Whatever happened to enjoying films? (or rather JR rants)

[JRPictures]

I kinda feel like venting a big thought of mine here since you guys are pretty willing to listen.

In over the past year and a half, I've kinda let a lot of things go in terms of criticism, on perhaps both levels. Lately a lot of my attention has turned to the nature of film/show criticism. I've become so disenchanted and annoyed at how overly critical and nitpicky people can be when putting their opinion on a film.

In fact I've sworn off watching/reading critics online who fit the caustic critic image because I just don't feel in the mood to listen to them ramble on negatively about whatever new film/show they've just watched. I've barely watched a TGWTG work since midway last year (with one or two exceptions) and the only critic I consistently watch these days is GRArkada: https://www.youtube.com/user/GRArkada whom I'd consider to be one of the most neutral/positive reviewers I've ever watched, with a few a video of him being so negative about a show.

Hell even the co-creator of Toonami would even agree with me on how caustic critics have become so tiring: http://ask.fm/Clarknova/answer/111547911401

But what's been annoying me the most lately is how people constantly try to pick flaws in movies that are intended to be fun or adventurous. Take for instance, Guardians of the Galaxy. A film I genuinely loved and enjoyed for what it was. And while yes it had its flaws, what I keep seeing with how its criticized is just how it isn't what people wanted it to be, or that the female lead could've been better or that the humour wasn't funny or that it didn't take any risks etc etc. I could go on.

Whatever happened to just enjoying a movie? Why do we have to criticise it? Find its flaws? Can't we just enjoy it for what it is? Or has most of the world become so highstrung and critical? Hell if I know.

Anyways I guess I just want to hear what you guys think of this. Maybe I could've spent this thread of some other topic like my own writing or some crap but eh, this is just what came to mind.

[The Wild West Pyro]

I kinda feel like venting a big thought of mine here since you guys are pretty willing to listen.

In over the past year and a half, I've kinda let a lot of things go in terms of criticism, on perhaps both levels. Lately a lot of my attention has turned to the nature of film/show criticism. I've become so disenchanted and annoyed at how overly critical and nitpicky people can be when putting their opinion on a film.

In fact I've sworn off watching/reading critics online who fit the caustic critic image because I just don't feel in the mood to listen to them ramble on negatively about whatever new film/show they've just watched. I've barely watched a TGWTG work since midway last year (with one or two exceptions) and the only critic I consistently watch these days is GRArkada: https://www.youtube.com/user/GRArkada whom I'd consider to be one of the most neutral/positive reviewers I've ever watched, with a few a video of him being so negative about a show.

Hell even the co-creator of Toonami would even agree with me on how caustic critics have become so tiring: http://ask.fm/Clarknova/answer/111547911401

But what's been annoying me the most lately is how people constantly try to pick flaws in movies that are intended to be fun or adventurous. Take for instance, Guardians of the Galaxy. A film I genuinely loved and enjoyed for what it was. And while yes it had its flaws, what I keep seeing with how its criticized is just how it isn't what people wanted it to be, or that the female lead could've been better or that the humour wasn't funny or that it didn't take any risks etc etc. I could go on.

Whatever happened to just enjoying a movie? Why do we have to criticise it? Find its flaws? Can't we just enjoy it for what it is? Or has most of the world become so highstrung and critical? Hell if I know.

Anyways I guess I just want to hear what you guys think of this. Maybe I could've spent this thread of some other topic like my own writing or some crap but eh, this is just what came to mind.

And then there's the hipster screams as they grab the nearest person, push them against the wall and spray 1 pint of spit in their face as they yell about how overrated a film is.

[narrativedilettante]

I agree that it's nice to sit back and enjoy a movie, but a critic's job isn't to enjoy, it's to evaluate. Some critics are unreasonably caustic, but film isn't just entertainment; it's an art form.

I loved Guardians of the Galaxy. But criticizing things that I love is perhaps even more important to me than criticizing things I don't love. Sure, I think that movie was great, but it could have been better. And perhaps it should have been better. I like art that pushes boundaries, that takes risks. It can be frustrating to think that the world of media will stagnate with good movies that nonetheless do nothing to push us forward, to change the landscape of what movies can be and do.

[JRPictures]

And then there's the hipster screams as they grab the nearest person, push them against the wall and spray 1 pint of spit in their face as they yell about how overrated a film is.

Pyro if you're not going to contribute anything meaninful to this thread then just don't post at all.

I agree that it's nice to sit back and enjoy a movie, but a critic's job isn't to enjoy, it's to evaluate. Some critics are unreasonably caustic, but film isn't just entertainment; it's an art form.

I loved Guardians of the Galaxy. But criticizing things that I love is perhaps even more important to me than criticizing things I don't love. Sure, I think that movie was great, but it could have been better. And perhaps it should have been better. I like art that pushes boundaries, that takes risks. It can be frustrating to think that the world of media will stagnate with good movies that nonetheless do nothing to push us forward, to change the landscape of what movies can be and do.

I'm not just talking about critics here, I mean anyone. Now I'm not bagging out on constructive criticism here, in fact constructive criticism is absolutely fine to me. The problem is the people who think their opinion is law and that they HAVE to nitpick whatever they watch.

As for the matter of taking risks, Guardians of the Galaxy was a huge risk for Marvel, no matter how you look at it. A film based on an obscure team, characters mainstream audiences aren't terribly familiar with, delving deeply into Marvel's cosmic side. Film's like GOTG are the ones that take risks and I find hugely wrong that there isn't a lot of movies taking risks these days.

Eh in the end, maybe I'm just losing my touch a bit. I keep straddling the line between being cynical and optimistic and I'm just getting sick of the constant negativity around me, not to mention all the crap that's been happening in the past few weeks.

[eli_gone_crazy]

It's okay to take steps back and regain your own personal balance, but in the same way that you dislike people nitpicking film, it's probably not going to be received well if you become angry over someone else's opinions.

Because that's what they are, opinions. If they didn't like something about a film, they have the ability and right to voice that opinion, same as you to them. The important thing would be that you enjoyed the film, book, or show.

In the end, media is supposed to entertain you. If you aren't being satisfied by media, you should voice your opinions as to exactly why.

But, if you are really bothered by criticisms you deem harsh, then by all means, avoid those critics or conversations.

[The Wild West Pyro]

That stung.

That really, really, stung.

[Guyshane]

I personally find criticism to be fairly harmless in and of itself, it is merely someone explaining why they found something disappointing or lacking. The only real problem is when they criticize people for liking something, which is why I have no problem with tgwtg for the most part. For example I don't hate people for liking Prometheus despite it being a stupid mess that was worse than any other movie in the Alien franchise.

[narrativedilettante]

The only real problem is when they criticize people for liking something

I agree very much with this sentiment. It's okay to hate something I like, but implying that I'm somehow in the wrong for liking it is actually inexcusable.

[JRPictures]

That stung.

That really, really, stung.

Sorry Pyro, but I had to be honest there.

The only real problem is when they criticize people for liking something

I agree very much with this sentiment. It's okay to hate something I like, but implying that I'm somehow in the wrong for liking it is actually inexcusable.

Ditto.

I personally find criticism to be fairly harmless in and of itself, it is merely someone explaining why they found something disappointing or lacking. The only real problem is when they criticize people for liking something, which is why I have no problem with tgwtg for the most part. For example I don't hate people for liking Prometheus despite it being a stupid mess that was worse than any other movie in the Alien franchise.

True enough I suppose (Also I can't really comment on the Alien/Prometheus since I haven't seen any of the films in the franchise)

It's okay to take steps back and regain your own personal balance, but in the same way that you dislike people nitpicking film, it's probably not going to be received well if you become angry over someone else's opinions.

Because that's what they are, opinions. If they didn't like something about a film, they have the ability and right to voice that opinion, same as you to them. The important thing would be that you enjoyed the film, book, or show.

In the end, media is supposed to entertain you. If you aren't being satisfied by media, you should voice your opinions as to exactly why.

But, if you are really bothered by criticisms you deem harsh, then by all means, avoid those critics or conversations.

Honestly I think I'm mixing myself up a bit here. It's not a matter of me caring about people's opinions on films (I got over that ages ago) this is more a matter that it just seems like so many are failing to enjoy a film and are instead constantly nitpicking it to the point where it becomes tiring.

[eli_gone_crazy]

I think there is a balance to be maintained. If it is expected that a person is not to make positive opinions on a film invalid, then the same must be held for negative opinions. Because, from what I see, lauding the positives can be as grating as nitpicking the faults, but both are allowed and both are necessary.

[Rick Healey]

I'll throw in a counter view - some people like myself find and express joy through complaining. It's a different mindset, sure. But I like sitting down and nitpixking. I deconstruct and reconstruct.


As a side note, I do find it entertaining that you'd complain about people taking shots at the weakness of Gamora's role, when I honestly thought that was the film's glaring flaw (and, honestly, pretty much the glaring flaw of the MCU as a whole).