Critical breakdown
A mini debate has raged of late about the future of film
criticism, and the fact that only film critics seem interested in it suggests
that the future is grim. Nonetheless I plan to weigh in on the topic in the near
future, but before doing so I’d like to point out that behavior like that of John
Boonstra, former film critic for “The Hartford Advocate,” does not make that
future any brighter. Boonstra was picked up by the Stamford Police Department
in a sting operation, charged with soliciting sex with minors. A true professional to the
end, Boonstra discussed with the arresting officers his review of “Spider-Man
3.” However, he forgot the film critic’s cardinal rule: with great power comes
great responsibility.