When critics underrate a film, it can often get a permanent bad rap that filters into the hearts and minds of movie-goers too. Movies, as with any art form, is a completely subjective thing and every viewer will have a different experience and interpretation of a film depending on what they like and what’s going on in their lives at that moment. When you add in Hollywood hype, and our obsession with actors and actresses’ personal lives, you also get the opportunity for tainting to occur about a movie and it’s cast.

At Ster-Kinekor, we aim to make sure that we don’t judge a book by it’s cover or should we say a movie by its critics. That’s why, underrated movies by critics are often cult classics amongst fans, and often the other way around too. So, what makes a movie underrated, and what does it mean to be an underrated film?

Let’s start by showing you a list of the five most underrated movies by decade from 1980 to 2020 - do you think we’re right?

• 1980’s _ Better Off Dead (1985)
• 1990’s – The Devil’s Own (1997)
• 2000’s - Gone Baby Gone (2007)
• 2010’s – Shutter Island (2010)
• 2020’s – Bad Education

What does underrated mean?

When a film is underrated, it means it was given a high rating by critics and not a very high one by movie-goers, or the other way around i.e., loved by critics but hated by viewers. Underrated films, can be underrated in terms of box-office value, in other words how much money they made at the cinemas, and in terms of fan opinion or following.

The key to rating or valuing a film, is to give it a fair chance. We’ve put together a few tips on how to figure out for yourself if a movie is good or bad, based on your own personal choice. Read on the find out more

Step 1: Find out what’s really happening in the story, and figure out if it’s a good movie

Underrated films often get missed by movie-goers if they’ve been given a bad rep in the press by critics. We always say, give every movie a chance before you say it’s good or bad. Watch it fully, and decide what you personally think of the plot, the characters, the narration and the cinematography.

Step 2: Compare the plot, characters, and other aspects of the movie to others you like

Once you’ve watched the movie, take some time to compare it to other movies you’ve enjoyed or loved in the same genre. Did it compare? Did it miss the boat completely? Did it surprise you? Did it leave you at a loss?

Step 3: Be prepared for anything – the worst or the best

Try not to decide whether a movie is good or bad before you’ve seen it through. Some movies are just horrendous and we cannot sit through them, but at least give them a try. Try, if you can, to watch the movie, compare it to your movie catalogue of past experiences, and be prepared to either be delighted or deflated.