Best of Film Online
In a decade that has witnessed the great rise of the internet and it’s capabilities, the film loving community has been able to express their passion more easily and freely, a privilege unavailable to those years earlier whose chatter after a screening was the predominant form of hailing or dethroning the latest blockbuster. Websites such as Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube allow a vast amount of film news, history and knowledge to be accessible to those who discover their pages or profiles.
Though there are certainly too many to mention, my highlights, in no particular order, are derived from a range of sources and websites, chosen for their quality and content that to any film enthusiast are a necessity on any news feed.
Kermode Uncut - Blog
This may seem like an obvious choice to some, with Mark Kermode being possibly the leading film critic in the UK, certainly one of them, for many years. Yet it is not just Kermode’s film reviews that make this BBC blog site so special and interesting.
It seems as though Kermode has a unique ability to cover all aspects of cinema, both modern and un-contemporary, with ease, plainly due to a genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for the art form. Accompanied by weekly film reviews, the blog consists of videos in which Mark discusses points of interest or topical discussion, such as script leaks or special movie soundtracks. Most recently the topic of beloved movie memories allowed the involvement of the viewers to remind us why we travel to the cinema and watch movies, with stories both past and present, providing a personal sense of nostalgia to our own fond recollections of fantastic cinematic experiences.
Although the critic can often come across as rather intransigent, his discussions are always well explained and consistently fascinating. Furthermore, it is rare to find such a brilliant community of followers who are passionate enough about their own opinions to contest with others, and Kermode himself, about, for instance, whether Tarantino has lost it or whether Michael Bay ever had it.
A subscription to this blog will never provide disappointment and in my opinion is a necessity in not only film criticism but for the preservation of film discussion. For writers or spectators Kermode is someone who never fails in generating or rekindling a sense of excitement in film criticism, film making and the film industry itself.
@OnePerfectShot – Twitter Account
The bio on OnePerfectShot’s twitter page prides itself on “honouring cinema’s past frame by frame,” and this is a perfect summary of this unique homage to the beauty of filmmaking. Created by film maker Geoff Todd, there is a clear desire in this page’s construction to form a place where the simplicity or complexity of a scenes structure can often tell a lot about the director, the storyline or the era the film was produced.
Though the concept itself is very simple one, and it is strange to think that such an idea has never been conceived before, the simplicity is not a demeaning factor and with a reliance on submissions submitted from over seventy thousand followers, this profile is never short of fantastic content.
Whether it be the symmetrical style of Wes Anderson or depth of field shots by Stanley Kubrick, this page offers a fascinating insight into decisions made by both the directors of photography and the leading director. As viewers we can often overlook these subtle camera positions or framing techniques, but a reminder of their beauty inspires a desire to watch or re-watch the films that receive a mention.
It is hard to think that this large one perfect shot community will not continue to expand and get more captivating, and as a follower, the craving to find the perfect shot will always keep your eyes deep in the action on screen.
@theacademy – Instagram
Looking aside from the continual shots of food and coffee that are uploaded to Instagram daily, hidden amongst the rubble are some hidden gems. The Academy’s Instagram page is one of them.
From Steven Spielberg perched in front of a triceratops, to Grace Kelly staring affectionately into the lens on the set of High Society, this profile never fails to present cinema’s highlights from it’s conception to 2014.
This profile stands as a homage to great performances and films, some memorable and some possibly forgotten.
The Hollywood Reporter – YouTube Channel
Aware that THR is a multi platform brand, the choice to focus on their YouTube channel may seem rather strange considering their popular magazine and website. Yet the reason for this selection is mainly based around their ongoing “Roundtable” series.
Particularly around the award season, a subscription to THR and the aforementioned series allows a unique and enchanting insight into the thoughts of big names in Hollywood including directors, screenwriters, composers, actors and actresses and even casting directors. Watching these stars discuss interesting topics in an intimate environment, sometimes agreeing and often disagreeing always succeeds in creating interesting conversation.
It seems that this channel really knows what the viewers want to hear and find interesting, and unlike other interviews available, which are often cut to save time, the uncut style that THR provides creates an atmosphere and adds authenticity to the sole purpose of the interviews, which is to create insightful conversation.
The Hollywood Reporter is one of the only magazines which has managed to successfully complete a transition from being a physical publication to a prevailing presence in the online world, and this channel is a perfect example of this progression. For any film lover, these interviews are an essential part of developing knowledge on what it is like to be part of the industry.
thefilmstage.tumblr.com
Like Instagram, there are certain misconceptions of the content that Tumblr provides. Aside from this large amount of junk, the film stage is an exception and a profile that directs followers to intriguing behind the scenes footage and documentaries on demand. Most recent highlights were a one hour master class from the director of The Exorcist and The French Connection William Friedkin, as well as the full Fight Club reflection by David Fincher at Comic Con.
Though detailed online exploration may allow you to find similar content, an outlet such as the film stage is extremely useful for updates or videos that readers may be unaware of. Much like many of my choices, there is not a particular focus on one aspect of cinema, but an inclusion of all genres and features of film, which is important for a page that calls itself a “spotlight on cinema.”
Examining the film stage can often lead to hour long discoveries, which though time consuming are never wasted.
In the age of the internet, the online film community is constantly developing, and though certain websites have not received a mention there appears to be a definite pattern in the aim to spread the love of cinema over a wide range of social networks. With this being the case there is definite hope for the future of film appreciation and discussion.