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Has film criticim changed how you watch movies?

post #1 of 12
4/20/10 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
Because we love movies, we immerse ourselves in other peoples' criticisms and thoughts to help us better understand them. That's the idea anyway.

The recent Kevin Smith blow-up seems to have dredged up an age-old debate about whether relentless analysis "ruins" the joyful, escapist element of watching movies.

As we frolic in the erudite whimsy that is Chud, we are exposed to a general set of ideas about what is good, great, and balls in the world of film.

Questions:

--How has immersion in the world of online film criticism (CHUD, rottentomatoes, etc.) changed your experience of watching films?

--Have you gained a greater appreciation for something you hadn't before?

---The CHUD crew usually lets their feelings on an major upcoming release be known well in advance. Do their reviews and the Tomatometer change your expectations when you go to the movies?

--Do you think it's better to see a movie "fresh", and if so, do you avoid checking the Tomatometer before seeing a flick? Or do you use it as a barometer for your expectations?


(please and thanks)
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post #2 of 12
4/20/10 at 10:15pm
I try not to read reviews now until after I've seen the movie, because before, a review was a barometer of the quality of the film, whereas now, it's definitely more a professional critics insight into the film. That's certainly a welcome change, but I want to watch a movie un-influenced as possible, and then read a review to reflect. Now-a-days, if I'm on the fence about whether or not to spend time and money on a movie, I'll scroll down, read the numerical rating first, and then if I watch it, come back and read the whole review.
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post #3 of 12
4/20/10 at 10:22pm
Leviathan Joe, The only thing that makes me change my mind about a film is, if I am excited for a particular film, and afterwards...I dislike or even hate it! I only read reviews, to see how much the critic in question, disagrees with my take on the aforementioned film. I never go to a film, on a particular critics say so, but I would go to a film I would not normally see if a family member, or friend wanted to see something. I usually enjoy the films I go to, as I usually see them by myself, and they are usually either set in the genre, of...Superhero, Martial Arts, action, adventure, or an anime film with a limited release. My own expectations are usually...Extremely high. I keep track of a favorite director, actor, actress, or if the film is an adaption of a favorite comic, anime etc. I...Love reading spoilers, as well.
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post #4 of 12
4/21/10 at 7:16am
1. By showing me points of view I'd never looked at films from before.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. I don't trust the Tomatometer as much as I trust the CHUD reviewers. Against the wisdom of the great Justin Wadell I do in fact use their reviews as a barometer. I also use Justin Wadell's taste in women as a barometer for my own taste in women.
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post #5 of 12
4/21/10 at 7:54am
I don't think film criticism has ruined the fun or enjoyment I get out of movies. If anything, it's enhanced it, as I love looking for little hidden things I may have missed before (such as metaphors, deeper meanings, and even connections to other films). I still get a great sense of excitement out of a wide variety of films, and reading about what other people thought of those movies has only opened up my appreciation of cinema, rather than limited it.
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post #6 of 12
4/21/10 at 9:41am
Devin's reviews, and by extension, discussion here in the forums, has changed the way I look at films. I think more about a film's structure, about why things happen, and about the creative choices made by the director and cast. I don't always agree with his reviews or even the majority of voices here. But Devin and CHUD have honed my viewing skills and critical thinking.

It hasn't taken away any joy from watching films; if anything, it adds, because I like thinking about the architecture of a film, and like having some of the tools and questions needed to look beyond the surface level plot.
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post #7 of 12
4/21/10 at 9:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelM View Post
Devin's reviews, and by extension, discussion here in the forums, has changed the way I look at films. I think more about a film's structure, about why things happen, and about the creative choices made by the director and cast. I don't always agree with his reviews or even the majority of voices here. But Devin and CHUD have honed my viewing skills and critical thinking.

It hasn't taken away any joy from watching films; if anything, it adds, because I like thinking about the architecture of a film, and like having some of the tools and questions needed to look beyond the surface level plot.
And Michael says everything I wanted to say, only much better. Thank you, sir.
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post #8 of 12
4/21/10 at 5:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelM View Post
Devin's reviews, and by extension, discussion here in the forums, has changed the way I look at films. I think more about a film's structure, about why things happen, and about the creative choices made by the director and cast. I don't always agree with his reviews or even the majority of voices here. But Devin and CHUD have honed my viewing skills and critical thinking.

It hasn't taken away any joy from watching films; if anything, it adds, because I like thinking about the architecture of a film, and like having some of the tools and questions needed to look beyond the surface level plot.
Totally.
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post #9 of 12
4/21/10 at 5:43pm
The short answer is that over the years, sites like Chud.com, Aintitcool, Dark Horizons and the like have only bolstered my enthusiasm and enjoyment of films.

The best thing I can say is that those sites, ESPECIALLY this one encouraged me to embrace my inner film-geek fully.
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post #10 of 12
4/22/10 at 12:11am
I went through a phase where I'd read Pauline Kael , John Simon and Roger Ebert, and would more or less parrot their opinions on films (I didn't read them all at the same time obviously).

By the time i found AICN then CHUD I was well over that phase (thank God). Now I pretty much rely on CHUD to learn about interesting movies (EG The Fountain, the films of Neil Marshal) or to bullshit about the Blockbusters. The level of discourse on film is higher (without being academic wankery) than any other film site I've seen, and there is the occasional crazy Chewer meltdown that adds spice!
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post #11 of 12
4/22/10 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leviathan Joe View Post
Questions:

--How has immersion in the world of online film criticism (CHUD, rottentomatoes, etc.) changed your experience of watching films?

--Have you gained a greater appreciation for something you hadn't before?

---The CHUD crew usually lets their feelings on an major upcoming release be known well in advance. Do their reviews and the Tomatometer change your expectations when you go to the movies?

--Do you think it's better to see a movie "fresh", and if so, do you avoid checking the Tomatometer before seeing a flick? Or do you use it as a barometer for your expectations?


(please and thanks)
The biggest difference the internet has made is the democratisation of film criticism, for both good and ill. At least part of me, when thinking about a movie, thinks 'what can I post/ write about this'? I don't want to be an 'it sucks/rocks' poster- and I like to think that this causes me to think more deeply and analytically about film than I had in the past, and this has definitely led to a greater appreciation of the good stuff. I generally read reviews before seeing movies, but I would say I am capable of watching them with an open mind, as there are always historical examples of where I am out of step with the reviewer.
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post #12 of 12
4/26/10 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 
Many thankings unto you lot.

I can't wait to quote Cylon Baby's "academic wankery" in my English paper.
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