Good question.
I used to work in a video store and I don’t think I will ever do a job i loved as much, I love movies. That’s another story.
The short answer is that I’ve found over the years that sometimes my enjoyment of movies can depend on my mood , the circumstances of watching the movie and/or my attention when it’s on.
I watched “Magnolia” and hated it. Wasn’t ready for the style and quirky nature and wasn’t in the mood to pay attention. Turned it off an hour in. But one night was bored , flicking around and it was on channel 4. I started watching it again and I was absorbed in it.
I remember going to see watchmen in the cinema. Expected an X rated Xmen movie and was bored. Watched it again on tv and loved it. So my expectations shifted.
With BVS I just thought it was messy and squeezed too much into it. On rewatch I watched it to see what bits I enjoyed and realised there’s a lot I like about it. The Martha thing is bollox if you don’t enjoy the movie but if you let go it’s not really that much a problem. (I think that things like “same moms” happens in good movies but people don’t get upset cause your enjoyment of a movie determines what you choose will matter or annoy you).
Another thing with BVS was that I watched it again when on the ferry to France on my own. Cinema was empty and I was just starting my holidays and my wife was looking after the kids in our room. So was really nice and relaxing.
I’ve found that I’ve been able to take more from movies, flaws and all, as I’ve gotten older. There’s no benefit to raging on movies.
Like the newer alien movies. Aliens is my favourite movie possibly of all time. The newer movies aren’t anywhere close to them. But I don’t see them as a threat to my enjoyment of aliens and think they are decent (and beautifully made) horror movies within the franchise.
Equally watching alien covenant on France ferry was nice. I enjoy these movies more on repeat because like most I want them to be good and am disappointed in first viewing but unlike most I’m willing to watch again with lower expectations.
With movies I’m like Kevin smith where I focus more on what I can get from them then what i think is wrong. Wish I could do that with everything else in my life