"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so."
So Ed Gonzalez slated ‘Precious’ but then the man seems to slate most things I hold dear. He really does not like ‘Awards’ films at all by looking at his review roster – his taste is all over the place and VERY different from mine and that is a good thing. Variety is after all not just a entertainment industry magazine, it is also the spice of life.
But there are so many critics out there giving their two cents on everything they can.
And we need critics, for they give us a platform from which to debate and their points are often very valid.
However everyone these days is a critic and the difficulty is filtering those with something valid to say against those who want to rant or worse yet, have an agenda.
What is the saying about critics?
Those who can’t' criticise those who can.
I read his review last night and felt deflated, but what was I expecting, 100% unanimous good reviews?
Of course people are going to hate it. There are going to be those critics who go in wanting to hate it just as there will be those who go in wanting to love it. And in both cases they will look for things to help their argument.
I mean I did not watch ‘Changeling’ objectively, and loved picking it apart. Fair? Not at all, but it is what we do. Our criticisms come from a personal place. Our entire lives will affect how we view everything.
So maybe when a critic slates film i love (or are wanting to love) I should make up a reason for this person reacting this way...to soften the blow.
Although I loved this part of his review:
“So, between Precious and An Education, Lone Scherfig's horrid BBC Afterschool Special, we now have the official theme of the upcoming Oscar season: the uplift of the races and sexes through higher learning.”Wow. That is just..... sounds so ........ UGH ......... sexis......... racis........
Never mind.
I shall not criticise......... and when I do, I shall be honest and have no agenda (previous reviews do not count - hee he). If I do not like 'Precious' I will eat humble pie.
2 comments:
Kudos on that!
It's easy to tear apart something just because you have your own biases; which is why now more than ever I think people should be open to everything!
Yes, even "Changeling" for you, if we do not see the bad, it's tougher to value the good.
I was reading about the NY Times movie critic in the 60's who was practically a dictator trying to force his views as if they were the law.
What it got for him was that he became irrelevant; narrow mindedness only leads to irrelevance.
Nice post!
I think it's clear that he thinks the Academy reveals its social bias by championing AN EDUCATION and PRECIOUS. The comment isn't sexist...his opinion is that the film (like the Academy) IS if that's what the focus of the conversation becomes. I have about zero interest in seeing PRECIOUS, especially after the self-congratulatory trailer I saw with Tyler Perry and Oprah in it. Now it's inevitable, it seems: With their appearance in the trailer, it's like we're REALLY being forced to like it. It's not even a movie anymore, it's like medicine.
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