Confession #8

Why do I hate "Chinatown", etc.?

1.) I have only one real criteria for whether I like a movie or not. It has to make me FEEL. This means my collection of DVDs is incredibly varied and includes some acclaimed films and some that I'm too embarassed to name. A film can make me think about something deep or make me laugh at something stupid, but still not make me FEEL. Technically, it could be perfect as most would argue that "Chinatown", "Citizen Kane", and "Pulp Fiction" are. And I don't argue with that. I don't think they're bad films by any means. They just don't do anything for me. And that is why I simply dislike them. No harm done.

2.) What I hate isn't really the films themselves. Its people who always turn to the same old movies to teach in film school. Sure these movies have their place in the classroom. But there are other movies. Thousands of other movies. Hundreds of great examples of filmmaking and screenwriting. When you obsess over a few "perfect films", you just end up with a bunch of film snobs who try and copy these movies instead of writing from their own hearts. Kids in film school are usually young and dumb and haven't seen much of the world yet. I can say this because I am one, lol. Chances are you're not going to get another "Chinatown" out of them, and by showing it you're encouraging them to try to write something like that instead of something they might actually know about. In a screenwriting class especially, the technical aspects of the film don't have to be mindblowing. Show them a film with a really great story that lands some kind of strong emotional punch they can relate to. Show them books, show them great TV shows, show them plays, show them movies. Teach them how to tell their own story in a meaningful way, not regurgitate a few "perfect" movies back to you in seriously substandard ways.

So in conclusion, I don't honestly HATE those movies. I just say that for the shock value. I don't care for them and many others because they just don't to do it for me. A good movie is a matter of personal taste in my book, not a matter of living up to some sort of standards of technically good filmmaking. So I harbor no hatred for people who do genuinely enjoy those movies. If they mean something to you, then its a good movie. I do harbor a hatred for people who SAY they do just to sound like smart film people, when in reality their favorite movie probably stars Will Ferrell. I don't hate the movies, I hate the pretension that often surrounds them.