“He may seek rather to deepen its mystery, to raise round it, and round its maker, that mist of wonder which is dear to both gods and worshippers alike.”
I love love love to look at art and analyze what makes it tick. Having and maintaining a dialogue and discussion of technique, technicality, artistry and theme is just a deep calling. It’s fascinating to be able to make deep critical observations of even a seemingly transparent work.
I love stupid shit. I love Shrek the Musical, despite its issues, I love Love Never Dies, despite it being literally garbage pulled out of Andy Lloyd Webber butt. It’s just so fascinating to divorce Who I’d Be from the Shrek musical, or a single awful decision from a pile of batshit decisions. Why did the Beauty and the Beast on Broadway work when the Beauty and the Beast live action remake didn’t? How did individual piece of craft fail where others succeeded? I want to know what bad CGI and mediocre singing try to hide.
The key to mystery is to give clues. Understanding cinematography, score, diegesis, themes, metaphor, symbolism, and any other devices are the clues to a mystery. They are meant to convey messages, and if the wrong messages are conveyed, the mystery disappears.
I want to be given, or give, the tools to consume media with more thought. I do not take away the mystery by using my critics toolbox to inspire new creation. I don’t take away the joy and nostalgia of Shrek or Beauty and the beast by discussing the musical choices of either. My disgust and praise always comes from passion, and to some other’s passion will always be a mystery.
Cold Critical 