Film as Film: Understanding and Judging Movies

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This stimulating book offers an accessible introduction to film theory and its history, free from jargon. Noted film scholar V. F. Perkins presents criteria to enhance our understanding and enjoyment of movies. Using straightforward terms like balance, coherence, significance, and satisfaction, he advocates for a subtle approach and the unobtrusive director. Readers will discover why a scene from the modest film Carmen Jones can provide a deeper realization of filmmaking than the iconic lion sequence in Battleship Potemkin. Perkins encourages a fresh re-experience of famous scenes from directors such as Hitchcock, Eisenstein, and Chaplin with clarity and simplicity. He explores the origins of cinema, highlighting its dual nature of realism and magic, and seeks to reconcile these opposing elements. Combining the enthusiasm of a fan with the insight of a critic, Perkins develops a film theory inspired by Bazin and early theorists, inviting debate and further exploration. Join him as he deepens your appreciation for cinema, enhances your awareness, and enriches your movie-going experience, ensuring that each ticket you purchase yields greater enjoyment.