Apparently I’m not the only one who noticed that an unusual number of films aren’t being screened for critics this year. The folks over at The Movie Blog and Craig’s Flix Picks have come up with a disturbing stat.

Last year, seven movies were not screened in advance for critical review. This year, we’ve already had eight withheld from critics. Actually, go ahead and make that nine since Ultraviolet, which opens this weekend, is also not being screened for the press. Worse, this little gambit is paying off in a big way. Box office totals are up from last year, and four of the eight movies not screened for the press have opened at number one.

In a way, it’s almost gratifying. It’s studio acknowledgement that the reviewing press does indeed influence people’s viewing choices, and so they’re trying to slip their crap out into theaters in a way that circumvents our ability to save you from garbage like When a Stranger Calls. They're afraid of us, but as long as it keeps working, they’re going to keep doing it… and you moviegoers are the ones who will suffer.

What can you do about it? It’s simple, don’t see anything that hasn’t been screened for the press!! If the studio system isn’t letting the critical community review something, it is always because it’s bad. They know it’s bad and are therefore trying to get as much money out of you as possible before you figure it out. If you’re heading out to see something on Friday and you click over to RottenTomatoes and don’t find any reviews, then do not see it!!!! It’s that simple. There’s no better indicator that something is crap. Realize this: the only thing worse than a movie with bad reviews is a movie with no reviews.