Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael
Pauline Kaelwas an American film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991. Earlier in her career, her work appeared in City Lights, McCall's and The New Republic...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJournalist
Date of Birth19 June 1919
CountryUnited States of America
Pauline Kael quotes about
appeal attracts bang basic begin despair imaginable italian kiss movies perhaps saw seldom statement ultimately understand words
The words ''Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,'' which I saw on an Italian movie poster, are perhaps the briefest statement imaginable of the basic appeal of movies. This appeal is what attracts us, and ultimately what makes us despair when we begin to understand how seldom movies are more than this.
among bursting country creativity encourage somehow
In this country we encourage ""creativity"" among the mediocre, but real bursting creativity appalls us. We put it down as undisciplined, as somehow ""too much.
among bursting country creativity encourage somehow
In this country we encourage "creativity" among the mediocre, but real bursting creativity appalls us. We put it down as undisciplined, as somehow "too much.
appeal bang basic imaginable italian kiss movies perhaps saw statement words
The words ""Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"" which I saw on an Italian movie poster, are perhaps the briefest statement imaginable of the basic appeal of movies
artist fool firsts
The first prerogative of an artist in any medium is to make a fool of himself.
tests virtuous feels
If there is any test that can be applied to movies, it's that the good ones never make you feel virtuous.
mean san-francisco invasion
In San Francisco, vulgarity, "bad taste," ostentation are regarded as a kind of alien blight, an invasion or encroachment from outside. In Los Angeles, there is so much money and power connected with ostentation that is no longer ludicrous: it commands a kind of respect. For if the mighty behave like this, then quiet good taste means that you can't afford the conspicuous expenditures, and you become a little ashamed of your modesty and propriety.
movie baby couple
When a picture can't make it on its own, the producers pull in a 'controversial' message - the way a couple whose marriage is falling apart decide to have a baby.
television knees this-generation
What this generation was bred to at television's knees was not wisdom, but cynicism.
movie art expression
Movies are our cheap and easy expression, the sullen art of displaced persons.
doors feet want
Where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge your foot in that door and keep it open.
mistake anxiety judgement
A mistake in judgment isn't fatal, but too much anxiety about judgment is.
stars believe giving
Moviegoers like to believe that those they have made stars are great actors. People used to say that Gary Cooper was a fine actor probably because when they looked in his face they were ready to give him their power of attorney.
movie believe thug
There seems to be an assumption that if you're offended by movie brutality, you are somehow playing into the hands of the people who want censorship. But this would deny those of us who don't believe in censorship the use of the only counter-balance: the freedom of the press to say that there's anything conceivably damaging in these films - the freedom to analyze their implications. ... How can people go on talking about the dazzling brilliance of movies and not notice that the directors are sucking up to the thugs in the audience?