Phoenix—featuring movie clips and review excerpts, along with comments from a wide range of writers. Stanley Kauffmann (The New Republic) credits silent-era poet and critic Vachel Lindsay for recognizing that film “was going to change the way people thought, dreamed, and fantasized.” Peary profiles other early voices, such as the enthusiastic Robert Sherwood, who went on to write The Best Years of Our Lives; the eloquent James Agee, who penned The African Queen; and the socially conscious Bosley Crowther, who signed his own death warrant when he panned groundbreaking pictures like Breathless and Bonnie and Clyde, opening the door to such rivals as Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris. From there, Peary moves on to television and Internet presences, from Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) to Karina Longworth (now chief film critic at The L.A. Weekly). Other speakers include A.O. Scott (The New York Times), Kenneth Turan (The Los Angeles Times), Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly), and Richard Schickel (Time). Like many first-time filmmakers with a limited budget, Peary could've organized his material better, but there's good stuff here for cinema buffs. Astute viewers will notice that Peary initiated the project some time ago, as he includes Manny Farber, who has since died, and Ebert is shown before he lost his ability to speak (and before computer technology gave him his voice again). DVD extras include extended interviews. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
(2009) 80 min. DVD or VHS: $295. AG Films (dist. by Bullfrog Films). PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 1-59458-914-3 (dvd). Volume 25, Issue 3
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
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