Posts Tagged ‘Star Wars’

George Lucas gave us the great fantasy of "Star Wars," but also the authenticity of "American Graffiti." Which type of venture is more worthwhile?

In an attempt for us to better know our readers, and perhaps for you to better know yourself, we would like to ask you a personal question: When it comes to the purpose and function of movies, which side are you on?

Introductory film theory splits itself up into two main schools of thought dubbed Formalism and Realism. Formalists believe that because cinema as a medium has the ability to play around with what is possible to see in a movie that those who make movies should be primarily focused on testing the limits and boundaries of what they’re able to create. Creativity is key and we should constantly be looking to see new things and new ways of conveying old messages. On the other hand, realists believe that because cinema has the unique ability to depict the real world as-is, like a still camera, that those who make films should be primarily focused on being more and more real and capturing as much authenticity as possible. Both of these schools of thought are much more intricate than what we can detail here, but you get the gist.

Now, asking you the reader to side with one purpose over another is pretty much the equivalent of asking everyone to declare themselves as either a democrat or republican. It’s a very restrictive question. However, we here at Movie-Thoughts aren’t stupid. We recognize that most people, including ourselves, believe there is a place for both ways of thinking. It’s great to have both Star Wars and the Discovery channel. However for the purposes of this newest poll, we would like to know which side you prefer to see most often.

The introduction to the Summer movie season this past week with Iron Man 2 set these thoughts in motion for us, as the season is primarily reserved for more flashy and formative fare, and so we would like to know if this is the time of year that you relish the most because of the types of movies that come out (which typically are the kind that like to push numerous visual limits with incredible special effects and outlandish spectacles). Or, do you dislike this time of year because you prefer the Fall/Winter seasons when more character-driven movies are released?

Let us know which type of movie you prefer watching most – the cool summertime star shows or the late year character studies. If you like them both equally, don’t be afraid to sit on the fence; We’re just fascinated to know if there is a tilt in either direction. Speak up and let your opinions be heard!

Disclaimer: Deciding between liking more formalist or more realist filmmaking is not a choice between the commercial and the artistic. Both types of filmmaking can be used for any purpose and thus are not constrained or limited to any one presupposed association.

Providing snack food is one way theaters ampted up their appeal in the 1930s, but how should they improve now?

Much has been talked about in recent months about the growing tensions between Hollywood studios and movie theaters, and no greater tension exists than the one over profits. The advent and popularity of 3-D technology has added to this issue, and nowhere is it being felt more than the pockets of patrons. The high prices of 3-D tickets is easy enough to understand, though many still fail to find them excusable, and it appears the “gimmick” is here to stay for at least the foreseeable future. With some audiences getting what they want with more movies being shown in 3-D and other audiences vexed about the higher ticket prices, what’s to be done? The answer may lie in film history. Read the rest of this entry »

Star Wars: In Concert

The film medium is getting another ego boost, with a collection of multiple orchestral concerts scheduled throughout the country over the next few months that will be reserved specifically for movie music. High-profile venues such as New York City’s Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall, as well as the Warner Grand theater in San Pedro Cali., will play host to renowned orchestras like the Golden State Pops Orchestra and Seattle Symphony, with composer John Williams himself conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic on October 16th-18th.

Movie scores that appear the most popular for these concerts include Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Psycho, and various Disney collections.

It is speculated, and apparently corroborated, that symphonies have decided to give more attention and practice towards movie scores as a means to draw larger audiences in order to battle the ongoing recession, which has hit the performing arts world rather hard. It is thought that more people will pay to go to concerts that play familiar and well loved movie music who ordinarily would not think to spend money to see a live orchestral concert. The idea seems so good, one wonders why they didn’t think of it before.

“Good music is good music, period,” says composer David Newman (Hoffa), who often conducts concerts of classic movie music, “and film music is part of our shared heritage.”  – Variety

It’s refreshing to hear such sentiments from an accomplished classical composer, and surely he is not alone. But has the professional symphony circuit truly embraced movie scores as a medium capable of being of such high status as the work of Aaron Copeland, Tchaikovsky, and Bach?

Personally, I of course hope that the great works of John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, and others are finally getting their due by their orchestral peers. Audiences of films and concerts alike have appreciated their work for decades (ex., can anyone not hum the theme to Indiana Jones if asked to?). However, I wont believe that such great artists and their work have truly earned their peer’s respect until after the current economic recession concludes and symphonies no longer feel financially obligated to give them extra attention.

Do you think movie music is finally getting the recognition it deserves? Is the sudden showing of love for them purely to draw audiences for money? Tell us your thoughts by submitting your comments below.

Read more about this news, including when and where these events are occurring, by clicking here.

Source: Variety