Jason Apuzzo and Govindini Murty published a piece in The Atlantic today that takes an in depth look at the digital vs. photochemical battle that will rage at the box office this summer. Digitally filmed The Avengers, Prometheus, and The Amazing Spider-Man will be battling it out with the traditionally filmed The Dark Knight Rises, Men in Black 3, Battleship, Snow White and the Huntsman, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and The Bourne Legacy. The authors start out by framing the discussion with respect to the summer crop of films, looking at cost, 3D and other factors.
From there they launched into Side by Side and additional points brought up in the documentary. In discussing Side by Side the authors bring to the forefront some of the ramifications of digital that carry through to distribution. They also delve into the issues surrounding preservation of films covered in the film.
Apuzzo and Murty had the following to say about the documentary:
A sophisticated and even-handed take on what remains a controversial subject in movie circles, Side By Side looks at how digital technology has emerged over the past decade to challenge photochemical filmmaking. With almost 70 interviews featuring such directors as Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, and James Cameron—along with an impressive array of leading cinematographers, editors, producers, and technical innovators—it seems destined to be the authoritative documentary on this subject for years to come.
All in all this was an excellent read.