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Maybe by "turgid videogame anonymity" he just meant video games that are turgid, not that all video games are turgid. And maybe Ebert isn't an ass--video game versions of movies aren't exactly great.
Oh, who am I kidding. They have it in for us and they don't know what the hell they're talking about.
Oh, who am I kidding. They have it in for us and they don't know what the hell they're talking about.
I fully endorse this rant! You tell'em Chad.
In a world where there's some respect for the industry with regards to evaluation, Roger's comments about Death Race compared to game should have some broad validity: I made the comparison in my mind as well.
However, MY connection was in relation to bad movie tie ins, and the prsence of Jason Statham, who honest has appeared in more video game-esque movies than anyone on the planet. If you don't believe me, read the synopsis' for Crank and The Transporter and tell me it doesn't read like a quest synopsis or a fun game mechanic.
In a world where there's some respect for the industry with regards to evaluation, Roger's comments about Death Race compared to game should have some broad validity: I made the comparison in my mind as well.
However, MY connection was in relation to bad movie tie ins, and the prsence of Jason Statham, who honest has appeared in more video game-esque movies than anyone on the planet. If you don't believe me, read the synopsis' for Crank and The Transporter and tell me it doesn't read like a quest synopsis or a fun game mechanic.
I think some of the issue is that, while there are certainly many games that display some artistic merit, and some that actually classify wholly as "art," there are even more video games that are just games. And really, there's nothing wrong with that. F-Zero is a great game, but it's also kind of impossible to compare to film, due in no small part to its complete lack of plot. To give a better comparison, the execution of plot in Halo 3, the conclusion to a trilogy some called "the Star Wars of video games" (not my words), is decidedly inferior to that of the actual Star Wars trilogy. When you hear a reviewer criticize a movie like 300 for being a video game brought to life, yes, they're obviously generalizing, but that's because the plot is like that.
Right now, the strength of video games lies in creating emotions and telling stories in different ways than film, but that doesn't mean the majority of those stories and plots are as complex or of high quality as most films. I think reviewers, with the exception of Mr. Ebert, are starting to come around to the idea that some games are culturally worthwhile to compare to their fancy-shmancy art. But right now, the medium of games is still limited in what they have done, and it's going to take more time before we see less "video gamey" game plots.
Also, Death Race the Game? That might actually be better than the movie, if they restore the concept from the original film of randomly running over non-racers for points.
Right now, the strength of video games lies in creating emotions and telling stories in different ways than film, but that doesn't mean the majority of those stories and plots are as complex or of high quality as most films. I think reviewers, with the exception of Mr. Ebert, are starting to come around to the idea that some games are culturally worthwhile to compare to their fancy-shmancy art. But right now, the medium of games is still limited in what they have done, and it's going to take more time before we see less "video gamey" game plots.
Also, Death Race the Game? That might actually be better than the movie, if they restore the concept from the original film of randomly running over non-racers for points.
No, Ebert's an ass. His hatred for videogames is well-documented.
Ignorant cognoscenti are ignorant.
Your breadth of knowledge in one medium does not give you the authority to disregard/blaspheme another. Especially one know nothing about.
Great, now I'm a crabby mofo.
Your breadth of knowledge in one medium does not give you the authority to disregard/blaspheme another. Especially one know nothing about.
Great, now I'm a crabby mofo.
Some video games a quite turgid. I'd say that Cho Aniki has quite a lot of turgidness to it.
Gay jokes aside, this is one of those "Rock music doesn't make you insane you religious sycophants!" into the ether rants. Anyone with a brain would agree but most people are more fond of misinformed pandering than truth.
Gay jokes aside, this is one of those "Rock music doesn't make you insane you religious sycophants!" into the ether rants. Anyone with a brain would agree but most people are more fond of misinformed pandering than truth.
Chad, you're aiming straight for my heart with this one -- but alas, I think you're just preaching to the choir here. You should e-mail this article to Ebert & Gleiberman!
A bit sensitive?
So what, some people don't like the medium. Make strong examples of why they're wrong and make that a trend and they'll listen. Too bad the industry doesn't do that.
So what, some people don't like the medium. Make strong examples of why they're wrong and make that a trend and they'll listen. Too bad the industry doesn't do that.
I concur. Brilliantly written article. It's a shame that videogames are short-changed simply because they're a new medium. I suppose though, that I'd assume all movies were crap if I'd only seen "Click." Hopefully these professionals will stop being so ignorant.
@Samit: Seconded! Send that article out!
@Samit: Seconded! Send that article out!
@Maxxthepenguin
Something as sweeping as an entire MEDIUM of entertainment shouldn't have to go out of its way to justify its existence to ignoramuses.
Something as sweeping as an entire MEDIUM of entertainment shouldn't have to go out of its way to justify its existence to ignoramuses.
I thought Clone Wars was enjoyable from my couch :(
When Ebert says "it felt like the videogame", he doesn't mean that there is a videogame of it, but that it felt like all the explosions and action were pointless etc. Which is in line with most videogames and why the mainstream critics still doesn't accept them. Then again, looking at top sellers across the board, who can blame them? :P
When Ebert says "it felt like the videogame", he doesn't mean that there is a videogame of it, but that it felt like all the explosions and action were pointless etc. Which is in line with most videogames and why the mainstream critics still doesn't accept them. Then again, looking at top sellers across the board, who can blame them? :P
Gotta love the passion you put into this. I am of the opinion that movie reviewers are threatened by video games, because if the majority view it as a form of art, they might be asked to review a piece of media that involves more than being a snide little prick who sits on his ass with a bucket of popcorn or other some snack and maybe a drink to (usually) write a small review on a movie that will often talk more about the people behind the movie and the respect (or lack there of) they have for everyone involved than actually reviewing the goddamn movie.
Secondly, there is a video game called Death Race, but I don't think it counts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Race
Secondly, there is a video game called Death Race, but I don't think it counts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Race
Maybe we can get Superflossy to hit that EW reviewer in the back of the head for us. VIDEOGAME VIOLENCE!
I agree with your sentiments, but I guess the main difference here is that I don't really need any validation from the industry that whelped tripe like "Epic Movie".
Entertainment Weekly is so full of itself that sometimes I think they are trying to be Pitchfork, but at the same time they laud completely laughable garbage.
Damn fine article, I would just like to see something a little longer and more fleshed out (sans flesh), and is actually sent to these culture critics.
Damn fine article, I would just like to see something a little longer and more fleshed out (sans flesh), and is actually sent to these culture critics.
Thank God for you, Chad Concelmo.
I agree with Samit, though, this message definitely needs to reach beyond the Dtoid army.
I agree with Samit, though, this message definitely needs to reach beyond the Dtoid army.
Any drooling idiot can be plopped down in front of a movie. You just have to get him to sit still long enough to watch it.
A video game takes participation. Really enjoying a good movie does, too -- but a game *requires* it.
When it comes down to it, you can watch a movie where one character takes another's hand, and if it's well done you feel the connection yourself, but in ICO, I reached out and I took Yorda's hand, and it made a difference.
A video game takes participation. Really enjoying a good movie does, too -- but a game *requires* it.
When it comes down to it, you can watch a movie where one character takes another's hand, and if it's well done you feel the connection yourself, but in ICO, I reached out and I took Yorda's hand, and it made a difference.
Great article Chad. In my local papers review for the movie they said that the upcoming game The Force Unleashed looked like it would be much better than the Clone Wars, in terms of both visuals and story. Reading that made me feel happy that a movie reviewer actually knew what he was talking about when it came to video games.
I was recently watching a TV show in which the presentor said that games arnt meant to be able to give you stories or be anything more than simplistic and pathetically mindless piece of entertainment. Its just bollacks as games have given me enough times to fell emtionally attached as films or TV has and its an annoying level of snobbery that keeps them below other forms of media.
Ebert plays games. He says it all the time (in not so many words). His problem isn't with video games, he's just a stickler for proper translation and "technicalities". He says that while games are fun, and imaginative, and beautiful they aren't art because they can be changed. The fact that you have choices and interactivity changes them from being a "direct intention of mood or idea" to more of a set of tools given to a person that allow them to do things their way. This takes away the "art" aspect as in it being someone's vision.
There are different interpretations of what art really is though, hell other critics argue with him.
There are different interpretations of what art really is though, hell other critics argue with him.
You've got to admit though, most games aren't that great as art. Granted, most movies aren't either, but it's pretty rare you get a video game with as brilliant a narrative as Bioshock.
@ Pixel Blue & anybody really, do you really feel as if you are the main character when you play video games? I've never played one where I didn't feel like I was controlling someone else, just like in movies I always feel like I'm watching someone else. Granted, the control aspect is what separates video games and added that great narrative twist to Bioshock.
@ Pixel Blue & anybody really, do you really feel as if you are the main character when you play video games? I've never played one where I didn't feel like I was controlling someone else, just like in movies I always feel like I'm watching someone else. Granted, the control aspect is what separates video games and added that great narrative twist to Bioshock.
Preacher: meet Choir.
But yeah, great writeup. The mainstream press sort of regards video games as a curious, compartmentalized fad right now, but as gamers themselves continue to grow up and replace the older generations, that mindset will start to change.
Very few video games actually fit underneath "art" (in my opinion) though. So you can't really fault them for drawing conclusions based on Madden and Wii Sports. When an art game like Ico is called "revolutionary" for its own medium, then you know that that level of aesthetic is the exception, not the norm.
But yeah, great writeup. The mainstream press sort of regards video games as a curious, compartmentalized fad right now, but as gamers themselves continue to grow up and replace the older generations, that mindset will start to change.
Very few video games actually fit underneath "art" (in my opinion) though. So you can't really fault them for drawing conclusions based on Madden and Wii Sports. When an art game like Ico is called "revolutionary" for its own medium, then you know that that level of aesthetic is the exception, not the norm.
Oh God I was going to say something relevant but Birdseye reminded me about the existence of Disaster Movie, and now I can't stop shaking with rage. Seriously, ugh.
Yes! Go angry Chad, go! Ohhh, the nerd rage inside of me!
GRRRRR!
Film Critics = people without enough talent to actually create, so instead they hate for a living.
Hey movie critics, I like insightful views on movies as much as the next guy, but know your fucking role and STFU.
Hey Roger Ebert, I'm sorry you were too good for Death Race. Your right, movies shouldn't be fun. Enjoy your miserable exsistence as a pretentious ass. Enjoy.
*breathes deep*
GRRRRR!
Film Critics = people without enough talent to actually create, so instead they hate for a living.
Hey movie critics, I like insightful views on movies as much as the next guy, but know your fucking role and STFU.
Hey Roger Ebert, I'm sorry you were too good for Death Race. Your right, movies shouldn't be fun. Enjoy your miserable exsistence as a pretentious ass. Enjoy.
*breathes deep*
@Demtor don't knock Ebert for thinking movies shouldn't be fun. He's a constant champion for GOOD, fun movies. Death Race was probably actually shit, if he didn't like it.
I can't fault the guy for being out of his element on games. He old. He's also dedicated his life to another medium which he thinks totally fucking rules more than anything! In fact, he's one of the most important people to film; no wonder he feels threatened by games, which ARE invading movies stylistically, and for the worse (and stealing new viewers away). I mean maybe he needs to turn it down a notch but Ebert's ok by me.
I can't fault the guy for being out of his element on games. He old. He's also dedicated his life to another medium which he thinks totally fucking rules more than anything! In fact, he's one of the most important people to film; no wonder he feels threatened by games, which ARE invading movies stylistically, and for the worse (and stealing new viewers away). I mean maybe he needs to turn it down a notch but Ebert's ok by me.
Brilliam, you reminded me of the "ZOMG GTA4 WILL RUIN IRON MAN'S PREMIER" debacle. Or was that really Iron Man? I seem to have forgotten, memory's a little fuzzy at 2 in the morning.
Where the hell did this idea come from that games(for the most part) aren't art if they don't have compelling, emotional story lines despite having great character design, level design, animation, etc... If I'm more emotionally moved by a shitty comedy that's shot and acted poorly than by some incredibly boring indie flick with great camera work, does that mean the latter isn't art? Art for me is something visual or auditory; being able to bullshit some personalized, deep meaning out of a game doesn't mean it should be considered art more than a game with a unique visual style. Gah...pretentious bullshit!
Somebody PLEASE give angry Chad a cookie before he explodes. Don't forget to give him his stuffed dolphin when you put him down for his nap.
All genres have their waste, and their esoteric. Videogames are no different, and just because someone calls us out on it (regardless of how inaccurate or just plain horrible as it might be) doesn't mean we need to get huffy. No avoiding bad press, especially when some of the games we love create it to fulfill a certain niche we desire.
All genres have their waste, and their esoteric. Videogames are no different, and just because someone calls us out on it (regardless of how inaccurate or just plain horrible as it might be) doesn't mean we need to get huffy. No avoiding bad press, especially when some of the games we love create it to fulfill a certain niche we desire.
Ebert is an old man, he wasn't born in the digital age, and thus, he can't fully grasp the medium.
I think that if he played bioshock, or watched someone playing it, that he could appreciate the visuals, writing and voiceacting...
It's simply that the gameplay doesn't make sense to him... It is really difficult for people who have never gamed before to grasp using a controller...
Ebert isn't an asshole, he's just an aging relic of a time with drastically different technology.
I think that if he played bioshock, or watched someone playing it, that he could appreciate the visuals, writing and voiceacting...
It's simply that the gameplay doesn't make sense to him... It is really difficult for people who have never gamed before to grasp using a controller...
Ebert isn't an asshole, he's just an aging relic of a time with drastically different technology.
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