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I'm just wondering.

As writers can you ever again enjoy a movie without tearing the thing apart?

Every movie you see you try to find the structural mistakes, the arc, the subtext, subplot, reversals etc, etc, etc?

After working for my father's family painting business, every time I enter someone's home, place of business, whatever. I'm continuioulsy looking at the paint job, did they cut the ceiling right without getting paint on it.

Does the print on the wallpaper match at the seams. Are the seams separating so you can see the bare wall.

Did the painter leave what we called cat eyes when rolling the walls which means not enough paint on the roller. Did they just lift the roller off the wall instead of rolling it off, did they roll sideway, that's a absolute no, no.

Did they lay the paint off on the woodwork, meaning brush the paint into one long smooth surface.

That just drives me crazier.

Do you guys do that at every movie you see, that seems like a kill joy for the flick don't you think?

evie

its all good

When it's well done, you don't even notice - you just watch. When it's poorly done, you notice the issues.

I agree with Irwin.

It's "Irin", but you can call me anything as long as you agree with my posts!

To agree and disagree with Irin and his post, when it's done REALLY well, like in MICHAEL CLAYTON by Tony Gilroy, you do notice and it just blows the top of your head off...in an enjoyable way, of course.

The kill joy effect comes the next morning, when you get up, head for the writing desk, pull your own stuff out to work on, and...

The better the characters and dialogue and more you're into the film the less you notice the bullshit.

CASABLANCA has a serious flaw in the McGuffin. The Letters of Transit signed by deGaulle?? deGaulle was the head of the French Resistance, for one, with no power and his signature on anything would have been cause for trouble. But in the plot Nazis are going to allow anyone holding those to get by no questions asked. Complete crap. Then Lazslo is to be set up later holding the letters. Wait, weren't they a free pass?

So, better the film is the more we overlook the bullshit. Going to Casablanca in the first place is b.s. Why there's the newsreel up front to give it credibility.

CITIZEN KANE. Who is is the room to hear his last word?? The nurse comes in after he's dead. Oops! You can go on and on finding huge holes in anything.

In HAMLET pirates help the prince get back home. ?? Wouldn't they maybe kidnap him and make money off the deal? Very nice pirates!

I agree with Irvin.

Yes, I also agree with Ivan.

Ian's right.

But being a writer has little to do with it. I think basic intelligence factors in. Anyone can spot flaws and be critical of them.

You're all silly. Especially Ismail.

I had a dog name Iren, dated a girl name Ireen, and I also agree with Irewn.

I enjoy movies but in a different way. I usually guess "who dun it" early on (my kids won't watch tv with me anymore 'cause while I don't blurt it out, I do say "wanna know who did it?).

After I filmmed a couple of my own shorts I started looking at things like angles, closeups, wide shots, how long they stayed on a wide shot before switching to a medium shot, interesting lighting (if you're an indie filmmaker and you are shooting in an elevator make sure you put a light behind your actors - notice there are no shadows with the studio films but indie films there are often shadows in the elevator).

Okay, too carried away. And why did the character use aluminum foil on the windows in "Insomnia."

And, how many times have you seen the same movie several times. You know how it ends. If you've seen it enough you know all the lines. But, it doesn't ruin the enjoyment.

Irin has too many aliases. I'm reporting him to homeland security. LOL

So I can't spell. At least Evon has a sense of humor.

When it's a great movie (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, DARK KNIGHT, MEET THE PARENTS, PULP FICTION) I'm totally lost in the moment.

However to be candid with most movies I feel like a building inspector: "teaser...Act I break... window character...turning point...moment of despair.." Screenwriting definately changes your perspective, and you become much more aware of technique. I'm imagining Penn & Teller or David Copperfield watch magic shows in a different way than most people.

I see this sometimes with movie critics who have been writing for a long time. They've seen SOOOO much that if they see something novel they feel a sense of joy the more casual viewer doesn't feel. Weird gets 5 stars, just for being weird...

Bottom line is ya'll ain't enjoying the movies anymore, not at all.

I'm usually looking at continuity.

In Exorsist (however you spell it) the beginning. Inside the buried church scene, Father Maron comes down the ladder, the black guy hands him the lantern, but when the next priest comes down the ladder the black guy still has the lantern, then all of a sudden he doesn't anymore. Somebody messed up.

And that FeeFon to you pal or PeePon

evie

it's all good

don't forget Igor or Ike

Okay, now for my serious two cents. I agree with Irving.

On another note when watching DVD's rather than at the theatre what I like to do is after watching the movie I'll watch the deleted scenes. And then I'll sometimes watch it with the additional commentary accompaniment to listen in on the commentator's thought processes, experiences shooting a particular scene, etc.

Sometimes when doing this, even a fairly decent movie, I think to myself 'oh that should've stayed in. The movie makes more sense now watching that deleted scene.' Or 'too bad they didn't have enough budget to make sure that scene got in because it explains it better.'

Currently I'm watching The Wedding Date on DVD. And one scene I thought should've stayed in to show the guilt that was plaguing the Amy character. I think it could've softened her up a bit. Another scene that didn't make it due to continuity problems according to the commentary by Debra Messing was one that happened before the dance studio. She goes to pick up the ring and bumps into her ex (the best man) who kisses her and Dermott's character sees it. He gets jealous. I think this would've shown that he was falling for Debra Messing and explains the little angry bit on the dance floor a bit better. But due to raining on and off it couldn't be added due to continuity problems and low budget to shoot again.

Just my opinion on that particular film. However I still enjoy the movie as is and it makes a bit more sense at parts (at least to me).