Top Box Office Movies - Interview with Frank Ochieng

INTERVIEW
On The Road with the Entertainment Journal presents:
An Interview with film critic/media commentator Frank Ochieng

E-MAIL DANIEL BERMAN

I had the distinct pleasure of having my friend and colleague Frank Ochieng guest on my TV access cable show “Time To Review” back in February 2001. Frank, of course, is currently one of the featured film critics for TheWorldJournal.com. Throughout the years, Frank has been a major force in freelance film criticism. He has done it all: co-hosted his own television show (Trivia Live!, The Evaluators), appeared as the media commentator/film critic for WMWM 91.7 radio personality Bob Nelson’s The Juke Joint in Salem, Massachusetts and has provided film critiques for various online sources such as The Stinkers, MovieEye.com, filmcritic.com, Stephen Hunt’s SF Crowsnest.com and The Rotten Tomatoes…just to name a few venues.

Frank became a proud contributor of TheWorldJournal.com back in August 2002. And he co-edits, along with yours truly, the entertainment publication The Voicemakers that has been in circulation since March 1997. Among his credentials, Frank Ochieng has recently been accepted as a member of Internet Entertainment Writers Association (IEWA) and had even been mentioned previously by one movie site (David Keyes’ Cinema 2000) as one of “The Cinema’s Best 20 Film Critics”. As a fellow partner-in-crime through our affiliation with TheWorldJournal.com and The Voicemakers, I am glad to present an excerpt on an interview I conducted with Frank on my cable program. So let’s take a look, shall we?

Frank, is there such thing as a passion when reviewing countless films during the course of a hectic movie season?

Certainly. I think that whatever endeavor you’re involved in…whether reviewing movies or engaging in bricklaying…you have to have some passion for what you are doing. Having passion brings out an honesty and intensity that you can convey to yourself and your readers for whom you are performing this service for…

When you critique a particular film, are you fulfilling an obligation to the average moviegoer or to yourself?

That’s an interesting question, Dan. I think for the most part that you have to maintain an even balance when assessing the cinema you’re viewing. On one hand, you have to be true to yourself and form an opinion that represents your mindset, your philosophy. But you must also realize that you are the proverbial “eyes” for someone looking to get an insight into the movie you’re trying to review with noteworthy observation.

Frank, you’ve had your share of backlash over the years when reviewing films and so forth. What movie reviewer hasn’t had negative feedback from time to time? After all, it goes with the territory I suppose. So here’s a couple of questions: first, does this affect the way you critique films and secondly, why is there such a negative void between film critics and the public at large?

Ah…the dreaded antagonism against that horrible breed known as the film critic! What can I say but that it’s only human nature to react to somebody’s point of view that doesn’t gel with your own. I think that some people perceive film critics as having some sort of “superior complex” over some one else’s creative input. It’s the disbelief of “who the heck do you think you are or what right do you have to pass judgment on an artist’s piece of work?” And I have to admit that there’s a twisted agenda for a handful of critics who may harbor some arrogance in the way they go about their business for whatever reason. But for the most part, the critic’s integrity is thoughtfully and intelligently critiquing a film for the sole purpose of being true to his/her brand of art form. And I do regard film critiquing an art form much as one would consider the latest Steven Spielberg release an art form.

And what about the way the public’s criticism affects you?

I try not to let anybody’s bad-mouthing affect me. Still, I am human and can be pierced by harsh criticism, especially if it’s against me on a personal level. I don’t mind folks getting hysterical due to my writing because they felt that I did an injustice to the movie they’re trying to defend. But when people start to engage in riff raffish barbs by verbally browbeating me, then they definitely have crossed a line. Being venomous and antagonistic won’t solve the conflict between what I feel and what my detractor feels. When in doubt, we all should be able to agree to disagree without so much foolishness involved.

Frank, what personally irks you about your fellow brethren known as the film critic?

Again an interesting question, Dan. I really don’t cater to film critics who insist on becoming what is known in the business as a “quote whore”. What this terminology refers to are those reviewers who get a perverse kick out of seeing their names (through their movie quotes) plastered all over newspaper and magazine ads. It’s a power trip of the worse kind that leads to the arrogance and “superiority complex” that I had referred to earlier. Look, there’s nothing wrong with being quoted and having the feeling of recognition that folks are acknowledging your name. I certainly have had my share of being quoted and felt good about it in the process. But when you start being a slave to your ego by purposely endorsing cinema you know is inferior in content just to see the movie studios use your wording as a tool to sell their vapid movie-theme product, then that’s utterly shameful…period!

Hmmm…quite fascinating. Anything more to add on this topic?

Yeah, I suppose I can see the need for lesser known critics and other up and coming movie journalists starting out who are trying to make a name for themselves to engage in this unethical practice. I don’t think it’s right but nevertheless I do understand the sole purpose behind an opportunistic critic (well known or unknown) trying to get their name circulating in the mindset of both the major movie studio publicists and the movie-going audience in general. Personally, I can’t see myself catering to that kind of mentality. This may put me on the verge of sounding a bit sanctimonious but hey…so be it!

To change gears a bit, what is the proudest moment about being a Voicemaker?

(smile) Since you are a Voicemaker as well Dan, I believe I can speak for the both of us when I say that the proudest moment may have been when we discovered that our publication has intrigued young people—teens in particular—to read. Also, some have been motivated to attain an interest in writing. Nowadays, reading and writing and having young people become involved in publishing their Do-It-Yourself publications almost seem so foreign…like it is some unheard of phenomenon. In an age of the Internet and the interactive video game craze that saturates this culture, it’s amazing that there are some youngsters out there who find pleasure in soaking up an issue of our simplistic Voicemaker fanzine (or ANY type of read for that matter!). I would also cite the fact that we have heard from some educators, libraries, and historical societies that felt the need to use our publication as an inspiration and viable source for the benefit of their constituents.

In your estimation, is there any myth behind being a film critic?

Well, I guess you can say that there are mythical assumptions associated with being a film critic. I cannot speak for others in this very same profession who write professionally or do it as a hobby, but I have my own assertions. For instance, I constantly hear that film critics are “wanna be” frustrated performers that couldn’t make the cut acting so that they then decided to get even and “avenge” their inadequacies by discouraging others that carried out the talent they didn’t have in the first place. Again, I am sure that maybe there is an ounce of truth to this specific myth but it’s always dangerous to generalize and make sweeping statements that ALL film critics feel this way.

Is everybody a film critic at heart?

Sure, why not? Opinions are like derrieres…everyone has one!

Describe the qualities behind being a film critic if you will...

Well I think that one has to have the patience and fortitude to pay attention to detail. It obviously helps that you know and appreciate the art of moviemaking. You need to possess a journalistic sense while considering writing as effortlessly as you breathe air. You need to have the ability to interpret the filmmaker’s vision provided they have one worth recognizing. One would need to be tolerant of the genre they’re assessing and have an open mind about what that genre brings to the forefront in terms of imagination, originality, boldness, predictability, familiarity, etc. Overall, you would need to have a keen insight about how you go about analyzing film. You cannot have a casual approach to critiquing film. That’s reserved for the common moviegoer. What separates a critic and the casual movie fan is the critic’s penchant for holding what they’re viewing to a higher standard. The critic acknowledges the fact that there’s technique involved in the presentation of a motion picture. Any astute reviewer echoing the sentiment “I like this film because it’s entertaining and that’s all that matters” has no business referring to the credo as a dedicated movie reviewer. Of course, that’s my humble opinion anyway.

Frank, what advice would you give to those out there who appreciate taking on the career of a film critic?

Dan, I suppose I could state the obvious and say that one should invest in an academic involvement concerning journalism, etc. But for those of you out there who fancy pursuing a career in journalism (whether it be movie reviewing or whatever), I suggest that you take the initiative to get involved in activities that would support your journalistic tendencies. Not everyone, unfortunately, is lucky enough to land a lucrative gig writing for the local newspaper. Today, folks have many options that they can rely on to get their feet wet. Start up your own publication that caters to your interest. Join up with the numerous online sources that welcome your participation in writing for them. Hook up with the local access cable station and become a member—there, you can learn TV production and eventually develop your own program where you can feature your journalistic strengths, etc. There are lots of ways that you can build your portfolio that can lead to the possibility of a career in journalism, especially if you’re crazy about movies and want your shot at becoming a movie critic. Look, it’s a competitive world out there and you have to fight for what you think is worth fighting for. Nothing is easy in this life and you have to prepare yourself for happiness and heartbreak. Yes, I believe that luck and opportunity play an important role in achieving what you need to occur. But you have to make those things happen, not wait for those elements to happen to you.

Listen Frank, thanks for being our guest today on Time To Review. We certainly appreciate your insights and observations.

Dan, the pleasure is all mine…thanks for having me on the program!

Click here to comment on this article or post your thoughts.

Daniel Berman
December 23, 2002 © TheWorldJournal.com

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