For The Love Of: Movies The Story Of American Film Criticism

The documentary ends on a bittersweet note. The old guard is gone (or dying out). The new guard is yelling into the algorithmic void. But the love remains. For the Love of Movies is not a slick Hollywood production. It’s a scrappy, passionate, slightly academic love letter. If you are the kind of person who stays for the credits, who watches the director’s commentary, or who has ever defended a Star Wars prequel at a party—you owe it to yourself to watch this.

Because the next time you type "This movie slaps" or "This movie sucks," remember: You are participating in a century-old argument. And thanks to the rebels in this documentary, that argument is a sacred one. for the love of movies the story of american film criticism

If you want the answer, you need to watch Gerald Peary’s documentary, . And fair warning: it will ruin the way you think about Rotten Tomatoes forever. The Origin Story (It’s Not About Thumbs Up/Down) Peary’s film is essentially a loving, 80-minute genealogy lesson for film nerds. It starts with a radical idea: In the early 20th century, movies were considered garbage. They were nickelodeon peep shows for immigrants and illiterates. No "respectable" person would dare critique them. The documentary ends on a bittersweet note

For a while, it looked like utopia. Suddenly, anyone could be a critic. No gatekeepers. No editors. Just pure democracy. But the love remains

Enter a few stubborn visionaries.