I like to place movies into different categories. These categories are based on areas such as entertainment, art, marketing, scale, and budget to name a few. Mainly its based off vibes, but I feel the need to quantify things and will attempt to do that. There are 3 categories I like to label them in: Movies, Film, and Cinema. Any movie in these categories can be good or bad, I’m not saying one is inherently better than the others. To start trying to describe it, I’m going to do an example. I wouldn’t place Citizen Kane in the same wheelhouse as The Avengers, and I wouldn’t place Dune (2021) with either. I would say that The Avengers is a movie. There doesn’t seem to be much artistic intention in the Movie, and its mainly made to be entertaining and make money. Citizen Kane is a Film. It doesn’t have that WOW factor to me like a blockbuster does, and it seems to make most of its decisions for the sake of art rather than a studio. Dune is Cinema. It has the scale and budget of a blockbuster but retains its artistic direction. Obviously, this system is to my own taste and will be confusing at times. Hopefully by the end of reading this, it will make sense what I’m trying to say.
Entertainment
First, I want to talk briefly about entertainment. It isn’t a category, but I want to clarify what I mean by it. Entertainment is the enjoyment you get out of a movie. That can mean lots of laughs, epic battle scenes, beautiful cinematography, great acting, anything that contributes to the enjoyment of the movie. Ultimately, I think movies should be entertaining above all else, whether they are a slow-moving drama, or a fast-paced comedy. If you can’t make a movie entertaining in some way, then it doesn’t matter how “good” it is, it probably won’t be for me.
Film
Films are more the art side of movies. They generally have smaller budgets and scale, but more in terms of artistic intention by the director, actors etc… It sometimes goes with the saying “art for art’s sake.” At their best, Films are deep and full of passion. Entertaining in either the art itself, or in the creation/execution of it. At their worst, Films get caught up in themselves too much and fail to deliver an entertaining experience. I think A24 often delivers Films. They relinquish a lot of control to the director and their movies often turn out very “specific.” A24 movies aren’t for everyone, and they often aren’t for me, but I love that they are unapologetically themselves.
Good Films:
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Whiplash (2014)
Minari (2020)
Bad Films:
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Blonde (2022)
The Green Knight (2021)
Casablanca (1943)
Movies
In general, Movies are more the money/studio centric side of Hollywood. It sounds hollow to say, and that’s not all that Movies are, but I think it’s the best way to put it. They often have big budgets, stars everyone would know, marketing to make sure everyone knows it exists. I would say almost every (if not all) of Marvel is Movies. Marvel can be hit or miss, but it has some absolute bangers. I think Movies are also targeted to the widest number of people. They are made to be consumed without a lot of thought, but enjoyable enough that you had fun and would recommend to others. At their best, Movies are a blast. They are fun to watch and are often seen by a lot of people. At their worst, Movies are boring and a waste of time. I don’t go to the movies to see a plot so basic my dog could write it, CGI bad enough to make me embarrassed for them, and actors that look like they’re in it for the paycheck.
Good Movies:
Oceans 8 (2018)
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Jurassic World (2015)
Despicable Me (2010)
Bad Movies:
Red Notice (2021)
The Marvels (2023)
Lucy (2014)
Hypnotic (2023)
Cinema
To me, Cinema is the best. It normally has the scale of a blockbuster, but without compromising on the artistic side. They are why go to physically to the theater, to experience something. Of course, I probably find these the most entertaining. I appreciate that they do not compromise in their art to appeal to a wider audience. Normally they are more well known than Films, but not as popular as Movies. Not everyone loves these movies, and there are some that I don’t like, but overall, I think capture the best of what movies can be.
Good Cinema:
Dune (2021)
Interstellar (2014)
Baby Driver (2017)
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Bad Cinema:
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Dune (1984)
The Mission (1986)
The Last Duel (2021)
Does Any of This Matter?
No? It can matter to you if you like. This idea is something to merely help categorize and analyze movies. It’s based mainly off vibes but has some tangible elements to it. I may not even stick strictly to it, but it helps me put into context what movies can be.
this was fun and funky and fresh! i loved it. give me 10 more right now.
SLAY BOOTS ATE TO THE MOON AND BACK