tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post5429985305418417539..comments2024-03-23T14:45:50.362-05:00Comments on The Moving Picture Blog: In defense of spoilingJoe Leydonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16480093833915945352noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-63923611586154636422007-07-25T12:05:00.000-05:002007-07-25T12:05:00.000-05:00Rick, it almost seems foolish to provide a spoiler...Rick, it almost seems foolish to provide a spoiler warning for a movie that is 60 years old and I certainly wouldn't expect it or be mad if I didn't get it. Of course it would be appreciated however.<BR/><BR/>The thing with Kane is I don't even think I actually read the fact anywhere...it just sort of seems to be something people know whether they've seen the movie or not and I wonder how I would've responded to the movie if I somehow didn't know how it ended.Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-27807416809304504092007-07-24T20:54:00.000-05:002007-07-24T20:54:00.000-05:00Not the least bit snarky, Joe. As a matter of fact...Not the least bit snarky, Joe. As a matter of fact, your professor's warning makes excellent sense. I will keep it in mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-68325672385214059072007-07-24T20:23:00.000-05:002007-07-24T20:23:00.000-05:00Good question. Indeed, at the risk of sounding, we...Good question. Indeed, at the risk of sounding, well, snarky: Should you include that "spoiler" even in an on-line comment for a movie blog? My first thought is: Someone who's going to read an essay on <I>Casablanca</I> very likely has already seen the movie. On the other hand, as a college professor once warned me: You have to remember that some people don't know how <I>Hamlet</I> ends.Joe Leydonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16480093833915945352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-87358445704561126362007-07-24T19:33:00.000-05:002007-07-24T19:33:00.000-05:00On the subject of spoilers and classic films such ...On the subject of spoilers and classic films such as Citizen Kane.I understand CJ's point, but if I write an appreciation of say, Casablanca, am I duty bound not to reveal that Rick doesn't get on the plane with Ilsa, even though that particular plot point is crucial to a thorough discussion of the movie?<BR/>Just wondering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-1929513718071819452007-07-24T11:31:00.000-05:002007-07-24T11:31:00.000-05:00That's funny David unless you haven't seen the mov...That's funny David unless you haven't seen the movie! I wish I could go back and see Citizen Kane for the first time without knowing the reveal. Alas...Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-79760719863937863222007-07-24T00:55:00.000-05:002007-07-24T00:55:00.000-05:00Only one time when a spoiler was amusing: the fam...Only one time when a spoiler was amusing: the famous Peanuts strip where Linus is watching "Citizen Kane" and Lucy walks in on him; as he talks about how long he's yearned to see this film, Lucy lets slip the spoiler of "rosebud"...much to Linus' chagrin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-31428715833653219392007-07-23T18:37:00.000-05:002007-07-23T18:37:00.000-05:00Something else to consider: Sometimes, merely stat...Something else to consider: Sometimes, merely stating that a movie has <I>a honking big surprise twist</I> can be as much of a spoiler as actually revealing that twist. (Which is why I’m very glad I saw <I>The Sixth Sense</I> before I read any reviews of the film.) On the other hand, I also remember the first time I saw <I>The Crying Game</I>: I assumed the surprise twist everyone was talking about was the unexpected death of a major character at the midway point. Naturally, my guard was down after that happened – so I was thoroughly shocked when the <I>real</I> surprise was sprung.Joe Leydonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16480093833915945352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-61935729566447883462007-07-23T16:49:00.000-05:002007-07-23T16:49:00.000-05:00Snark - That's the thing. I had to cut out a lot o...Snark - That's the thing. I had to cut out a lot of snark with the ITLOW review, but I figured it just wasn't very nice to whoever my happen along and read it.<BR/><BR/>I try to tread carefully whether I expect someone to read it before or after seeing a movie. I don't like saying **SPOILER WARNING*** because it's cheesy and interrupts the flow so I just try to write around spoilers for the most part<BR/><BR/>If the person has seen the movie, then they don't need me regurgitating what happened anyway. If they haven't seen it, then it's likely they don't want me to.<BR/><BR/>That's just my own personal opinion. In the writing of others, I always appreciate warnings (though if I'm reading a review before seeing a movie I've already thought about it and don't much care about spoilers), but I also kind of figure I'm taking the risk as a reader and have no real right to get too steamed about it.<BR/><BR/>I'm sort of talking in circles here.Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-65506199439957076542007-07-23T15:53:00.000-05:002007-07-23T15:53:00.000-05:00I think there are several factors to consider when...I think there are several factors to consider when weighing the “spoiler” question. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind: Who are you writing for? If you’re writing for the general readership of a mainstream newspaper, you probably should think twice – maybe three or four times – about ever spoiling even the most minor plot twist. (A recent, really egregious example of stupid spoiling: In a review of the <I>Raines</I> pilot episode, the TV critic of the New York Times made an unforgivable faux pas by rather cavalierly revealing a major twist sprung during the final minutes.) But if you’re writing for the readers of a publication or website where a certain degree of snark is expected – well, even then, I think you should tread carefully, but I think you have greater latitude. Also: Are you writing to be read by someone <I>before</I> he/she sees the movie, or afterwards?Joe Leydonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16480093833915945352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31771970.post-49370205660952826452007-07-23T15:24:00.000-05:002007-07-23T15:24:00.000-05:00This is something I've given some thought to in my...This is something I've given some thought to in my own attempts at amateur criticism and I disagree with Mr. Lane.<BR/><BR/>I wrote a spoiler-laden review of <I>In The Land of Women</I>, a movie I hated. At the last minute I decided it wasn't fair and I removed all the spoilers. <BR/><BR/>Not being a professional, I guess I'm more interested in being a part of the discussion rather than trying to steer people away from what I consider bad movies. Just because I hated the movie, someone else might have disagreed so why ruin it for them?Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.com