Jim Ross TAKE ONE Magazine Feb 13, 2020

The film's breadth of opinions - of which there are too many to recount in a single article - indicates that there is no 'right' choice, and impressively captures a debate that may not rage forever.

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Amie Simon Three Imaginary Girls Mar 4, 2019

... if you're a film nerd, you are IN ABSOLUTE HEAVEN while watching this, totally enamored of every word, and thrilled about hearing the debate.

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Rania Richardson The Villager Dec 7, 2018 2.5/4

Celluloid or digital film - which is the better format? Directors, cinematographers, editors and other film professionals weigh in on the question in Chris Kenneally's densely packed doc, SIDE BY SIDE.

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Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) Sep 18, 2017

... a stunningly fascinating documentary...

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Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Aug 5, 2014 2/4

...could have used more movie-specific discussions of the aesthetic implications of celluloid versus digital.

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David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle Sep 10, 2013 2/4

The documentary would have been that much better with a more explicit focus on why the average filmgoer should care.

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Graham Young Birmingham Post Mar 13, 2013 5/5

Side By Side is a riveting, under-the-hood distillation of 100 years of Hollywood experimentation, innovation and expensive bravery.

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Alistair Harkness Scotsman Mar 10, 2013 4/5

Keanu Reeves proves a surprisingly engaging host for this documentary inquiry into the ongoing transition from celluloid to digital filmmaking.

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Catherine Bray Film4 Mar 4, 2013

Essential viewing for understanding different sides of one of the most vital current debates in cinema.

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Miles Fielder The List Feb 18, 2013 3/5

At once a celebration of new technology and a lamentation of a passing one, Side by Side is oddly depressing to watch.

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Philip French Observer (UK) Feb 17, 2013

It asks questions about culture and technology, the creation of a new sensibility, and whether we're looking at the debasement of values or a new democracy coming to the arts.

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Tara Brady Irish Times Feb 15, 2013 3/5

This is route-one stuff.No serious film enthusiast will, however, want to miss Side by Side.

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Feb 14, 2013 3/5

Maybe this geekily precise, Keanu Reeves-fronted documentary fretting over the death of celluloid needs to give digital its due.

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Dave Calhoun Time Out Feb 14, 2013 3/5

Keanu Reeves is a game frontman of this fact-filled, slightly chaotic doc about the rise of digital technology in film.

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Nigel Andrews Financial Times Feb 14, 2013 4/5

It's sweet and sparkling, as glassfuls of thought are provided by James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, David Lynch, Steven Soderbergh and other champagne cinematic cerebra.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Feb 14, 2013 4/5

A riveting, informative and extremely entertaining documentary about the digital vs celluloid debate that's a must-see for anyone interested in films and filmmaking.

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Simon Reynolds Digital Spy Feb 11, 2013 4/5

Side by Side delves into areas too niche to entice the casual cinemagoer, but nevertheless this really is essential viewing for movie fans.

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Simon Kinnear Total Film Jan 21, 2013 4/5

With film labs closing down and new formats springing up all the time, this is a timely stock-take of 21st Century cinema.

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John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) Nov 16, 2012 3/4

The movie doesn't offer much consideration of digital video as an esthetic in its own right -- as something that is valuable because it is *distinctive* from film, rather than as a format that aspires to be *indistinguishable* from film.

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Oct 24, 2012 B-

Probing documentary on the history of film that's geared for techies, those in the film industry, geeks or film junkies.

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