Movie is a term that was once used to refer to a fictional narrative film over an hour long and shown in cinemas. But as times changed, so did the use of this word and now movies can be seen in many forms – on TV, DVDs, streaming services, or at home.
The definition of a movie is changing all the time as more and more films break the rules of what we think of as being a movie. This has to do with best practices, traditions, and processes, but also with the sheer number of movies being made every year and the democratization of production and distribution.
Films that were once thought to be ‘not movies’ are now being called movies, and movies that were once considered not good, or even ‘bad’, have become big hits with audiences. This has to do with people’s desire for new, fresh, exciting stories and a change from what they have been exposed to in the past.
A movie can be any type of story that is created by a director and actors, and filmed on a screen. There are a variety of genres that movies can be in, including dramas, comedy, fantasy, and action. Some of these stories have a very serious tone and are intended to make us feel something. Others are more light-hearted and are intended to be fun.
There are even movies that are not based on a true story, but instead are more like a dream or a daydream. These are often referred to as surreal, independent, or art films. They are not usually as commercial or widely distributed, but can have a very strong following and can earn millions in ticket and DVD sales.
Often, when a movie is being considered to be included in a list of the ‘Greatest Movies Ever’, it is helpful to have a close “comp” for that movie. A comp is a movie that is similar to the one being considered, and helps illustrate its importance and quality.
For example, if a movie is being considered to be the ‘best horror-comedies’ of all time, a good comp would be ‘Jaws’. A movie could be compared to ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ if it was a black and white drama that focused on racial tensions.
Richard Linklater’s free-flowing look at the last day of high school in 1976 is a cinematic touchstone, and might be the most shaggy-dog lyrical and authentic depiction of teenage life that has been captured on film (or in any medium). The actors are all natural and unafraid to let their characters ramble, and the settings — a Little League game, a midnight kegger in the woods — have an authenticity that is unparalleled.