[worry]

The thing about critics is that they just get to see way more movies than everyone else, it being part of their job, while everyone else has to make the time, spend the money wisely, etc. So they see tons of stuff for free, including the good stuff that isn't in wide release. And they also are less likely to list good but big movies that do something unoriginal very well over something that's doing something totally original. Hope that makes sense -- it has to do with the repetition of seeing movie after movie. And lastly, if something is already big, they feel no particular need to champion it. That's kinda the most nitpicky and artificial reason and so a lot of critics try to mix it up, but it's still a reality (and perhaps a necessity).

This post has been edited by worrywort: 05 January 2012 - 10:48 PM

[polishgenius]

worrywort, on 05 January 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

The thing about critics is that they just get to see way more movies than everyone else, it being part of their job, while everyone else has to make the time, spend the money wisely, etc. So they see tons of stuff for free, including the good stuff that isn't in wide release.

This is very true. I've seen only two of the films on that critic list (Drive and Tree of Life), but at least three more are on 'the list' which I haven't had the chance to see yet, so I can't put them in my rankings (The Descendants, Take Shelter, The Artist) as well as others which will be much higher on critic's lists than general ones (Animal Kingdom. Blue Valentine, though that did get some love).

And I am enough of a film buff to seek these out. I mean, I've seen Meek's Cutoff ffs. Most people don't have enough time in the day to be doing that.


As far as critics go, I tend to trust the populist magazines (Empire, Total Film) over lone-critic people- because they have knowledge of these little-known films but still stay in touch enough with their readership to not get jaded and sniffy about mainstream films.
Also, Ebert. Because say what you want about him, he's quite happy to turn his brain off and enjoy the ride as well as talk up the arty obscurities.

Even though he disliked Kick-Ass.

[Morgoth]

Drive was my favorite movie of 2011. I doubt it would have reached top 5 the year before.

[JLV]

QuickTidal, on 05 January 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

Illuyankas, on 05 January 2012 - 06:37 PM, said:

Also critic discussion wise, it's always depressing seeing the gap between movies aimed at your wallet and movies aimed at your brain grow every year.

That's not to say I can't appreciate a smart film...but when critics start to peddle me pretentious stuff like TREE Of LIFE and bash me over the head with the "This is a Modern Masterpiece stick" I get my feathers ruffled. I get why some people would like it, but I have sat with no less than three people in social settings who LOVED it and told them I didn't like it... their immediate first defense is "Critics loved it, so clearly you are wrong" this is after attempting to "explain it to me since I obviously didn't GET IT". No, no, I get it, I just find it pretentious, self-flagellating twaddle.

This made me laugh, mostly because that's exactly what we malazan members do to people who don't like the series, and their responses.

Everything is subjective, as you pointed out.

[amphibian]

JLV, on 05 January 2012 - 11:51 PM, said:

This made me laugh, mostly because that's exactly what we malazan members do to people who don't like the series, and their responses.

Everything is subjective, as you pointed out.

99.999% of the time, I watch the entire movie even if I dislike or hate it. The people who shit all over the MBotF generally stop reading 50 pages into books.

To take a popular example, I've read the entirety of Mistborn and the first Way of Kings book. I can tell you exactly where I feel Sanderson is excellent, decent or terrible. Why? Because I put in the time and effort to read what he put out. I don't usually speak on movies or books I haven't seen or read (Twilight being the only exception and that because it is so relentlessly shoved in my face).

[worry]

Here's some bizarre David O. Russell news (check URL for topic): http://www.thewrap.c...ing-claim-34130

[QuickTidal]

*fist pump*

In Canada we are getting the excellent UK voice dub on the new Studio Ghibli film ARRIETTY! Woohoo! Saoirse Ronan and Mark Strong!

I thought we would get screwed and get the crappy US dub which is Amy Poehler and Will Arnett in theatres (blech!)

So happy!

[Blind Sapper]

QuickTidal, on 04 January 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

TheBlindSapper, on 03 January 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

Anybody want to see the remake of "The Thing"? I still need to see the original, but I've heard it is really good.

The original is one of the BEST survival horror's ever made. No seriously, put down what you are currently doing and go watch Carpenter's original film.

The prequel just kind of rehashes the stuff that happened in the first (not as well) and doesn't tread any new ground sadly.

Watched it on Youtube. It was excellent!

The only thing i didn't understand was the scene with the Norwegians at the beggining.
they were trying to kill the dog, but when they landed, the pilot activated a grenade, presumably to blow up the chopper, but then tried to recover it after pulling the pin, seemingly suprised he did so?
I can only guess that The Thing made him do it, but they they are extremely self-preserving! So i am at a loss on that.

But truly an awesome movie.

[worry]

No, he pulls his arm back to throw it and it slips out of his hands, presumably because of the ice. The one tries to cover it up with snow, I guess to dull the impact, but it blows him and the chopper sky high. But he didn't blow it up on purpose, as far as I can tell.

[polishgenius]

This is the best version of The Thing.

[Coco with marshmallows]

polishgenius, on 07 January 2012 - 12:01 AM, said:

This is the best version of The Thing.

Sorry Polish,

posted in the awesome vid's thread the other day

(not by me though)

[polishgenius]

Fair play.

But I'ma leave it up, just in case I'm not the only one who doesn't frequent said thread.

[wade]

Anyone watch The Green Mile? I finished it yesterday, and... I actually cried. Really great movie.

[Coco with marshmallows]

Just watched The Artist.


Absolutely magnificent.

[Blind Sapper]

worrywort, on 06 January 2012 - 11:29 PM, said:

No, he pulls his arm back to throw it and it slips out of his hands, presumably because of the ice. The one tries to cover it up with snow, I guess to dull the impact, but it blows him and the chopper sky high. But he didn't blow it up on purpose, as far as I can tell.

I guess that does make sense, he did look pretty surprised.

[Mezla PigDog]

This weekend I saw the new Mission Impossible movie which is a good fun, fluffy action pic, about as good as you'd hope with an added bonus of showing Tom starting to look a bit old and ropey.

I also went to see Hugo. I've seen 3 movies so far that are genuinely improved by 3D: Avatar, Tintin and Hugo. Hugo is an absolutely lovely film, exactly what you would wish from Scorsese doing 3D. The film will probably still be very good in 2D as it is very touching but you should seriously catch it in 3D if you can.

[JLV]

Just watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes for the first time since it came out. Damn but I love that movie.

[Beezulbubba]

Here we go.... quirky 2012, another Wes Anderson movie is in the pipeline. I'm on board.

[JLV]

Count me in!

[worry]

JLV, on 13 January 2012 - 10:40 PM, said:

Just watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes for the first time since it came out. Damn but I love that movie.

Just saw this for the first time. It was awesome!