My Beef with: Movie Critics

BLOGGER'S NOTE: After last week when you read my complaints about Slumdog Millionaire I decided a new weekly blog was born, the "My Beef With" (essentially the opposite of the "In Defense of" blogs that are sprouting on the CW Blogs.

I really don't like movie critics. I don't enjoy reading reviews (hence why I've yet to post any here on my blog). I think that people put to much faith in movie critics, and don't spend enough of their own time formulating opinions for themselves.

Movie critics do quite a few things that I do not like. The bulk of which can be summed up in that critics manipulate people into only watching what they deem good. However I will take the time to list here all of the reasons.

Number 1
Most Critics judge some movies by the wrong criteria

Movies that everyone knows will not be "Oscar Worthy", critics judge as if it's supposed to be the next Citizen Kane. We all know that there are some movies out there that are not made to be awarded with the golden statue. These movies are for pure entertainment. Mind-numbing, jaw dropping entertainment. Plain. And. Simple. Critics are apparently unaware of this as they repetitively give films like Punisher: War Zone and The Devil's Rejects bad reviews, when these movies didn't set out to win awards, they set out to entertain us.

Number 2
Most Critics are biased against certain genres

We're all aware I love horror films, and we all know that critics do not love horror films. The horror community can tell you what makes a bad horror movie, critics cannot. Like it's the general consensus of most horror websites that The Strangers was one of the better horror films of 2008; however, if you were to look for "regular" critics consensus of the film is that: "The Strangers provides a few scares, but offers little else to distinguish itself from other slasher films." *Taken from Rottentomatoes.com*. Now before I go on a tangent, let me just point out if you weren't aware that this does contradict what the horror fans think.


Number 3
Most critics use stupid jokes and puns in their articles

You've all read them. It's like when a review says things like "Put simply, it’s all lube and no spunk." (about Zach & Miri make a Porno), "Saw V is dead on the table. ", and "On reflection, Mirrors may have been better going straight to the DVD shelf. ".

You get the point. There are better examples out there, but I'm far too lazy to dig for them.

Number 4
When critics summarize the film

Sorry Crimson White, but you do this a lot, and it is infuriating to me. People read reviews to see what you thought of the movie, not to know what the movie is about.

Number 5
When they say "I'm a critic, I see movies so you don't have to"

Thats rediculous. Everyone needs to form their own opinions. Taking someone else's opinion and pretending its yours is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.