Dish of the Day
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Monday, March 27, 2023
Not too long ago in one of the film related Facebook chat rooms (all readers are welcome to join ours here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/902349343110685) a member was complaining about “spoilers,” i.e. story developments that are divulged by movie critics often without warning in addition to the many posts and comments appearing in this very same chatroom. The member also asked what others thought about this matter to which I responded:
The Narrow Margin (1952) has one of the most prominent plot twists of all time.
“Thank you for raising this question. ‘Spoilers’ means different things to different people. Some think it's just about anything having to do with what they are about to see. Those who get upset knowing the film’s subject matter or any one of a number of story developments beforehand, best read nothing about an unseen motion picture. It's practically impossible for a critic (or anyone else for that matter) to discuss a film without mentioning something relevant, no matter if the writer feels it contributes to the film’s overall quality or does not. Others, with a less broader definition and from a more practical standpoint, have decided that the term refers only to major plot twists. It is my wish that the the latter be afforded enough respect to have reviewers, or those commenting, precede such disclosures with a warning regardless of how old the film may be.
The Sixth Sense (1999) Most film buffs have at least heard about the famous twist in this cinematic story.
In my own writings, the TCM recommendations I present (unless linked to a critique seen in the categories Opening Up a Treasure or ‘All that Glitters…’ ) * purposely avoid those types of reveals as well as lengthy plot expositions. On certain occasions, I have inserted the word ‘spoiler’ before addressing an important narrative development that I feel might possibly take away from the viewer’s enjoyment of seeing a recommended film for the first time.”
* Due to the critic’s more analytical approach, all of the reviews contained in both categories state upfront: “The reviews in this series are meant for those who have already seen the films in question.”
All responses are not only welcomed but encouraged in the comments section below.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
A.G.