Locking Out Critics
(please post about the previous posts in comments... respond to this in another blog entry)
In our forum, I've put an article about studios refusing to give press screenings of the film if they feel critics will pan the film. Movies like Stay Alive and Benchwarmers will be released, given a fair chance and then destroyed by the next weekend by critics and by not screening a press screenings, aren't they already shooting themselves in the foot?
Are reviews really hurting a film's opening weekend that much? If so, aren't we just doing our job as reliable critics?
In our forum, I've put an article about studios refusing to give press screenings of the film if they feel critics will pan the film. Movies like Stay Alive and Benchwarmers will be released, given a fair chance and then destroyed by the next weekend by critics and by not screening a press screenings, aren't they already shooting themselves in the foot?
Are reviews really hurting a film's opening weekend that much? If so, aren't we just doing our job as reliable critics?
posted by Picture Show Pundits at 4:04 PM
3 Comments:
I think it is an attempt to take away power from the critics. Or maybe you aren't so much fearing the critics as non-critics who see the film prior to and spread the word that its garbage. Not that critics don't have a voice, but who are you going to listen to? Your friend or Ebert? (We know what you'll say nate!!!) So I'm wondering if there is more lashing out at the studios own insecurities towards the ever-fickle audience.
The power of the critic depends on two things: the genre of film and the trust the audience holds in said critic. Now, I'm sure as hell not going to see a movie because Earl Dittman tells me it's the greatest thing since sliced bread (coincidentally, eight movies so far this year have been deemd such). But if someone I respect, like Ebert or Ray and Sarah tell me about how awesome a movie is ... I'll look out for it because I hold the opinions of these people in regard. These people have earned my trust. Not every critic has that and ever will. And some of it is just about the movie's audience. The audience for Phat Girlz or The Benchwarmers is not going to check for critic approval.
These seem to be the types of movies whose audience probably wouldn't even listen to the critics. They are just looking for a thrill (bad horror movies) or a laugh (bad comedies), not caring if it's a quality one or not. I get that this new trend of shutting out critics is a secret acknowledgement by the studios that they know the film is terrible and they want to minimize damage. But if the audience for them really doesn't pay attention to critics, why not just let the critics see them? It wouldn't have that much of a negative effect on the box office, and that way the rest of us (who have no desire to see the movies) can have our enjoyment as we watch the critics rip the movies humourously to shreds.
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