“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the big rules in filmmaking. Nolan breaks this rule a lot, probably due to the fact he likes to use complicated, non-linear plots. So he throws a bunch of exposition in there to help the audience. Some critics would prefer that he tell his stories in a coherent manner without using exposition as a crutch or bailout mechanism.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:58 pmThanks. I never understand criticism for exposition.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:57 pmProbably just that Nolan breaks a lot of rules with his films. Too much exposition is an example of it. They hold him accountable for that.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:26 pm
Why is it NY critics dislike Nolan’s films so much?! Never quite got the reasoning.
Tenet Reviews/Reactions [Possible SPOILERS]
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It’s a shame those critics don’t write movies, they’d write the best Screenplay ever written every single time with their knowledge and wisdom.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:02 pm“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the big rules in filmmaking. Nolan breaks this rule a lot, probably due to the fact he likes to use complicated, non-linear plots. So he throws a bunch of exposition in there to help the audience. Some critics would prefer that he tell his stories in a coherent manner without using exposition as a crutch or bailout mechanism.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:58 pmThanks. I never understand criticism for exposition.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:57 pm
Probably just that Nolan breaks a lot of rules with his films. Too much exposition is an example of it. They hold him accountable for that.
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You don't understand the role of a critic. André Bazin never made a film in his life, but if hadn't written what he wrote about films, cinema wouldn't have evolved the way it has, same with Andrew Sarris. The ability to make a film and to criticize a film are two diferent abilities.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:09 pmIt’s a shame those critics don’t write movies, they’d write the best Screenplay ever written every single time with their knowledge and wisdom.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:02 pm“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the big rules in filmmaking. Nolan breaks this rule a lot, probably due to the fact he likes to use complicated, non-linear plots. So he throws a bunch of exposition in there to help the audience. Some critics would prefer that he tell his stories in a coherent manner without using exposition as a crutch or bailout mechanism.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:58 pm
Thanks. I never understand criticism for exposition.
This is categorically wrong and a lazy criticism. He shows AND tells, not the same as just telling and not showing, this is just a stock criticism. Nolan's big weakness is that he sometimes underlines his themes and ideas with dialogue. Not always elegant or subtle - not that I look for those qualities in the kind of films he makes.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:02 pm“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the big rules in filmmaking. Nolan breaks this rule a lot, probably due to the fact he likes to use complicated, non-linear plots. So he throws a bunch of exposition in there to help the audience. Some critics would prefer that he tell his stories in a coherent manner without using exposition as a crutch or bailout mechanism.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:58 pmThanks. I never understand criticism for exposition.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:57 pm
Probably just that Nolan breaks a lot of rules with his films. Too much exposition is an example of it. They hold him accountable for that.
Others have already replied, but I wanted as well... please, do not look for validation when experiencing any piece of art, be it a mainstream film or, I don't know, a new symphony. That is not why you should care for any artist and their work. You should be able to form your own opinion - and, shockingly, you can like an artist even if she or he has some "weaker" creations. Experience it for yourself, and think about it. If you like it and others hate it, great. If you hate it but others love it, also great. Stay authentic and don't be mad that others might have different takes on a certain piece of art. Be proud that you can form your own opinion, but you also don't have to boast. It should be an intimate experience, between you and art. It's not about others, critics or even the artist. It's only you and your thoughts, so you don't have to be afraid that many people don't like Tenet. Or any previous Nolan film.
I also agree that, on film, the "show, don't tell" cliché is actually true and should be true in most cases. I still love Nolan's work. These are not incompatible thoughts in my eyes.
I also agree that, on film, the "show, don't tell" cliché is actually true and should be true in most cases. I still love Nolan's work. These are not incompatible thoughts in my eyes.
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I was just messing aroundDemoph wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:18 pmYou don't understand the role of a critic. André Bazin never made a film in his life, but if hadn't written what he wrote about films, cinema wouldn't have evolved the way it has, same with Andrew Sarris. The ability to make a film and to criticize a film are two diferent abilities.Intonestellar wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:09 pmIt’s a shame those critics don’t write movies, they’d write the best Screenplay ever written every single time with their knowledge and wisdom.redfirebird2008 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 2:02 pm
“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the big rules in filmmaking. Nolan breaks this rule a lot, probably due to the fact he likes to use complicated, non-linear plots. So he throws a bunch of exposition in there to help the audience. Some critics would prefer that he tell his stories in a coherent manner without using exposition as a crutch or bailout mechanism.
Never heard of those two critics tbh.
I like Scott a lot, that's encouraging. For what it's worth, the two biggest Nolan people we've heard from, Robbie Collins and Scott, raved it.
Although I doubt JDW and Pattinson's relationship will be "Fordian" but we'll see.
-Vader
Although I doubt JDW and Pattinson's relationship will be "Fordian" but we'll see.
-Vader
Just pointing out the pattern. A big chunk of New York critics are not fans of Nolan’s storytelling choices for the most part. So it won’t be surprising at all to see them give this film a pretty mixed reaction.Vader182 wrote: ↑August 23rd, 2020, 1:30 pmI hear this a lot and while somewhat true, Manohla Dargis and Bilge Ebiri--two of our greatest critics and scholars of film--are huge Nolan people and have raved most of his work. David Sims is also a NY critic who frequently supports Nolan (and host of the Blank Check Podcast, which rules).
I do expect this to wind up in the 70s or under, though. And that's fine!
-Vader
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