From: "hugh bone" <hbone-AT-optonline.net>
Subject: Re: What's wrong with mainstream sensibilities?
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 12:13:36 -0500


Jenna,

My spliced response is below:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Hugh,
>
> Thank you for such an in-depth reply.  Keeping what you said in mind, as a
novice both to criticism and this listserve, which is it we try to espouse?
> Both?

This List is a bit of a phantom.  A few months ago there we had a lively
discussion of "Eyes Wide Shut".

As for critics, my favorites in the media occasionally like a movie which I
don't, but usually I agree with them.
> >
> > I would say one's "independent" analysis and critique can not rise above
personal experience, and at the same time, one's relative indpendence and
judgment is inevitably influenced by "expert" doctrine we absorb through the
media.

>Is theory and criticism part of this "expert" doctrine?  I've seen >threads
>here rallying against anything media driven?  Are we >contributing to what
we
>want to disassociate with?

Most of the movie critics seem to give their honest opinion, and
I expect List subscribers do the same.  The media critics have, for years,
praised indpendent movie-makers, and so do we on
the List.

We live in a media-driven world.  Most of television is pre-recorded, and
exceptions are sometimes labeled "live".  TV has been baby-sitter for small
children for a few generations.

So much depends on remote and powerful business interests, and the
overwhelming flood of advertising and junk mail we don't need.  We pay 34
cents an ounce to send mail, subsidizing pounds of junk mail we throw out
every week.

News programs often tell us about a movie's earnings, but not its content.

Students in school can enjoy the personal and local if they don't spend too
much time on computers and TV.

More and more people work longer and longer hours, leaving them less time
for family and friends.

So, to a great extent, the expertise of those who shape the media affects
the information we get, the thoughts we can think,
the beliefs and opinions we hold, and communicate.

> On another topic, has anyone seen "Traffic?"  I'm very intrigued, but need
an honest opinion.  Don't want to be a victim of my own expectations.
>
Haven't seen it yet.  Two critics, whom I like,  have rated it first and
third.  A group of "respected" New York critics rated Yi, Yi first and
Traffic second.

There are several highly praised year-end movies.  Perhaps we can re-work
our 3-movie choices, and get a lot of other subscribers to participate in
the last weeks before Academy Awards.

Best,
Hugh





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