Was FF 13 any worse or better than other years?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:56 am
Over the weekend I found myself thinking it was a really weak year with not enough quality films but now with distance and hindsight I wonder if I was being harsh.
A number of posters have bemoaned a lack of quality this year and more often than not the comparison is 'where's the films to compare with LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and MARTYRS'. I am begining to think this comparison is unfair. Firstly, they were 2 of the best genre movies of the last decade, or perhaps any decade, and by sheer luck we got them not only in the same year but in the same afternoon (Sunday). What are the odds? And are we ever likely to be that lucky again?
My usual expectation for FF (I have done all 13) is that I will see:
a. 2 exceptional films
b. 1 huge letdown when expecting something special
c. 2 or 3 solid genre movies
d. 1 above average hollywood horror
e. 1 interesting but flawed film from a newish director
f. 1 unmitigated piece of s***e
g. A bunch of movies that were average or I didnt care for
Applying that logic to FF13 I saw
a. Sleep Tight and Chained
b. Berberian Sound Studio (and I got sucked into the LET THE RIGHT ONE/MARTYRS mentality as it followed SLEEP TIGHT and hoped the same treat would be repeated)
c. VHS/Maniac/Rec 3
d. Sinister
e. American Mary
f. Cant think of one and perhaps that is what has skewed perception of this year. Even the worst movies were competent. There was no 'Zombie Sluts' or 'Bubbas Chilli' this year.
g.There were a quite a few average movies this year and without a low point to balance the high points maybe this gave the impression of a poor year
Finally, I try to hold the thought that if one averages 1 cinema visit a week we are seeing half a years worth of films in 5 days and how many of the films you would see over that half year are actually any good?
So all in all I have now come to the opinion that this year was no worse or better than any other. My thanks to the team for their efforts and I look forward to FF's Valentines day.
A number of posters have bemoaned a lack of quality this year and more often than not the comparison is 'where's the films to compare with LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and MARTYRS'. I am begining to think this comparison is unfair. Firstly, they were 2 of the best genre movies of the last decade, or perhaps any decade, and by sheer luck we got them not only in the same year but in the same afternoon (Sunday). What are the odds? And are we ever likely to be that lucky again?
My usual expectation for FF (I have done all 13) is that I will see:
a. 2 exceptional films
b. 1 huge letdown when expecting something special
c. 2 or 3 solid genre movies
d. 1 above average hollywood horror
e. 1 interesting but flawed film from a newish director
f. 1 unmitigated piece of s***e
g. A bunch of movies that were average or I didnt care for
Applying that logic to FF13 I saw
a. Sleep Tight and Chained
b. Berberian Sound Studio (and I got sucked into the LET THE RIGHT ONE/MARTYRS mentality as it followed SLEEP TIGHT and hoped the same treat would be repeated)
c. VHS/Maniac/Rec 3
d. Sinister
e. American Mary
f. Cant think of one and perhaps that is what has skewed perception of this year. Even the worst movies were competent. There was no 'Zombie Sluts' or 'Bubbas Chilli' this year.
g.There were a quite a few average movies this year and without a low point to balance the high points maybe this gave the impression of a poor year
Finally, I try to hold the thought that if one averages 1 cinema visit a week we are seeing half a years worth of films in 5 days and how many of the films you would see over that half year are actually any good?
So all in all I have now come to the opinion that this year was no worse or better than any other. My thanks to the team for their efforts and I look forward to FF's Valentines day.