The Enduring Impact of Cinema: The Seventh Art

When film professors Chris Lippard and Sam Boyer speak about cinema as the “seventh art,” they are invoking a tradition that spans over a century, suggesting that movies are not merely a way to kill two hours on a Friday night, but a profound medium of human expression. For those of us living and working in the Newark area, this high-minded academic discussion doesn’t just happen in lecture halls; it plays out in real-time on Springfield Avenue. When you step into a venue like CityPlex 12, you aren’t just buying a ticket for a movie; you are participating in a social ritual that defines our modern cultural landscape.

The tension between cinema as “art” and cinema as “entertainment” is vividly apparent in the current Newark showtimes. On one end of the spectrum, we have the massive, sensory-driven spectacles like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. With a dense schedule of 3D screenings—ranging from 11:35 am all the way to 9:35 pm—this film represents the industrial peak of the medium, where technology and brand recognition create a shared, visceral experience. Then, there is Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi epic that seems to be capturing both critical and audience favor, boasting a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. This is where the “seventh art” converges with commercial success, using a 2-hour and 36-minute runtime to explore complex themes of survival and science, challenging the audience’s intellect although providing the thrill of adventure.

However, appreciating cinema also means acknowledging the polarizing nature of the medium. Take Scream 7, which currently holds a starkly divided reception with a 30% critic score but a 75% audience score. This discrepancy highlights a fundamental point in the study of film: the gap between academic “appreciation” and the raw, emotional response of a crowd in a darkened theater. For many in the Newark community, the value of a film isn’t found in a percentage on a screen, but in the communal energy of a horror movie audience reacting in unison to a jump scare. This is the “human” side of the cinema experience that often eludes the textbooks but remains central to why we continue to visit theaters despite the convenience of home streaming.

The local experience at CityPlex 12, located at 360-394 Springfield Ave, serves as a micro-study of this broader cinematic trend. Local patrons, such as Destiny Brandon, have noted that the atmosphere of being back in the theater with other people is a vital part of the draw. This social interaction—the hushed whispers before the trailers start and the collective exhale during a climax—is what transforms a movie from a digital file into a cultural event. Whether it is the romantic leanings of You, Me & Tuscany or the gritty intensity of The Drama, the act of gathering in a public space to witness these stories reinforces a sense of community that is often missing from our digital lives. For more insights on how these venues shape our city, you can explore our local culture guides to see how other arts institutions are evolving.

As we dive deeper into the genres currently dominating the Newark screens, we see a fascinating spread. The presence of Faces of Death (rated R) alongside family-oriented animation like GOAT demonstrates the theater’s role as a versatile community hub. The “seventh art” isn’t just about the masterpieces; it is about the breadth of the human experience. From the high-stakes action of The Drama to the whimsical nature of the Super Mario franchise, the diversity of the programming reflects the diversity of the city itself. This eclectic mix allows residents to pivot from intellectual stimulation to pure escapism within the same city block.

Yet, to truly appreciate the cinema as Lippard and Boyer suggest, one must look beyond the marquee. It requires an active engagement with the craft—noticing the lighting in a suspenseful scene of Scream 7 or the pacing of the narrative in Project Hail Mary. When we stop treating movies as passive consumption and start treating them as intentional art, the experience changes. We initiate to see how the filmmakers are manipulating time, sound, and image to evoke specific emotions. This shift in perspective is what turns a casual moviegoer into a student of the medium, and it is a transition that is accessible to anyone visiting the theaters in our Newark entertainment directory.

Deepening Your Cinematic Engagement in Newark

Given my background in analyzing geo-cultural trends, while the large screens provide the spectacle, the true appreciation of film often happens in the conversations that follow the credits. If you find yourself moved by the current cinematic offerings in Newark and desire to move from passive viewing to active appreciation, you demand a support system of local expertise. The “seventh art” is best understood when discussed with others who can provide historical context and technical insight.

If this trend toward deeper cinematic appreciation impacts your leisure or professional goals in the Newark area, here are the three types of local professionals you should seek out to enhance your experience:

Film Studies Educators and Historians

Look for professionals who can lead curated discussion groups or provide private tutoring on film theory. The ideal candidate should have a verifiable academic background in cinema studies and a portfolio of analyzed works. They can help you understand why a film like Project Hail Mary succeeds structurally or how the horror tropes in Scream 7 fit into the wider evolution of the genre.

Independent Cinema Curators

These are the individuals who organize boutique screenings and film festivals. When seeking a curator, look for those with a history of partnering with local community centers or libraries to showcase non-mainstream films. Their value lies in their ability to introduce you to “hidden gems” that don’t always make it to the massive screens of a multiplex, bridging the gap between blockbuster entertainment and pure art.

Audio-Visual Production Consultants

For those inspired to create their own “seventh art,” a technical consultant is essential. Look for experts who specialize in independent film production, specifically those with experience in sound design and color grading. They should be able to provide practical advice on how to achieve a “cinematic” look on a local budget, turning the appreciation of film into the practice of filmmaking.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated cinema experts in the Newark area today.