With Side by Side opening in NYC and Seattle on Friday, August 31, more reviews have been published.
- Side by Side has been designated a NYT Critic’s Pick by A. O. Scott of the New York Times. He said:
“Side by Side,” while far from a comprehensive consideration of the current state of movies, is necessary viewing for anyone who cares about their future.
- Scott Bowles, who reviewed Side by Side for USA Today, wasn’t enamored with the documentary and gave it 2 out of 4 stars. He said:
Side by Side spends plenty of time explaining why the images we see are clearer than ever. It’s less interested in why this tool, marking a seismic shift in what filmmakers can accomplish, hasn’t led to better storytelling, the only real magic of the movies.
- Doris Toumarkine reviewed Side by Side for Film Journal, Specialty Releases. She said:
This pile-up of opinions and information about the ascension of digital never bores or confuses. Instead, Side by Side is an irresistible document of a monumental film-industry transition that professionals and film-loving civilians will devour. And want to see again and again. Talk about an all-star cast and compelling, down-to-the-wire drama!
- Owen Glelberman of Entertainment Weekly gave Side by Side an A. He said:
Side by Side, an intoxicating documentary by director Chris Kenneally and producer Keanu Reeves (who does searching onscreen interviews with filmmakers, editors, and cinematographers) is a meditation on the ways that art and technology flow into each other.
- Lou Lumenick of the New York Post gave Side by Side 3 out of 4 stars. He said:
“Side by Side’’ is an eye-opening, comprehensive look at the biggest technological revolution in Hollywood history. One huge irony is that digital formats are evolving so rapidly that the only foolproof way to archive and preserve a movie shot on video for future generations is . . . to transfer it to film.