Posted on: April 29, 2009 - 5:05 am

Well I think while both of you may be partially  right - Saket and Shiv, i really dont think that people go to so many pains and search sites before making up their minds. Mostly, they’ve got money for one film a week and the star rating does effect that - like it or not. The economics of film-making, where first weekends matter so much, and the ticket prices are so high have empowered the critics. And to create an alternative critics siteis just adding an opinion. I have so often heard people talk about the film in the terms mentioned in a review. 

That besides, I think, there is a larger question we have to ask, - should there we any “official” evaluations of creative works at all?  Now I know, its probably not practical - but in a Utopian world, could we allow creative people to go straight to their audiences. I think the creative movement in India is hugely stunted because of these filters. Not every piece of work has to be the “one” but it can lead to that or evolve. But many times, a rap on the knuckle  or unnecessary lauding,  early in the process stunts the growth of a creative person.

I have the view that was put forth by “eat pray love” author - Elizabeth Gilbert on the TED series of lectures (please check it on youtube), that the severe criticism and the extreme lauding of creative works are both undesirable. 

On the other end of things, I am going to be on a set again soon - yeah! Jubilation!. On the down side my laptop gave up on me and so while it’s in the repair shop, I am learning to hand write again. When I have to use a computer (like in this case) I’m serially waking friends from deep sleep to use their computers. But generally I feel  rather lucky and happy. And feel like there should be a free world out there, where creativity can flow and be a happy place instead of an umbrella for aching unhappiness.