The Dark Knight Rises comes out this Friday, starting with the usual midnight screenings on Thursday. Several critics have already seen it and released their reviews on to the web, with the negative reviews obviously being the ones accosted and menaced by numerous commenters. Two critics, Marshall Fine and AP's Christy Lemire, have received the worst of it, causing Matt Atchity, Editor in Chief at Rotten Tomatoes, to release a press statement and then later disabling all user comments from being made on The Dark Knight Rises page. A ton, a ton of fans of Christopher Nolan's take on Batman had the time and vicious energy to spite these two people, and a couple others. All of this, for a film they have not seen yet.
Whenever a movie critic, whether professional or amateur, lays out their opinion on any film, they know that others might/will respond back with agreement or anger. With the popularity of the internet, this debate over the merits of a film has been increasing in its virulence, as many chose to hide behind user-names to deliver mean, inhuman remarks. Both as a critic and an artist, I know that my works will not always win over people and I always try to handle comments in a civil manner, unless it goes way over the line, which has thankfully been very minimal for myself. But all of this expected yet still chilling news have lead to this personal plea.
I don't follow or know of Marshall Fine's writings but I am fully aware of Christy Lemire. I have read some of her reviews for the Associated Press. However, I'm more apprised of her through her participation as co-host of Ebert Presents at the Movies. She's a hard-working individual and one of the most notable female reviewers in the profession today. Like practically every single critic that I read, watch, and follow, I do not always agree with her opinion. I also don't use her negative reviews of certain films that I loved as a grudge against her or as a reminder to never forget and forgive her. She, and Fine, did not deserve bitter hatred and cruel tactics against them just for a film unseen by nearly everyone.
Of course, other than daring to go against the vision of a popular auteur, this rancorous brouhaha is also motivated by the numeral scoring of Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The review-collecting systems of the two websites were specifically designed both for business and pleasure; They gauge the overall critical spectrum of a product, while also reserving space for the opinions of users, to give an general impression to the American public, from the insiders of Hollywood to the average citizen who wants to look up the score before walking into the theaters. These percentages do matter nowadays, but some have taken it way too far as an indicator of perfection and a rallying cry to attack someone. The tipping point was in 2010, when Armond White was one of the few who didn't like Toy Story 3, causing the film to lose its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I personally do not like White and his opinions but his review has not changed anything for me, nor am I perturbed by the inability of Toy Story 3 getting an A+ on its final exam, so to speak. As Billy Wilder famously wrote, nobody's perfect. Hell, even one of my best friends isn't crazy about that film and I still value his opinion highly.
Though I appreciate what Atchity has done and wrote, I don't fully agree with his ending sentiment that people can't be angry at movie reviews. You have every right to be. Sure, there are more pressing matters in life to argue over but a review of a work of art can be included. Sometimes the ire from a movie review can causes others to stand up and do something about it, thus changing history itself. Bosley Crowther found that out the hard way, when his review of Bonnie and Clyde back in 1967 and numerous further attacks on it caused him to lose his job at the New York Times and lead to rise of people like Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert. Even Ebert's mistrust and venom for slasher/horror films, from the late 70's to his noteworthy special program on At the Movies with Gene Siskel to the present day, have provoked some to talk back to him through either celluloid and digital cameras or through writings and coverage of the genre. These two highlighted moments were done without anyone resorting to death threats, bodily harm, and sexual violence toward the defending individual. Instead, the people just made their counterpoints that much more sound and reasonable.
I am not afraid to lay out my review of The Dark Knight Rises come this weekend. Even if I get some flack of any kind, which I doubt considering my traffic numbers, I will just say "oh well" and move on. Trolling is no way to go through life. Many have chosen to think otherwise, whether under guises or through their own reputation as a "professional" film critic. Not to get too political, but it is truly sad that these individuals have abused their privileges and freedom to speak ill against these two film critics for not liking something they expect to love, all the while turning a blind eye and not giving a thought to the predicaments facing individuals such as Ali Farzat, who have been impacted by such threats.
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