Know Before You Go - the Value of Reviews
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend lately, and I’m hopeful it will die out. I’ve read several articles on different websites that give information about movies from a Christian worldview. What’s bothersome is that these articles begin with “I haven’t seen this movie, but I’ve heard…” and they proceed to talk negatively about the film. I’ve done that when talking about a film with friends, but I’m not being published to a global audience.
The purpose of a movie review is to give us an idea of what to expect from a film. We get hints about the storyline, an idea of the quality of acting and production, and some warnings about language, sexual content or violence. Then, equipped with that knowledge, we make make our own decision whether or not to see the movie for ourselves.
Is it appropriate for someone to dish a film without having seen it themselves? How much value do you put into reading reviews before you see a film? Have you ever dished a film without seeing it, then changed your mind after watching it yourself? I want to hear from you.
Angela: Though I totally agree with you, I fear that I may be one of the sinners you are referring to, having written an item you read and commented on about the negative reception for “Evan Almighty,” though I haven’t seen the film. It is not a normal practice for me, and the only reason I went that route in this instance was that i was writing about a broader trend and the chorus of thumbs down for “Evan” was pretty universal. But as I said, you are absolutely correct. Even in the promotional circumstances for “Evan” I am referring to, I was appalled by emcees at the Ichthus Festival hawking “Evan” as being a great movie, great family movie, great Christian movie, without having seen it. All of us have had, more often than we’d like, the experience of getting excited about a movie that we ultimately don’t like. And then, there are those pleasant surprises. Writers, in particular, should see a film before rendering a hard and fast opinion, and when you add the element of faith into the discussion, that becomes even more important. Far, far too often, I have heard pastors and other Christian spokespeople denounce a film saying something like, “I don’t have to see it to know what’s in it.” Well, yes you do, particularly if you are going to tar and feather it in the public square. Often, things are not as bad as they seem, and sometimes, you deprive yourself of an affirming message in a surprising place. Thanks for the great website Angela, and I promise, if I love “Evan” when I see it, I will shout that from the highest available mountaintop. All the best, Rich
July 8th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Yeah I dished Evita without seeing it because Madonna was in the movie and I do not like her. But when I finally saw the movie on DVD you know what she did a great job in the film. Still not a film I would take kids to see. But as an adult yes I would watch the movie.
July 9th, 2007 at 1:35 am
I have to agree with you, it’s impossible to not have preconceptions about a film positively or negatively before you see it, but I would be hard pressed to commit myself to my un-supported opinions. I’m especially reluctant to make ideological statements about things I have not seen, because more often than not trailers, and even reviews can be misleading, and should always take second to your own personal interpretation.
I do read reviews, and avoid ones I do not think will be good but I wouldn’t write a review, paper, etc. about it.
August 25th, 2007 at 6:04 pm