For The Love of Movies

By Virginia Prescott on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

Film critics are in trouble. The century-old profession grew up alongside cinema, and the thoughtful reviews and theoretical writings from high-profile critics shaped how we understand the movies. But as journalism struggles financially and more reviewers are getting laid off or fired, critics wonder what’s to come of their profession.

That’s where film critic Gerald Peary stepped in. He’s been writing about film for over 25 years, and has been a weekly columnist and reviewer for The Boston Phoenix since 1996. He’s now stepped behind the camera for the first time to direct a film about his colleagues.

It’s called For The Love of Movies, and it looks at the past, present, and future of film criticism. It screens tonight at The Music Hall in Portsmouth. We're joined by the film’s producer, Amy Geller, and writer and director Gerald Peary.

Boston Phoenix: Gerald Peary: No Respect?

Los Angeles Times: Roger Ebert: Back to the future of film criticism

Huffington Post: David Sterritt: Do Film Critics Have a Future? Who Cares?

Life In Hell: How To Be a Clever Film Critic

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I was listening to the film critic interview and just taking the interview in without much thought. Then when Virginia asked Gerald Peary why film critics are more important to have than teenage bloggers, he made a statement that really got my goat. HE had 30 YEARS of experience. Teenage bloggers are full of comments like "Dude, this movie was AWESOME!".
Why does time at a job equal excellence or quality? Why are teenagers singled out for sounding stupid? I was so angry at the comment that I have now put Mr. Peary on my bad list and will not be seeing his movie or reading his reviews anymore. I've read other
professional movie critic reviews and they have not always put movies in a historical perspective or been exceptionally brilliant. Way to go Mr. Peary, put down everyone that comes behind you just because they aren't as old as you. Age does NOT necessarily equal quality writing.

Submitted by Concord Transplant on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 08:31.

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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.