Worst critically acclaimed films

The role of the Film Critic is important. It can save you hours of teeth grinding boredom watching a movie you had no real interest in to begin with. They can be a viewer’s best bud. But when they get it wrong and we all get sucked in… well then, they become the villain; part of the Hollywood publicity machine. And then we growl at them with our tired, bloodshot eyes.

Ultimately the responsibility for choosing the right film is down to the viewer. If you are a savvy movie-goer you will know which Film Critic to listen to and who deserves the biggest eye-roll. My two favourite critics are Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton who had in Australia show called  At The Movies.

These two were very experienced. Let’s just say they’ve been around for quite a while, no disrespect intended. And they don’t always agree either. So that leaves the viewer with a choice. Are you a ‘Margaret’ or a ‘David’ when it comes to taste in film? I tend to lean towards Margaret but I am changeable. David has his nostalgic side which I love.

As they say the proof is in the pudding and 9 times out of 10, Margaret and David get it right. So if I’m not sure what to spend my hard earned cash and time on, I just check out their reviews. That’s the up-side of critics but what about the downers? What about the harsh critics who should just have a lie down and think about something else for a while?

I feel I’m quite liberal when it comes to films. I will watch countless romantic comedies and find something to enjoy or arty farty films with unique POVs and angles and colours and admire what they’ve created… to a point. But there are some out there who dream of the perfect film and expect to see it in everything put before them. Just enjoy the ride, pally, the journey.

Having said that, here are some of the worst critically acclaimed films:

• Groundhog Day (1993) – If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, this is a very frustrating, annoying film.
• Mullet (2001) – Sorry Australian film industry, but this was one of your worst. I just did not get the hoo or the haaa. It was not a good film. Nup. Like many Aussie films it just missed the mark and got too arty and too out there for me.
• Death at a Funeral (2007) – If I hadn’t listened to the hype, maybe… maybe it would have been hilariously funny. It was an entertaining film but not laugh-out-loud.
• Burn After Reading (2008) – I love love love the Coen Brothers but this was way too much. Too much gore, too much boo surprise, too much Clooney (did I say that?). Very disappointed.
• Baby Mama (2008) – As a big fan of Tina Fey’s I was bitterly disappointed in this film too. I really tried to laugh, I really did. Tina…what were you thinking?

What are your bottom 5 films? Go on, get out your inner critic!