I’m no critic. I enjoy going to baseball games, and football games, and don’t really care who wins. I don’t follow sports in the press or watch games on television. For me, it’s about being there. It’s something to do. I enjoy a hotdog and a cold beer under the sun while a baseball game plays out in front of me. To go out, get beyond the same familiar walls and enjoy life is what is it’s all about. I enjoy movies for many of the same reasons.

Substitute popcorn and a soda and theater seating for bleachers and I am going to have a good time. Yesterday I took my son to see “Spider-Man 3.” I’ve heard critics on National Public Radio, Fox and in online print gauge the movie compared to the first two Spider-Man movies, or compare the flick to other action films, and serve up a dry and dismall appraisal of the latest Marvel character on the big screen. I don’t know.

As Ayezeyah and I walked into the theater, a few inset lights guiding the way up the carpeted stairs, my excitement grew at the same pace as his - an itchy anxiety coursing from his small hand into mine and back again - and we flashed grins at each other. Although it was a Sunday morning showtime the theater was packed. We edged and bumped our way past knees and tubs of popcorn to settle into two seats near the middle of the darkened theater. The lights dimmed, the screen shined, and we settled in for the next few hours with Spidy and cast for an absolutely wonderful time.

As the last scene faded and the credits began to roll applause rippled through the seats from people we had shared the past few hours with. Ayezeyah asked to see it again. It was a good time, and, a good movie. Comedian Billy Connolly said that critics are looking the wrong way. Instead of looking at the screen and sifting through their own sentiments, they should be looking at the people who are watching the film. Watch the watchers. Critics don’t make people enjoy a film or even force ticket buyers to have a miserable time if the show wasn’t what they anticipated. Critics simply, well, critique. And, they don’t do it very well. Perhaps they should lighten up, loosen up, and take a child to a movie. That’s really what it’s all about anyway, and don’t forget the popcorn.