I think film criticism, just like film itself, can be hit and miss. Maybe sometimes it matters, maybe sometimes it matters less. Just like sometimes a film is great and sometimes it isn't.
I'm sure all of us can say we've loved a film that we felt got the short end of the stick from critics, as well as disliked a film that the critics swooned over.
People point to reviews for validation when they find that a critic's views align with their own on a film. I think that's fairly understandable. It's nice when someone else is able to articulate what you loved about something better than you could've in a way that makes you appreciate it even more. Likewise it can feel equally as validating to see others have the same problems you had with a film and key in on those things.
That said...I think reviews are a luxury for us film fans more than anything, when it comes to these big event films that we're all going to see regardless of the reviews. It's ultimately on the viewer to watch a film and react to it, emote with it, think with it, and finally form an opinion on what it is we've experienced. Relying too much on reviews as a crutch to process a movie can be damaging to the experience of moviegoing if you allow it to have that too much of sway over you, IMHO.
Just as a for instance...I really disliked The Fountain. It's at 51% on RT, but that's beside the point. The movie just didn't work for me and I found it to be a chore to get through. But the people who love that movie, really love it and find it to be a masterpiece. And I wouldn't bother trying to convince them otherwise, certainly not by citing reviews. Because on some level I know that it's a movie you just love or you don't and I'm okay with that. Frankly I find that these days we spend so much time trying to quantify quality and impose these "objective" measures on something that is inherently subjective. We've become something of a consensus culture when it comes to movies.
I say screw consensus. I'd much rather a film that gets hotly debated for years to come, than an agreed-upon "good" film that sparks little in the way of rewatchable-factor and ongoing discussion.
That's not directed at you ISS, but you brought up an interesting point that got me thinking. So yeah, there's my rant for the night.
I swear though...if I wake up and this is in the 50s on RT...
Well I think you articulated yourself pretty damn well sir so it's not a bad rant. And I agree with a lot of what you said. By all means direct the entire post at me, it's a good post.
I think film criticism, just like film itself, can be hit and miss. Maybe sometimes it matters, maybe sometimes it matters less. Just like sometimes a film is great and sometimes it isn't.
I'm sure all of us can say we've loved a film that we felt got the short end of the stick from critics, as well as disliked a film that the critics swooned over.
People point to reviews for validation when they find that a critic's views align with their own on a film. I think that's fairly understandable. It's nice when someone else is able to articulate what you loved about something better than you could've in a way that makes you appreciate it even more. Likewise it can feel equally as validating to see others have the same problems you had with a film and key in on those things.
That said...I think reviews are a luxury for us film fans more than anything, when it comes to these big event films that we're all going to see regardless of the reviews. It's ultimately on the viewer to watch a film and react to it, emote with it, think with it, and finally form an opinion on what it is we've experienced. Relying too much on reviews as a crutch to process a movie can be damaging to the experience of moviegoing if you allow it to have that too much of sway over you, IMHO.
Just as a for instance...I really disliked The Fountain. It's at 51% on RT, but that's beside the point. The movie just didn't work for me and I found it to be a chore to get through. But the people who love that movie, really love it and find it to be a masterpiece. And I wouldn't bother trying to convince them otherwise, certainly not by citing reviews. Because on some level I know that it's a movie you just love or you don't and I'm okay with that. Frankly I find that these days we spend so much time trying to quantify quality and impose these "objective" measures on something that is inherently subjective. We've become something of a consensus culture when it comes to movies.
I say screw consensus. I'd much rather a film that gets hotly debated for years to come, than an agreed-upon "good" film that sparks little in the way of rewatchable-factor and ongoing discussion.
That's not directed at you ISS, but you brought up an interesting point that got me thinking. So yeah, there's my rant for the night.
I swear though...if I wake up and this is in the 50s on RT...
I immediately thought of Michael Mann's Miami Vice, which is one of my favorite films of all-time, I think it's insanely amazing, and everyone looks at me like I'm insane. But I love it. I just think every single second of that film is mesmerizing.
WB isnt going to lose faith in Nolan after a single misstep. That's absurd. The man always comes in under budget, and his successes far outweigh a single misstep. He is WB's golden boy.
WB isnt going to lose faith in Nolan after a single misstep. That's absurd. The man always comes in under budget, and his successes far outweigh a single misstep. He is WB's golden boy.
That, and none of his movies have been outright flops, or even box office failures.
Inception, TDK, and TDKR are among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, and TDK is in the top 10. TDKR, for the mixed reviews and criticisms, was still a big box office success. Inception was nominated for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
People even mistake TDKR. It's not as mixed as people say on RT alone it has 88% with 90% audience rating. It's more mixed than the other two on the fan side but in the wider picture the good outweigh the bad.
Yes as baffled as I am about it TDKR had a good reception among audiences, not TDK good but good none the less. And Interstellar is going to be another huge hit with mostly good reviews I think. Not getting 95% on RT doesn't mean bad reviews guys.
It's still early I could still see Interstellar ending up in the 80's when all is said and done. Just a couple of weeks ago Fury didn't look like it was going to end as high as it did.
I wouldn't be so sure yet man, you guys are drawing a lot of conclusions from 30 reviews...
Maybe this is the movie masses love and embrace, even if it divides critics. Maybe it taps into the zeitgeist in ways we don't yet know. The reaction from the industry and academy voters was overwhelmingly positive.
Well I think you articulated yourself pretty damn well sir so it's not a bad rant. And I agree with a lot of what you said. By all means direct the entire post at me, it's a good post.
Thanks. The state of film criticism and our current culture of film consumption is something that's been on my mind as of late, not just in relation to this movie.
I think at this point all I can say about Interstellar is that while I've noted the very likely possibility of this having divisive elements, my excitement to see the film and go for the ride with it remains unshaken.
Hunger Games plus Big Hero 6 are both a big challenge for Interstellar, especially when you compare it with Inception's free run through the summer of 2010.
I have a feeling this will end up being his most loved movie, blow all your minds here and people will finally realize movie criticism is a ridiculously flawed industry.
The industry reactions from people I think are smart and genuine are too strong. Edgar Wright, Paul Thomas Anderson, Patton Oswalt, Brad Bird, Rian Johnson, etc.. all raving. I'll trust those guys over these bloggers any day.
I'm pretty sure people are saying that about Transformers 1, 2, 3, 4, and eventually 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...
I don't know why, but Transformers is my go-to, shining example of quintessential Hollywood trash that just won't stop. I would've compared it to Resident Evil or Underworld, but those movies don't generate nearly as much money. Maybe Fast & Furious, but those movies got legitimately better.
Transformers is the ONLY film series where I see a new trailer and I go, "Christ, ANOTHER one?"
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The state of film criticism and our current culture of film consumption is something that's been on my mind as of late, not just in relation to this movie. 
