Too often people talk about film critics as being pampered, over-privileged and just in it for all of the free movies, limo rides and celebrity meet and greets. What they don’t always remember is that not only do we get to see the good movies before the general public, we are also forced to endure the most atrocious films in order to protect that same public from bad cinema — that is, if they are even listening.

This week was one of the weeks where we become the guardians (and no, that doesn’t mean that we star in a movie about rescue divers with Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner). With 8 screenings on the bill, very few of which looked appetizing, our seemingly infinite collective patience and will were put to the test. Thankfully, I was forced to miss the first three screenings of the week due to having a real job. But as Kristin explained so eloquently on her blog, I wasn’t missing much.

I began my week of film criticism on Tuesday night after a quick trip to Cleveland to visit my stylist (aka Mom) who helped me pull together something to wear for Good Day Columbus later in the week. My first flick was the Sandra Bullock thriller Premonition, a poorly executed film that left my eyes burning and my notepad blank. I normally take copious amounts of notes during films that I don’t particularly like, but I found no reason to do so during Premonition. It may have been the fact that the film was so stale, or maybe it was the fact that I dropped my pen on the floor under my seat about 20 minutes in, but there really wasn’t much to say. I didn’t realize how little I had to say about it, in fact, until I went to write the review. After the film, I took in a drink with Kevin in order to talk about our upcoming online radio show. We are looking at the first week of April for Episode #1, so I will keep you posted.

On Wednesday, I snuck out of work a few minutes early to ensure that I could make it downtown in time to see I Think I Love My Wife. Outside the theater, I was greeted by a long, boisterous line of people waiting to get in. Inside the theater, safe from the throngs of lucky promo pass recipients, I met Mark and Kristin in the balcony. They oozed fatigue as we cautiously awaited the seats to fill around us and the film to begin. It all went as expected, with laughs coming every few minutes and the crowd around us doing everything within their power to remind us that they were there too. In fact, one gentlemen behind me forgot to turn down the ringer on his cell phone, which sounded more like a shrieking dinosaur from Jurassic Park than an actual ring tone. What ever happened to Lil’ John reminding you that your girlfriend is calling with a little bit of Lovers & Friends?

Thursday was the longest day for me, but the most productive. No real job, just movie guy stuff all day. Good Day Columbus was a blast in the morning. I got to sit down with Kent Justice, who not only has the coolest name in daytime news since Ron Burgandy, but he is also a nice guy. If you remember my first TV appearance, you may have noticed that I was very jittery, uncomfortably out of place. This week I was much more relaxed, calm and ultimately I felt it went well. If you caught it (during the 8 o’clock hour on Fox 28), please let me know what you thought. I’m a sucker for hate mail. But don’t worry, I’ve already been told that I have a face for radio, so you are going to have to think of something a bit more creative than that. Thursday also included two screenings, The Host and Shooter, both which were surprisingly good. But you’ll have to wait until next week to get the complete scoop, I wouldn’t want to be a spoiler.

In the end, while I am absolutely drained (though not as drained as the other critics who had to endure a few real turds), all I can think to do is sit around the house and spy my unopened copy of Casino Royale sitting on my desk. I guess in the end, no matter how tiring being a critic can be, I will always have room for more.