My daughter, Jessica Denise Gregory does not like to read the reviews before seeing a movie. I appreciate her independent perspective. In this case, probably the "right" one to have.
Me, I could not help noticing the rotten tomatoes @ 39% when I clicked on my Flixster app to check out movie times (yep, I'm still using Flixster ?) I read a few but was not influenced. Actually, the reviews got me wondering what the negative reviewers were thinking. The handful of critics that were positive appeared to have a better sense of the movie, and movie-goers (user score was 77-79%)
Jessica and I have a birthday tradition, i.e., my birthday falls around Memorial Day and we like to include the blockbuster-movie-of-the-season in our weekend festivities. This year it was POTC. We loved it. The special effects, emotion-grabbing soundtrack, action-packed scenes, memorable characters, and pirate-inspired humor were exactly what we hoped for and enjoy. Javier Bardem was an awesome addition. What not to like?
I wondered if the rotten tomatoes critics missed what we are there to enjoy. The few that I felt got it right, read like this: "Entertainment, ahoy", "Salazar's Revenge is a solid couple of hours escapism... ", "Again, the trick to enjoying the film is to expect nothing."
I go to the movies to be entertained. Maybe not to escape, but time to be FULLY PRESENT - and fully immersed in all of my SENSES. (As a YINpreneur, I seek opportunities to do and be both) For me, these types of movies are the best reason to pay the exorbitant prices now being asked ($16.25 regular $20.25 3D). At those prices, I start with the thought, will my experience be enhanced by a big screen and surround sound, or will it be just as enjoyable on my home-based flat screen TV and Bose speakers? For us, Pirates of the Caribbean satisfied the big screen, sensuous ride.
In short, I cannot help but wonder if our expectations and extreme judgment are causing us to miss the true meaning or joy of this or other activities? Of our life? Are we better off if we abandon our critic (in or outside our minds), come fully present and allow ourselves to be moved, informed and entertained?
Your thoughts?
From my heart to yours, |
