Programme Thesis One

This blog features the combined efforts of two film enthusiasts to review established and new films, paying little regard to what is commonly considered schlock or high art, but placing both on an equal footing, and examining the several merits and failings of any and all film, despite its genre or popular designation.

The blog will consist of a series of entries and responses. One of us will review a film which we both have seen, and the other will respond with his own review of the film.

Neither of us claims to be unbiased in our views. A review is always colored by the ideas and experience of the reviewer. So it is, and so it should be. It is our hope that our ideas and experience differ enough that the resulting reviews will be truly, or at least apparently, enlightening.

All movies will be rated by each of us on the classic four-star scale. Films will be rated according to how well they fulfill their intended purpose, or at least what we feel their purpose should be. A 0 star movie is unwatchable under normal circumstances, while a 4 star movie sets a standard of excellence within its own realm of existence. We challenge ourselves to a minimum of 500 words per review. This ensures that no film, no matter how awful, is cast off without due consideration or justification, and that no film, no matter how great, is allowed to rest on its laurels without due consideration and justification.

We reject the nonsensical phrase "It's so bad it's good!" with the utmost abhorrence. If a film's merits outweigh its faults, it is good. If its faults outweigh its merits, it is bad. However, an element that is a fault in one film may be a merit in another. Every film is considered on its own terms, and every merit and fault judged to be such on those terms.

Also, we take requests. If you would like to see a film reviewed by us, just ask. We're both willing to watch pretty much anything. Please give us a month to fill a request to review any film that is readily available on DVD. Requests for reviews of films that are not readily available will be kept in mind, and filled at our earliest convenience.

Clayton J. Smith, Co-Author
The Massimo Dallamano Memorial Film Society

Postscript -- This post will be followed shortly by an acceptance or revision of the terms of this blog by William A. Bazzell, Co-Author.