Judging Movies By Their First Shot

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[@showmebaseball6133]

Im judging this video based off that haircut.

[@The_Gake]

This haircut… it’s NOT GOOD

[@JonasAmick]

Dayum

[@Dethmaster64]

Yee yee ass haircut

[@chrislee3601]

2/5 on Letterboxd

[@nuclear4569]

Strong 2 to a light 3

[@HeisenbergFam]

Judging Karsten by his look he gives the vibe of an innocent side character of a show who ends up being master manipulator behind everything

[@jamescarr1265]

i don’t watch his videos but he’s cute and seems funny lol. as you said he gives vibes of trustworthy side character who helps protagonist a suspicious amount and then gets revealed in a twist to be evil - kinda like Nina in 24 season 1

[@bruh2843]

i could see him being a disney plot twist villain

[@tisbutascratch9987]

You are everywhere dude

[@mfdoctor9412]

or hot sexy love interest maybe also could be maybe if he wanted maybe

[@dreammachine1492]

Cousin Greg?

[@Joel-Haver]

This concept rocks! Please more!

[@SamWhamBamTheMan]

Joel!!!!

[@sammywiener]

Hi Joel!

[@kidswithknives]

I see him everywhere I go

[@playlistenthusiast]

The later Harry Potter films were definitely speeding through the story since a lot happened in the books. It's hilarious that you're able to call that out in the opening scene.

[@franciscofarias6385]

And the thing about it being for tumblr english kids lmao

[@HA-ot6uf]

They could've really done with seperating the books into 2 parters earlier.

[@tatehildyard5332]

​@@HA-ot6uf Or just cut out the love triangle stuff and Ron's Quidditch subplot and instead put more time into the Tom Riddle stuff that was in the book. They already hit those beats and hit them significantly better in Goblet of Fire (and even that was kind of wobbly given how uncharacteristically petty Ron was through that whole first act).

[@metalliholic]

@@tatehildyard5332I just rewatched goblet of fire and they do gloss over a lot and move through the film really quickly. Ron does act very uncharacteristically but then again so do many teenagers.

[@tatehildyard5332]

@@metalliholic From the rationale of ‘petty twit because teenager’ it’s fine. From the perspective of someone who has to actually spend 40 minutes watching this kid blame his best friend for being coerced into a life threatening situation anyone with half a brain cell should realize he would not and does not want and then repeatedly neg his other best friend and spoil the fun of everyone involved when that inevitably results in him not scoring a date, it’s kind of tedious. I still really like Goblet of Fire but it’s definitely lower tier Potter mostly because of how consistently awful Ron is for almost half the movie. Half Blood Prince I think is hands down the worst of the main series.

[@Mallerd]

*Sees feet coming into the shot.* Karsten: "Amazing Cinematography, This is a great opening shot!"

[@PoSer_1]

Judging videos by their first shot: I love how this one starts with a squarespace ad, giving us a look into karsten's psyche as well as his deepest thoughts and desires. He could have put an ad for "Raid: Shadow Legends", but he chose the more respectable yet still well known Squarespace. Why? What could have motivated this? These are the questions that make this first shot truly special, and when you really think about it, it says a lot about the human condition and our need to analyze things that were perhaps never intended to have meaning. Is this our right? Are we authorized to attach meanings to things which were only meant to entertain? For example, I'm currently analyzing what could be a meaningless sponsorship deal, instead of living my life. What a conundrum. It was this question that made me want to write this video essay on the greatest work of human genius ever crafted, Pulp Fiction--

[@julianblatt9630]

I love this comment and really hope it isn't a copypasta

[@kubahavelka9556]

@@julianblatt9630 a bit specific for a copypasta

[@talistheintrovert]

deciding showgirls looks like a QUIET movie is so wild, i love it

[@michelletaggart157]

“It looks like it has a great lead performance” uh for sure, my dude 😅 (Fwiw I actually don’t think Berkley’s performance is that bad)

[@Ryan07_20]

He’s right on how good she looks, Elizabeth was gorgeous

[@ChippyGaming]

We definitely need another one of these

[@JackMaglc]

judging terraria worlds based on the first frame

[@Subarubdub]

A nice suprise seeing you here, Chippy! How does this comment only one other comment and a few likes?

[@channingbloom7125]

100

[@manolabarra9788]

Would totally watch a part 2

[@Arawn2020]

Seconded, this was a lot of fun! 🙂

[@brandonmacky]

Totally agree. I would say for next time, he should save the titles till the end.

[@roramdin]

Judging by the first shot this is sponsored by squarespace

[@bridgetspector6703]

Please do this again, genuinely one of the funniest concepts

[@uhuhuh1966]

1. Can’t believe you haven’t seen Terminator 2, wtf. 2. Alfonso Cuarón directed the 3rd Harry Potter film and it’s a masterpiece. Watch it now.

[@crumblebee6728]

Lol I just commented basically the exact same thing

[@dduelist]

The 3rd Harry Potter film is on a different level thanks to Alfonso Cuaron, he did a fantastic job, but honestly its just a shame that Karsten has slept on the entire series. Sure it has highs and lows but in general its a very solid franchise, and features some of the best worldbuilding in cinema.

[@Raghy07]

1. Yes! 2. Eh.

[@uhuhuh1966]

@@Raghy07 don’t ever question the Cuarón.

[@Raghy07]

@@uhuhuh1966 Azkaban has got nothing on Children of Men.

[@zaccarver8913]

Can't wait for the next video: "Judging books by their covers!" Great work Karsten

[@mr.moviemafia]

Or even “judging books by their opening lines”

[@garrettmunson365]

if you somehow convinced Jack Edwards to do a collaboration video with you that would be 10/10 content

[@aimeependlebury]

YES

[@undercover_idiot]

Definitely! Books that have been adapted into movies! Jack gives the movie review and Kirsten gives the book review and then they talk about it together afterwards.

[@shi_.]

they should simply read unhinged wattpad stories that's it

[@joshg1845]

Definitely do this again, but with movies you've seen like once before a while ago, meaning you wouldn't immediately know what it is. Gives more stakes to your guesses of movie quality, since you could easily compare it to say your letterboxd score or if you scored it in a monthly recap video. Would be kind of entertaining to see you trash movies you gave 4.5 or 5's to over the opening 5 seconds

[@bossisin2510]

Please don’t stop making these type of videos! This was so much fun

[@SpirusOfH]

This was a really fun idea! I love how you describe the vibe you're getting and I'm incredibly impressed by how right you were with most of them. Hope you do more! And shoutout to the guy who assembled the clips too, great selection!

[@adamvollelv2632]

Man on wire is probably my favorite documentary/story ever ! That docu was soooo well made, the recreations perfectly married with old footage and having the story told by the real people.. just amazing! The music score is also great, I always get goosebumps and highly motivated with my life when I watch it !

[@chrlbrclyhrrs]

do more of these! but don’t put the title of the film at the bottom of our screen, just let us guess and find out when you do

[@jamesm2078]

8:22 I love how the very next shot after the camera flash would reveal that it’s Harry Potter. As for the other films, I haven’t seen them and added most of them to my watchlist on Letterboxd since the first shot makes me wonder where the story goes. Thanks, Karsten!

[@andrewhngle]

Should've judged the opening shot of 1917

[@TheDeppertLasseVogt]

I am laughing so hard right now.

[@whywherewhenhow]

i hope we get to see an entire showgirls review. genuinely.

[@hauntedmasc]

as far as your non-review content goes, this is one of my absolute favourites, really fun idea!

[@clumsyninja925]

The waves in The Lure opening kinda also looks like an ultrasound. Also you should definitely do this again.

[@tunnelsnakesrule7541]

This kind of video is great. Kind of reminds me of the 'Guess The Kill' videos by Dead Meat. It strips the context from a clip of a movie and has someone trying to guess the movies without any context.

[@shvtejas]

That haircut being in the opening shot of this video was beautiful

[@helvete_ingres4717]

iirc the Lure's first shot is an animated credit sequence (if that doesn't count, the film right before had an animated credit sequence count as its 'first shot')

[@laurahorvat4497]

This was amazing! We need part 2👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@adanrodriguez9140]

I judged Oppenheimer by it's first shot like "oh wow rain drops...? what...?" and then at the end I was like "holy shit those ripples were a great fuckin way to start it"

[@Cinemahguy]

It’s incredible

[@user-wy2di2gj8f]

Dude, you have to watch Showgirls & Thirteen and give us a review! I personally love them. T2 as well. Edit: I did like this video, I didn’t really care if you guessed the movie or not (though it was fun, especially if I knew what the movie was), but I like your breakdowns based on a single opening scene and I’m especially glad that you went back through with the titles of the movies.

[@MrBroski7]

I sense a “I watched all the Harry Potter’s in one day” video like the LOTR one coming

[@kubahavelka9556]

wow this was one of your most entertaining videos for sure, hoping for part 2

[@VulKus117]

Here I am thinking Half Blood Prince has one of my favourite openings of all time 😂 as in the entire scene, not just the first shot.

[@owenfelton]

showgirls is imcredible! definitely give it a watch asap!

[@keelyshaller-co1og]

I love your James Duval icon ♥︎

[@marcjohnson3553]

This is a really cool video idea, I’d be happy to see a part 2!

[@carl.th.dreyer]

It's like Twitter guys hearing one second of a new album and declaring it as a classic, only in great

[@MajesticWorld19]

Would not mind a Part 2. Loved watching this!

[@JoeyMannino]

Loved this! Could definitely see you doing lots more of these

[@samb8689]

“Damn, a lotta good movies out there” I agree Karsten

[@jordanforberg4384]

Love this idea and props to your friend for picking dope and diverse options! Would love some more classic or foreign films in the next vid like this!

[@giulytsme]

This should become a series! Sooo cool!

[@paulatreides9096]

Your head shape is wild

[@1116_6]

💀 dude

[@mrink8822]

Oh so this is how you log to so many films in letterboxd

[@CarrieTooTired]

As someone who also watched Showgirls just out of morbid curiosity... I really wanna know if Karsten watched it after this recording

[@vesey986]

I’d love to see more of these!

[@benbeesley4277]

Man on Wire is a wild documentary that does have lots of humorous moments and the person that's the main focus is a really amusing person.

[@KIDGUCCI707]

Love this idea, you should do “Judging movies by opening scene” next, so you have more information that would be interesting

[@mister_kobayashi]

Love this format, please more!

[@luigimurri4237]

Without a doubt, keep doing this. I imagine this could be cool for people who want to learn filmmaking. It’s a neat idea!

[@YungBaymax]

>literal stock footage of cars in traffic Karsten: "LOVE THIS!"

[@jambulance]

Just weighing in here again saying I love the concept of this video, will definitely be happy to see another one some time.

[@TurtleCano]

this was fun! would love a part 2 :D

[@r1tw1k]

love this concept. please do more

[@sonimonster1]

the first reaction to Showgirls made me SO happy 🔥🔥🔥

[@georgesakalakis2367]

This was fun! I'd love to see a second part! :)

[@lizzielogemann6422]

Great video! I'd love to see another one! And, if you do a part 2, I'd suggest Revue Starlight: The Movie's opening shot! It's an anime movie and it's got one of my favorite opening shots!

[@Rich-zb7vc]

you have the best film channel! thank you! looks like you had fun with this. i was excited because i thought the premise was different, you were giving your films with. the best opening shots, i could imagine Tarkovksy, kubrick, ridley scot, herzog (who btw is the greatest, not because of his work, but because he randomly saved Joaquin Phoenix from dying in a car wreck...and because he didn't kill klaus kinsky)

[@SarcasmAndVerbose]

i ended up watching thirteen after seeing the opening shot in this video and it was so good, turns out watching a bunch of opening shots is a fun way to pick a movie

[@JimmyJim2u]

Good idea. Love your reactions. Do more.

[@devinbishop8710]

Loved this idea! It is oddly an interesting discussion of advertising as well

[@oucho]

Can you do more of these, this was really fun.

[@emoasyou6418]

This was great I would love to see this done again

[@jordanchicksen]

Great video Karsten, please do more!! One thing I would change though, maybe reveal the film title right after you give your thoughts on it, so we can see your reaction immediately 🤣.

[@OirichEntertainment]

Love the topics you’ve been covering recently

[@JordanNMovies]

15:12 not seeing Harry Potter is one thing…BUT NOT SEEING TERMINATOR 2

[@imtheotherlaura]

Love the concept, def do another one!

[@1116_6]

Thirteen is indeed interesting and uncomfortable. I personally love it. I’m biased because of my relationship with this movie but I think you should give it a watch.

[@jonathanallen8122]

Do this again but put the movies in either a best to worst list or a tier list. Then reconfigure the list based on how much you actually want to watch the movie.

[@HeyZKay]

Thought this was really great/funny. More of this please!!

[@JustoBlondo]

Can’t wait for “showgirls was honestly not bad” retrospective/review

[@ianlopezhdz]

do this again!!! very fun concept for a video

[@helloilse]

Loved this idea! And good video, always like your takes

[@jackbradbury2229]

Was not expecting The Lure. And you are correct, it doesn’t just go anywhere, but everywhere.

[@DevinBurton001]

Actually really liked this video, would love to see more

[@moeezS]

As someone who makes a note of opening and closing shots, this was a lot of fun. I didn't remember Terminator 2 stated with that, but it's rad that the shine from the sun makes the car look metallic chrome much like robots.

[@superdude2143]

I want more of these! This was great!

[@JosephGervais]

He hasn’t seen Harry Potter. We need a video where he marathons all of them

[@middleman6855]

“An artist was expressing themselves” Karsten Runquist on a Madea movie

[@Garcatch]

"It's very book" I like that, I'm gonna start using that

[@chrismartau]

I also wanted to watch Showgirls out of pure curiosity and boy......what a trip.

[@dann_stuff]

This was a fun video, you should do this again! And please, watch Terminator 2!! Also watching the whole series of Harry Potter would be an interesting video (spoiler: it peaks at the 3rd)

[@kpm_ikyla]

Wow you killed it with guessing the general information about each movie

[@helle_larsen]

Oh I love this concept!

[@lolaslightrays]

fun format!!

[@MicahMann]

Man On Wire is a terrific story and documentary.

[@loganadair3075]

You should do this again but have us submit the opening shots

[@stealst]

I really liked this video and idea! I’d definitely watch more!

[@yansa1966]

I’d like to see more of this!

[@jaycap]

Desperately Seeking Susan is an amazing film! Just watched it the other day

[@reamdelrey]

I love your hands and your commentary

[@MunroPage]

Holy shit Karsten you invented Geoguessr for films

[@lilfranny5611]

the jitterbug contest goes crazy!

[@wolvepotter5858]

I haven’t seen Nanny McPhee in years but for some reason, The original really bored me as kid but I remember really liking its sequel, and yes. There was a sequel

[@ItsDesm]

Great concept! very entertaining. 9/10 - Would watch again. Plot twist, you have to pick your favorite, and watch the whole movie on the spot.

[@ElliotRobertsVideos]

The irony of ‘The Goofy Movie’ actually having one of the most stylistic opening shots in 90s animation.

[@NoahTNelson]

As someone who hasn't seen either movie, going from Showgirls to Tom and Jerry Cowboy Up is hilarious.

[@roswellnewmex]

thirteen is one of my favorite movies, it's a mainstay in my top 4 on letterboxd. I think it's gotten better with age too

[@reelseri0us629]

Keep doing this! It's fun!

[@thecluckster3908]

This is actually so interesting

[@lolitzmorgan105]

Showgirls is an absolute BANGER my dude!