How Should Consumerist Handle Movie Reviews?

There has been some discussion here about the possibility of starting a weekly guide to newly released movies. Given the billions spent each year at the theater, and the buyer’s remorse many consumers feel after plunking down $12 for an unpleasant experience, it only makes sense that we figure out a way to let readers know what’s out there and whether or not it’s worth the money in your wallet. Question is: How?

On principle, we don’t take anything for free here at Consumerist, so getting into advance critics’ screenings are not an option.

And chances are that you don’t care about my (or Meg’s, Ben’s, other Chris’, Laura’s or even Phil’s) personal opinion of the literary motifs in Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

So since we can’t see the movies in advance and our particular tastes in cinema won’t really tell you whether or not it’s a good value, what about a system of aggregating reviews where we sift through what others have written — pro and con — about the films and use that as a way of determining the likely chance you will or won’t regret pulling out your credit card.

There is also the option of having a Monday-morning quarterback situation, where we ask you — the readers — to give us your feedback on each film; why you saw it, whether or not it was worth the ticket, or maybe you decided to wait for DVD or cable to see it.

I’m sure there are countless things we could try that we haven’t considered. So let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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