How do you hear about them? Sometimes, I'll see a film based on director/actor connections, and I'll usually find these through imdb, but even them, when I come upon a film I have interest in, the rating is right there. If I were to see the film had a shitty rating, I probably wouldn't see it.

Sometimes, even a film is directed by one of my favorite directors, and stars some really good actors, it still turns out like crap. Ex. Gangs of New York, for this reason, I rely on critics feelings, just a 2nd opinion. Like I said, I will definitely sometimes see and enjoy films that were critically panned, and sometimes really hate films that were widely praised.

I'm not arguing that critics are right, I'm just saying I feel like its inevitable for their opinions to be taken into consideration, at least to a certain degree.