With film critic Roger Ebert's passing earlier this month, many of us, concerned with pop culture or not, mourned along with the rest of the country. A national icon of humorous and biting criticism, Ebert injected the industry with much-needed ego checks and a genuine appreciation for art. And there are many others like him, doling out stars and grades in place of his characteristic thumb rating system. However, with the influx of bloggers and the decline of print journalism, Ebert and his peers may be a dying breed. Many young people are now asking themselves why they should care which way thumbs point or how many gold stars a movie has gotten. Despite this trend, movie critics play a vital role in the entertainment industry, as individual bloggers can never replace the likes of Ebert and the insight that comes from a professional critic.
The problem with more casual commentators is just what their title suggests: they are casual. In contrast, it is a professional film critic's job, passion and career to take films seriously and analyze them in a way that encompasses a large span of film history, an eye for public sensibilities and an understanding of the art form. By their very nature, movie critics are invested with more responsibility, both to their audience and to the films themselves. Just as a literary scholar is a more trusted source than the girl next to you on the bus ("Read Twilight," she said, "it's great!"), the same holds true for film criticism.
I recently had the chance to talk to USA Today movie critic Claudia Puig to hear her views on the subject. When I made this argument, Puig added, "Most critics have a seriousness of purpose and an analytical perspective... [we] have a breadth of experience watching and thinking about movies that we bring to the table." A blurb on a blog cannot substitute this professionalism and experience.
Movie critics are here for a reason: they guide audiences to movies that match their interests. By having access to information and critiques of any movie in the theater, a viewer can make an informed choice about where to spend his money. Especially in today's economy, a movie critic's guidance is a useful way to save money. For Puig, a critic's job is to "put yourself in the audience's shoes, and watch a film ever-aware that most people have limited time and resources and... to provide an informed opinion on where best to spend their time, attention and money." Critics provide a trusted opinion, something a loud multitude of bloggers lack.
Another important aspect of professional critics is their ability to draw audiences to movies that may not be seen or lauded otherwise. The third "Transformers" (2011) does not need a critic's help in convincing people to watch it; people already know they will get the promised explosions and low-cut shirts that advertisements flashed for months. The same goes for other blockbusters. As Puig stressed, "One of the most valuable contributions of movie critics...is championing films, particularly the smaller, lesser-known, lesser-seen gems." Small, independent films, such as "Half Nelson" (2006) owe much of their success to critics who recognize their value (Puig herself is attributed for attracting the attention that led to Ryan Gosling's Academy Award nomination). These are obscure films that are only seen by a handful of people and rely on that handful to spread the word.
Movie critics are not magical, nor infallible, and I am not saying that the opinions of independent moviegoers cannot be nuanced and informed. However, critics like Roger Ebert and Claudia Puig are here to lend guidance to any potential moviegoer. In doing so, they facilitate the success of low budget "gems," help audiences choose movies suited to the audience's preferences and offer a unique critical perspective. Making movies is an art form and, like any other, benefits greatly from the critiques and analyses of a dedicated group of people. There is a difference between an informed critique and an opinion. If you prefer the former, keep reading professional movie reviews. If the latter appeals more to you, I suggest the blogosphere.
