Spring Break
Do movie critics actually know better than moviegoers?
As Far As I'm Concerned
Matthew Lytle
Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Opinion
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Two weeks ago, just as I had returned from the nice Spring Break vacation I told you about last time, there was this interesting article in Variety linked through the Drudge Report. It talked about how critics and moviegoers apparently disagree with what's actually good over at the local multiplex.
The author, Peter Bart, comments on how recent box office leaders, such as 300, Ghost Rider, Wild Hogs and Norbit, were panned by most critics, but widely enjoyed by the average moviegoer.
"The situation underscores yet again the disconnect between the cinematic appetites of critics vs. those of the popcorn crowd. The kids who storm their multiplexes to catch the opening of Night at the Museum don't give a damn what the critics think," said Bart.
I think I mentioned once that my father and I often pick which movies will top the box offices every week. During one of the discussions, a complete stranger actually complimented us on our knowledge and critique abilities. And since I've kind of boiled down what to look for in a movie in regards to profitability in my own mind, my accuracy in picking the top movies has improved.
It's kind of like stock trading. With popcorn.
That being said, when 300 came out, I actually didn't think it'd do as well as it did. It was the movie version of the graphic novelist Frank Miller's retelling of ancient Spartan battle of Thermopylae. From what I saw when another of Miller's works, Sin City, was in theaters I was optimistic, but I actually went with Hogs, which was in it's second week of showing.
And you know what, I can already see a couple of upcoming movies that'll blast out the box offices, but will most likely get panned from the critic's balcony.
First off, we get a trio of "3" movies: Spiderman 3, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Granted, few movies that reach the third installment of the series turn out to be winners, and I'm probably not going to go see the third Shrek movie. However, each of the predecessors for these three movies have found their way in the top 5 grossing movies for the year, so even though these may be wearing out their welcome, I expect these to be instant box office leaders. (You can tack on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to this as well.)
The author, Peter Bart, comments on how recent box office leaders, such as 300, Ghost Rider, Wild Hogs and Norbit, were panned by most critics, but widely enjoyed by the average moviegoer.
"The situation underscores yet again the disconnect between the cinematic appetites of critics vs. those of the popcorn crowd. The kids who storm their multiplexes to catch the opening of Night at the Museum don't give a damn what the critics think," said Bart.
I think I mentioned once that my father and I often pick which movies will top the box offices every week. During one of the discussions, a complete stranger actually complimented us on our knowledge and critique abilities. And since I've kind of boiled down what to look for in a movie in regards to profitability in my own mind, my accuracy in picking the top movies has improved.
It's kind of like stock trading. With popcorn.
That being said, when 300 came out, I actually didn't think it'd do as well as it did. It was the movie version of the graphic novelist Frank Miller's retelling of ancient Spartan battle of Thermopylae. From what I saw when another of Miller's works, Sin City, was in theaters I was optimistic, but I actually went with Hogs, which was in it's second week of showing.
And you know what, I can already see a couple of upcoming movies that'll blast out the box offices, but will most likely get panned from the critic's balcony.
First off, we get a trio of "3" movies: Spiderman 3, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Granted, few movies that reach the third installment of the series turn out to be winners, and I'm probably not going to go see the third Shrek movie. However, each of the predecessors for these three movies have found their way in the top 5 grossing movies for the year, so even though these may be wearing out their welcome, I expect these to be instant box office leaders. (You can tack on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to this as well.)
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