Message Forum: Good Movie Caution

Good Movie Caution

Posted By: Sam, on host 24.61.194.240
Date: Monday, May 6, 2002, at 22:06:53

This excerpt appeared in Roger Ebert's "Movie Answer Man" column for last Sunday. It speaks for itself.

-----

Q. I noticed that "Frailty," a movie that most critics seem to like, isn't making much money. My question for you is, do you think a movie can be TOO critically acclaimed? In other words is it possible to see a four-star review and think "Oh, that's an artsy movie. I don't want to see that."

Grant Lankard, Indiana, Pa.

A. Absolutely. One of the great mysteries is why people will cheerfully attend movies they expect to be bad, but approach good movies with great caution. This is an actual conversation I had years ago:

Reader: "We live near the Wilmette Theater, and it is showing 'Cries and Whispers.' What can you tell us about that movie?"

Ebert: "I think it's the year's best film."

Reader: "Oh. That doesn't sound like anything we'd like to see."

Replies To This Message

Re: Good Movie Caution - Sam - Tue, 5/7/2002, 09:59:02
- Re: Good Movie Caution - Dave - Wed, 5/8/2002, 18:58:35
  - Re: Good Movie Caution - Darien - Wed, 5/8/2002, 20:52:46
    - Re: Good Movie Caution - 10Kan - Thu, 5/9/2002, 16:42:40
      - Re: Good Movie Caution - Mike, the penny-stamp man - Thu, 5/9/2002, 18:30:54
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - Brunnen-G - Fri, 5/10/2002, 03:00:47
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - Sosiqui - Fri, 5/10/2002, 11:16:02
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - Faux Pas - Sat, 5/11/2002, 22:08:24
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - Faux Pas - Fri, 5/10/2002, 10:27:28
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - codeman38 - Sat, 5/11/2002, 19:04:52
        
        Re: Good Movie Caution/subtitles - wintermute - Fri, 5/10/2002, 05:12:27
  - Re: Good Movie Caution - Sam - Wed, 5/8/2002, 20:29:26
    - Re: Good Movie Caution - Dave - Wed, 5/8/2002, 20:45:26
    - Re: Good Movie Caution (footnote) - Sam - Wed, 5/8/2002, 20:33:42
- Re: Good Movie Caution - robnephew - Wed, 5/8/2002, 13:27:47
  - Re: Good Movie Caution - Sam - Wed, 5/8/2002, 14:57:09
    - Re: Good Movie Caution - robnephew - Thu, 5/9/2002, 06:57:49
- Re: Good Movie Caution - Trip - Tue, 5/7/2002, 14:54:11
  - Re: Good Movie Caution - Sam - Tue, 5/7/2002, 15:25:10
    - Re: Good Movie Caution - Dave - Wed, 5/8/2002, 19:12:55
      - Re: Good Movie Caution - robnephew - Thu, 5/9/2002, 07:05:41
      - Re: Good Movie Caution - Brunnen-G - Thu, 5/9/2002, 00:13:03

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Message:	> This excerpt appeared in Roger Ebert's "Movie Answer Man" column for last Sunday. It speaks for itself. > > ----- > > Q. I noticed that "Frailty," a movie that most critics seem to like, isn't making much money. My question for you is, do you think a movie can be TOO critically acclaimed? In other words is it possible to see a four-star review and think "Oh, that's an artsy movie. I don't want to see that." > > Grant Lankard, Indiana, Pa. > > A. Absolutely. One of the great mysteries is why people will cheerfully attend movies they expect to be bad, but approach good movies with great caution. This is an actual conversation I had years ago: > > Reader: "We live near the Wilmette Theater, and it is showing 'Cries and Whispers.' What can you tell us about that movie?" > > Ebert: "I think it's the year's best film." > > Reader: "Oh. That doesn't sound like anything we'd like to see."
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