The video game-based Max Payne took firm command of the U.S. Box office this weekend to the tune of a cool $18 million, despite overwhelmingly negative reviews. As of this morning, Rotten Tomatoes listed Payne at 17 percent from 76 critics.
The success begs the question of whether Payne's conquest is attributable to the popularity of the video game, the drawing power of star Mark Wahlberg or a combination of the two?
Surprisingly, the top seven movies and nine of the top ten at the box office currently score "Rotten" ratings from the aforementioned critical aggregate site.
As we head towards the 2008 Oscar season, a time in which releases are traditionally driven by critical praise, has America collectively decided to ignore the critical masses?