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Side by Side

Play trailer Poster for Side by Side Released Aug 17, 2012 1h 38m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.
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Side by Side

Side by Side

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Critics Consensus

Keanu Reeves proves a groovy guide through this informative exploration of how technology is transforming cinema, with an even-handed defense for both the old and the new.

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Critics Reviews

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David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle The documentary would have been that much better with a more explicit focus on why the average filmgoer should care. Rated: 2/4 Sep 10, 2013 Full Review Tara Brady Irish Times This is route-one stuff.No serious film enthusiast will, however, want to miss Side by Side. Rated: 3/5 Feb 15, 2013 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Maybe this geekily precise, Keanu Reeves-fronted documentary fretting over the death of celluloid needs to give digital its due. Rated: 3/5 Feb 14, 2013 Full Review Jim Ross TAKE ONE Magazine The film's breadth of opinions - of which there are too many to recount in a single article - indicates that there is no 'right' choice, and impressively captures a debate that may not rage forever. Feb 13, 2020 Full Review Amie Simon Three Imaginary Girls ... if you're a film nerd, you are IN ABSOLUTE HEAVEN while watching this, totally enamored of every word, and thrilled about hearing the debate. Mar 4, 2019 Full Review Rania Richardson The Villager Celluloid or digital film - which is the better format? Directors, cinematographers, editors and other film professionals weigh in on the question in Chris Kenneally's densely packed doc, SIDE BY SIDE. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 7, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M Both historical review and argument clashing idealness between preserving tradition and embracing innovation for visually resulted achievement, another passionately-led essentiality for exploring film is exceptionally covered for easily solid engagement. (A-) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/27/24 Full Review Miss P I have basically zero knowledge of how movies are made other than behind the scenes docs. I've been aware of the digital vs film debate but had no idea why it mattered. This film explains exactly why filmmakers have preferences and it shows the differences in the two. What I found most intriguing is the real vs fabricated worlds and how digital opened up possibilities. This doc is 10 years old and what I find interesting is currently people seem to be wanting practical effects vs green screens and digital actors. James Cameron seemed to take offense at this particular debate. He relies heavily on CGI and asked Reeves how often what's on screen is "real". I laughed out loud because the movie "Speed" is known for doing primarily practical effects. And personally, I think it shows. As a movie goer I prefer it. Reeves is too kind to point this out, but I would have enjoyed a more spirited debate regarding that issue. It was well done and I learned a lot. I only wish it would have dug maybe a bit deeper into the different issues. Perhaps revisit this subject now? I think opinions would be even more varied. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Audience Member I love watching films and writing them, and Side by Side gives a bit of both. It's great for anyone with a love of movies that goes beyond being an audience member. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a necessary watch for filmmakers. It gives a sense of how cinema has evolved with the advances of digital filmmaking and where it's gonna go from there. At one point, the documentary slightly hinted at what the future of cinema would be like with streaming services, and I was so glad that it mentioned that. The art of watching movies has changed a whole lot with the help of streaming services, so having that predicted in a documentary from eight years ago was awesome! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review renaldo d good documentary, rich in information Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a fantastic documentary which provides a window into the technical elements of the way an image is captured by cameras for motion pictures. Most of us are aware that there are two mediums- film, - which has been the method of application up until the last decade or two, and digital- which is trying to supplant film. It is an interesting look at the junction of art and science to create a feature film and the kind of hurdles these mediums, and the people using them have to overcome. Keanu Reeves is an excellent host and the usually drab actor seems full of energy here, asking furtive questions and giving feedback and opinion. There are a host of subjects interviewed here, from legendary filmmakers and cinematographers to producers and movie moguls. I prefer the look of film stock and will side with it, but there is no denying the strides digital cameras have made in recent years. And perhaps the greatest takeaway from this documentary is that it doesn't really matter what medium you shoot on- it is the person behind the camera that matters. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Side by Side

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Cast & Crew

Casting By 94% 80% Casting By Watchlist Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel 92% 84% Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel Watchlist Mansome 24% 23% Mansome Watchlist 21 Years: Richard Linklater 40% 56% 21 Years: Richard Linklater Watchlist Hitchcock/Truffaut 96% 77% Hitchcock/Truffaut Watchlist TRAILER for Hitchcock/Truffaut Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Directors James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and others discuss digital technology's impact on filmmaking.
Director
Christopher Kenneally
Producer
Keanu Reeves, Justin Szlasa
Screenwriter
Christopher Kenneally
Distributor
Tribeca Film
Production Co
Company Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 17, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 5, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.6K
Runtime
1h 38m
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