Bad Reviews

Not sure about this one:

Australian food critics were left spluttering into their napkins yesterday after a court decided that an unfavourable review of a Sydney restaurant was defamatory, opening the way for the owners to claim damages.

The critics said the decision could lead to reviewers of theatre, music, literature and art fearing to speak their minds in case they are sued.

I suspect, as ever, that there is more here than meets the eye. As the article suggests later on, it’s pretty remarkable that one bad review should destroy the business.

However, I utterly despise critics; whether literary, film or food. Taste is individual and to take a critic’s word for anything would be foolish. Look at the recent Pirates of the Caribbean movie that is doing well at the box office yet was panned by the critics. Who is more important here? The paying public who want to be entertained by a frivolous and eye-catching film, or the snobbish pompous critics? Their opinion is just that; their opinion and it is of no more import than yours or mine. I have every intention of seeing Pirates III and enjoying it immensely and fuck the critics.

Those who can, create. Those who can’t criticise and harp from the sidelines. Critics are the parasites of the arts. Ignore them and make up your own mind; that’s what I do and I usually enjoy works they sneer at.