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VISUAL ACOUSTICS: THE MODERNISM OF JULIUS SHULMANMovie Reviews
Documentary about the life and career of Julius Shulman, America's preeminent photographer of modern architecture. Cast:Julius Shulman, Dustin HoffmanDirector:Eric BrickerRelease Date:October 9, 2009DVD Release:May 25, 2010From:Arthouse FilmsLength:1 hr. 23 min.
MAY 25, 2010
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman, Very Good Reviews (Doc) Key Cities
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman played in key cities to very good reviews. • Jeff Shannon wrote in the Seattle Times, "...a richly rewarding documentary that pays tribute to Julius Shulman, widely regarded as history's most important and influential photographer of modernist architecture." • And Walter Addiego wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, "...an elegy to modernism." More Reviews Below...
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman Positive Reviews (16 Reviews, reviews below)
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman has not been reviewed by Broad National Press
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (6 Reviews)
Andy Webster, New York Times: GOOD "The film is not about political causes; it's about lovely photographs of graceful buildings and those who can afford the real estate. But it does pay proper respect..."(See all of Andy Webster's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 328 words, 10/09/09
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a respectful documentary... features some hypnotic footage that cinematographer Dante Spinotti shot at Shulman-photographed houses."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 402 words, 10/16/09
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Shulman helped popularize architects ranging from Pierre Koenig to Richard Neutra to Frank Lloyd Wright, in L.A., Palm Springs and Brazil."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 260 words, 11/20/09
Ella Taylor, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "Enjoyable as it is, Eric Bricker's giddy hagiography could have used a little pushback, especially in the matter of Shulman's airy dismissal of postmodernism..."(See all of Ella Taylor's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 214 words, 10/07/09
KEY CITIES (7 Reviews)
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "Julius Shulman's long and productive career makes for a fascinating primer in modern architecture, Los Angeles culture and the meaning of a well-lived life."(See all of Philip Kennicott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,057 words, 11/06/09
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "You might not recognize his name, but almost certainly you've gasped at his iconic images... Shulman photographed buildings as if they were movie stars..."(See all of Carrie Rickey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 406 words, 12/18/09
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "...essential viewing for builders, graphic designers, visual artists, and other optically inclined folk, but it's a bit of a slog for the uninitiated..."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 523 words, 02/26/10
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a richly rewarding documentary that pays tribute to Julius Shulman, widely regarded as history's most important and influential photographer of modernist architecture."(See all of Jeff Shannon's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 397 words, 01/29/10
Stan Hall, Portland Oregonian: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "PBS-quality... but Shulman's avuncular presence goes a long way; he's so funny and chipper it's almost surprising to learn he died not long after this film was completed."(See all of Stan Hall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 101 words, 12/11/09
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "Although Shulman died after 'Visual Acoustics' was completed, this stylish film reminds us that great images endure after bodies and buildings crumble."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 272 words, 01/29/10
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Ella Taylor, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "Enjoyable as it is, Eric Bricker's giddy hagiography could have used a little pushback, especially in the matter of Shulman's airy dismissal of postmodernism..."(See all of Ella Taylor's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 214 words, 10/07/09
Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...effusive in its praise, tame in its public-television-style execution.... Shulman was commissioned to show the world how stunningly sleek these houses were."(See all of Gerald Peary's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 159 words, 02/25/10
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Andy Webster, New York Times: GOOD "The film is not about political causes; it's about lovely photographs of graceful buildings and those who can afford the real estate. But it does pay proper respect..."(See all of Andy Webster's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 328 words, 10/09/09
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a respectful documentary... features some hypnotic footage that cinematographer Dante Spinotti shot at Shulman-photographed houses."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 402 words, 10/16/09
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Robert Koehler, Daily Variety: GOOD "...a handsome, functional if not very cinematic tribute to Julius Shulman... nirvana for lovers of mid-century modern and fine-art photography..."(See all of Robert Koehler's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 621 words, 07/08/08
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: EXCELLENT "...a really terrific, intensely focused documentary on a fascinating personality... pays eloquent tribute to one of architecture's most passionate and determined advocates."(See all of Kirk Honeycutt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 487 words, 07/07/08
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a respectful documentary... features some hypnotic footage that cinematographer Dante Spinotti shot at Shulman-photographed houses."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 402 words, 10/16/09
Andy Webster, New York Times: GOOD "The film is not about political causes; it's about lovely photographs of graceful buildings and those who can afford the real estate. But it does pay proper respect..."(See all of Andy Webster's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 328 words, 10/09/09
11.3 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman's reviews are separated by an average 11.3 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.
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman (16 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman's reviews cover 14.4% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 6,120 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 382 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman Coverage, Volume & Length (16 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 32 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman's reviews on average broke 32 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 Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman (16 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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