I will watch anything if Keanu Reeves is in it so I watched Side by Side, a documentary about the technical history of film and digital moviemaking. Side by Side is not for everyone. Side by Side may be the most brilliant way for the creators of this documentary, including Reeves, to network with the most successful filmmakers who may or may not meet with them otherwise. Filmmakers also love free publicity and finally get opportunity to express their opinion about their craft.
Side by Side is a win-win for everyone other than moviegoers who are not as interested in the production side as they are in the people involved in creating the movies that they love. There is a point where Side by Side seems more like an infomercial for future products than a documentary. I felt a bit defensive for Reeves because some of the people that he interviewed seemed to be subtly scoffing at him, and Reeves remains pleasant and affable. Um, you could have said no to the interview. Don’t be a jerk and act superior. He is giving you free publicity! Scariest aspect of Side by Side: will we be able to play movies in the future if they aren’t on film? Nooooooooooooo!