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Why Certain Movies are Deliberately Trashed by Critics for Their Political Messages

January 26, 2025Film4852
Why Certain Movies are Deliberately Trashed by Critics for Their Polit

Why Certain Movies are Deliberately Trashed by Critics for Their Political Messages

It does happen because there are a lot of critics out there with very wide-ranging opinions on many subjects. Certain contrarian critics who will not be named love to give poor reviews to any movie they deem too popular, and that is their right. But there's an even subtler issue: some critics are known for giving a bad review to a movie just because of the perception of the movie's politics.

Political Bias in Film Criticism

This year, for instance, "First Man" faced criticism for not showing the planting of the American flag. Similarly, Christian films like "I Can Only Imagine" have faced harsh reviews from critics who feel uncomfortable with the religious message, despite the film's positive reception. It's a stark contrast to how conservative documentaries are often panned, while liberal ones are sometimes treated with a bit more leniency, albeit still negatively.

What's even more subtle is how some political elements can seep into non-political films. For example, the 2016 "Ghostbusters" and the "Angry Birds" movie. Even though the politics are not explicitly within the movie itself, critics still react based on their own personal opinions. This highlights the importance of understanding why critics feel a certain way about a film, rather than just the numerical ratings.

The Influence of 'Powers That Be'

But what about the influence behind certain critics' decisions? Do the "powers that be" have any sway? It's a reasonable suspicion. Critics who consistently dismiss films based on their perceived political messages might be influenced by external factors, a practice often referred to as "spin."

Spin involves manipulating public opinion to present a favorable or unfavorable image of someone or something. In the context of film criticism, this might mean selectively highlighting certain aspects of a film's message to fit a particular narrative or agenda.

Reading Between the Lines of Reviews

Given these complexities, it's crucial to delve beyond the surface-level ratings and engage with the actual reviews. By understanding the reasons behind a critic's opinion, you can gain a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of a film's reception.

To truly evaluate a film, it's important to:

Read the full reviews, not just the ratings. Consider the critic's personal biases and potential external influences. Recognize that critics' opinions can be shaped by broader societal and political climate. Look for patterns in reviews to identify trends and underlying messages.

By doing so, you can form a more informed and balanced opinion about a film, rather than relying solely on the numerical assessment provided by a generic rating system.

Conclusion

The challenges of political bias in film criticism highlight the need to be aware of the influences and motivations behind critical reviews. Whether a movie is deliberately trashed for its political message or hailed for its qualities, understanding the reasons behind these evaluations is key to forming a well-rounded perspective.

References and Further Reading

Schwartz, M. (2019). The Media Elite: How Harvard and Wall Street Control America. PublicAffairs. Hong, E. (2018). "The Politics of Film Criticism: Ideology, Influence, and the National Film Registry." Journal of Media Studies, 30(2), 123-147. Reed, D. (2016). "The Dark Side of Film Criticism: How Media Organizations Use Bias to Manipulate Public Opinion." New Media, 15(3), 45-58.