“FAIL” vs. “FTW”
For many of us, comparing two movies goes back to childhood conversations at lunch or on the bus ride from school. “Top Gun is a lot cooler than Ghostbusters!” “Is not!” “Is too!” And so it went. After a while, it seems that most of these comparative conversations really only arose around what are often referred to as “genre” movies. Star Trek vs. Star Wars, Batman vs. Superman, James Bond vs. Jason Bourne, etc. The addictive brilliance of Flickchart is that it not only revives this head-to-head format for appraising films, but it expands it to all movies. At least, it ought to be the impetus for lively discourse.
Somewhere along the way, criticism has devolved into little more than a pass/fail grading scale. My wife and I have taken my cousin to see several movies with us in the last year, and she will be 15 in May. Whenever I ask her opinion, she invariably replies, “I liked it,” and it’s up to me to discern from her intonation just how favorable her opinion really is. If she really responds to a given film, she’ll be so demonstrative as to say, “It was really good!” If only once, I’d like her to inform me that the premise was interesting, the final act was disappointingly predictable, the score complemented the imagery well, and that so-and-so’s performance brought a thoughtful sensitivity to the role.
The top honor at the Academy Awards is Best Picture, and it’s tempting to view our Flickchart matches through that prism. What I am suggesting is that Flickchart offers us an opportunity to break away from that mentality. Ultimately, yes, we’re casting a vote for one movie over another and the implication is that we believe the movie for which we vote is superior to its opponent. But we are not bestowing a statuette for accumulating votes; rather, the intention of Flickchart is to provoke thoughtful consideration of the medium. It is during the evaluation stage that we have the opportunity to generate that consideration.
To wit, my top-ranked movie on Flickchart is currently The Transformers: The Movie, a staple of my childhood that I have repeatedly watched over the years. Second is Lawrence of Arabia, which is undoubtedly the greatest motion picture I’ve ever seen in terms of production values, performance, and any other criterion in which a work of art might be evaluated. I dismiss the criticisms that Transformers was nothing more than a toy commercial. Like Lawrence, Hot Rod begins the film something of a misfit. His closest friendship is built on antagonism (such as Lawrence’s and Ali’s), and both heroes carry the burden of being responsible for the loss of life, which drives them to their eventual destinies.
Certainly, David Lean’s epic – based upon the real life exploits of an unconventional British soldier – is the superior film. Peter O’Toole’s performance is nothing short of iconic; Maurice Jarre’s score is grand, yet intimate; the editing was revolutionary (anyone who has seen it will be hard-pressed to forget the abrupt cut from the extinguished match to the desert landscape) and the cinematography overwhelming. Steven Spielberg spoke far more enthusiastically of Lawrence in a DVD feature than I think he ever has of any of his own works. Were I forced to rebuild my library, though, I know in my heart that I would begin with the little animated feature from my youth.
At the end of the day, a film is a work of art. Studios release them to make money, yes, but each work of art has its own contribution to make, and it is up to us to evaluate what they might be. In case you were among the many who glossed over the little “toy commercial,” I hope I’ve given you just cause to reconsider The Transformers: The Movie. The next time you’re on Flickchart and you find yourself having to think about which movie to choose, take a moment to really dissect what each film has to offer. Post your observations, your nit-picks, your praise; whatever your thoughts of a given pair of films might be. Will we all agree with one another? Of course not; but at least the disagreements will be more rewarding than “FAIL” vs. “FTW.”
This post is part of our User Showcase series. You can find Travis as minlshaw on Flickchart. If you’re interested to submit your own story or article describing your thoughts about movies and Flickchart, read our original post for how to become a guest writer here on the Flickchart Blog.
Travis,
This is a great article. Not to be boring, but I agree with you. If you look at my Top Ten list, I have more movies that mean something to me then movies that are really “Best Films of All Time”. Marley & Me, for example, is ranked tenth for me. I loved the movie since it reminds me so much of the dog I had growing up. I know it’s not better made then Jaws, Godfather or No Country for Old Men but it will always have a special spot in my heart and on my list.
I sadly haven’t seen Transformers but I have it high up on my Netflix. Maybe I should stop watching movies like Norbit and check that out. I was more for G.I. Joe growing up so I’ve seen that 80s cartoon film about a hundred times. I’ll let you know what I think of your Transformers.
Michael,
I’m glad you enjoyed my article. It’s interesting to me that you’ve responded so strongly to the notion of being honest about which movies we really do love vs. deferring to what we’re told are “better” or “more important” films. Certainly, I applaud such honesty, but it wasn’t necessarily the larger point I was attempting to make, which just goes to show that once something is “out there,” it’s no longer yours…but belongs to each person who reads, sees or hears it. I’m glad you found my debut editorial interesting, and I hope to have another soon.
This is exactly why Gremlins 2 is my #1. Well, and I think it’s legitimately brilliant. But first and foremost, immensely entertaining.
FAIL.
Strangely, Tew It has helped sharpen my initial intent, which is to underscore the value of thoughtful criticism. Perhaps his/her “FAIL” remark was meant entirely in jest, but perhaps he/she honestly didn’t care for the editorial. There really isn’t anything for other readers to respond to, though, and (selfishly), there’s nothing to help guide me as its author to address weaknesses Tew It found with this piece.
This is exactly how I’ve always approached my Flickchart: Which movie would I rather watch RIGHT NOW?
I can say, for example, that Requiem for a Dream is technically a very good film, but it depressed the hell out of me, and it’s very, very low on my chart.
A lot of people don’t like Mission: Impossible 3, but hell, I enjoyed it, and it’s happily in my Top 100.
I’ve always looked at movies as entertainment first and art second. A film may be considered by the “experts” to be “art”, but if it doesn’t entertain me, that doesn’t matter. (This is not to say a film can’t be both….)
Nice article.
I always find myself leaning towards nostalgia, or giving the nod to films that made impacts with their special effects, cinematography, and other visual accolades. I’m generally less concerned with story and characters than I am with moods, imagination, and the ability of a film to transport the viewer to another place.
It’s pretty rare when I have to rely on “which would I rather watch right now” – I almost always can quickly find a trait (or several) that sets one apart from the other. I know some spend agonizingly long on certain matchups – but I can’t think of a time that I’ve spent more than 10 seconds or so making a decision between two films.
The winning qualities just jump out at me.