The Lone Ranger - Part 2

[Tanin]

I hate critics to death and even know who he is.

 

[TheVileOne]

One problem with that article is a point Drew McWeeny makes about John Carter. The movie got pretty poor reviews for the most part. It wasn't an exceptionally well reviewed movie even though he liked it.

 

[Rocketman]

I'm 11 because I don't know who "Drew McWeeny" is?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I do think it's shocking that guys who have been in the industry for so long would even answer such a baity question. Shocking and funny.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Rocketman, you're oversimplifying and stereotyping (though is it stereotyping when the stereotype doesn't exist?) film critics as lazy, monday morning qb types who do nothing but complain about movies exert some invisible power over filmgoing community. They write because they have a love of film, and many of them have studied film extensively. They do nothing but express their love of film by analyzing movies and to an extent the industry.

Contrary to what you've said, they don't demand people not to see movies, nor do they purposely chase people away from movies. They simply give a detailed, well thought out opinion on their moveis. Like any industry or community, there are hacks, and people who simply shouldn't be reviewing movies, but that's a part of being human. The best critics are the ones who can give out reasonable, well thought out opinions not just from the point of view from the industry and someone who has knowledge, but like the late Roger Ebert, the best critics can also look at the movie as a consumer, and knows how to rate movies from their point of view also and takes that into account.

You've been making nothing but immature and baseless comments in this thread without a shred of logic to you. Before you try to say that all film critics are lazy and have no life, I suggest you google what film critic is first. In fact, let me google that for you.

 

[Poni_Boy]

There's been a huge shift in what truly defines a critic nowadays and that's because of the facility the internet allows for people to share opinions. The true critics who study and analyze films before they attempt to gauge proper techniques of modern film making are few and very far between. All you need now is to have a blog, website or Twitter account and appoint yourself a critic. No credentials. No one to back up your knowledge or vouch for you. That's why I completely understand why so many people disregard critics as a whole. The industry has allowed the term to be bastardized and more and more people have had enough of it. Just because you have the capability to review something doesn't mean you have the ability to do critique it. Sadly I feel that the passing of Roger Ebert was the swan song of film criticism. the amateurs overpower the professionals by a wide margin.

 

[Octoberist]

I also think that some people here are dismissing critics with broad strokes.

This is what I notice with geeks: When they hate the movie that you love, they're the enemy. But..if they agree with you and praise it, well they're your alley. It's a 'friendemy' complex, a fickle unstable battle love and hate.

And Poni's right, there is a shift in what a critic is anymore. It's so...broad. It's no longer a Roger Ebert type. It could be the recent college grad in his PJ's just down the street.

 

[Poni_Boy]

Being a college grad isn't even a requirement. All you need is a forum and an audience. Years ago that meant a newspaper, TV slot or magazine. The way things work nowadays all you need is an internet connection. Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, etc, etc are all free to use and many self-appointed critics begin and end their careers there. There's no "entry level" requirement. You should see some of the people that go to press screenings and are more preoccupied with trying to get free popcorn than being seated on time before the movie starts. Don't get me started on the jokers at press events who literally wear pj pants and stained TV shirts to interview talent, ask dumb questions followed by awkward autograph requests and then wonder why actors have no respect for the community. There's no system of checks and balances. The industry has become dominated by geeks who feel entitled to have their opinions treated as gospel instead of earning the right to be heard.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

That's why there is the top critic option. The top critic option's criteria is much more rigorous than being on the site.

To be a top critic, you have to be either a critic must be published at a print publication in the top 10% of circulation, employed as a film critic at a national broadcast outlet for no less than five years, or employed as a film critic for an editorial-based website with over 1.5 million monthly unique visitors for a minimum of three years.

I'm not saying that people should listen to critics. I'm just saying that critics aren't out to be devious or intends to make a movie fail. It's their opinion, and it's my choice if I follow care about a Tomato movie score or not.

 

[Octoberist]

I heard that Nolan hates the online community. Maybe 'hate' is a strong word. But this is coming from El May of Latino Review and you know how he is. Is there any truth to it? I'm assuming it was due to the countless leaked photos during 'The Dark Knight Rises' shoot.

 

[Poni_Boy]

You're just talking about Rotten Tomatoes. I'm talking about the industry as a whole. RT isn't the be all end all of the critical platform. While it's definitely important in its own right there are many people who look at other more amateurish sites.

And regarding RT how many people do you think really click on the little hidden tab to switch between the median rating and top critic one? Even RT doesn't focus attention on that section. It's an aside. Further proof of the paradigm shift.

I heard that Nolan hates the online community.

I never heard him use the word hate before but he has a severe lack of respect for it. And for good reason. I mean, just look at it as a whole. It's Lord of the Flies.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

I heard that Nolan hates the online community. Maybe 'hate' is a strong word. But this is coming from El May of Latino Review and you know how he is. Is there any truth to it? I'm assuming it was due to the countless leaked photos during 'The Dark Knight Rises' shoot.

I wouldn't be surprised, especially considering what franchise he directed.

But the again, I don't think Christopher Nolan really uses the internet that much. We're talking about a guy who doesn't really use technology like cell phones or computers that much.

You're just talking about Rotten Tomatoes. I'm talking about the industry as a whole. RT isn't the be all end all of the critical platform. While it's definitely important in its own right there are many people who look at other more amateurish sites.

And regarding RT how many people do you think really click on the little hidden tab to switch between the median rating and top critic one? Even RT doesn't focus attention on that section. It's an aside. Further proof of the paradigm shift.

You're right on all statements. I chose Rotten Tomatoes as an example because I don't think internet movie goers really go to other sources.

And yeah, you have a point have that. They're usually close in scores, anyway, unless it's borderline Rotten or fresh scores.

 

[Poni_Boy]

You're right on all statements. I chose Rotten Tomatoes as an example because I don't think internet movie goers really go to other sources.

They don't, but how can you expect them to? Rotten Tomatoes isn't self explanatory. It's so convoluted. There's a fresh/rotten rating that has nothing to do with the point rating scale that doesn't have to match up with the "critics" personal review rating scale from their article. How in the hell does that make sense? That's why with RT the only thing that matters is the fresh/rotten score because that is what the entire purpose the site has relegated itself to.

Again, I don't think critics are obsolete. I hope to be able to consider myself one one day. But I completely understand why people have this "critics don't matter" mentality. The industry is collapsing into itself and no one who matters seems to care. The only way I see things turning around is if the government starts licensing journalists like EVERY other first world country does. Hopefully that happens before it's too late.

 

[dark_b]

Imagine if Olivia Wilde went by her real last name: Cockburn. Oy vey!

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Wilde

 

[chamber-music]

The critics and budget may of put some people off but has it ever occurred Depp, Hammer & co that some people just aren't interested the movie they made.

Not every film goer follows movies budgets or read what critics say. It seems like many people just saw the trailers or posters for this movie and went 'meh'.

Yeah, I'm missing the part where a $250 million+ budget isn't aiming to be a blockbuster?

Also, considering Depp gets $20 million of that 250... how much did Hammer get? $1 million? $2 million?

Hammer comes from a family of Billionaires I doubt money is a big worry for him.

During filmming. Cameron yelled at Leo once so bad, he started crying.

I saw the video of Cameron screaming at a crew member who messed up a shot on Titanic so I'm not surprised by that.

 

[craigdbfan]

I heard that Nolan hates the online community. Maybe 'hate' is a strong word. But this is coming from El May of Latino Review and you know how he is. Is there any truth to it? I'm assuming it was due to the countless leaked photos during 'The Dark Knight Rises' shoot.

Nolan is huge on the whole "magic" element surrounding films and our very existence in forums like this is to keep up with productions and find out more about the film at every stage of its life. That's probably a nightmare for the guy.

Some directors appreciate that and others (like Nolan) don't. Someone like Bryan Singer probably doesn't mind it and embraces it due to his postings on twitter on the production cycle of DOFP but Nolan is a very particular sort of fellow.

 

[dark_b]

Singer doesnt mind? this is the guy who took this photo in 2002 to hide the twist.

he is teasing with twitter pics fans by showing almost nothing. its very cheap if you think about it. JJ and Nolan on the other hand are hidding and telling the public that they are hidding. so than everyone is focused on their production.

at the end of the day Nolan is a smart guy and a good director but very bad at hidding secrets and twists. noone forced him to shoot the Talia twist in the city. he could used greenscreen and filmed on a different location . just her walking in the tumbler.

 

[Lord]

I mostly think American critics are right, they hate on bad films, give mixed reviews to ok films and good reviews for good films, in Portugal critics are much worse, most of them gave 1 or 2 stars out of 6 to films such as The Dark Knight, Inception and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

 

[dark_b]

I mostly think American critics are right, they hate on bad films, give mixed reviews to ok films and good reviews for good films, in Portugal critics are much worse, most of them gave 1 or 2 stars out of 6 to films such as The Dark Knight, Inception and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

makes sense. its hard for people from the US to understand how the blickbusters feel and look and sound 100% american. even Pacific Rim. yes there are stylistic choices that go over US. and the main female is japanese. but it still is an US movie. and some people from europe grew up with different movies. so its normal that some like it and some dont.

a lot of blockbusters remind me of the Team America song. america f.... yeah.

 

[Lord]

makes sense. its hard for people from the US to understand how the blickbusters feel and look and sound 100% american. even Pacific Rim. yes there are stylistic choices that go over US. and the main female is japanese. but it still is an US movie. and some people from europe grew up with different movies. so its normal that some like it and some dont.

a lot of blockbusters remind me of the Team America song. america f.... yeah.

Actually, most films we get here American and sometimes british, with subs and the cartoons get dubs, we didn't grow up with any other great film, most Portuguese films are quite forgetable and most new ones try to mimick American blockbusters.

It's not about people seeing things differently, in fact most prefer the dumbest blockbusters like Transformers than the more well thought ones.

Look at the box office here:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/portugal/yearly/?yr=2013&p=.htm

Not exactly full of Portuguese movie, it's actually that the critics are more elitist, not the actual audience.

 

[dark_b]

we prefer in europe american movies because hollywood is an industry with a lot of money. hollywood movies look expensive and you get a hollywood movie every week. here in Europe Germany is trying to come close but its not working.

thats why i dont have a problem with expensive movies like others have. its an industry that gives people money to pay people for working. millions of people are working on movies. thats good. thats very good in 2013 when its hard to find a job. so lets hope they bring back practical effects guys. they need work and they do good work.

 

[Lord]

we prefer in europe american movies because hollywood is an industry with a lot of money. hollywood movies look expensive and you get a hollywood movie every week. here in Europe Germany is trying to come close but its not working.

thats why i dont have a problem with expensive movies like others have. its an industry that gives people money to pay people for working. millions of people are working on movies. thats good. thats very good in 2013 when its hard to find a job. so lets hope they bring back practical effects guys. they need work and they do good work.

I agree, but the increasing number of big budget films every year mean they're all canibalising each other, it may even lead to an implosion, like Spielberg mentioned, and if that happens many jobs will be lost.

Fortunatelly some big films are starting to use practical effects again, which is something i'm glad, Nolan and the Fast and Furious films (since the 5th one) are good examples. Hopefully more will follow the example.

 

[chamber-music]

Disney has pretty much taken over Pinewood studios for the next 18 months with Avengers Age Of Ultron, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Cinderella and Star Wars.

 

[bullets]

I thought the critics were a bit harsh , but this isn't some misunderstood masterpiece. It's unfair to say these critics had an agenda. Also you can't blame them for the box office failure. Sure there were several people saying this movie would bomb and gloated when they were right. However they don't have control over the box office. Unless they hail it as the greatest thing ever and group that with the marketing.

 

[chintai80]

can't blame the critics.
i think its more of the current mood of the movie going audience right now.
people aren't interested in lone ranger.
and westerns in general don't seem to get people super excited these days. it's probably more of a niche audience.

i think i would've liked a more small-scale movie.
but the trailer made it out to be a big budget funny western from the director of the pirates franchise. that i'm not interested in.