Response to the movie critics...

[mage_girl]

Man oh man.  I read a couple of movie reviews of the new Transformers movie.  To say that it is pretty much hated by critics is an understatement.  And to say that said critics aren't above making me feel like shit for liking the movie is also an understatement.  According to one, if I truly liked this movie and enjoyed it, I have no idea of what

Comments

[ennuiescapist]

A lot of the time, critics have no idea what they're talking about. I always go to a film if I want to see it regardless of what the critics think.

It's the classic pop culture vs. highbrow culture argument. Really, one would not exist without the other so there is no sense in pitting the two against each other or proclaiming that one is superior/inferior to the other.

They both serve their own purposes.

There's no reason to feel guilty or stupid or anything else just because of what a critic said.

I remember doing a theater review of Hamlet in college and reading a review of a professional Staff Writer from the STrib and being shocked at his lack of insight.

My friend later told me that said theater hung up my review on their bulletin board... ;) haha...

A lot of critics are self-serving and on a power trip.

Off my soapbox, now...

[morte_o_merce]

But insulting people's inteligence is fun...

I admit I am a bit of a snob when it comes to art.

What it comes down to for me is that there are certain movies that I enjoy but still recognixe that they are utter shite. Cheesey horror films are my guilty pleasure. I know they suck, but I still get a kick out of them. Often BECAUSE they suck.

Do I find most summer block busters insulting to my intelligence? Yes. I have a hard time with the whole "shut your brain off and enjoy the flashy explosions" thing, it's just not how i am wired. But if you enjoy the silly popcorn flicks, then go for it. Enjoy what you enjoy, fuck the rest.

[morte_o_merce]

Of course, I also hated Armaggedon and Pearl Harbor. Actually, I don't care for any of Michael Bay's movies, just not my style. Mindless action and splody things isn't my style.

robots in disguise!

[reyl]

I heard it was horrible and so I haven't gone yet. Stupid critics. But since I read that you liked it, I'm more likely to go. This overcomes baddie #7 and reverts to goodie #3. My general test for whether I'll go see a movie is:

Goodies
1) Are there aliens?
2) Are there explosions?
3) Are there robots?
5) Is Johnny Depp in it?
6) Is it based on a fantasy novel?
7) Did Tim Burton direct it?
8) Is it a musical?
9) Is it creepy?
10) Do the actors make me squee?
11) Is it glorifying my childhood/adolescent memories?

My checklist of bad things I won't see:

1) Did Jennifer Aniston go anywhere near it?
2) Is it a romantic comedy that doesn't involve gays?
3) Did Tom Cruise or Eddy Murphy go anywhere near it?
4) Does the humour rely heavily on stupid?
5) Did it win a dramatic Oscar?
6) Does the director mistake gore for horror?
7) Most importantly have my friends seen it and warned me that my life will be robbed of precious hours I will not get back.
8) Is it horribly mangling my childhood/adolescent memories?

Re: robots in disguise!

[mage_girl]

*hah hah*

This list is the awesome!!!

Hm. I'm a little worried about numbers 7 and 8 on your list....

I say go see the movie and see what you think. Everyone's going to have their own opinion.

*grin*

but still....your list ROCKS!

K.

[tj1380]

There was a time when I seriously thought about becoming a professional film critic. I figured that it would be fun career. I would get paid to basically watch movies, analyze them, and voice my opinions in print (it's actually something I like to do in my spare time anyway). I changed my mind when I realized that I wanted to punch nine out of ten film critics after reading their reviews

[river_rune]

omg, it was bad enough Colonel "Vegas" ironjaw was there, why were the parents* there?

I could have watched it better without the 40 minutes of army dudes pointlessly shooting at giant robots.

[mage_girl]

hah hah....which Colonel was that again??

The parents were there because they were kidnapped by the Decepticons and it was the last ditch gambit to control Sam.

Heh. was it 40 minutes of pointless shooting? I wasn't paying that strict attention...

I did like the scene with his parents, actually. Despite his father's bluster and sarcasm, when push comes to shove, he's there for his son. It's family together, as he kept trying to insist, even though he was in danger.

Not like that would happen in MY life but it's nice to see other parents act that way.

K.