At the start of the semester, we read an article titled, “Critics’ Voices Become a Whisper.” In this article, Patrick Goldstein chronicled the supposed ineffectiveness of critics when panned movies like “The Da Vinci Code” and the second “Pirates of the Caribbean” did very well at the box office this summer. Some people took this to mean that the role of the critic was becoming moot. The other perception of critics is negative. Even the word “critic” has a negative connotation in most everyday speech.
After taking this critical writing class, however, I have a new appreciation and respect for critics’ works. I don’t take critical writing to be either a dying profession nor do I take it to be something that is negative (except maybe Michiko Kakutani).
To me, criticism is a well-written, researched and informative opinion. It is an art form that can put a new author on the map or can humble a singer who has gotten too comfortable at the top. While everyone has an opinion, I’ve experienced the hard work that goes into articulating a researched article either encouraging or dissuading someone to spend almost $8 on a movie ticket or to choose one show over another on Thursday nights.
Though over the next few years, critics’ mediums may change and their methods of communicating may shift, I think the critic remains a vital part of the dialogue in the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.
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