Should film critics try to tune in to pop culture?

Peter Bart at Variety notes that there is a huge disconnect this year between favorably reviewed movies and successful box office hits. (This is new?) The new movie “300,” for example, is getting widely panned yet is a success. Ditto “Ghost Rider,” “Night at the Museum,” (Which the LR Spouse and LR Offspring loved), “Wild Hogs” and “Norbit.” Bart asks “If the established media want to stay relevant, should their critics make a passing attempt to tune in to pop culture?” I ask “Why do we bother with reviewers when we could have tons of people seeing movies and have their thoughts aggregated and summarized?” I care what one film snob thinks? Also – we’re about to get whacked with a snowstorm this weekend in New England. Movie receipts will be down. Imagine how “300” could recoup that if the studio announced it was putting it on Pay-Per-View. (Check out Variety’s interactive box office chart.)