For a hundred years, virtually the history of American movies,
film critics have championed this medium they so unabashedly love. They
advise audiences in deciding what movies to see, and why. Better,
their reviews illuminate the film-going experience, suggesting paths
for readers to enter cinema more deeply, thoughtfully, appreciatively.
"For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism" is the
first documentary to dramatize the rich, fascinating history of
American film criticism. From the raw beginnings
of criticism before The Birth of a Nation to Bosley Crowther’s
27-year reign at The New York Times, from the incendiary Kael-Sarris
debates of the 1960s and 70s to the battle for audience between
youthful on-liners and the print establishment, this documentary tells
all.
Produced by Amy Geller (PBS’s "Murder at Harvard" and "The War
that Made America"), written and directed by veteran "Boston Phoenix"
critic Gerald Peary, "For the Love of Movies" offers a unique
insider’s view of the film critics’ profession, with
commentary from America’s best-regarded reviewers, including
Roger Ebert ("The Chicago Sun-Times"), A.O. Scott ("The New York
Times"), Lisa Schwarzbaum ("Entertainment Weekly"), Kenneth Turan ("The
Los Angeles Times"). We also hear from young, articulate, Internet
voices, including Harry Knowles (ainitcoolnews.com) and Karina
Longworth (spout.com).