Venerable tradition

MEDI A CENTER

Venerable tradition

Film critic’s documentary on his profession proves enlightening

Staff report Y ou’ve read their words in major publications and have likely hated what they had to say or agreed wholeheartedly, but more importantly you may have gone to see the movies they wrote about in order to disprove or confirm their opinions.

This is the world of the Amer ican film cr itic, and for the first time a documen­tar y has been made that r ips the lid off their profession, so to speak.

Filmmaker Gerald Perry will appear in-person to present a screening of “For the Love of Movies: The Story of Ameri­can Film Criticism” Sunday (March 14), 7:30-9 p.m., at the Taos Community Auditorium, 145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Directed by Peary, a critic for The B os­ton

Phoenix, the film offers “an insider’s view of the 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) and Kenneth Turan ( The Los Angeles Times).

“We also hear from young, articulate, Internet voices, including Harry Knowles (ainitcoolnews.com) and Karina Long­worth (spout.com),” a press release reads. “Their stories are entertaining, humor­ous, and personal. Those who hear them may gain new respect for the film cr itic profession, knowing the faces and voices, and also the history.”

From the “raw beginnings” of criti­cism before “The Birth of a Nation” to the incendiary Pauline Kael-Andrew Sarr is debates of the 1960s and ’70s to the battle today between youthful onlin­ers and the print establishment, “this documentary tells all.” Actress Patricia Clarkson narrates.

Admission is $7.50; $6.50 Taos Center for the Ar ts mem­bers. Tickets are available at the box office 45 minutes prior to screening. For more information, call (575) 758-2052.

Gerald Peary and Patricia Clarkson talk during her voiceover for the film.

Courtesy photo