There are people out there who, for reasons that still baffle us (seriously, how are people disillusioned enough to claim the films have comprehensible action sequences) who enjoy the Transformers movies. Much of their gross may come from foreign markets where American movies are regarded differently, but a good chunk still comes from the conventional domestic box office, meaning there's people you pass on the street who must go into the films actually expecting entertainment. One explanation is that, judging by the reaction the films receive, a good chunk of those watching the films are doing so knowing they're in for a painful couple of hours. And, we're ashamed to say it, but we're guilty of this. There's a morbid fascination in seeing how bad terrible-looking movies really are. Not in a so-bad-it's-good way or as a guilty pleasure, but genuinely to see just how low the medium of film can sink. Aside from making you want to throw up from sensory assault, this practice has some really negative effects. As we've already discussed studios use the box office takings as a measure of the viability of a sequel, so in going to see the latest obviously awful movie all you're really doing is meaning we get more and more of this crap. What can you do: Fight the masochistic urge and stay home.
