I'm having this debate on another forum and I wondered what the people in here would think.
Is there such a thing as bad movies? There's a person who I'm debating with that says that films/TV can't be considered "bad" because it's completely subjective. He says that because there's always someone who thinks things are good, you can't look at film objectively and give it a set rating. Whatever rating films get in reviews/etc. is pure opinion and there is no set benchmark for acting/directing/effects/etc.
I believe that there is such a thing as "good" and "bad" film. I believe people can watch films objectively and tell that certain aspects of the film are just bad. That said, I think people's responses to films are subjective. You can look at a horrible film and still love it. For example, I love the old Friday the 13th films despite the fact that they are bad films. The person I'm debating on this topic thinks that because I like those films then they must not be "bad" films.
Also, I brought up the points that if film were completely subjective then there would be no reason for critics or awards to exist. He thinks that it doesn't matter.
I hope people understand what I'm trying to say here. If you do get what I'm saying, what is your opinion? Can films be looked at objectively? Is there a quantifiable definition of a bad film/bad acting/etc.? Or is it 100% opinion? Or is it a mix of the two (most likely the answer...)?
Is there such a thing as bad movies? There's a person who I'm debating with that says that films/TV can't be considered "bad" because it's completely subjective. He says that because there's always someone who thinks things are good, you can't look at film objectively and give it a set rating. Whatever rating films get in reviews/etc. is pure opinion and there is no set benchmark for acting/directing/effects/etc.
I believe that there is such a thing as "good" and "bad" film. I believe people can watch films objectively and tell that certain aspects of the film are just bad. That said, I think people's responses to films are subjective. You can look at a horrible film and still love it. For example, I love the old Friday the 13th films despite the fact that they are bad films. The person I'm debating on this topic thinks that because I like those films then they must not be "bad" films.
Also, I brought up the points that if film were completely subjective then there would be no reason for critics or awards to exist. He thinks that it doesn't matter.
I hope people understand what I'm trying to say here. If you do get what I'm saying, what is your opinion? Can films be looked at objectively? Is there a quantifiable definition of a bad film/bad acting/etc.? Or is it 100% opinion? Or is it a mix of the two (most likely the answer...)?