I said in my first post that I'm going to assume people have seen movies and use spoilers. Listening to Mick LaSalle's podcast from a few weeks ago, I realized that if professional movie critics are capable of not spoiling films that are still in the theater, then there is no reason I can't discuss plot elements without spoiling surprises. So spoiler-phobes you can now be sure that I won't spoil major plot points in my future reviews.
I can't guarantee anything when it comes to Tonto and Friends, though.
Bridget Jones's Dairy (2001)
14 years ago
6 comments:
Jen, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with your "non spoiler" decision. Your blog isn't merely to provide a critical review of a movie, but to encourage a dialog with your readers. This dialog sometimes necessitates the discussion of themes, emotions, plot elements, characters, rationale, etc. which could and should divulge endings. I don't look on your blog merely as a movie review, but a discussion, a discourse of a movie. I would much prefer you provide a "Spoiler Alert" for those readers who haven't seen the movie and don't want it spoiled.
I don't mind spoilers. I agree with what kda said - this blog is more of a movie review so if you feel the need, spoil away with a spoiler alert :-)
Gah - I meant more THAN a movie review. Must read before hitting publish.
The reason I started thinking about it was I was trying to write about On The Beach without giving away the premise because I was really annoyed that TCM's one sentence summary of the film gave away the premise. The filmakers go to a great deal of trouble to unfold the premise slowly and build a mood. The trailer for the film gave nothing of the plot away. I really think I lost some of the impact of the film because I knew the premise ahead of time. And then I felt guilty because I gave away the premise in my piece on Submarine Movies.
In a recent podcast Mick LaSalle was talking about writing about Atonement and how difficult it was to write about it without talking about the premise which is a good deal of the power of the first half of the film.
So I thought that I should make the effort to try not to spoil movies for people. I will not be able to talk about On The Beach without talking about the premise, so I will definitely do a "spoiler alert."
I hear ya. I think what I should have said is this is your blog and you should do it how you wish. I just didn't want you to feel the need to put restrictions on yourself as sometimes, like kda said, it is important to discuss the premise and/or ending. I think kda said it better though so I am just butchering his fine words. :-)
FWIW, Nip, I like the Spoiler Alert. I'm sure I told you before that I was the only one in a packed theater that hadn't seen Psycho.... or at least didn't know the plot.
I guarantee you I enjoyed that film ... or, well, was thoroughly manipulated by Hitch... better than anyone else in the theater.
I love discussing movies, and yes, you need to give away stuff in the discussions, but sometimes, I want to see it before I discuss it. Blood Simple and Terminator II are the first recent ones to come to mind that I'm really glad I saw as one of the clueless.
BTW -- I saw The Women today. I was curious how they'd update it. I was pleased. Take your kleenex and be ready to howl with laughter as well. 'Nuff said.
Post a Comment