MovieChat Forums > Smart People (2008) Discussion > To those who watch the first 30 of a mov...

To those who watch the first 30 of a movie..

posted 14 years ago by moviecritic007
6 replies | jump to latest

***Spoilers***

Lately with movies at my disposal (technology these days..comcast on demand, redbox, friends, blockbuster)and some extra time i have been watching a lot of movies as of late. What i have been doing more often, is watching the first 30 minutes of a movie and deciding if its worth my time. I also have a few friends which do the same. So after the 30 minutes of Smart people..

Wow. I did not have too much pre-knowledge of this film coming in, but i must say the first 30 minutes have been highly enjoyable and the plot is set up beautifully. It feels that all the actors have found a role very much suiting their realm of acting believability - in Quaid as the older lonely intellectual with obvious social shortcomings, Parker as the romantic allure with knowledge matching that of Quaid, Page as a smart 17 year old (much more enjoyable than her juno character but short of her Hard Candy performance) and Church as the comic relief as expected. I have the feel that Page and Church will be standouts but we'll see if Quaid can pull a fast one. All are connected to Quaid and the ground work is wonderfully set. So much so that the movie can follow several roads, all of which will generate immediate empathy. Its nice to see a movie set up perfectly and then tell its story. Very excited for the rest, check back for my final thoughts! Thanks for listening

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face"

[–] vilj-1 14 years ago

I don't think it is a wise decision to judge a film by the first 30 minutes. I have watched movies in which the first 30 or even 45 minutes weren't that great, but the plot developed and with other twists and turns, the entire film had turned out to be excellent and if I had judged it on the first half-hour, I would have missed a terrific film. Think about it!

[–] herecomestimmy 14 years ago

I agree! I've certainly watched films that I should of turned off after 30 minutes but they are few and far between. Maybe I just know which films not to watch now... but you still might miss out on some classic films! It's like only looking at half a painting.

[–] moviecritic007 14 years ago

I generally agree with that, but can you name these movies that turned out to be charms? I honestly can't. Generally speaking, a movie worth my time will be able to catch me, or anyone for that matter in 30 minutes. Whether be it by style, tone, actors, plot, the general jist of my post was that you the viewer know what you like and can be figured it in the first 30 minutes.

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face"

[–] prisacap 14 years ago

For me '12 Angry Men' is one of the films that delivers 90% of its juice in its second half while the first 30 minutes are unspectacular, to say the least.

De gustibus et coloribus non disputandum est

[–] TNA-Sting_Fan 14 years ago

This was a very enjoyable movie.

Alison Lohman for Supergirl

[–] annenorene 14 years ago

your subject line caught my attention, but couldn't help being annoyed when you wrote "very excited for the rest, check back for my final thoughts!" and did not see any of your final thoughts. I was interested in reading what you thought.

I agree with your subject statement. It seems people don't give movies a chance these days, but we can blame that at Hollywood and the overproduction of movies.

I am glad I gave this movie a chance! Being in the psychology field, I know quite a few intellectual people who just do not have interpersonal skills needed to survive.

Would be interested in reading your complete review. You seem to be a good movie critic, Perhaps it is something you should get paid for, if you don't already.