Category · 52 questions
Movies
Auteurs, franchises, awards, the death and rebirth of cinema.
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52 entriesAre film critics worth reading?
Film criticism has been a big part of the movie industry for many years, with reviewers giving their take on the latest films and advising the public if a production is worth watching. But is the critique valuable? Are film critics worth reading?
Are the Ewoks in Star Wars lovable or hateable?
Ewoks are the lovable 'teddy bear'-like creatures made famous in the Star Wars franchise. Some people love them and some people hate them? Why is there such a discrepancy in the emotions they elicit in Star Wars fans?
Are the Marvel movies good cinema?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, is one of the most successful intellectual properties of all time. But when asked about his opinion of the Marvel movies, famed filmmaker Martin Scorsese contended that they were not real cinema. This is not just one man's shot at a franchise, but rather a part of an overarching debate about whether the Marvel movies are merely common blockbusters, or something much more. Is Scorsese right, or does the MCU deserve more artistic respect?
Are the Star Wars Movies Prequels or Sequels better?
Star Wars is a beloved movie franchise, and Lucasfilms attempted to expand on that franchise with a trilogy of prequels - The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. But it was met with heavy criticism and despised by fans. A decade later, Disney would try their hand at making Star Wars movies with the Sequel trilogy - The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Unfortunately, these movies were also met with a frosty reception. Comparison between the two trilogies is inevitable... so, which were better? The Prequels, or the Sequels?
Are Walt Disney Animation Studios' movies racist?
Disney Animation movies have told stories from characters around the world, but very often with an American or western frame of reference. Are these fair retellings, or could Disney films be considered racist?
Did Jack really have to die to save Rose at the end of Titanic?
SPOILER: A memorable moment of the movie Titanic was Jack's death. But was this a critical plot point? Did Jack really have to die to save Rose? Does this really make sense for the storyline?
Did the top stop spinning in the end of Inception?
Inception ends on an ambiguous shot of a spinning top, leaving its final reality unresolved. This entry sets out the two readings of that closing scene: that the top stopped spinning, and that it did not.
Has digital cinema destroyed realism?
Has the shift from film to digital cinema undermined the realism of movies? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that digital cinema has destroyed realism, and that it has not.
How do we think about consuming art or products of people accused of sexual abuse?
Can we still enjoy the work of artists accused of sexual abuse? This entry maps the debate over separating art from artist, setting out the positions that consuming such work is acceptable, and that it is not.
Is 3D unnecessary?
Does 3D add anything to film, or is it a gimmick? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that 3D is unnecessary, and that it is not — weighing immersion against cost and discomfort.
Is Captain Kirk or Captain Picard better in Star Trek?
Captain Kirk and Captain Picard are by far the most well-known and beloved captains in the Star Trek universe. But fans new and old hotly debate over which captain is superior; is it the headstrong and courageous James T. Kirk, or the witty and ambitious Jean Luc Picard?
Is cinema dead?
Has cinema, as an art form and an experience, had its day? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that cinema is dead, and that it is not — amid streaming, blockbusters and changing habits.
Is Disney or Pixar better?
Disney brought animation to the forefront of entertainment media with groundbreaking techniques, timeless stories, and imaginative characters. But when Pixar entered the arena, animation took a new turn. Animation lovers debate which is better: Disney or Pixar?
Is Jean Luc Godard the greatest filmmaker of all time?
Jean Luc-Godard was the spearhead of the French new wave cinema. He directed films such as breathless, Vivre-sa vie which defied the laws that set the film making precedence and introduced jump cuts. Post world war 2, USA decided to forego the WW2 debt if France opened its market for US products and regulated its own film industry. In defiance, new directors such as Varda, Godard, Rivette brought some fabulous work on the table.
Is Star Wars or Star Trek better?
Star Wars and Star Trek are both wildly popular space sagas, with rich story lines, that play out in different universes. Both Star Wars and Star Trek have been loved for generations and have huge fan bases. But which is better?
Is Thanos really a villain?
One of the latest villains in the esteemed and massively popular Marvel Cinematic universe is an alien named Thanos. Far above other beings, he believes that half of the world needs to be exterminated in order to save the planet. This may sound terrible, but Thanos has surprisingly understandable logic. Is Thanos evil, or justified in his claims?
Is the Entreprise in Star Trek a military ship?
Is the USS Enterprise in Star Trek a warship or a vessel of exploration? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the Enterprise is a military ship, and that it is not.
Should anime be adapted into live-action films?
As anime grows more popular, more series have been adapted into live-action movies. They aim to service the fans of those anime, and bring the series to a wider audience. But they haven't always been met with good reception. With the rise of both anime and their live-action adaptations, the question is posed whether or not anime should stay in the realm of animation, or break into other media.
Should Hermione have ended up with Harry?
A long-running fan debate, fuelled by J.K. Rowling's own later remarks: should Hermione Granger have ended up with Harry Potter rather than Ron Weasley? This entry sets out the cases for yes and for no.
Should people boycott Disney’s live-action Mulan?
Disney's 2020 live-action adaptation of their 1998 animated film Mulan sparked excitement and controversy. The 1998 animated film is a beloved Disney classic. While Disney intended the 2020 live-action remake to appeal to both American and Chinese audiences, the film incited a call for boycotts (#BoycottMulan) from human rights activists.
Should you watch anime dubbed or subbed?
Anime (Japanese animation) is a cultural phenomenon that has swept the globe since the 90’s. More and more non-Japanese speakers are becoming interested in the world of Japanese animation. Instead of learning Japanese from scratch, viewers deliberate between the controversial choices of watching dubbed (with English voiceovers replacing Japanese audio) or subbed (retaining the Japanese audio and adding subtitles) versions of anime.
The greatest moment in cinema?
What is the single greatest moment in cinema? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Andy's escape in The Shawshank Redemption, the twist in The Usual Suspects, the choice in Sophie's Choice, and the chestburster in Alien.
Was Black Panther's political message too conservative?
Was the politics of Black Panther more conservative than its reputation suggests? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the film's political message is too conservative, and that it is not.
Was Severus Snape a hero?
Severus Snape did some good things across the Harry Potter saga — but do they make him a hero? This entry maps the debate over the divisive character, setting out the positions that Snape was a hero, and that he was not.
Was the ending in "Inception" real?
Did Inception end in reality or in a dream? This entry sets out the two readings of the film's famously ambiguous final scene — that the ending was real, and that it was not.
Was the Star Trek Lower Decks a cannon?
Does the animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks count as part of official Star Trek canon? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Lower Decks is canon, and that it is not.
What are the benefits of color-conscious casting?
Casting directors have an enormous power to shape how audiences see the world by selecting the actors playing characters. Color-conscious casting may be an approach to making sure that media can more accurately represent the world, and the diversity within it. But is it all beneficial? Or are there risks to color-conscious casting?
What are the main themes of Harry Potter?
What are the central themes of the Harry Potter series? This entry maps the contenders — confronting one's fears, the power of love, fate, acceptance and tolerance — each argued to be the story's main theme.
What are the positions on Dumbledore's ethics?
Was Albus Dumbledore a wise mentor or a manipulator? This entry maps the debate over the Harry Potter character's ethics, setting out the opposing positions that his actions were ethical, and that they were not.
What is the best Christmas movie of all time?
The Christmas movie is a holiday tradition that Americans have enjoyed for generations. Good feels, time to come together, and all of the wonderful spirit of the holiday wrapped into a shared story. But what is the best Christmas film?
What is the best Disney movie?
What is the best Disney film? This entry gathers the contenders — among them The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Hercules, Pocahontas and Finding Nemo.
What is the best film in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy?
Christopher Nolan's gritty, realistic take on Batman was a critical and commercial success. The trilogy earned 31 awards and over $1 billion at the box office. This debate revolves around artistry and storytelling within films relative to the overarching narrative of a trilogy and source material.
What is the best Halloween movie of all time?
What is the greatest Halloween movie of all time? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Halloween, Psycho, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Blair Witch Project, Scream and Ghostbusters.
What is the best Harry Potter movie?
The Harry Potter film series is one of the most lucrative of all time, pulling in $7.7 billion over eight films. But which one is the best? Is it the earlier the better, or did the movies get better as time went on?
What is the best thing to watch on Netflix while in quarantine?
As the world grinds to a halt with the spread of COVID-19, we all have the responsibility to take public health seriously and isolate ourselves. With that in mind, now's the perfect time to catch up on Netflix! Should you watch something scary to try and redirect your coronavirus anxiety? Or binge watch a sitcom so you can remember what it was like to be able to freely socialise?
What is the greatest movie of all time?
What is the greatest film of all time? This entry gathers the perennial contenders — among them The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Vertigo, Psycho, Pulp Fiction, The Dark Knight and The Shawshank Redemption.
What is the main theme of Black Panther?
What is the central theme of Black Panther? This entry maps the readings of the film — from black communal power and Pan-Africanism versus nationalism to questions of African sovereignty, identity, self-determination and the legacy of colonisation.
What is the most blasphemous film ever?
What is the most blasphemous film ever made? This entry gathers the contenders — from Monty Python's Life of Brian and The Last Temptation of Christ to The Passion of the Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar and others — each argued by some to be the most blasphemous of all.
What is the most controversial documentary ever made?
What is the most controversial documentary ever made? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Jesus Camp, Bowling for Columbine, Capturing the Friedmans, Earthlings, The Act of Killing and Titicut Follies.
What makes for a good horror movie?
What makes a horror film truly frightening? This entry gathers the contending ingredients — among them fear of death, darkness, creeping creatures, eerie places, disfigurement, suspense, spooky music and the questioning of reality.
Which is the best Harry Potter character?
Which is the best Harry Potter character? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, the Weasley twins, Hagrid, Dobby and Luna Lovegood.
Which is the best screen version of Sherlock Holmes?
Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary character in film and television history, with over 250 screen portrayals to date. It is impossible to fully rank all these adaptations, but which is your favourite out of these iconic 8?
Which Star Wars movie is the best?
Star Wars is a film series loved by generations of fans around the world. Rich stories, characters, adventures have enthralled audiences. But which is the best film?
Who is the most progressive Black Panther character?
Which character in Black Panther is the most progressive? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them T'Challa, Erik Killmonger, Shuri, Okoye, Nakia, Ramonda and T'Chaka.
Who shot first, Han or Greedo?
One of Star Wars fandom's most enduring controversies, born of a contested edit to the cantina scene: did Han Solo shoot first, or did Greedo? This entry sets out the cases for each reading.
Who should have Harry Potter ended up with?
Harry Potters love interests were a story line and point of interest for many who have read the Harry Potters novels. Many who have read the books will have strong feelings about who Harry should have ended up with romatically.
Who was the best Bat Man?
Who played the best Batman? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and the voice actors who brought the character to animation.
Who was the best James Bond?
Many different actors have portrayed the iconic protagonist of one of the longest-running and most successful franchises in film history. Whose version of 007 was the best?
Who was the worst Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?
Hogwarts churned through a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher every year. This entry gathers the cases for the worst of them — among them Quirrell, Umbridge, Snape, the impostor Moody and Lupin.
Why are comic book movies so popular?
From X-Men's modest $296 million box office total to Avengers: Endgame's $2 billion, it's easy to see that comic book movies have become box office juggernauts over the last two decades. But why now? Comics have been around since World War II, so why are movies based on comics just now becoming popular? What, if anything, has changed?
Why do some Christian groups not like Harry Potter?
Why have some Christian groups objected to Harry Potter? This entry maps the explanations — claims that the series promotes Wicca and contains Satanic subtexts, and the counter that its magic bears little resemblance to real occultism.
Why do Star Wars Storm Troopers have such terrible aim?
Why are Star Wars' Stormtroopers such famously poor shots? This entry sets out the two explanations offered — that the Stormtroopers are badly trained, and that they are badly equipped for the task.