Why do film critics exist?

Question

Apparently film critics are supposed to be a part of the advertising aspect of the film industry, right? They tell you why you should see this movie and why you shouldn't see that movie.

But don't most people already decide if they want to see the movie after watching the movie trailer? In most cases people enjoy movies that critics hate anyway, so what's the point? Who are they to tell us what we should or shouldn't enjoy?

Answer 1

to feel good about themselves even though they wish they could be the ones in front of the cameras getting all the real glory

Answer 2

I listen to film critics. Http://www.rottentomatoes.com is a great website to get a quick idea of how much people like a movie. If 89% of film critics like a movie, chances are it's going to be great. If 27% like it, I might want to wait til it comes out on video before wasting money on it. I'm also a bit of a snob when it comes to movies. I actually look for deeper meanings and don't just like a movie because I watched it. It seems like that's what a lot of people do. I don't trust my friends and co-workers to tell me if a movie's good, because they always like it (unless they don't "get" it), and I don't trust trailers because they're just commercials. They're often misleading. Don't get me wrong, some trailers make you feel like you HAVE to watch a movie (The Pursuit of Happyness comes to mind), but I'd still rather know what the general consensus of critics is before I waste $15 on a movie.

Your last question is just wrong, too. They don't tell us what we should and shouldn't enjoy. They tell us what THEY do and don't enjoy based on their professional expertise in films. The trick is finding a critic whose opinions closely match yours and then relying on them to HELP you form your opinion on what's worth watching.

Answer 3

lets ppl kno if they should honestly waste tiem seeing the movie, like is it honeslty worth it. Also, trailers always bring out all the good aspects of the movie, ud never kno the bad ones. All tho some critics are totally off with rating movies, they are probably paid to say good reviews.

Answer 4

They are liberal people who sit around around all day and stare at porn because they have nothing better to do. :) Just kidding. They are actually hired by movie-makers to see what kinds of things this generation enjoys seeing on the big screen. Unfortunately, it seems like they chose the wrong people for the job, most of the time.

Answer 5

It's not always true that the critics hate the ones that the public enjoys.

They've been right in that Glitter sucked and so did Gili.

Mostly, I don't usually listen to others' opinion on movies anyway. I like to decide for myself on whats good and what sucks. =]

Answer 6

They exist to make money and to lure people into seeing crummy movies. That is just my opinion. I go by what I want to see, whether they like it or not.

To me, there have been some movies that won the best movie oscar that to me weren't good movies. Depends on your taste, I guess.

Best of wishes to you.

Answer 7

Because A LOT of the so-called blockbuster movies that people LOVE are actually REALLY really stupid.

Example: Any of the Charlie's Angels movies.

Answer 8

Whether or not you agree or disagree with them, a lot of times they have interesting insights on what the movie's about. There's been times that I've thought about watching a movie and after reading a review on it I realize that I shouldn't waste my time on it.

Answer 9

I don't even acknowledge critics opinions. If they had to write a review of themselves, they couldn't even give a good write up for that! No one is able to tell me what I will or will not like.

Answer 10

they help people know if its a good movie or bad one so then they know if they want to go watch it

Answer 11

To tell us our opinions of movies.