E L E C T R O N I C M E S S A G E Date: 09-Feb-1994 02:11pm EST From: Stephen Hart HARTS2 Level: Post-secondary/University Tel No: 904-644-4839 TO: Remote Addressee ( _jnet%screen-l@ua1vm ) Subject: re: Schindler debate "Who do we believe when we read popular criticism and why?" Good question, Snady. Lately, I've wondered why I listen to the film critics whose opinions I value. Perhaps it's the reputation of the publication for whom they write, or their own reputation, or that I've followed them for most of my critical filmwatching experience (as with Siskel and Ebret). For some reason, I let a group of critics influence my decisions on what movies I see, and wheter or not I pay full price or wait for second run or the video release. Like everyone else, there criticism is based on personal taste and opinion, which differs from one person to the next. Some colleagues and I were discussing the "accuracy" (or perhaps value) of film critics the other night. One called critics "disgruntled film students". I wonder if a film critic can actually make a film better or up to popular standards. Stephen Hart, Florida State Univ. HARTS2@firnvx