Tags: documentary films

12/30/09

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/the-first-specialized-movie-reviews-iphone-app-is-now-launched-p-480.html

Los Angeles, CA (Marketwire-December 2, 2009) - MovieReviewIntelligence.com, Inc. announces the launch of the movie industry's first specialized movie review iPhone app, designed to provide moviegoers and movie industry professionals accurate real time movie reviews information in an easy-to-use format on the iPhone platform. The price of the app is $0.99.

Designed by Bay Area developer Appfam.com, the app gives you up-to-the-minute summaries of movie reviews for all current and upcoming movies in the U.S. and Canada. The first page of the app exhibits a list of current movies, with each movie's measurement of positive movie reviews. People can then click on individual movies for more specifics. The app can be found in the iTunes App Store by searching for "Movie Review Intelligence."

MovieReviewIntelligence.com provides the fountain of information that's used by the app. The site works round-the-clock - gathering movie reviews, analyzing hundreds of them and providing the most accurate, detailed and complete picture of the reviews.

David A. Gross, founder, editor and publisher of MovieReviewIntelligence.com proudly announces: "An iPhone app is a convenient tool for moviegoers and professionals who want to stay current and informed about what's playing; what they need to know about; and what they want to see."

"The app is designed for easy use," said Matt Bearson, founder and managing partner of Appfam.com. "You get the key information fast and then can click for more detail. This is valuable information that belongs on a mobile platform in real time. We're looking forward to doing more."

About MovieReviewIntelligence.com

MovieReviewIntelligence.com is the product of Gross' vision of providing moviegoers and film industry professionals the most accurate picture of movie reviews possible; the site was launched in June 2009. The website covers all films -- big, small, mainstream, indie, foreign and documentary. The critics included are chosen since they represent the body of film criticism that moviegoers see and read everyday.

MovieReviewIntelligence.com rises from other movie review sites for two reasons: (1) it is thorough and faithful to the critics, and (2) it is based on 10 years of meticulous research.

In addition, it's not affiliated with a movie studio or entertainment company, therefore, it's an independent web application. According to Gross, "this is the best site to rely on as a moviegoer. "It's the site I would have liked to have had as an executive at the studios."

About Appfam.com

Appfam.com was launched by Bearson in June of 2009 to develop iPhone apps that are fun information tools. Movie Review Intelligence App is the first commercial release of the company.

Simply go to the app's page at iTunes to know more about Movie Review Intelligence's movie reviews app.

12/06/09

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/what-documentary-films-are-all-about-p-433.html

Documentary films are first and foremost, one of several creative modes. It is either an experimental avant-garde or a narrative fiction. Other characteristics of a documentary film are: scripted or spontaneous, being limited to reality, having a purpose and a special viewpoint.

What makes documentary films special is the fact that there are no sets and no actors.

Throughout history, documentaries have been credited with having a large impact on cultural meanings. Good thing that the art of documentary filmmaking is taught in several film schools worldwide. The schools and classes teach understanding the basic aesthetic tools of documentary filmmaking like camera operation, sound, structure, and also the interview.

So the students can learn directing and producing, classes are geared towards having exercises that lead to the real production of a film project.

In documentary filmmaking, both teacher and students discuss issues that have to do with the development of ideas, preproduction and actual production.

As practice, the students in documentary film classes view segments of films and videos that characterize important trends in the history of documentary film making. In some cases, celebrity film makers are present.

Documentary films usually cause controversies. The very first known documentaries are the actuality films of the Lumire brothers while the latest works are the postmodern explorations of film truth. The classics in this genre are the works of Flaherty, Grierson, Riefenstahl, Rouch, Vertov, and Wiseman. Documentary filmmaking classes also assess the effect of shifts in social and political realities, changing technology and personalities of influential individuals into the term "documentary." Ethical and aesthetic issues are also considered.

For cinematographers who work alone or in small crews, documentaries are truly a challenge. This is because beautifully-framed and meaningful footage need to be captured at low budget and chaotic circumstances. There's typically an emphasis on shooting cinema verit and lighting with a very limited crew. Of course, the technicalities in documentary filmmaking are also tackled in the courses - as such, students are provided with the opportunity to operate cameras and a crew.

Documentary films are also a very prevalent art form. Awards shows have a place for documentaries and many are covered often by movie critics, as seen in as early as 1942, when there were 4 awardees including: The Battle of Midway; Kokoda Front Line; Moscow Strikes Back; and Prelude to War. This 2009, Fighting for Life, a documentary on military medicine, is expected to reap loads of awards.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/the-historical-impact-of-movies-reviews-p-432.html

Jack Valenti somehow can be attributable for the birth of movie reviews and ratings - this exercise began in 1966 when he was the president of the MPAA, or Motion Picture Association of America. The time was characterized by evolutions in American morality mostly due to dissents, public riots and women's liberation. And because the arts are influenced by societal changes, a daring type of American motion pictures came about - that which is more open.

The shifts however, caused contention, especially in the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," where the words "screw" and "hump the hostess" were uttered on the big screen for the foremost time. After a meeting among the members of the MPAA's general board and team, the following actions were taken: delete "screw" but keep "hump the hostess." Maybe this was just the start of an unnerving new era in motion picture.

Also, much controversy was attached to the film "Blow-up" (from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) because it was the first film with nakedness; as an outcome, the Production Code Administration (PCA) denied its stamp of approval.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in April 1968, advocated the constitutional office of states and cities, preventing the vulnerability of kids to prints and movies that could not be refused to adults. This was the real blow-up between new social currents - the strength of the movie creators who were determined to shoot their motion pictures and the possible intrusion of the authorities into thepicture industry. Such a case required a proper solution.

Within weeks, discussions of Valenti's plan for a movie reviews system began with the president of the "National Association of Theatre Owners" (NATO) and with the "International Film Importers & Distributors of America" (IFIDA), an assembly of individual producers as well as distributors. Over time, many confluences were held, like other clubs with actors, authors, directors and producers, as well as craft unions, religious organizations, critics and the heads of MPAA member fellowships.

Next, the NATO recognized the aim of making a different and revolutionary approach to rating motion pictures. The initial aim has 4 ranking classes such as G for General Audiences, all ages admitted; M for mature audiences - parental guidance recommended, but all ages allowed; R for Restricted, kids below 16 wouldn't be admitted without an attendant parent or adult guardian, which was eventually elevated to below 17 years of age; and X, which meant that no one below 17 could be admitted.

When most parents considered the M category as a sterner ranking than R, modifications were undertaken. As an outcome, M was modified to GP, General Audiences, but parental guidance is still suggested. The next year, this went to PG: Parental Guidance Suggested.

It was in 1984 when the rating was sub-categorized into 2: PG and PG-13, the latter which means the flick has a higher strength. And by the year 1990, they involved short descriptions of why a particular movie got its R rating.

To summarize, the initial goal of the movie reviews system, which still exists, was to provide parents some foremost information about flicks, so they can determine what movies they desire their youngsters to view or not to see.