>when one sees the latest Scorcese film (i use him for no
>other reason than him being mentioned in previous posts) that
>they are comparing it to what is arguably his best directed
>film, or that this moviewatcher or these moviewatchers are
>privy to all films directed by the said director(s)? I
>honestly did not enjoy Gangs of New York and it had nothing to
>do with my liking of Taxi Driver. Of course, my liking and
>disliking of these movies by this director is my opinion but I
>think just as one might rationalize liking the taste of a new
>burger (whether they knew it was different or not), one may be
>fully aware that the taste is new and embrace it just as they
>did the old, not necessarily deriving or comparing this new
>affinity with the old one.
>
>in the end, most of this liking/disliking by the average
>moviewatcher is all about expectation, be it expectation
>within a certain genre or from a given director's track
>record.
>
>just a thought i had.

my idea of the process:

a. see Scorsese has a new movie coming out.

b. the name "Scorsese" brings forward these positive ideas based on the greatness which he has delivered previously and despite whatever mediocrity too has been mixed in.

c. set expectations for new Scorsese movie based on he being the same dude who did Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

d. see new Scorsese film.

e. during the movie begin to realize he missed his mark this time around.

f. not wanting to be so let down, rationalize the film's weaknesses, giving errors a positive spin in light of the fact that such a genius like Scorsese must have intended them to be that way.

g. justify this lesser effort because Scorsese made it, (like if your little niece made you this messy and poorly done flower pot, you'd normally think it to be crap, but because of who did it, you justify its condition and put it in your good graces).

h. exit theater having numbed your disappointment.

so yes, you have expectations, but you manipulate your reaction so that you don't depress said expectations.