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Post by onelasttime on Oct 31, 2023 2:42:54 GMT
I quit paying attention to what reviewers said about movies back when Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton made “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. That movie got the worst reviews but I thought it was the funniest movie I had seen in a long time. Since the. I have not paid much attention to what reviewers have to say about new movies. I was also in the Marvel Universe since the first Iron Man came out and pretty much only watched the Marvel movies up until the last Spider-Man came out. The recent ones have been kind of strange so I bailed. And I have been searching for other movies to watch on the streaming services I have. That is how I found Ryan Gosling, who I really like, along with some other actors that weren’t part of Marvel. Which brings me back to not paying attention to what reviewers say and everyone’s favorite actor not to like Tom Cruise. I was reading this blurb about Cruise and the bolded part below caught my eye. I like Maverick but I have to say the one movie I really enjoyed and thought he should make more like it was Knight & Day. I liked it when it first came out and I bought the dvd which I forgot I had gotten until recently. Since I rediscovered the dvd I have watched it a couple of time and I still like it. But apparently I’m in the minority. “It had been a rough few years for Cruise. In the aftermath of Mission: Impossible III, Cruise attempted to reestablish himself as a dramatic actor with Robert Redford’s political drama Lions and Lambs and Bryan Singer’s World War II thriller Valkyrie. Both films fell flat, indicating that Cruise didn’t quite have the capability to break into any serious award season conversations at this time. Although he scored a surprising Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Tropic Thunder alongside his co-star, Robert Downey Jr., Downey’s performance was the only one that received any recognition from the Oscars. Cruise tried to trek back into familiar territory in 2010 with James Mangold’s action comedy Knight and Day, but it became one of the rare critical and financial disasters of his career.”
Which brings up the question how much do you pay attention to reviews and comments by others when deciding what movies to watch. Let me add this is after you see said movie that is about to be released or one already out with subject you are interested in and/or actors you like.
For me, despite the good reviews Barbie has gotten, it is not the type of movie I would consider watching. But because Ryan Gosling is in I will probably watch it when it’s streaming.
So how do you decide?
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762 
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Post by pantsonfire on Oct 31, 2023 2:52:13 GMT
Not big into movies. If the movie peeks my interest or looks like something I would enjoy, I go see it.
I do not read reviews before I go. I make my own judgment. I like to go in with an open mind.
A few times due to anxiety I have asked friends if x person/animal dies because I need to know to remain calm. But I don't ask for any more info.
So zero influence.
Same for dh and dd who are really into Marvel. And little into DC.
Oh and I have zero desire to see Barbie. Just doesn't interest me.
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Post by onelasttime on Oct 31, 2023 2:58:18 GMT
Another thing I consider in my choices of movies. If I find out the main character or characters die then I won’t watch it.
When I watch a movie I want either a good mystery or mindless entertainment.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,504
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Post by ellen on Oct 31, 2023 3:00:50 GMT
I often check Rotten Tomatoes to see what kind of reviews a movie gets. I rarely go to the theater and if I do it is because I really want to see something and it has great reviews. I’m less fussy about what I watch at home.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
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Post by pantsonfire on Oct 31, 2023 3:01:40 GMT
Another thing I consider in my choices of movies. If I find out the main character or characters die then I won’t watch it. When I watch a movie I want either a good mystery or mindless entertainment. Same. I enjoy comedies. Though I do enjoy Bond movies and things like Bourne. |
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 31, 2023 3:08:42 GMT
Zero. If a movie looks good, I'll go see it. I probably see one a year though. I watch maybe two a year at home. I am not much of a movie person.
Not a fan of investing in a main character only to have them die. I need a comedy usually.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 31, 2023 3:20:00 GMT
If we're iffy about as movie, reviews matter a lot. If the movie looks fun, is action filled or has a good cast, we will ignore reviews and see it for the hell of it.
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The Great Carpezio
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Something profound goes here.
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Oct 31, 2023 3:51:02 GMT
I check Rotten Tomatoes, and it does play a role in my choices. Since it’s a aggregate of many critics and viewers, I think it’s a fair gage.
If it’s a movie I really wanted to see, I’ll still go if the rating is rotten, but if it’s super low (under 30%), I’m steering clear it it
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Post by dewryce on Oct 31, 2023 4:18:38 GMT
I don’t even look at reviews. Or go to movies, so there’s that  But what I want to watch is influenced by trailers and people in my close circle. Not a Tom Cruise Fan, have seen very few of his movies and that doesn’t include Knight & Day. But my crush from the Buffyverse is in it so I was almost tempted. |
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,128
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Oct 31, 2023 7:20:28 GMT
Nearly not at all. The movies we seem to see most often are action/adventure or disaster movies. Not movies that are generally well rated so I might check afterward to see how it compares to our enjoyment.
For other types of movies, if the buzz about a movie everywhere is that it’s terrible (I’m thinking of something like that Cats movie a couple of years ago) I’ll skip it.
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Post by smasonnc on Oct 31, 2023 12:10:14 GMT
I don't pay attention to just one review. I go to IMDB and see the average of the ratings. I read a few reviews to see if any of their complaints make sense. Anything above a 7 rating is usually pretty good. An 8 or above is very reliable. Once in a while, there's the "Emporer's New Clothes" syndrome where a lot of people like a weird, artsy film because it's supposed to be great cinema.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Oct 31, 2023 12:49:59 GMT
i usually just watch the preview and if it interests me, i consider it.
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Post by peano on Oct 31, 2023 13:45:40 GMT
If it's something that I have a particular interest in, or an actor I like, I don't take reviews into account generally. I'm going to see Killers of the Flower Moon because the book was interesting and hey, Martin Scorsese. I typically read reviews if it's a film I haven't heard about which doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, just not marketed well, or it was intended to be a "small" film. I've discovered many hidden gems over the years checking reviews. I pay no attention to previews because so many times I've been disappointed that the best scenes in the film were in the previews.
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
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Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Oct 31, 2023 14:02:56 GMT
I don't usually read movie reviews, DH keeps up with them a little bit though. The only exception, for me, is the Christmas Hallmark movies and I get those reviews from the DD Peas. ^.^ I'll still watch the preview (if available) and decide.
I usually hate the movie theater, so it has to be something exceptional (by my standards, not reviews) for me to go. This Friday we're going to see The Eras Tour, but I doubt I'll make it back to see The Marvels, despite being another who has watched most all Marvel movies upon release.
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Post by auntkelly on Oct 31, 2023 14:14:58 GMT
I rarely rely on reviews when deciding what I want to see at the theatre. Usually I go to a movie at the theatre because the subject really interests me, the trailer caught my attention or I really like the actors in the movie.
When I’m deciding whether to watch a movie at home, I’ll quickly look at the ratings.
Sometimes after I have seen a movie I can’t stop thinking about I go back and read the critic’s reviews. Often they point out details that I didn’t notice or suggest a way of interpreting a scene that I may not have thought of.
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Post by Tearisci on Oct 31, 2023 14:24:06 GMT
I usually look on Rotten Tomatoes before watching a movie. I don't go to the movies very often and usually just stream tv but if there is a movie I'm interested in, I'll look at reviews.
I'm glad I did with the Barbie movie because I wasn't going to see it but all of the reviews were extremely positive so I went, and I'm glad I did!
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Post by jloubier on Oct 31, 2023 15:35:29 GMT
I look at the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, although I take into account the audience score rather than the one given by the movie critics. And, I might be the only one here but, I LOVE Tom Cruise  I went to see Top Gun- Maverick three times, and Mission Impossible twice. I've seen many of his movies multiple times and always enjoy them. I don't care what crazy Scientology beliefs he has. I'm still a big fan. |
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 31, 2023 19:53:15 GMT
Zero. Some award winning films are awful, IMO.
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Post by nightnurse on Oct 31, 2023 20:32:42 GMT
I pay attention to what the reviews say and why, not the number of stars or just a good or bad. I like a bit of description of what to expect and if someone thinks something was bad, I want to know why: bad acting, poor writing, was the movie to dark to see, was the humor just dumb or mean? Did the dog die cuz then I ain’t watching!
I also wanted to say you won’t regret the Barbie movie. I never cared for Ryan gosling but I thought he did such a great job and had such on screen watchability in Barbie that I am going to give some of his other movies a chance. (Overall, loved Barbie but was surprised I enjoyed Ryan because I usually don’t)
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Post by busy on Oct 31, 2023 20:49:57 GMT
Yes, I do look at reviews. Usually Metacritic over Rotten Tomatoes as I think RT’s ratings are inflated. I don’t want to waste my time and money on a garbage movie. I can’t think of many movies I truly enjoy that are really poorly reviewed (like sub 5.0). Everything doesn’t have to have great reviews - there are plenty that I enjoy in the 5.5 - 7.7 range - but lots of bad reviews is a good indicator I’m probably not going to enjoy it.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,610
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Oct 31, 2023 20:52:50 GMT
I see the movies I want to see and I generally don't read reviews because I loathe spoilers. If I hear something is really great though I'll make an effort to see it.
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Post by craftedbys on Oct 31, 2023 21:14:10 GMT
Back in the olden days, pre-interwebs, when you mostly had to take the words of professional critics like Siskel & Ebert, DH and I were burned enough times that we are now very skeptical when a movie is "critically acclaimed ".
Other than movies from the MCU, I am not a "I've got to see this in theaters" kind of gal. Plus, many movies are quick to stream now, so it's not like having to wait a year before being released on VHS/DVD.
Can you tell I'm old?!?
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Post by disneypal on Nov 1, 2023 1:14:36 GMT
Zero. If a movie looks good, I'll go see it. Same for me - I love going to the movies & go a couple of times a month, I pay no attention to reviews at all. |
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anaterra
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Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Nov 1, 2023 1:38:32 GMT
We go to the movie theater the 1st tues we are off for that group of rotations... we take turns picking... unless there is a kid movie we want to splurge on with the grands...
Dont pay attention to reviews... if i like the preview im in... if its a scarey movie dh goes alone... i will not go..
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Post by moonglowe21 on Nov 1, 2023 3:18:06 GMT
Aw Knight and Day is one of my fav movies! I will almost always watch it anytime I find it on tv. As for the original question, if a trailer for a new movie looks good to me, I’ll still want to see it even if the reviews aren’t great. On the flip side, if a movie has rave reviews but doesn’t appeal to me, I most likely still won’t see it. Now if I’m just scrolling through random movies that I may or may not have ever heard of on Netflix or somewhere, I am usually looking them up on IMDb to check the ratings and if I see a 3.7 or 4.5, I just keep on scrolling. So I guess to answer the question, it depends.  |
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Post by onelasttime on Nov 1, 2023 4:25:01 GMT
I was just talking to a friend who wants to borrow my TopGun Maverick dvd. I told her I would include Knight & Day.
It will be interesting to see if she joins us who thinks it’s a good movie.
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Post by pherena on Nov 1, 2023 10:26:13 GMT
I will check rotten tomatoes, but not base my decision to watch solely on that. I think I just have a quirky sense of humor and oftentimes like movies that were panned and hate those with "critical acclaim." I'm a sucker for a good movie trailer and have picked some films based solely on that, with varying results, I might add. I do also have a small stable of actors who I would watch in anything and that influences my choices.
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Lesia
Shy Member
Posts: 25
Jul 1, 2014 1:47:40 GMT
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Post by Lesia on Nov 2, 2023 21:39:25 GMT
I rarely let reviews lead my choices. If I want to see a movie, I will see a movie. I remember a movie (many) years ago that had fantastic reviews. I watched it on an airplane (when it was a TV hanging down from the ceiling, and you had to use the airlines headphones). It was and still is the worst movie I ever watched - The Royal Tenenbaums.
Now, I will freely admit I am a back-of-the-book reader and movie-spoiler reader. I hate being anxious wondering how the movie is going. The Movie Spoiler is my go to website for that.
For those wondering if the dog dies, or a person dies, there is also a website that is Does the Dog Die? That will give you the trigger items. My son has to look on that for snakes for my DIL. She absolutely cannot see a snake, and we can't use the word. It just totally freaks her out.
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Post by smasonnc on Nov 4, 2023 12:39:46 GMT
I'm going to see Killers of the Flower Moon because the book was interesting and hey, Martin Scorsese. I endured it yesterday. Pack a lunch. Let me know if DiCaprio reminded you of Billy Bob Thornton in Slingblade. |
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Post by birukitty on Nov 4, 2023 20:20:56 GMT
Not one bit. A wonderful thing happens when you get older-you learn so much more about yourself-your likes and dislikes. I know what kind of movies and books I like. I hardly ever go to the movies anymore. Maybe once every 2-3 years. I wait until they come to streaming. I read what a movie is about in the description and if it sounds good to me I'll give it a try. I give it at least 20-30 minutes. If I don't like it by then I switch to something else.
Same thing with books. I try to give books 100 pages. Some are so bad I can tell within the first 10 pages.Although with books I do use Goodreads but I try not to read the reviews before I read the books because sometimes the reviews give away too much that is in the books.
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But what I want to watch is influenced by trailers and people in my close circle. Not a Tom Cruise Fan, have seen very few of his movies and that doesn’t include Knight & Day. But my crush from the Buffyverse is in it so I was almost tempted. 
