Movie Reviews & Recommendations

Do you actually bother reading film reviews or recommendations in the newspapers or any other kind of print media?

I was just thinking about how I don't actually bother reading reviews or critiques in our American newspapers. There are really only two exceptions: when I want to get a quick scoop on a movie I’ve never even heard of—just to see what the title is—or if there happens to be a genuinely deep dive into some cultural topic buried in the arts section of a major daily. Honestly, I’m so clueless that if someone asked me to name a single prominent American film critic, I wouldn't even know where to start. 😳

On the flip side, I absolutely live for those ridiculous bits in Click! where they mock the classics by pretending they were directed by someone like Vrdoljak, or they come up with absurd ideas like a sequel to a Western set in outer space. It’s the kind of nonsense I love to read over a cup of coffee just to get a good chuckle.

When it comes to actual serious criticism and reviews, I usually stick to the British monthly publication "Sight & Sound".

Look, I’m not gonna shell out money to see a movie in a theater—especially not a blockbuster—if basically everyone who’s seen it is calling it a total disaster (think along the lines of *Waterworld* or something equally messy). But, if the reviews are actually split? If people are divided? Then yeah, I’m definitely going to go see it and make up my own mind. Honestly, I don't give a damn about professional critics or their "expert" takes. Their opinions are pretty much the last thing on my radar—I've lost count of how many times they've trashed a movie that I actually thought was pretty decent. That alone is enough reason for me to just ignore their reviews entirely. I've got enough sense and my own way of looking at things to form my own critique without needing a handbook.

You have to read between the lines when it comes to reviews—they aren't meant to be taken literally. Think of them more as a heads-up about the movie rather than a final verdict; you shouldn't let them dictate your choices. I truly believe people have enough common sense to decide what’s worth watching on their own—well, at least I hope they do, though judging by how people critique certain films, I have my doubts. We tend to label movies as "THE BEST" simply because we see ourselves reflected in them. If that's our metric, then those same people probably think they're the best versions of themselves, too. It’s pretty simple: either a film resonates with you, or it doesn't. Honestly, it feels a bit pointless to claim something is the absolute pinnacle of cinema, or to obsess over creating endless rankings like so many others do here. t

I regularly follow Njegić, Šoša, Damir Radić, and Rubeša. I mostly stick to the last one just to see how much nonsense he can pack into his "reviews."

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redowl90 said:I regularly follow Njegić, Šoša, Damir Radić, and Rubeša. I mostly stick to the last one just to see how much nonsense he can pack into his "reviews."

You've got a pretty solid signature here👍

I guess I’m just one of those people who can't be bothered with movies that everyone starts obsessing over way too early. Honestly, once the hype train starts making all that noise, I pretty much lose interest immediately. It’s like, if everyone is screaming about it, I just don't want it anymore.

I usually just skim through them while I'm sipping my morning coffee, maybe glancing at the paper or scrolling through some news sites if something catches my eye. I rarely go out of my way to hunt down film reviews—and honestly, I’m right there with Joseph Lee3 on that one; I really only look for them if I need a bit more background info before deciding on a movie.

To be honest, I couldn't care less about critical consensus, and I certainly don't bother memorizing the names of critics. Whether I decide to see a film or skip it entirely depends entirely on my own mood and whether I actually feel like watching something, rather than whether some reviewer handed it a five-star rating. ☕

Read it. Honestly, most of this stuff means nothing to me. It usually just feels like people overthinking things just to act like they’re some untouchable, deep-thinking authority. It's nauseating. I'd honestly rather read a long-range weather forecast for the Greater Seattle area

Maria Morgan2 said:I guess I’m just one of those people who can't be bothered with movies that everyone starts obsessing over way too early. Honestly, once the hype train starts making all that noise, I pretty much lose interest immediately. It’s like, if everyone is screaming about it, I just don't want it anymore.

Exactly. Or if they hit you over the head with constant commercials for the same thing. It totally backfires.

Amy Walker4 said:👍

You've got a pretty solid signature here👍

Thanx. 😉

It’s all incredibly subjective, isn't it?
Everyone has their own take on which actors actually deliver and which movies are worth the runtime...
Personally, I don't bother with trailers at all—if it's an action flick, they just cram all the best stunts into the preview, and if it's a comedy, they give away every single punchline right there

I can't stand Polimac. Honestly, if he actually starts raving about some movie, I’ll probably skip it just out of spite. 😬
I don't really bother with those newspaper reviews anymore. Like Joseph Lee3 was saying, they're fine for a quick heads-up, but after that, I just find everything else I need online.

Sure, I’m a regular reader of film reviews. There are definitely certain critics out there whose praise is enough to make me want to track down a movie I hadn't even heard of before. That said, I truly believe every film deserves its own chance to be seen before you pass judgment. For me, reading reviews isn't about being told what to watch or what to skip; it's more about engaging with people who actually have an above-average grasp of cinema—even if I don't always agree with them—and picking up some basic context before I hit play.

...look, I’m not exactly some big-time film critic or anything, but I have to admit, before I even think about heading to the theater, I always hop onto http://www.imdb.com/ just to see what kind of rating a movie actually pulled... It’s just enough to give me a vague idea of what I'm getting into, I guess...

I scan the reviews here and there in the papers—usually just catching the previews in that Friday supplement in the New York Post—and I regularly check IMDb for new movie reviews and ratings. If I see a film that everyone is tearing apart, I’ll pass. But if a specific actor, director, or subject matter catches my eye, I’m watching it regardless of what the critics say.
To be honest, reviews mostly just serve to pique my interest in movies I probably wouldn't have looked at otherwise.
Generally speaking, I find IMDb ratings to be a pretty solid guide for what's worth the time; anything above a 7 is definitely worth it, maybe something between a 6 and 7, but anything lower than that? Not really. Of course, there are always exceptions (for instance, I think Artificial Intelligence and Constantine are way too underrated by all the critics).

I always make sure to catch Damir Radić’s columns in National.
Not just because he’s incredibly well-read—super sharp and actually makes sense—but mostly because our tastes are basically identical.

I don't really bother much with American film critics. Honestly, I watch such a massive volume of movies that I rarely miss anything significant....
I suppose I have a bit of a refined palate when it comes to cinema, and it isn't exactly easy to stumble upon that one "perfect" film for me...

In just the last month alone, I’ve powered through nearly 50 films. So, if anyone out there is actually looking for a solid recommendation.... I'm right here. Just shoot me a message.... Thanx!!

redowl90 said:I regularly follow Njegić, Šoša, Damir Radić, and Rubeša. I mostly stick to the last one just to see how much nonsense he can pack into his "reviews."

Honestly, Njegić can be pretty hilarious when he starts critiquing things👍
...

Christian Garcia70 said:I don't really bother much with American film critics. Honestly, I watch such a massive volume of movies that I rarely miss anything significant....
I suppose I have a bit of a refined palate when it comes to cinema, and it isn't exactly easy to stumble upon that one "perfect" film for me...

In just the last month alone, I’ve powered through nearly 50 films. So, if anyone out there is actually looking for a solid recommendation.... I'm right here. Just shoot me a message.... Thanx!!

Well, you certainly have sophisticated taste.

Oh, definitely.