When Movies Mattered: Reviews from a Transformative Decade

When Movies Mattered collects film critic Dave Kehr's reviews from the Chicago Reader during 1974-1986. The book presents selections of Kehr's work from an era when alternative weekly newspapers were at their peak influence on American cultural criticism. The reviews cover major studio releases as well as independent and international films of the period. Kehr's writing focuses on formal analysis and places films within their broader artistic and cultural contexts, eschewing plot summaries in favor of examining directors' techniques and artistic choices. Through these reviews, Kehr engages with the transformative developments in 1970s and 1980s cinema, from the rise of blockbusters to the emergence of independent filmmaking. His reviews document both mainstream Hollywood's evolution and the period's significant art house movements. The collection highlights how serious film criticism helped shape public discourse about cinema during a pivotal decade when movies held significant cultural authority. Kehr's reviews demonstrate film criticism's capacity to bridge academic analysis and accessible writing for general audiences.

Readers appreciate Kehr's focused analysis of films from 1974-1986, with many noting his clear writing style and ability to place movies in cultural context. Several reviews highlight his knack for uncovering deeper meanings in mainstream films that other critics dismissed. Positives: - In-depth technical analysis of cinematography and direction - Balanced perspective on both art house and commercial films - Thoughtful connections between different directors and movements - Strong historical context for each review Negatives: - Some found the writing dense and academic - A few readers wanted more coverage of major blockbusters - Limited scope focuses mainly on American and European films Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Kehr writes with precision and insight about visual style in ways few other critics attempt. His analysis of camera movement in early Spielberg films changed how I watch movies." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎬 Dave Kehr served as the principal film critic for the Chicago Reader during the 1970s and early 1980s, a period he considers the last great era of mainstream American filmmaking. 📝 The book collects reviews written during a pivotal transition in American cinema, when the influence of European art films was giving way to the rise of blockbuster culture. 🎥 Kehr was known for championing overlooked directors like Howard Hawks and Samuel Fuller when many critics dismissed them, helping to establish their critical reputations. 🏆 After leaving the Chicago Reader, Kehr became a film critic for the Chicago Tribune and later The New York Times, where he focused on reviewing DVD releases of classic films. 📚 The book's title reflects Kehr's belief that the 1970s represented a time when movies still held significant cultural weight and could spark serious intellectual discourse, before the dominance of franchise films and marketing-driven production.