Do critics need a reality check

Recent movies have shown such a disconnect between professional critics and general audience..movies they trashed went on to become hits..and movies they hailed r disasters..

Maybe years of being in this profession has given them a certain intellectualism, an evolved feeling..like they love to show off their knowledge about World cinema, praise smaller nuances in films, like to show that they understand complex emotions and r way above the aam Janta..

What they don't understand is audience likes simplicity.. specially in emotions..what we like is direct and raw storytelling..not some jantarmantar in the name of cinema..

Reviewers need to review themselves

Critics only want pay check.

Originally posted by: hotchic2

Critics only want pay check.

But their credibility goes down the drain.. audience is openly mocking them. Celebs aren't afraid to speak up..and people have more faith in public reviews..so their job is at risk.

Paycheck bhi nahi milega

That's a very good discussion topic.

I feel each critic has their own way of reviewing films. Some will mechanically review a film, taking its technicalities, its performances and its plot into consideration intricately. So even if the movie as a whole may be really good, their ratings decrease on the basis of technical falters. Some will rate a film based on how much it resonates with them overall more than taking technicalities into account. And some are squarely paid to give stars :v

As you said, let's take a recent movie, Super 30. There are a few critics who have given 2.5-3 stars to the film, but audience reactions do not mirror these ratings. Most people have been giving 4-5 stars overall, which is why the film's steadiness is still rock solid at the box-office; the WOM.

Now look at Judgementall Hai Kya (I know the film has just released but I'm just giving an example). Someone like Raja Sen is giving the movie 4 stars, but many people from the aam junta are calling it disaster, bakwaas etc. More than critics, it's if the general audience likes it or not that matters. That is what will decide its box-office fate.

At the end of the day, critics reviews are based on their subjective views. Honestly you might at times be pleasantly surprised after watching films that critics have generally dissed. I personally refrained from watching Anjaana Anjaani because it had gotten such bad reviews but when I happened to randomly watch it, I loved the film!

Critics may dissuade a section of people from watching the film but that section is small I feel because at the end of the day, it's what aam junta feels and the WOM that they spread. I think people should have their own opinion of a movie rather than blindly following critics reviews which honestly, are quite irrelevant to box office success.

Coming to the simplicity, I agree. Most people care about the resonating part. Nobody really cares about recording, re-recording, cinematography, editing (maybe a little if it's affecting the film quality) etc.

It's been years that I have read a single review about any movie. Coz I know what shiz they gonna blabber in those reviews. Whatever they write is so superficial, elite and pompous. Moreover they are paid. And have extreme bias. They are so clouded in their agenda that they have forgotten to be fair. It's hilarious at this point. 😆

Critics tend to be left leaning politically and are more harsh towards any movie that does not match their political views

I dont think they should change their way just to match opinion with janta, critics generally tend to be people who watched a lot of cinema than usual normies , their perception would definitely be different than usual ones, like I watched enough movies to catch beats of raazi movie , it's most cliche spy movie ever ,but that would be different to people.

That said they need to avoid is politics and bringing their idelogy in the movie , don't judge a movie of what can be just for what it is , than these critics go wrong .

Add to that judging movie from their industry presepective and not needing to go harsh when there is no requirement, some movie are just Decent , they should rated decent time pass, like many marvel movies are just Decent good but they get rated highly , acquire your basis and implore what are you judging on .

Also just because a movie is experimental doesn't make it good ,and usual stuff than it's bad , try to acknowledge what it is going for and is able to do or not.

Unfortunately I find many mainstream reviewer as shallow and superficial as this forum members when it comes to reviews ,they are allowed you aren't .

Exactly..their perception is that if it is experimental it should be commendable..so praise it..if public doesn't like judge the public..say people aren't evolved enough..

Arre bhai ..it's not like experimental movies don't work..Kahaani worked..andhadhun did, Stree did..

Movie boring nahi hai aur apna msg achhe se convey Karti hai to chalegi

Also, they need to consider the theme. This sometimes is the important criteria for families.

To be honest, I do not rate Super 30 that highly. The climax scene was cliche and dragged. Somewhere I felt, it was the poor copy of 3 Idiots. (Aspiration is common. Entertainment quotient is less). Still we went, as this is one of the movies we want our children to see. There are some experimental movies. Even if they get 5*, we cannot go as family. I feel, they need to consider the connection (some of the Salman movies), theme of the movie etc.

Populism doesn't generally equates to being correct. There are literally millions of critics, but people like anupama and Rajeev obviously bring in their own brand of insights and criticism that many look forward to.