Side by Side

Name: Side by Side
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 17, 2012
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 82

2012

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 38 Ratings

See All

8.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 38 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Side By Side

Now Playing: Side By Side

Movie Details & Credits

Tribeca Film | Release Date: August 17, 2012 | Not Rated

Summary: Join Keanu Reeves on a tour of the past and the future of filmmaking in SIDE BY SIDE. Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Reeves explores the development ofJoin Keanu Reeves on a tour of the past and the future of filmmaking in SIDE BY SIDE. Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Reeves explores the development of cinema and the impact of digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood masters, such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. (Tribeca Films)… Expand

Director: Christopher Kenneally

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 99 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

A.O. Scott

Aug 30, 2012

For a film geek this movie is absolute heaven, a dream symposium in which directors, cinematographers, editors and a few actors gather to opine on the details of their craft. It is worth a year of film school and at least 1,000 hours of DVD bonus commentary. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Sep 7, 2012

This may sound like a dry subject, but, as presented here, it's anything but – especially if you have more than a passing interest in the art and science of what gets projected onto our movie screens these days. Read full review

Leslie Felperin

Aug 13, 2012

Although laid out with such clarity that any layperson could catch the gist of what's being discussed, Side by Side is not afraid to get nitty-gritty about more technical matters. Read full review

Jordan Mintzer

Aug 13, 2012

Tracing the rise of digital movies via a wealth of charts, clips and candid testimonies, this Keanu Reeves-produced and narrated investigation offers a thorough analysis of what's very likely the most important cinematic development since the advent of sound. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Sep 4, 2012

No side overwhelms the other in the back-and-forth; you feel more like a profoundly uncertain moment is being marked, with little concrete sense of the outcome beyond mankind's enduring hunger for moving pictures. Read full review

Michelle Orange

Aug 21, 2012

At its most fascinating, Side by Side examines the idea that changing formats means changing not just the way movies are made but watched, adjusting the essence of what looks and feels "real." Read full review

Scott Bowles

Sep 1, 2012

Alas, if you're someone who enjoys movies as, say, a two-hour escape, you may find this documentary on the death of film at digital's hands a bit too inside baseball. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Mixed:

User Reviews

josh123-123

Oct 11, 2017

Due to the fascinating commentary made by filmmakers, Keanu Reeves and Christopher Kenneally, Side by Side is a must-see documentary by anyone interested in producing or appreciating film. The topic is an all to relevant debate amongst the film community about the superior form of filmmakingDue to the fascinating commentary made by filmmakers, Keanu Reeves and Christopher Kenneally, Side by Side is a must-see documentary by anyone interested in producing or appreciating film. The topic is an all to relevant debate amongst the film community about the superior form of filmmaking between film and digital recording. Reeves and Kenneally provide an easily digestible and engaging film that documents the perspectives of many respected, contemporary, and practicing filmmakers. While some subjects are clearly still in preference of film as the greatest medium, like Christopher Nolan, and some heavily favor digital filmmaking as their tool, like Robert Rodriguez, there are other subjects who are the balance in between both styles, like Martin Scorsese. This diversity provides a multifaceted argument, and is informative of many points of view.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ilter

Oct 4, 2014

It's great to see the professional people from the industry to talk about Analog vs. Digital. And there are a LOT of them. And Keanu Reeves presents it. If you are interested in behind the scenes of film making, it won't dissapoint to see this documentary.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cameronmorewood

Nov 7, 2012

An informative documentary that is interesting because so many prominent movie makes give their two cents on the subject.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

madams

Apr 16, 2013

A very interesting, eye-opening documentary. If you care anything about the process of making feature films I highly suggest this documentary. Great interviews with great filmmakers.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Apemonkey666

Sep 11, 2012

I was already convinced that digital is the way to go for feature film acquisition but it's fun to see the industry professionals have their say. It's clear that it takes talented and tech-savvy people like David Fincher, James Cameron, George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez to use it efficientlyI was already convinced that digital is the way to go for feature film acquisition but it's fun to see the industry professionals have their say. It's clear that it takes talented and tech-savvy people like David Fincher, James Cameron, George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez to use it efficiently and not succumb to sloppy filmmaking just coz digital makes it 'easier'. Film still has some value as an acquisition medium but the whole post chain is already digital anyway. An recommended viewing for people who want a clear but not overly technical update on the film vs digital battle. Interviews done by Keanu Reeves.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Andys_Reviews

Aug 18, 2013

The film goes in to quite a lot of technical detail about the technology of filmmaking; most was easy to follow, but I can see how it might put a few off. Some very interesting questions are posed; particularly revealing are the comments on the fad for 3D; something the studios seem to loveThe film goes in to quite a lot of technical detail about the technology of filmmaking; most was easy to follow, but I can see how it might put a few off. Some very interesting questions are posed; particularly revealing are the comments on the fad for 3D; something the studios seem to love at the moment. The music wasn’t all it might have been as well; it sounded a little like I was watching an 80’s infomercial about a film camera company at times. A well balanced piece although I did find it was beginning to drag a little towards the end. Still, well worth a look for any fan of the movies, I can’t see it having a much broader appeal though. On a personal note; I don’t really care what technology is used to make a film; to me the important thing is the story. Without a well scripted story, to my mind at least, there’s no point in even starting.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hoops2448

Aug 27, 2013

The whole process of making film fascinates me, especially the old process of making it on film, meaning that Side by Side must be the film for me. Not at all, thanks to a complete disregard of everything film. Side by Side looks at the influx of digital cinema and its effects on films madeThe whole process of making film fascinates me, especially the old process of making it on film, meaning that Side by Side must be the film for me. Not at all, thanks to a complete disregard of everything film. Side by Side looks at the influx of digital cinema and its effects on films made as some say they should still be made on film. Using famous talking heads to make their point, the film emphasises the differences between the two and how digital's emergence has changed everything. While an interesting concept and filled with good questions asked by narrator and interviewer Keanu Reeves, Side by Side lacks the kind of debate expected from a documentary like this and it also fails to convey any kind of personal touch as it robotically goes over the facts with no time for any form of discussion. The film is more interested in opinion and the views of the film-makers Reeves talks to, something that ensures the film fails to make any points in support of either method. I'm sure this was so the viewer could make his own decision but the film fails to give enough information to make a decision of that sort possible. Sure its nice to hear directors talking so lovingly about their craft but in the end it doesn't mean a damn think in relation to the film vs digital debate because its not so much a debate but a choice, one that isn't any clearer having spent an hour and a half learning nothing but conjecture.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 7 REVIEWS