The apple is red.
The apple appears red.
One form uses no passive voice, but it also communicates the truth of the matter. Nothing is red or blue or green. We perceive the color through a complicated procedure of filters and… well, you know.
And so, with that in mind…
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300 is a bad movie.
I did not like 300.
300 is a racist movie.
I saw racism in 300.
300 is a misogynistic movie.
I saw misogyny in 300.
300 is violent.
300 contains violent scenes.
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One form states objective fact. A is B.
The other puts emphasis on the viewer. Of course, we then expect justification for the opinion.