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DEFAMATION (HASHMATSA)Movie Reviews
Hebrew language documentary that aims to assess whether anti-Semitism still lurks beneath the surface of supposedly civilized societies, or is just a scarecrow used to drum up political support for right-wing Zionism. Cast:Abraham Foxman, Norman Finkelstein, Stephen M. Walt, John J. MearsheimerDirector:Yoav ShamirRelease Date:November 20, 2009DVD Release:May 18, 2010From:First RunLength:1 hr 31 min
MAY 18, 2010
Defamation (Hashmatsa), Good Reviews (Doc) Limited
Defamation (Hashmatsa) played in limited release to good reviews. • Walter Addiego wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, "You may disagree with his conclusion, but you have to give Yoav Shamir credit for addressing extremely painful questions." • And Leslie Felperin wrote in Daily Variety, "...provocative, timely docu-making..." More Reviews Below...
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (6 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: WEAK "...somewhat annoying... These ideas deserve a thorough, dispassionate discussion, but what they get here is an imitation-Michael Moore treatment..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 248 words, 11/20/09
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Shamir's filmmaking style here differs from his verite doc 'Checkpoint'... The more personal perspective is engaging, but it also exposes the filmmaker's lack of depth."(See all of Bill Stamets's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 367 words, 01/01/10
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Even though 'Defamation,' which is sprinkled with unexpected moments of wry humor, will be inescapably controversial, Yoav Shamir strives admirably to be evenhanded."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 280 words, 11/20/09
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: MODERATE(cg) "While he takes an evenhanded approach, the filmmaker appears on camera far too often and goes off point as frequently as Michael Moore."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 104 words, 11/20/09
Scott Foundas, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...a cheerfully incendiary documentary about the modern face of anti-Semitism... Does anti-Semitism exist or is it a construct of America's powerful, pro-Israel lobby?"(See all of Scott Foundas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 244 words, 11/18/09
KEY CITIES (2 Reviews)
Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "You may disagree with his conclusion, but you have to give Yoav Shamir credit for addressing extremely painful questions."(See all of Walter Addiego's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 475 words, 11/20/09
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a mitzvah, an act of kindness.... the film wades airily into a cultural no-flyover zone, sits down, and says: OK, let's talk."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 652 words, 12/04/09
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Scott Foundas, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...a cheerfully incendiary documentary about the modern face of anti-Semitism... Does anti-Semitism exist or is it a construct of America's powerful, pro-Israel lobby?"(See all of Scott Foundas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 244 words, 11/18/09
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: WEAK "...somewhat annoying... These ideas deserve a thorough, dispassionate discussion, but what they get here is an imitation-Michael Moore treatment..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 248 words, 11/20/09
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Even though 'Defamation,' which is sprinkled with unexpected moments of wry humor, will be inescapably controversial, Yoav Shamir strives admirably to be evenhanded."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 280 words, 11/20/09
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Even though 'Defamation,' which is sprinkled with unexpected moments of wry humor, will be inescapably controversial, Yoav Shamir strives admirably to be evenhanded."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 280 words, 11/20/09
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: WEAK "...somewhat annoying... These ideas deserve a thorough, dispassionate discussion, but what they get here is an imitation-Michael Moore treatment..."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 248 words, 11/20/09
17.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Defamation (Hashmatsa)'s reviews are separated by an average 17.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Defamation (Hashmatsa) (12 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Defamation (Hashmatsa)'s reviews cover 16.4% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 3,877 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 323 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 4 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Defamation (Hashmatsa)'s reviews on average broke 4 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Defamation (Hashmatsa)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Defamation (Hashmatsa) (12 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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