The critics. Yet again.

"[W]hy are so many critics insistent on (and defensive about) tastemaking for the masses?" wonders Lewis Beale at the Reeler. "Let a panel of readers tell us whether 300 has what it takes; given the material and who it's playing to, they're as good a guide as anyone. That way our poor, overworked critics can get back to doing what they've been hired for: writing insightful pieces about movies that have something to say - not parsing Spartan abs or Eddie Murphy fart jokes." Comments ensue.

Blogging for the Guardian, Ronald Bergan lays out what he feels "should be the minimum requirements before anyone can claim to be a film critic." It's a pretty rigorous program. But then: "Learning to 'read' films is a complex, though enjoyable, business." Comments erupt.

Update, 3/31: The Boston Globe's Ty Burr agrees with Ronald Bergan about some things; disagrees about others.

Posted by dwhudson at March 26, 2007 3:11 PM