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Forrest Gump probably got backlash for winning the Oscar over Pulp Fiction.

The Blair Witch Project got backlash because it's probably scarier if you think it was a true story (or at least based on one) (which is how the movie was hyped). I saw first hand my sister's opinion go 180 on this movie in a matter of seconds. First she said it was really scary, then when she found out it was it completely fiction she immediately said it was lame.


For great movies like Citizen Kane, it's hard to take it in on one viewing. Some of what's great about it might even have to be pointed out to you (some of the special effects are done so well you might not even realize they are special effects!). Kane is a complex character, and I had ambiguous feelings about him after seeing the movie just the first time.

And, yes, there is the curse of expectations. I think that can be alleviated somewhat by watching movies like that a few times. The first time, you'd be expecting the movie to be a singular experience and blow you away. The second time, you're more likely to compare it to other movies you've seen multiple times (you probably don't expect any movie you've seen multiple times to blow you away anymore).

Casablanca seems to me to be a weird movie to be disappointed by, though. A lot of the appeal seems obvious to me. It's a movie that seems to appeal to both sexes -- you've got the romance and the exotic location and the historical backdrop, but also the cynical hero. It even has humor.

Captain Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.

There is a college literature book that makes the point that people don't just know what "good" is. They have to be taught, and do a lot of critical thinking.

Berardinelli doesn't seem to be making a conclusion about backlash in that article -- he's just musing about it because it's topical due to Precious. But he's kind of implying that things don't deserve backlash. Note that he does not include the example of The Sixth Sense, for which he was part of the backlash.

I also think that he's backlashing against Return of the Jedi. Granted, we're from different generations, but I don't remember anyone complaining about that movie or ewoks at the time. It's just that over the past couple of decades, Empire Strikes Back has emerged as the internet favorite, the reason given for that is that it's "dark", and Return of the Jedi gets collateral damage since it's not considered "dark". On the other hand, I think the prequels deserve backlash, especially Revenge of the Sith, which I thought was irredeemably terrible.


Same thing with videogames. Some might get reactionary backlash, but some deserve backlash.