Spoilers

There's a big huff in the media these days about revealing spoilers in reviews. Entertainment Weekly has an article about it this week (sorry can't find it online) and I think I first heard it on an NPR piece. The question is, in reviews can you reveal plot secrets of the film? Some people don't care if they know things in plot, I think they're idiots but that's their choice. Many films try to use suspense to make the experience richer, if you know the end, you lessen the suspense and weaken the experience.

The other question is, is there a statute of limitations on spoilers? It's difficult to review a film that depends on twist without giving it away (see my Flightplan review), at some point can you write something more in depth about the film which requires revealing the info or can it never be discussed? Some say that you can discuss it when the film comes out on DVD. This is moronic considering that box office sales are declining and DVD viewing expanding, many are waiting for the DVD to see it for the first time.

IMDB did a poll about what things are so well known that giving them away shouldn't be considered a spoiler anymore. The end of Empire Strikes Back won (it is the net after all). Citzen Kane came out in 1941, can you finally talk about what rosebud means and what that says about our lives?

The answer to all of this was resolved on the net long ago. People used to post reviews to rec.arts.movies.reviews and started marking them with the word spoilers. That way you can make up your own mind. If you don't care about the spoilers (ie, you're an idiot) read the review, if you do care, don't read it until after you see the film. If you can, it's good to write a bit without giving things way, then give the spoiler alert and continue with the rest. The whole point is to give the reader the choice, it's not that difficult. Is there a statue of limitations on this? Absolutely not. Printed reviews and net reviews live forever and there are always new generations that come along and can enjoy great films of the past, without spoilers. Just because I was born 25 years after Citizen Kane came out, doesn't mean I don't deserve to see it unspoiled.