They may think they think that, but when it comes to actually reviewing mainstream widely released films they don't actually appear to.

BTW, even if you try to look at a purely populist definition of "best movie" you get a murky picture. Box office gross gives you one result. Opinion rating gives another. For example, for quite a while now the highest rated movie on imdb has been... (go on, take a guess)



A movie that is "the best" in neither box office terms (it's barely made its money back) nor, I'd argue, in critical terms. So when people look at the Oscars and say, "How can they not recognize the highest $ maker as as the best that's clearly what 'the people' thought was the best," that isn't even the case.

Perhaps they were wined & dined at a junket? Of course, they also have a job they have to protect, and I wonder if that has effect on their review? Unlike someone like you who can give an honest opinion because you are not pressured by a paycheck.

BTW Alex, have you ever been invited to or attended a Junket?

Do they really ever do them, or is that a thing of the past, I wonder?