the question

An oldie from 2006. Edited by Rob.

Listening to:"Cut It Out" - Anya Marina

Last night, I asked someone about his criteria for a "good film." This loaded question has yet to come to any semblance of a perfect answer, but I thought I would entertain the idea on my blog.

Please note that I have never attended a film class. I am pretty much just going to wing it and go by my own rules.

So, what makes a film good? In my humble opinion...

-Cinematography supports the vision of the piece. The shots/lighting/filters/etc. should effectively portray the emotions occurring in the film. I really appreciate a color pallet that reflects the movie's tone.

-CGI and special effects should be used appropriately depending on the subject matter and format. Mixing media should enhance the piece, and not create a competition.

-Acting must emerge from a genuine place. It is better to go to with what would be the natural response from the character. Robert Deniro explained it well when he said, "In acting, I always try to go back to what would actually be the real situation, the real human behavior in life. It's the most difficult thing, and the easiest thing, and it's all you need - the truth of the moment. If you give too much, if you telegraph things, you weaken it."

-Soundtrack/score assists the mood(s) of the film. Using no sounds can also be affective.

-Adaptation to film does not necessarily need to hold the exact same content as the original work, but should attempt to capture its essence.

-All artistic media should reach a feeling of unity. Each element of the film should contribute to portraying its message and purpose.

I believe that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. We all have our own version of what makes a "good film." I would love to discuss this topic with anyone. Dissenting opinions are not only welcome, but encouraged.