'Onsight' ascent at the cinema

It's interesting to reflect on the role of the review, as a bridge between the audience and the work.  There are different ways of 'seeing' a film - with no prior knowledge, or after reading and hearing about it.

It makes me think of two different modes of rock climbing (something I do from time to time).  You can climb a route with no prior knowledge ('beta') which is called an 'onsight', or you can 'redpoint' a climb, having gained lots of information beforehand (much easier of course).

'Onsight' is especially respected because it requires a higher level of mental agility (and it's more dangerous!).  Of course routes can be repeated (and films watched again) and the experience changes over time.  You can tackle (and enjoy safely) harder routes if you 'redpoint' them.  And you can avoid wasting time and money by reading reviews before you attend showings.

I used to buy long playing records (albums) based on the cover.  Sometimes I was lucky and discovered something new that had merit.  As I drove across the south island of new Zealand in 2000, I would stop at little shops and discover very obscure cassette tapes, often with a religious theme.  Playing these as I glided along deserted roads with distant views made for surreal solitude and lots of laughing.

Climbing 'Valkyrie' at The Roaches, 2010.

I've always been a 'browser', and there's nowhere better to browse than a library, once you've found the shelf with the topic you're wrestling with.  It is research 'embodied', and much more of an intellectual adventure than searching the catalogues online (though this might be the starting point to finding the right shelf).  There is always the likelihood that your eyes will stray to the shelf above or below, and a new train of thought will ensue.