First off, I'm halfway through my second of my edits through Grimmack the Goblin. I will have this run finished by next week, and then I plan on my third run through being a lot more comprehensive and game changing. Right now I'm happy with the state of the story. I am looking forward to strengthening my world building and making the third run through my final one for a bit.
Big thank you to my alpha readers on this. They have helped immensely.
If you haven't heard by now the critics are panning Suicide Squad. This hurts my heart a little as I have been looking forward to watching this moving for months. And guess what, I'm still going to see it. Why? Because critics aren't my end all be all with media.
I'm that guy. You know the one who still enjoys watching Ben Affleck's Daredevil every now and then. That likes (not loves) Superman versus Batman and while admitting there are several issues in that movie can still sit down and enjoy it. I liked Man of Steel. I like the Blade movies, and even the campy Batman Forever, and Batman and Robin because I can see them for what they are. Moments to turn of your brain and enjoy some action. I loved the Warcraft movie despite the critics ripping it down. It is a good movie, and I will stand by that.
If you hate these shows, your point of view is just as valid. I'm not going to judge you for not liking some of the weird shows I enjoy. You are welcome to enjoy what you want, even if I don't as well. If you like Rap and Nickelback, (ok, I like a little Nickelback) we can be friends. If you vote Democrat, Republican, or flying spaghetti monster may his sauce be upon you, I am cool with that. I'm going to bring my point back to critics however.
Critics have the job to let you know if a movie is good or not. Or a book, or any other type of media. They take their expertise (I'm not sure if there is a movie critic school, degree etc... but wouldn't be surprised if there was.) and give the judgement to the movie on whether EVERYBODY would enjoy a show. Not just the fans, not just the non-fans, everybody.
I can walk into Suicide Squad and I'm pretty certain that as long as the movie accomplishes some good action, Harley Quinn and Deadshot fun, and somewhat of a storyline I will be happy. If it blows my expectations away I'll be ecstatic. I have no illusions that what i'm going to watch is going to be deeply intellectual or Shakespearean. It is a pop-corn fueled action flick.
I look at movies that are supposed critical failures and a lot of times I see the critics points. Avengers one was great because it was the culmination of years of work from Marvel. Avengers 2 wasn't likely to reach that high point, but when they made it a move that not only had to be a great flick, but shoved things in there to set up the rest of the MCU that baggage dragged it down. I look at Captain America: Civil War, and that one was great. Why? Because it was again the Culmination of several things including Avengers 2 and wasn't bagged down by having to set up a lot of new stuff coming in the Marvel Universe. I still love both Avengers movies, but I have to admit the second one wasn't as good. So the critics were right to bag on it a little more.
However, with Batman Vs. Superman, the critics were right. If I took my daughter who hates super hero movies to it, she would have hated it. If I grabbed Joe Shmoe off the street who didn't have an opinion, he might have looked at the ending and been, "ummm Martha?" Or he might have turned his brain off and enjoyed the action. The critics are supposed to judge which re-action Joe Shmoe is more likely to have.
With writing I hear again and again authors warned not to read the reviews on their work. There are some hateful folks out there and they are happy to let you know if they think you suck. There are also literary critics who once again are judging based on "If anyone picked up this book," not "If a fantasy nerd picked up this book." It makes the critics opinions pretty much invalid for a large group of people who fit in the fantasy nerd circle.
Anyway, I've rambled. In short, Enjoy things because you enjoy them. Don't let people be they critics or friends make judgments for you. If you want to see Suicide Squad vs Batman Vs Ghostbusters, go see it. If you enjoy it, smile and enjoy it. If you hate it, well you won't know until you see it.
Just don't let people decide what you like for you.
Ben Marble
As always, if you want to support this crazy habit of writing you can purchase any of my short stories on Kindle or Amazon.com. A Fey Deal, The Choice, and The Black Oak.
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