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Harry addresses criticisms about hype and integrity!
Hey folks, Harry here.
There seems to be quite a bit of speculation out there
about the validity of the hype seen on this website
concerning THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and
THE IRON GIANT. Also there seems to be this
perception that if you send me something cool or an
airplane ticket or a premiere pass that you are
somehow guaranteed a wildly praising review from
me.
Well, let me address this cause quite frankly I’m sick
of it.
First off, in the 3 and a half years this site has existed,
I have gone on 29 trips courtesy of someone else’s
buck. Some have been world premieres, speaking
engagements, film festivals, set visits and a part in
two films.
Do you have any conception of how many I turn
down?
No. You don’t. I get tickets to world premieres
offered all the time. I don’t go to many of them.
Why? Simple. Because something is showing at the
Alamo Drafthouse that I’d rather see. Recently I was
offered a trip to a very high profile comedy set, where
I could meet a superstar, the director and a babe or
two, but.... I was more jonesed to see LAKE
PLACID that day.
How much was I paid to see Lake Placid?
Hmmmm.... Well I got my tickets from THE
AUSTIN CHRONICLE, a local newspaper that
provides me with.... oh.... I’ll say 95% of my free
passes to movies, and have no studio ties at all. I
went to the Regal cinema, stood in line for an hour
and a half. Bought a soda pop, got a free keychain
from the local Television station that was a sponsor
for the event. Never spoke to the studio rep, never
got a press kit or a poster. Total Profit for seeing the
movie.... A key chain, and that wasn’t even from the
studio. In fact... I had no contact with any of them. So I guess I got zilch.
THE HAUNTING? Well, gosh. I never received a
press kit or stills. My tickets.... The Austin
Chronicle. No poster, no books, no props, no phone
calls with the director or any interaction with the
studio at all. The result? I liked the film. I even
went back and paid to see it that next weekend again,
and still enjoyed it. Payola? A negative $3.75 plus
the cost of gas.
To get on the various studio publicity screening ticket
junket bit, you have to fax them a letter requesting
this on company letterhead.
I do not have company letterhead. I do not have a
FAX machine. I don’t know who to call or fax, and I
have never signed up for their lists.
One screening company sends me tickets. One ticket,
good for 2 people, for the various studios who’s
products the rep. That’s how I got my A STIR OF
ECHOES ticket, my DETROIT ROCK CITY ticket
(which I gave to Tom Joad because there was another
screening I was going to).
Does this mean the studios never send me stuff?
Nope. Not true. New Line sends me all their press
books and slides (which really don’t do me any good,
I really would rather get an Electronic Press Kit,
but.... I’ve never called to complain in the last year of
getting these)
I got an autographed IRON GIANT poster signed by
Brad Bird yesterday. Did he send it to me? Nope. It
came from this producer dude that used to have me
on his Radio Show in Las Vegas back.... oh.... a year
or two ago, and he recently did a piece with Brad
Bird, and had him sign about a dozen posters to
giveaway as prizes on the radio program... But this
guy reads the site and figured I’d appreciate it.
I also got a FACE/OFF poster signed by JOHN WOO
the same way. This radio guy up in Seattle, I think,
did an interview with him and had him autograph the
poster, HOWEVER, didn’t tell him who it was for,
and it was after my review.
Hell, I got an autographed MIGHTY PEKING MAN
poster signed by the Jungle Woman in the movie.
Did my alleged ‘good buddy’ Quentin Tarantino send
this to me? Nope. It came from David Poland, one
of my harshest critics over at Roughcut. And... It
came after my Ebert stint.
Let’s look at the premieres. Well, I went to
STARSHIP TROOPERS, RUSH HOUR,
GODZILLA, THE FACULTY, ALIEN
RESURRECTION, A BUG’S LIFE, EDtv,
ARMAGEDDON and I think that’s it. There might
be more, but that’s all that I remember right now.
STARSHIP TROOPERS was my first, and I loved
the film. RUSH HOUR was fun, not a great
premiere, but certainly a fun movie. GODZILLA,
still one of my fave movie memories. Watching that
film with 20,000 some odd screaming New Yorkers
bouncing beach balls around Madison Square
Garden, people standing on their seats doing that
Arsenio Hall dog pound ‘whop whop’ thing. But ya
know, 24 hours later in Austin I rewatched it and
bombed it, though I still liked the effects work.... and
I still do. THE FACULTY was fun, not a great
premiere, but a fun sci fi flick, not the reinvention of
the wheel though. ALIEN RESURRECTION, I
bombed the hell out of. And told the head of the
studio in no uncertain words that I really hated the
film. A BUG’S LIFE, Pixar treated me royally even
though I had already reviewed the film and preferred
ANTZ... Which I still do, though A BUG’S LIFE is
still a fantastic movie, I just like ANTZ more (though
I didn’t go to the premiere, got zero free stuff for and
had no airplane tickets or swag for at all). One of the
coolest things I’ve received is from Pixar... It’s that
lenticular Making of A BUG’S LIFE book that is....
INCREDIBLE, but in addition everyone I met at
Pixar signed it and did sketches in it for me, including
a Flik by Lasseter. BUT, I got that about two months
ago. WELL after the fact. A similar book came from
Dreamworks regarding THE PRINCE OF EGYPT,
but months after I reviewed it and at no insistence on
my part, and it got them zero extra publicity.
ARMAGEDDON, coolest premiere I’ve been to yet.
Loved the film. Went out and bought the Criterion
DVD out of my own pocket. And no matter what
Jeffrey Wells says, I did cry and still do during that
film. And on that Criterion disc, the scene with
Lawrence Tierney kills me. Of course, I’ve always
thought L.T. bore a similarity to my Dad.
It might interest you to know that I didn’t go to THE
IRON GIANT premiere. Why? Because I had
something I was doing here in Austin. In fact, most
of the time when I get offers I can’t go because....
Well there’s a birthday or a friend is having a get
together. Or I just don’t feel like it. Sure, it’d been
cool to go to the IRON GIANT premiere. Would
have loved to of met Brad, I think he’s a genius.
But.... I was having a back yard party here in Austin
where I was screening SUPERMAN II for some
friends. And that was more important.
Now, this Monday I’m flying myself out to see
DETROIT ROCK CITY in L.A. Why? Because I
have always wanted to see KISS in concert in
make-up. Every other time I’ve had a chance to see
them perform in make-up, some personal disaster
kept me from seeing the KNIGHTS IN SATAN’S
SERVICE, so... When a friend turned up a pass for
me to go and not only see DETROIT ROCK CITY,
but the after concert and party. Well, I called up
American Airlines and scheduled up a flight.
It’s the same whim that took me to Paris to see John
Carpenter’s VAMPIRES. Sometimes... There’s just
something happening in this world that I have to go
see. I had tickets to see STAR WARS EPISODE
ONE in San Francisco at that special screening.... Air
flight and everything, but... I was in line. I was with
friends laying siege to the theater. I’ll be damned if
some monkey suit affair was going to drag me to
attend.
The set visits. I haven’t done too many of these,
though I have been offered a lot of em. I went to
THE MUMMY set in London because I knew I could
hook up with a contact and get the Episode One
script, plus... I’d be able to see how the production on
that film was coming along. Meanwhile, The New
York Times was there, along with Entertainment
Weekly, Starlog, Cinefantastique, US, Premiere and
many other print medias. The biggest difference
between us was I didn’t hang out with the publicity
folks, I talked to construction workers on the set, one
of whom also took hand in building that big wheel of
Kubrick’s on 2001 as well as STAR WARS sets.
Ultimately when I saw the MUMMY, I didn’t really
care for it, and said so in my review. I felt it was too
cheesy and not the film I wanted it to be.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT:
3 weeks before Sundance, Joe Hallenbeck got a video
of the film and didn’t watch it. A week before
Sundance, I got an email saying to look out for the
film at the festival and gave me the premise. I liked
the premise and was curious to learn more, so I
passed it on through the site, alerting my people that
were at Sundance to see it.
They did. They loved it. I had a lot of reviews for
the film come in from Sundance, but I printed just a
couple. And they were from people I knew.
Hallenbeck saw the film on video on the second day
of the festival, liked it quite a bit, and I had him send
me the tape so I could see if it was as good as the
reviews were claiming.
Meanwhile I flew off to ROTTERDAM. When I
came back, I watched it. And loved the film. I felt it
wasn’t for everyone. But, it was for the
unconventional filmgoer. It was an art house
experimental horror film. But, as I showed it to
anyone and everyone that’d come over to watch it, I
realized something. It was really getting these people
in that creep out sort of way. After every showing,
we’d stay up till dawn talking about the film, about
implications and about how the premise is taken from
about a hundred pieces of film from before, what we
each saw and how much fun it is to screen to people
that don’t know.
90% of the reviews written for THE BLAIR WITCH
PROJECT that appeared posted on my site by me,
came from me personally screening the film for these
people. Moriarty, Copernicus, Quint, Hooper, Segue
Zagnut and a bunch I can’t remember.
Why were we so passionate about the film? Because
the film got to us. It succeeded in doing what it
needed to in us. And we shared our enthusiasm.
So.... Did Artisan send me my tape? No. Joe
Hallenbeck did. How’d he get it? I don’t know, and
I don’t ask. All I know is he had it BEFORE Artisan
acquired it.
I was contacted by Artisan and the filmmakers to see
if I’d be interested in World Premiering the first
trailer for THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. I jumped
at it. I love indie filmmaking, and the chance to help
this film reach a wider audience excited me. So on
April 3rd... I offered the links.
The hype regarding THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
on AICN came from the enthusiasm I had for the
film, along with those I showed the movie to.
Ultimately it came from the film itself, and the
mythology surrounding it which I felt was perfect
WILLIAM CASTLE fodder, which I could not resist
playing up.
THE IRON GIANT
On March 4th 1998, the first piece on THE IRON
GIANT appeared online on AICN. It was un early
piece of pre-production art that was quite moody
featuring the giant himself. No info, and not a bit of
talk back.
On July 5th 1998, the first insider look at THE IRON
GIANT came in. The insider was an animator.... but
not for Warner Brothers. And did know Brad, but not
more than as a casual industry way. In fact, the
source was from Disney. They reviewed the film as a
strict work of pencil and animatic version of the giant.
And... it affected this person the same way it did me.
Brad had apparently just shown the film to Frank
Thomas and Ollie Johnston (the classic Disney
animators). This review was the first piece to really
get me excited. It covered all the key bases of what I
have been hoping to see from an animated film.
BUT.... Talk Back was still.... ZERO.
Later in July a source at another animation studio,
still not Warners, provided me with some images
from the film itself. Talk Back erupted. 2 days later
Brad Bird called me to see if I’d consider taking the
shot of the Giant down cause he really wanted the
character introduced in the film. I talked with him for
a bit. Listened to his arguments and consented.
However, the Hogarth images remained, and Brad
was beside himself with how I could have gotten
these.
But folks. The animation industry is very close, and
everyone shows everyone each other’s work. It’s a
bit like show and tell. And that’s how I got em.
However, it wasn’t until February 1st that we had the
first real strong push of hype regarding THE IRON
GIANT, and that came from Moriarty. It touched
him at an extremely close and profound point. He
called me up and bent my ear in two, going into tiny
infinitesimal details about how we have to make the
world aware of this movie. At that point I had
already run 5 stories on THE IRON GIANT, and had
seen enough to get me excited. Combined with my
faith in Moriarty, I backed him up in his quest to get
an interview with Brad Bird.
I gave him Brad’s office number, which I’ve never
called, and told Moriarty to pump him for info.
Moriarty, a possessed man, went to work. Fighting
Warner Bros. to get in to talk to the man. Finally
going around them, disguising himself and got the
interview.
Now AICN doesn’t regularly do interviews because...
Well, usually it means the piece has to be approved
by a studio or the person you are interviewing.
Outside organizations will not and do not edit the
content I have on my site.
Meanwhile, EVERY review that I posted for IRON
GIANT, till the last 4 days, came from someone I
knew and trusted and wasn’t working for Warner
Brothers. They may be anonymous to you, but not to
me.
Then, the reviews of the past 4 days? Well, they
come from long time spies, talk backers, parents, etc.
People that work at Nestle, Dell, Apple, IBM, the
military, students at college, etc. None of them came
from hotmail accounts or anonymous servers. And
certainly didn’t come from warner.com.
Also.... It seems people try to use the ‘Salon’ article
to brow beat me with, well.... Had Salon bothered to
fact check the piece they’d found that at that time
AICN had run a total of 18 articles in a year and a
half on IRON GIANT, not 69.
That piece was sloppy reporting and innuendo. None
of which was backed up.
I don’t run EVERY review I get. In fact, I’d say it’s
closer to 1 in 20. I always represent both positive and
negative as I get it, and always try to give you to
proper context in regards to the state of the film....
ie... Sound, effects... the state of completion.
Ultimately if studios were really interested in false
hyping on my site, you would have seen 30 reviews
of WILD WILD WEST or INSPECTOR GADGET
or BIG DADDY or RUNAWAY BRIDE praising the
living shit out of the films. Instead.... you don’t. You
don’t see that dreck on AICN.
I like movies. nay, I love them. Everyday I wake up
wanting to live my life, spend time with those I love,
and embrace a bit of that silver screen. I love movies,
movie-going, movie-making and movie-marketing. I
love the process of film.
I love it when TIME magazine has to call up
scratching it’s head wondering where THE BLAIR
WITCH PROJECT came from and how so many
people found out about it, and them really not having
a clue.
I don’t take credit for it, instead, I give them the
entire history of how the film went from small
microscopic indie film... to being THE BLAIR
WITCH PROJECT with a $29 million dollar
weekend and phenomenal per screen averages.
Telling TIME that this is the potential of Horror
Films. Serious creepy scares. Not campy ha ha’s.
I love USA TODAY calling up asking about why
AICN seems to be the only place that has been talking
about THE IRON GIANT, and how she’d just seen
the film and loved it. “How did we know?”
We know because we care to find out. I don’t like
films to open and close and never to find out if it’s a
good flick or not. What’s the word? Yea or Nay?
Sure, I see just about everything anyway, but pretty
much my whole life I’ve had friends asking me what
they should see or how this movie was or have I
heard about such n such.
I’m a child grown up and raised on Famous Monsters
of Filmland, Starlog, Fangoria, Variety, Life, People,
Cinefex, Cinefantastique, Siskel and Ebert, Pauline
Kael, the Austin Chronicle and various Austin Critics,
My Father and his group of rabid film friends.
I’ve sold movie posters, presskits, animation cels,
props, gum cards, toys and related ephemera my
entire life.
At the age of 3 I was selling black and white stills of
Bruce Lee, Star Trek, Dr Who, War Of The Worlds,
Harryhausen films, Universal and Hammer monsters,
50’s Sci Fi and Scares.
Raised on the film festival and comic convention
circuit. I was raised in fandom from my earliest
memories. The world of cinema is that extra particle
in the air I breath that intoxicates me and allows me
to thrive.
If I get excited about a movie and allow my
enthusiasm and emotions to guide me, it’s because I
don’t allow myself to control them. I’m not Spock,
I’m Shatner and McCoy. I temper a bit of Spock
from time to time, but I’m an emotional being.
And that is the truth about AICN. All this other stuff
is just BS. I try to find others like me that share a
love and passion for film.
We may not agree on everything, and we may scream
and cuss and pitch a fit over this film or that film, but
that’s because our opinions on film... yours and mine,
are cemented to our passion for flicks.
You may agree... Disagree... Hell, you may even feel
like pinching my head off. But if you are disagreeing
with an opinion in my reviews, it is my opinion.
And opinions, contrary to some’s beliefs, are subject
to change.
Remember when girls (or guys) were icky. Well,
after further analysis... I have decided to form an
opinion that believes firmly that girls/women/ladies
are the cat’s meow. They’re the cream in my coffee,
the apple of my eye, the ranch in my dressing, the lips
around my ice cream cone. They rock!
And that’s one opinion I hope I never learn better on.
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Good article Harry - I don't know why people got the idea that this site is just for studio puff pieces. Like you, if I see something that I think is cool and is likely to be neglected (it has no stars, its low budget, it has no promotion etc etc), then I get the old missionary zeal to encourage others to see it. That's the beuty of this site - it does this but on a much bigger scale.
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Hey, Harry, thanks again for Iron Giant. And thanks for sticking to your guns about your site. I come here at least once a day and by far this is my favorite site...ever. I wouldn't have hard about BWP or IG if it wasn't for you, and those two films are my two faves of the year. I also had one of the animators of Iron Giant e-mail me wanting to know how to get a hold of that cool keychain I got at the Iron Giant premiere! And a lady from the LA Times wants to excerpt me from one of my Talkbacks. I also got an e-mail from the great Guillermo Del Toro a few months back. All due to your site. So, Harry, you can do no wrong in my eyes. I'm admittedly biased. Oh well. I do have a word about Hotmail. I understand that it's easy to set up an anonymous Hotmail account. Studios can take advantage of this to flood your site with ersatz rviews of various things. I, however, am not employed by any of those places. I'm a lowly civil clerk in a Justice of the Peace court here in Houston, Texas. I just find Hotmail more convenient than regular e-mail - also because my wife has preety much free rein over the computer and all our e-mail addresses. If people would keep Hotmail honest, with honest information, it wouldn't be the scapegoat it is. But I can understand your vigilance. I wouldn't want to be mistaken, either. Thanks again, Harry, for Iron Giant. I'm going to see it again on my 30th birthday this weekend, and for a short 80+ minutes, be a kid again. And screw Salon magazine.
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We know the truth. We know what the site is for. Fucking dickheads!
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Harry, I want to publicly state that there are MANY of us out here who read & enjoy your site who have NEVER doubted your integrity for a moment. The fact that this "controversy" even came up is quite upsetting to me, your integrity should go without saying, and for me it does. I visit your site BECAUSE you love movies. I love them too. I enjoy the hell out of 95% of the movies I see, that's why I see so many. The fact that you love film as much as I do is why I visit aint it cool news every day. To the doubters out there, let me say that I've been to my fair share of movie premieres. They are FUN, I love looking around & seeing the stars in their seats but this would hardly be anybody's idea of a bribe. The fact that this even became a question is absurd. - John
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There were two things the films "The Blar Witch Project" and "Iron Giant" have in common other than being heavily hyped. They actually are GREAT FUCKING MOVIES. I had the chance to see both of these films before they were released, and I understand EXACTLY why people got excited and started spreading the word about these films. They both represent fundamental shifts in the expectations of their genres. They are entertainment that doesn't pander to stupidity. I'm SICK of the CYNICS saying that everything will suck. Bad buzz? It sucks. Great buzz? Then it definitely must suck. Whatever. Just make sure you don't realize that the only reason you attack everything is because it's so much easier than thinking about it...
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Great article Harry, but to everyone else out there who might go over to the Salon web site and read the article. Remember these very important things. Salon magazine has never let facts stand in the way of a story. Just look back at the way they reported on the Clinton problems when the magazine first debuted, and how the reporters are nothing more than shrills for the left, which generally loves the hollywood establishment because of the money they donate to the liberal causes, irrespective of what kind of trash they put on the screen. So when Harry is out there reporting facts, magazines like this are scared, that their own "friends" might actually have to take a drubbing for bad movies. (Read Barry Sonnefeld) So keep it up Harry, don't let those bastards take you down.
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uh.....yah
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I applaud Harry...this site is well run and I don't believe the studio pigeon crap either.....besides.....you don't HAVE to agree with Harry, so get over it and go eat some Bunch-a-Crunch or something.
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Good peice, Harry. But I can't help but believe that the important people already know it. I just hope you reach some fringe folks who needed it spelled out for them. It's always been clear to me that you are a genuine dude working with an industry where nothing is real. Studio influence is so transparant, publicist-hype-press-releases are so simple to spot, never ONCE have I wondered if that scourge (however appropriate it may be in other venues) has ever besmirched this site.
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Harry, Harry, Harry,
Why bother responding to these people at all. You see the site stats you know how many people come and enjoy your site every day. So why listen to those who don't?
The same thing came up last year regarding Armeggeddon, and again you posted something similar. Whats changed since? Nothing, those who love your site and reviews still come regularly, those who don't, complain.
This kind of thing happens too much in this world; some TV show has a little violence in it so there are complaints, and groups start up to protest etc etc, my answer is to switch off, dont watch! And the same thing applies here, nobody forces you to come, if you dont like it don't come back find another site. Or even better start one yourself, but very few of these people will ever do that, its easier to sit and criticise.
Just ignore them and keep on truckin'! -
I saw The Blair Witch Project the other night and the theatre was packed for the 7:20 pm show and the place was abuzz with anticipation. When the film began, the theatre hushed and remained silent for the full 87 minutes (except for gasps of fright and the wheeze of stressed-out breathing). That said, let me expound a bit on my comparison of Blair Witch with
Monty Python.
Python wanted its sketches to be very, very funny but always worried that in Western Cultural story-telling there had to be an "ending". Comedically this would be a "punchline". So, often they devised hilarious situations but couldn't come up with a punch line that was "good enough to end on". What did they do then? They turned sketch comedy on its end and, in many cases, did not write endings. Instead, when they wanted a skit to end, they ended it with a bishop stampeding in, or an army officer requiring the skit to end.
They realized that the worth of the humor was to be found IN
the skit not at the END of the skit...hence the comparison to
The Blair Witch Project.
The terror is IN the movie, not at its climax. What a wonderful
and freeing concept for horror movies! I hope a whole generation of filmmakers appreciate Blair Witch and say, 'I'm gonna stress you and scare you and creep you out, but I ain't gonna kill no CGI monster at the end to make you feel better.' I love it."
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Before I get into my point, let's drop the loaded political labelling, OK? Salon's news coverage of the ENTERTAINMENT industry certainly needs improvement (their reporting on the possible problems with turning Hannibal into a movie was also shaky) but otherwise the rest of that publication's reporting is pretty solid. (I speak from my own experience as a professional reporter at one time in my career.) I consider myself rather apolitical and, sure, Salon is left-leaning but the divisive remarks have no bearing on the matter at hand: Harry's integrity and the bad reporting on the hype behind BWP. That said, I have free advice for Harry: Go ahead and take those freebie flights to movie sets and premieres, and write about them. Be a reporter -- ask the questions and show us the stuff that would be of interest to movie geeks. But don't review the final product yourself. Let one of your colleagues or a contributor do that. If you want to review the movie yourself, then don't accept any of the production's freebies, except for when they offer you a preview screening (critics always see the movies this way, and there's nothing wrong with this). Keep the two separate. It's that simple.
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While we're on the BWP subject,I just wanted to give a warning and one piece of criticism:
DO NOT SIT UP FRONT. This has been said before, and I had planned to abide by it - but I arrived just as the opening text was fading fromn the screen,and all that was left was the first 3 rows. By halfway through the movie I had to keep averting my eyes - no from horror, but to avoid blowing my Freezie all over the folks in front of me. I actually missed a few critical second of the finale because of this.
THE CURSE OF THE BLAIR WHITCH: Who filmed the crappy "News Report" scenes? No camera zoom or focus changes and excessive lighting - and no "Curtesy of Channel X News..." subtitle like you'd have in a real documentary. Almost ruined my plans to use it to prep the unsuspecting for the movie. I taped it all on EP, and when I get a cable card am going to import it onto my computer, add the subtitle, remove all the Sci-Fi Channel logos - or maybe drop in some of theeir cheesey "Sightings" headers - then put it all together w/o commercials, followed by the actual movie w/o credits. Probably be a year before I get it done, but man,will it be COOL. -
Harry, you run the coolest movie site on the net and they, the evil ones, hate it. Evil is always going to be they, they will be niping at your heals, and you are just going to have to deal with it.
You have every right to hype any movie you want. You have every right to accept every promotional freebee that comes your way because every other reviewer does. Even playing field. Evil if you really think Harry were getting paid to hype a movie, don't you think Hollywood would be paying Harry to hype crap?
BTW, I hated BWP. Do I blame Harry? No because everyone has different taste. I personally love Alien Res.
Baron Calamity -
Jeez, Harry. Always have to be right, don't you? Always have to defend yourself? In your effort to make yourself seem honest and pure, instead you now now look like a whiny asshole. No Harry, you probably didn't knowingly fall into the trap of being paid off. But the studios know that you can be quite foolish. Take Godzilla and The Faculty. Godzilla: they got what they wanted out of you. And The Faculty? It really seemed liked Rodriguez was taking you for a ride. (Not that this tarnishes my opinions of Robert. Damn good filmmaker. Damn good writer. Damn good PR man.)
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No offense, Harry, but after reading and enjoying your site for many months now, I can honestly say that there is no way that your unique grammar is the result of studio spin. Your often academically offensive (but heartfelt and honest) prose would never make it past studio proof readers.
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Harry, besides booting head on occasion, I make a living doing really cool techie stuff for A Giant Company. I have a T3 line from my desk, so I can surf at Warp 9. I have two sites that I check for cinema info; AICN and Roger Ebert's Sun-Times page. That's it. Oh, I HAD a million previously, but no more. AICN is one of the best discoveries I've made. I tell friends about the site and I've told dozens and dozens about the various news I find here. I've never once thought I getting a load of crap promoted by studios, PR geeks, etc. And I don't now. Keep up the good work...AICN is very cool indeed.
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Harry, don't you ever change. Your site has become popular because of your integrity and your honesty. If you ever lose those aspects, it's all over!
The critisism comes from the ignorant and the jealous. Simple as that.
Keep on keepin on... -
Is he? No, no, I don't think he is. He seems too cool for that. Having read the site daily for some time now (even though I haven't posted till today) I think Harry seems like a gen-U-wine nice person who is not going to take the backhanded way about being a film critic. But there will always be cynics. My father id convinced that Ebert is bought and sold daily. He may be right, I don't know, but I think Harry has some integrity. Now I'm thinking "Is it me, or am I just saying what everyone else said?" Oh well, I'm a redundancy. So sue.
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Harry, I'd just like to congratulate you on a great site. Before I started coming here I wasn't nearly the movie freak I am now, and it's pretty much thanks to your site that I am one now. The organization is good. The reviews are usually informative and go into more than "I liked it. I hated it." but go into the elements of the film that make it great. Also, most of the people in the talkbacks are usually pretty respectful, and the ones who aren't are at least funny. Anyway, you're getting a bum rap from all these people downing on you. If only I could find a site as well put together about literature, philosophy, politics, or four-wheel drive vehicles. Now if you could just do me a favor and never reference anything that clings to your ass in a review again, I'll die a happy man.
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Harry, IMO it's best not to address this stuff on yr site. Folks have been bashing you from the getgo for this reason or that and they'll continue to. Just keep doing yr thing, ignore the insults and attacks on yr "integrity" (who the hell do they think yr supposed to be?)and we'll keep coming. Everyone makes mistakes (Godzilla) but like an above-poster mentioned, BWP and Iron Giant would've probably passed me by, along with Gods and Monsters, if it hadn't been for you. Thanks again. -- meaner
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Seriously. Yeah, a lot of crappy movies make a lot of money. Yeah, I wish there were more great movies and fewer bad ones. BUT, its pointless to get yourself all worked up over it. So Gozilla made a lot of dough- they even want to make a sequel. Don't go see it. The thing is, we can't all boycott movies with lots of FX or hype on general principals. How will anyone know if they get better? Ok, that sounds lame, let me try again. Example: Titanic. It kinda sucked, right? Yeah, sure. BUT, it was an important movie that year. Not because it was innovative or any crap like that, but because a lot of people liked it, and it ended up being picked as the best picture of the year. I disagree with that judgement, but I only count myself as qualified to because I saw it, and having seen it, I can say that As Good As It Gets was a much better film. Ok, now I'm ranting...
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Amazing points, all of them put brilliantly. Nice to find out about your childhood too! I'm a huge fan of Cinema as well. Hell, I'm a struggling actor so you'd expect me to say that! But it's because of movies, because of Sinbad, Superman and Indiana Jones that I'm an actor now.
I always thought, "I could do better than that" And I proved to my City, my and Country that I could. Cinema is a big part of my life, BUT there are things IN Life that come first, family, friends, and the REAL world. I'm sure you'll agree.
Oh, and about the Iron Giant. I posted a few , maybe slightly bad comments about the movie, even though I had not seen it. I was afraid it was not going to be faithful to the book. I now know it's based on the MUSICAL by Pete Townshend so, I'm going into it (Whenever it gets to the UK!) with an open mind, I'm sure I'll adore it!
Take care Harry
Best wishes.... -
AICN is an excellent site, and Harry deserves the praise and media attention he's getting. I read this site daily, along with Variety, and it keeps my movie addiction in check. However, as I think Nordling demostrated by his talkback, the danger to this site is not studios buying Harry off or flooding the site with reviews, but rather the subtle yet corroding effects that hype and attention can bring. Did Nordling's key chain affect how he thought of the movie? He's obviously quite taken with it. And now that the LA Times is asking to quote him, will he buy into the hype? I agree with the poster who said that the designated reviewers on this website (Harry, Moriarity, etc.) should stay away from premieres, hanging with the filmmakers, etc. Otherwise, things like Godzilla will happen too often. One question for Harry: why didn't you talk to the Salon reporter for the article?
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Way to go Harry! Isn't it odd how the Salon article came out after films like Wild Wild West bombed from all the negative buzz on the net? Hmmmmmmm....There are probably some people out there who hate Harry and sites like this - because they know deep down that it spells the end of the traditional Hollywood hype machine! They'll have to become a little more creative from now on - or better yet - make better movies!!! After all, isn't that what we all want?
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It's long - I apologize in advance.
I keep reading Talk Backs posted by these people who think they really know it all - based only on their opinions of what sucks versus what makes a good film.
It's tiresome. Let's get back to the point where we all understand that film is simply supposed to be entertainment.
I *LIKED* TPM! I liked it because I went into that theater to have a good time and to hear a cool story - not poised to rip apart Jar Jar Binks or bust on the little kid's acting. I went back twice more, and the movie only got better. Sure, it's got some problems, but for crying out loud, all movies do if you're cynical enough to pick them apart. Granted, there are some movies that really do suck, but with most, there is at least some redeeming quality about them that makes it bearable - be it effects work or simply a good laugh at how bad it is. I went to Godzilla KNOWING it sucked, and I laughed my way through it. I saw it to see how BADLY it sucked and to see the effects work.
How about, gee, trying to have some fun for once? Perhaps it makes people feel good to bust on a movie that does well, to make themselves seem superior to everyone else. All it really does is prove just how damn stupid cynics are, when they hate most films, yet still go back to drop $7.50 on movies like TPM, Armageddon, and BWP on a regular basis. I guess the hype worked on them, eh?
Judging from the money that these films have made and will continue to make, the nay-sayers are outvoted. If that means the masses are dull and thoughtless, and like trash served to them, the cynics have a right to think that. But maybe instead, they should consider that the masses might have something figured out that they haven't yet - how to relax, kick back, and enjoy something for what it is. Not every film is a masterpiece and not everything can fit the cynic's mold. The sooner they figure it out, the happier they will be, because they sure as hell aren't going to change it with their whining.
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Face it, Harry. You blew it. When "The Faculty" came out, you hyped it and tried to get all the drooling fanboys to see it by out-and-out *lying* about "full-frontal nudity" and the like. And, of course, even now you still defend that lathargic piece of shit. (To think it's from the same man who directed "Desperado!") So, maybe you can't be bought with free tickets and movie posters. But your price seemingly *can* be met with a cameo.
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You don't need to justify your reviews or your site. You come off sounding like a wuss when you lash back at your detractors. Anyone who has visited the site with any regularity knows how you feel about movies. You are definately a "glass half full" kinda guy when it comes to movies. Let's face it, you RARELY give a film a negative review and even when you do you mix it with some positive spin. I like to think of you as a "film whore." I'll explain: I believe it was the movie "Clute" when someone asked Jane Fonda's character how she could sleep with all those men, she replied that she always found some little thing she liked about them and focused on that. (my memory may be a little off on that, but you get the point). You see the analogy, Harry - it's OK, you're doing fine.
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I love this site. I make sure to check it out everyday and pass along what interests me to my husband and friends. However, I don't read the reviews and then rush out to see the movies just because someone on here said they were cool. I see the movies because I originally wanted to see them.
I devoured the Blair Witch reviews because the movie sounded so damn cool. I read about it first after Sundance in Entertainment Weekly and then read the reviews posted here and passed the word along to my friends. If not for your site I would not have known about the Sci-Fi special. The special along with the offical website greatly contributed to my enjoyment of the movie. But, It was not this website that made was decide to see this movie. I had already decided to see this movie. This website just got me more and more excited about the movie. The postive reviews posted here had nothing to do with it. In fact, I remember that I read some negative reviews of the movie. It is definitely not a movie for everyone. I think most of the packed house in Columbia, MD. were perplexed by it. Some woman and man behind me could not refrain from saying "This is stupid!" throughout the movie. However, I was on the edge of my seat and swear that my blood turned to ice at the end. That image of Mike in the corner still freaks me out. That is exactly what I wanted the movie to do so I definitely got what I paid for.
I think people would enjoy movies more if they read sites like this and did a little more research on the movies they want to see. Instead of relying on the Blair Witch Project's tv ads with all the critical praise the people in my area theater should have hit the offical site and this one and they would have been much better informed. Then I wouldn't have had to listen to a cyncical couple yelling out that it was stupid. They would have had more background info on the storyline or possibly even realized that The Blair Witch Project was not a movie for them.
I love this website because it is a website by and for people who just plain love movies, and also because it is cool to read the insides leaks on occasion. Mainly, I just love the reviews because they are not written by cynical writers who have obviously seen too many movies. -
Just wanted to chime in with my experience. I've been going to this site for over two years now, and I finally made it my browser's home page because it was the first place I always went to. I post in Talkback now and then, and have been lucky enough to have two of my prescreening reviews posted (IDLE HANDS and IRON GIANT). Those weren't studio-produced; they were the honest opinions of a 23-year-old guy from Providence who found himself lucky enough to get to see a movie before everyone else. Why do I visit the site? Because this is the best place to learn which movies to see and which ones to avoid. Because of Harry and lots of spies like me, I've seen dozens of great movies I might never have even have heard of, including RUSHMORE, SMOKE SIGNALS, GODS AND MONSTERS, and CUBE. Movies Harry hyped through the roof, and you know why? Because they were good. At the same time, the site has saved me a ton of cash I might have spent seeing drek like THE AVENGERS and WILD WILD WEST. Why? Because review after review came in trashing them. AVENGERS and WWW got far more advertising play than the good movies I mentioned above, but it didn't matter to me. Because I got honest opinions on this site. Yeah, Harry sometimes appears to go a little overboard in his adulation. I didn't cry at ARMAGEDDON, and I thought SIX STRING SAMARAI was interesting, but not the end-all and be-all of cool. But I can see why he loved them, and I'm damn sure not going to hold it against him. The site is great, Harry keeps it honest, and the fact that he is willing to discuss his personal life on the site means I always know where he's coming from. He never gives pseudo-omniscient reviews; he just tells what he thought of the movie. Come on, what person do you know that would publish the fact that his mother was an abuse alcoholic on a Web site frequented by millions of visitors? Not too many, but it's part of the reason why Harry felt IRON GIANT "spoke" to him. It also spoke to him because he likes cool robots. I didn't mean for this to get so long, so I'll wrap up. The site's great Harry, don't let the bastards get you down, and it's nice to find someone who loves the movies as much (more, really) as I do.
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I've been one of the guys lately that has posted an outcry for less hype and more honest reviews on this site. But after a few days of calming down and thinking it over, I realize there's nothing that can be done about the "hype" flaw in the movie promotion process, and in the end, I don't know if I want one. In the end, like you say, it's all about opinions, and if you like a movie, you're going to hype it because you're excited about it. Unfortunately, half the world may not agree with you and will feel like they were robbed of their ticket money because of you. That's how I've felt in recent weeks. It takes a big man to admit he was wrong, and according to the ladies, I am a big man. (sorry.) Buying a movie ticket is like pulling the arm on a slot machine. You have no idea what you're gonna get. Sometimes you win, and leave the theater thinking, "I only paid $7 for something that gave me so much joy" and other times you leave thinking, "how can I tell more people not to waste their money?" I guess when you step back and look at the big picture, even the terrible movies are part of the process, and ultimately add to the fun of movie watching.
Continue the great work, Harry, and don't worry about people like me that get frustrated. It's just part of it. -
Dear Mr. Knowles,
You write," Had Salon bothered to fact check the piece they -
Harry, I gotta commend you on at least addressing the issue of people calling you a studio whore. That takes some balls, especially since you can just as easily tell people to fuck off and eat shit.
I think that the main reason that the criticisms have come up is because the site itself has changed a little over the last year. Let me explain.
When I first started reading this site (and I do that every morning, directly after checking my email) it focused more on reporting what was happening in pre- and post-production on films. It wasn't about necessarily hyping those films, but rather just giving us the facts as you knew them. This is why I was (and still am) so interested in your site.
Now, it seems that you have leaned more and more towards reviews and promoting or dissing films. This, of course, is fine - it's YOUR site and we don't have to read if we don't want to!
All in all, it seems that people get a little to wrapped up in trying to force their opinions on everyone else in the Talkbacks and they are angered if you disagree with them. I admit that at times, I too have gotten angered with some of the opinions that you have expressed, and like anyone else who loves movies (as does EVERYONE who visits this site on a regular basis) I have bitched and criticized you.
The point is, that what you decide to write or print on the site is your choice and that is what you have always done. I don't see you as a pawn of the industry, maybe just someone who is easily won over by the hype of certain films. But, in reality, who among us hasn't at some point or another?? I think that people need to take a step back and realize that this site gives us something to talk about in the months and sometimes years before the films we want to see come out. How can any of us complain about that - a chance to be the geeks, fanboys/girls and fanatics that we are! A place that Harry has given us to eternally debate what most people would call a waste of time. Thanks for the site Harry, and the place to express our opinions!
PS - I love TPM, even if there are giant holes, stupid JAR JAR and card board characters! (had to get that in!) -
Harry, I read about your site in an airlines magazine over a year ago and I've visited your site almost daily since then. I just wanted you to know that there is real value in what you do and you need to continue doing it. I appreciate that I can get unbiased opinions about films here and I amaze my friends when I can fill in the background on a movie because I read it on your site. There will always be detractors and if they don't like the way you do things, they can create their own sites. Keep up the great work. Sorry I missed you when you came to Chicago, you should pay us a visit soon...
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Wow...that image is going to stick with me for the rest of the day! (yikes) Anyway...I have reached a simple conclusion: the problem with AICN is NOT Harry, it's "Talkback." Harry may have weird ideas time to time about what makes a good film, but the more I think about it the more I realize he would say the same about me. Meanwhile, Talkback is packed with self-important nobodies who feel their opinion is the ONLY one which counts, and anyone who is disagrees HAS to be a f***in' a****le with s**t for brains and therefore they can just p**s off! (my dad always told me excessive profanity shows limited intelligence, and Talkback proves him right every day)...So I say LONG LIVE HARRY and DIE YOU TALKBACK GRAVY SUCKING PIGS!
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After years of reading and subjecting myself to the nauseating drivel of "professional" film reviewers, it is refreshingly satisfying to subject myself to your unpretentious candor and honesty about the movies, Harry. Live long and prosper.
Your critics can go ---- themselves.
Ionesco. -
Harry, anyone who can read knows the truth. I believe you. As a fellow writer (books, not movies--though I do LOVE films), I have to say that I really enjoy your writing style. It is filled with a natural exuberance that isn't faked, can't be. Since a good friend of mine told me about your site about 18 months ago, I have been a daily visitor (once or twice a contributor), and will continue to be so. I do not, unfortunately, see an end to the negative feedback and stories written about your reviews. It is simple human nature to be jealous of success and to mock it, to undo it, and call into question its legitimacy. So far, you have addressed this negative feedback with some well written, though increasingly defensive letters. There are several options available to you, aside from the unthinkable (quitting, admitting defeat, head in sand and ignoring the idiot's until they go away, etc.). You could continue to do as you have, writing letters every few months that show how upset you are (and you have every right to be--I do not like my honor or integrity impinged upon--but the letters do seem awfully defensive). You could also post your policies, your "code," clearly, and call everyone's attention to it on a regular basis, or send it to anyone who calls your integrity into question. Another option might be to pre-empt the naysayers if you write a review that is particularly positive and mention anything (gifts, free flights)that people could construe as a conflict of interest (you already do this most of the time as far as I can tell, though it possibly isn't clear enough for some people). I think you might have to come up with an overall plan to quell this negativity soon, however, as I sense it is increasing in frequency (I hope I am wrong). All I can say is don't let 'em smell blood in the water. Don't be so defensive.
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I find it a little sad that Harry feels he has to periodically defend himself like this. Judging from the TalkBack so far, his words had no impact- there is still that vocal minority clinging to their cynicism. With specific regard to BWP and Iron Giant, though, the problem seems to be largely one of semantics. People (and I won't mention any names, Eternal) seem to be confusing Hollywood marketing blitzes with genuine enthusiasm for a film. To compare the unholy trilogy of Batman & Robin/Godzilla/Wild Wild West with Blair Witch is absurd. The three Hollywood FX shitfests had massive marketing campaigns behind them that cost nearly as much as the films themselves- TV ads, billboards etc, pummelled people into seeing the film opening weekend. People went and saw them, found out they sucked, told their friends and the box office dropped 60% for the second weekend. Now compare this to BWP. Where is the massive ad campaign? BWP's marketing consisted of a webiste- whose existance was spread by word of mouth- and a documentary expalining the mythology which showed on a smallish cable channel. That's it. Until the mass media got hold of it (after its insane limited run BO averages) most of my friends hadn't even heard of the damn film unless I told them about it. Same with Iron Giant- if anything, the ad campaign has DISCOURAGED people from seeing it. Only us AICN junkies know its true value (and having seen the sneak on the weekend, I'd say if anything Harry's coverage hasn't been biased enough.) And if you can't see the difference between those two extremes, well, that's sad too. Why do you people read AICN if not to get opinions on movies beyond what Hollywood tells you to think? If you honestly think Harry is just another cog in the corporate wheel, then DON'T READ HIS STUFF. Why is this such a difficult concept for people? And I'm not saying stop visiting if you disagree with his reviews- I disagree with Ebert more often than not these days, but I still watch- but only stop if you feel his opinions are bought and paid for, just like you should tune out any voice that shills rather than informs. But you're on crack if you really believe that of Harry.
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You hit the nail on the head exactly. There is a world of difference between studio promotion for huge films like WILD WILD WEST and honest word-of-mouth for films like BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and IRON GIANT. Since when is word-of-mouth a bad thing? Maybe it falls under the rubric (hey! that rhymes with Kubrick!) of "hype," but is there a more sincere and justified form of hype than the positive opinions of anonymous people who have actually seen the movie? It's not a new concept; it's just that internet means that your water cooler review can now be read around the world. A handful of people saw BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, Harry posted what they thought (and what he thought), and now millions more people want to see it. And that's bad? When I see a movie I love, I want to shout it from the rooftops! I want everyone I know to go see it, especially if it looks like it will be otherwise ignored. Harry's site is a great forum for that, and with the understanding that all reviews posted here are OPINIONS, I don't see how you can criticize its (or Harry's)integrity.
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Don't let the bastards get you down, Harry. After what's gone on in the critic's biz this summer (i.e. Star Wars), you and Roger Ebert are the only citics I have any respect for. Rock on, dude.
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Harry,
I have never written to one of these post areas (although they are sometimes fun to read ), but after reading your article....
I was only turned on to your site a few months ago, and like most of the other posters, I visit nearly every day. I am a student of film, a film maker, and a film marketer (How else could I get others to watch what I make?) I rarely like the standard fare that most studios stamp out like cornflakes...I LOVE the indie stuff ( To this day, I just CAN NOT see Cemetery Man enough times!)
What I'm getting at is : Don't buy into the 'I-have-to-defend-myself' gig imposed by some of these naysayers.....this site ROCKS, for film buffs like you and I and some others. If someone doesn't like the site, they can point thier browser somewhere else!! Never stop, and NEVER pander!!
Take care...
Clone Emperor -
Harry,
I feel for you being torn down but it seems that this may be the only way to get a reply from you about a planned news service you were going to have a couple of years back. You asked for money and I sent you a check for $10 (which was cashed immeadiately), but I never heard anything about the service, the money nor squat! I sent you e-mails but no replies.
Maybe some of this bad press was brought on yourself by actions such as this? I'm not joining the chorus singing, "Let's get Harry!", but make sure to be reflective on what you may or may not have done on your way up. Too many forget that the people we step on going up the ladder are waiting for us on the way back down! -
Really dug your feedback. Sucks that anyone has to defend themselves in this world, but you did it with grace a shit load of clarity. Keep it up!
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Yeah Harry. He told all you fuckers to take your opinions, stick 'em sideways, and stick 'em straight up your candy asses. Go ahead, now alll you criticizing followers are gonna say we are kissing his ass but you know what, go ahead! You all got told. Face it, Harry proved you wrong, he is not a sell out, and that just kills you because you know if you had his job, you'd be selling out like a motherfucker. Don't listen to 'em Harry, they just want to get to you.
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I am so tired of people whining about the way this site is or the way Harry feels about films. I have heard for years how movie critics don't represent the public or how they get some kind of power trip by blasting every movie that comes out because it's not artistic. Harry is the only reviewer who is just a regular guy who likes movies that are just entertaining. They don't have to be high art, they just have to take you somewhere. I don't always agree with Harry but he is like my friend Adam who likes stuff just because he likes it. I loved Blair, it completely creeped me out and I hated that damn asteroid movie, but I respect Harry for all he has made of this site. If you hate this site so much just stop coming here. Do us a favor, we are tired of all your bitching about everything. If you do have to post something, make it about what you thought about the movie NOT about the other posters and NOT about Harry. If you think a topic is idiotic, just don't read it. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!! Get a life!! nobody cares what you think about how this site sucks or how some poster is a moron. Honestly, we don't care! no really! I swear! Think about why you post it, is it because you want to feel superior? are you that needy? Is this the only forum that will post your pointless point of view? Here's an idea, why not start your own site? if you have some insight and talent you will be a success. Go now, be your own man, you can do it! c'mon little soldier, hup hup hup.
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Harry, you say you try to present both positive and negative when you get them but that is simply not the case. There is certainly no shortage of poeple who hated BWP but, excepting the talk back which you apparently don't screen, you never post these reviews. BWP simply isn't that good. My favorite horror film- Rosemary's Baby- also shows very little but you don't need it. You have GREAT acting and a director who knows how to pace and build suspense. BWP has a non-actors who seem to go from 0 (no fright) to about 8 (whining blabbering) in about two scenes. Since the directors refuse to show anything (except for rock piles and stick figures- NOT SCARY!!) and don't have good actors they have- SHIT. Reminds me of the excessive hype behind Six String Samurai- which also didn't seem to know the difference between a pretty good idea and it's skillful execution. AICN only printed excessively glowing reviews- no negatives and there were some- I sent one in and couldn't have been the only one. But it had no studio marketing hype to back like BWP- make no mistake- you don't get a one hour marketing hype special on ANY major cable channel without studio pr working overtime. Don't get suckered in thinking this is all genuine indie grass roots support for the little film that could.
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Harry, I respect you as a movie fan, but as a professional ...
geez. The fact you are trying to defend yourself with SELF-RIGHTEOUS sob stories of turning down premieres ... as if that makes you better man or person, or speaks of your integrity ... frankly, its pathetic. Kathy Lee Gifford pathetic. If you are really that insecure, and you need to defend yourself as a professional, then a simple "NO, let's move on to movie news" would suffice. -
Harry, Roger Ebert never goes to press junkets, never goes to premieres, and refuses to be in movies/TV shows (aside from interviews) because they would compromise his integrity as a critic. Has he ever reviewed "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls?" No. He realizes that no matter how much he'd like to be totally impartial, his own effort makes him biased toward the work. Ebert told Tom Cruise's publicist he/she could shove that "actor's final approval" clause up his/her ass. Ebert bends over for no man. By endorsing films like "Lake Placid," you send the message that you WANT more films like that. Stop it. Grow some testicles and slam a film. (You go way too easy on crappy films, WWW only got a mild slap on the wrist.)
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I don't think Harry is trying to defend himself as a professional, he seems to be trying to defend himself as a decent human being. Telling us stories of his youth doesn't make us respect him as a professional, it makes us respect him as a person.
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Harry, you have no need to explain yourself or apologize...you have a great site at AICN and one that I check regularly for news of genre films. I'm an adult and nobody forces me to see (or not to see) any film...I visit AICN for news & tidbits and that's exactly what I get. Keep up the great work!
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With lots of readers. Anyone with a brain will make up his or her own mind, no matter what the critics say. If it looks like you might want to see it, then see it. Sheesh. EVERY critic gets free stuff, free trips, free ego-strokes. Harry isn't unique. He just has bad taste. Usually.
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Aug 04, 1999 12:13:01 PM CDT
HARRY! Please change you site's shitty color, it's an eyesore!!!
by steveb
Harry the only big problem I have with your web sight is that.......IT"S DAMN UGLY! It's one of the ugliest sights I ever go to! Why can't you change that awful BABYSHIT BROWN background? This sight hasn't had a makeover in some time, when are you going to give it one?????????!!! NO MORE BABYSHIT BROWN!!!!!!! ANYONE ELSE AGREE?
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First of all, Harry, you shouldn't have even dignified most of that crap with a response.
Second of all, this is the age old example of people trash talking and complaining and crapping on someone simply because they are jealous of that person's success and know they will never be able to pull something like that off themselves.
On the other hand, Harry, don't forget the little people, like that guy up at the top who sent you the $10. Also, some of these tipsters that send you information need to be checked out a little more thoroughly at times; sometimes some real misinformation does get through. Oh well, that's the way it is. I appreciate what you have done and the site. hey, it's fun. Take it all with a grain of salt and enjoy. -
Yes I am!!! I have always wanted to say that!
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I read that Salon article yesterday. Seems that the mainstream media (which includes Salon, despite being net-based) is typically clueless about how this internet thing is happening. They don't comprehend how one big weird guy in Austin can develop this influence... and how his however many readers share that influence through the open access of Talk Back. Everything is changing rapidly. Hopefully, the kind of idiotic "journalism" we see in Salon and its ilk will fade. You're doing a great job, Harry. Keep up the good work.
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I always assumed that the burnt orange color was an Austin thing, since orange and white are the colors of the University of Texas and you see them everywhere in that city. Either that or it's a reference to the big guy's smoldering red hair. I started reading AICN news long before the site redesign, hated the new color at first, then grew to love it. Orange rules! But I'd love to hear the real story. Or maybe there is no story, and the designers at Jamison Gold are just colorblind or never left the 70s.
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...whether you are in anybody's pocket or not, I just think your taste in movies is awful.
I'm not a big fan of your writing style, either. -
Hi Harry,
This seems like a good juncture at which to say that -- even though our taste in films is sometimes different (I don't understand how you could like the writing or the editing in Armageddon, for example) -- I think you're an ethical guy. You say you like things because you do, not because you think they're appropriate for middle America. I long for more female critics so, since gals are the cream in your coffee, can't you find an intelligent one with whom to do a television show and save me from another round of old white guys?
Thanks for the wonderful web site.
Kat -
The entire point of the article wasn't to slam Harry's reviews of movies; it was to show that online buzz can be generated top-down, through studios and filmmakers influencing Harry's decisions on what to post on his site by the anonymous nature of the Internet and directly getting Harry to buzz about the film. For example, from the Salon article: "But word has it that [Harry] hadn't actually seen 'The Blair Witch Project' when he first wrote this about it on AICN: 'As for movies coming up at SUNDANCE the one to see it "THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT"!!! The most creepy fuckin mockumentary made ... ever.'" Is this allegation true or false? If true, it is very damning.
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Just his objectivity. I don't think that he has ever been paid off to generate hype for a movie, I just think he is more vulnerable to hype than most, and has a "need" to be a part of what is "hip". His turnaround on Godzilla, and his apparent turnaround on StarWars (the haunting better than the best movie he's ever seen? Snuh?), shows that he will do anything to be what HE believes is "cool". Unlike Roger Ebert who will whore himself for an interview (George Lucas).
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First of all I'm an avid cynic,and damn proud of it.Secondly,Cynicism about web sites being secret bases for studio propaganda makes simple sense...they're cheap.Also, if one wants to look at a web site for bullshit detectors, look to yesterdays postings at DarkHorizons (sorry to plug the competition). It's about a page full of film reviews for Deep Blue Sea that orgasmically rave that the film is better then JAWS, and it seems that at least over half of them called it a "summer popcorn fest". Who the Hell proclaims to their friends that the movie you just saw was a real good popcorn movie? Better then Jaws? Folks this page was full of this!!
the point is I smell a big rat, or fish in this case and to pooh-pooh the notion that these sites can be infiltrated with studio-paid hype monkeys is indeed a valid scenario.
And as for Harry, ONE VERY IMPORTANT CAVEAT!! Pauline Kael was at one time one of the most influential reviewers of her time who was also feared because of her make or break movie reviews. Remember what happend to her? She got bought up by Warren Beatty to do script development which actually turned out to be an excuse for Warren and his cronies to get her to sit out on what she did best. That's right, they gave her a job just so that Hollywood could go back to "business as usual" without the critical eye present...sidenote, she developed no movies in that time.
Stay Golden Harry!! -
Keep up the good work !
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Harry, you run a great site here. It's informative, entertaining and updated regularly. Don't feel the need to defend yourself to these people. Run the site the way you want to. You don't owe anything to these people. If they don't like it, they don't have to read it. I'm frequently amazed by the attitude of "My opinion is the only one." attitude that infects the Talk Backs. If I were you I wouldn't bother worrying about people who are afraid of any opinion that doesn't match their own. Those are not people who are showing enough maturity to have their words taken seriously.
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I got the keychain for Iron Giant after the movie ended. I already loved it before that. Harry, love you, man, keep it up. And don't bust ass on us Hotmailers, please!
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When did everyone get the idea that posting talkbacks grants them ownership of AICN? Harry, on this site and on TV, you are never anything but yourself, and damn those who don't think that's enough. These people need something more in their lives than a sanctifiable movie web site. Their chatterings of "outing" AICN as a Hollywood flunkie ring hollow, and way too dramatic and desperate to the occasion. (Soylent green is people! It's people!) C'mon, folks. None of us would have the awesome info, pics and armament we need to avoid bad movies without Harry. Plus, we get to look cool at cocktail parties by spouting off about projects like The Lord of the Rings before any of our non-AICN friends have heard of them. That's all this is, a labor of love for Mr. Knowles, who is lucky enough to have a passion for something that lots of us also have a passion for. You want to police the internet? Go join ICAAN. You want to get inside Harry's head? You can't. No one can.
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Screw integrity, we have to fix the big problems first. Some of these talkbacks are waaaaay toooo looooong. Try to say it in 8 lines. We are all guilty of it, but together we can make it better. If not for me, then do it for little Timmy.
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Harry, you seem like a decent and impressionable guy. You made a powerful site, one that can generate waves of good and bad hype. Congratulations -- you're a success. But to suggest that you are far removed from the Hollywood Machine is bullshit. Fuck, you're right in the middle of it. You're so deep in it that people are pulling your strings, even if you don't realize it. People are realizing how important pre-release hype is, and it is obvious you have become Public Enemy Number One on every publicist's hit list. And if they can't kill you, they're going to try to get chummy chummy with you.
If you think this is going to be the only backlash, you're kidding yourself. Someone is going to fuck you up the ass ... and you're going to be the one that has to explain why and how you got raped.
Gee, that's some really grim imagery I just used ... -
Dear Harry: Yesterday (two days ago? today? damn this 10-hour time difference!) I posted a response to Moriarity claiming that he and you were hyping BWP and Iron Giant a bit too much. I don't know if you took any umbrage from that (or if you even noticed me) but if you did, let me assure you - absolutely no offence was intended. I live in a country far outside the United States, and due to a local entertainment press which is eithe disdainful of all American pictures, or simply inferior. I get virtually all of my film information from the web. More specifically - about 75% from your site and the rest from, well, the rest. Therefore, I have a rather skewed view of the American movie industry, and it seemed to me that for the last few weeks all I hear is BLAIR and that GIANT flick (and LotR, but you can't have too much of that). In my immaturity, I lashed back at some percieved attempt at mind control. If I had any doubt in your integrity, Harry & co - any - I wouldn't visit the site twice a day. thank you, and again: sorry.
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Harry- you are the bad ass of movie critics. Not because you think you're tough. Not because you think you're better than most films. No, you're the bad ass because you're not afraid to admit your total love of film in general and won't take shit when your methods are in question. Keep in kicking ass Harry and sit on your throne as the Bad Ass Prince of Austin.
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Harry, screw 'em! It's your site! You don't need to tick through every movie you've reviewed and every gift you've received. People come to this site for a reason. They trust you to give them good information. And let's face it, if they don't trust you any more, they're going to leave. Nothing you say is going to change that. Don't waste your breath on them. Just keep giving your loyal readers more interesting movie news/reviews/reports. I know you're sick of hearing that stuff, but don't let it get to you. Keep that glass-half-full attitude!
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This should go without saying, and it is a cliche, but if people don't dig your site, then they shouldn't drop by! Most of us here love what you're doing, so don't get discouraged. All those who criticize you unfairly and ridicule your physique need to wait until they graduate elementary school before they're allowed on the internet again. Freedom of speech is great, but it'd be nice to see some maturity. That being said, I do respect those who would disagree with me views. After all, I didn't like Armageddon either, but I can see why many did. Okay, I'm rambling now... just wanted to add my voice to your supporters.
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I think you're being unnerved by the vocal (and vulgar) minority. Your readership is so huge because you give people something they can't get anywhere else -- a very personal viewpoint of a very dedicated and well-informed movie fan. So how about getting some numbers on that? Put this up on the front-page survey window: "In your opinion: -->Aint-It-Cool is the best movie gossip site going, giving unvarnished scoops with no studio influence, and Harry is a God. -->Harry does a very good job filtering out marketing tripe and making editorial decisions, but occasionally he gets carried away by hype or gets seduced by studio influence peddlers. -->Harry means well, but he has terrible taste, so I have to work hard picking the gems out of the refuse. -->Despite good intentions, Harry is too naive to recognize that the site is riddled by corporate hacks and the information he presents is basically useless. -->Harry is a shameless studio shill, and can't be trusted." ... Then people can pipe up, and we'll see just what a minority the whiners really represent, and maybe you'll feel better about the incredible service -- FREE!!! service -- you give to all us movie-geek info junkies. Of course, if you do that poll, it begs a followup: "My visitation habits can be summed up as: -->I visit regularly because I get a lot out of the articles and regularly read new stuff, and I honestly enjoy Harry's viewpoint. -->I visit regularly and occasionally see new and interesting material, even if Harry's opinion seems sort of whacked or left-field. -->I think the site sucks, I hate Harry's writing, I don't get anything out of it, but I visit regularly and post venomous talkbacks because, well, because I'm a COMPLETE MOTHERFUCKING IDIOT WITH NO GODDAMN LIFE!" ...Anyway, bottom line, I think some objective numbers would go a long way toward classifying your readership. Thank you. The Management. (Suck my balls.)
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Harry,
As a very close friend of uber Republican BankofKev, a/k/a 20th Century Fox, I find myself very often either bashing, or praising, the content of your site. After deep analysis, however, I have come to the follwing conclusion regarding your alleged "selling out":
You are, first and foremost, a movie geek. Generally, to be a geek means you are outside of the mainstream, and always of having an original taste. If your idea of being hip were to only hail Tarantino and John Woo, and to dismay any commercial films, you'd be a bit passe, and, quite simply, boring. But instead, Harry, oh Geek on High, you do enjoy and/or defend such pieces of crud such as "The Haunting" and "Godzilla", which really keeps you grounded as a geek, just like the rest of us, who have our quirks and our occasional love of cruddy movies (among them, I happen to enjoy "Hackers" and "Mystery Date").
Viva Harry Knowles! (and you've got my nomination to take over Jack Valenti's perch at the MPAA...if I had a nomination) -
Between your loyal fans and your rabid detractors sit an audience of people like myself, you have surfed (to use the newly annointed BBC verb for using the net) to your site for your news and insights. I have followed this site from (relative) obscurity to the mainstream - you are now regularly mentioned in newspaper articles. But as the old saying going, power corrupts. I'm not so much worried about you consciously selling out in that "join the Dark Side" way as I am about the risk of a slow assimilation into the machinary of hype as studios "notice" you and learn what will and won't get your attention and excitement. Even over the past year, there have subtle changes (perhaps in how I read you, perhaps in what you say?), but I still find this labour of love you provide us to be worth a few minutes of my time each day to read.
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First off I just read everyone's subjects and not what the comments were...well i read a couple of them..as for the rest sorry but...
OKAY guys and girls...Stop kissing Harry's ass and sucking his dick. I love his site too and I think it's great that we can get honest stuff on movies that are just a whisper in someone's mind's eye but alot of the stuff does get overhyped here. I went into The Blair Witch Project the other night thinking I was in for a great scary, horror movie. I was greatly disappointed. It was not scary. AS a suspense movie it is good. As a scary movie it fails on almost all levels. I remember when I saw Jaws when I was younger, and it freaked me and that was on the small screen.. I was expecting that The Blair Witch Project would have the same effect on me. Notta...The ending was genius. I admit that but it's a mediocre film. Nothing more...It's great that it took a different approach to movie making but now I'm a little sick of seeing vomit at the theater where I work. I'm glad Harry loved it but hype isn't always great. I repsect his opinion but alot of you seem to think his is the only one that matters. And mine or Moriarty's isn't either.
I do have high expectations for The Iron Giant but not as high as I had for The Blair Witch Project. I'm looking forward to it. And I have exceptionally high hopes for The Green Mile but that's cause I read the script and it's one of my favorite books in the world. I read Moriarty's review of Three Kings and I've seen the trailer...I am looking forward to it cause of Moriarty...it's cause of a trailer.
Whether Harry likes it or not, he is a major factor in the Hollywood hype machine and there is nothing he can really do about it...And we are all victims. -
Harry-
I think it's very nice of you to take time and write this - but you shouldn't have bothered because the people who need to hear this won't believe you anyway. They are just a bunch of jealous blowhards who wish they had the balls to do a site like this. It's easier for them to believe that the studios have you on the payroll then to accept that it is your hard work and devotion that have gotten you and Aint It Cool News where you are today. Ignore them. They just aren't worth it. I admit, I'm just a casual reader of AICN - this is my first talkback in fact - but I am a *longtime* casual reader. I visited this site before the fancy redesign (which was at least 2 years ago? is that right? whoa!) and I'll continue to visit it because I like your style and manner and I enjoy the variety of reviews here.
So go to all the premieres you want, snag all the free stuff you can, meet all the movie stars - have fun with it! You (and all the AICN folks) have EARNED it. I trust you not to be "unduly influenced" by the studios . Who cares what other people think? If they start damaging the reputation of AICN - well then sue them for slander or libel or defamation. Those laws exist for a reason right?
Have a great day!
allie -
Uh...Are we talking about that stinking piece of shit that Devlin and Emmerich made???? Uhh.....You're being sarcastic right?...
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I discovered this site last year and check it often daily for latest inside scoop from other film geeks. I, unlike Harry, don't see a movie a day or sometimes even a week. I pick and choose my films and if I love it, like the Matrix, Gods and Monsters or The Phantom Menace, I'll see it numerous times on the big screen. I saw both Godzilla and Armageddon last year and thought both the worst overhyped, loud, unimaginative pieces of shit in years. So now I stay away from the bad ones and AICN is one source for that decision. Thus no screening of WWW for me. I really enjoy BWP, a real creepy flick that gets under your skin, a true innovative film in the horror genre. That middle America doesn' get it is quite understandable - they've want to see those multimillion dollar budgets on the screen - if it costs $100 it must be good?! One thing that many posters have mentioned is despite web sites slamming such dogs as WWW, the film makes MONEY! It all goes back to the studio system and the big theater chains. They are paid to show the drek so it is ALL that is playing at the multiplex when Bobby and Sally and Rex go to the show. So what do they see? What the TV commercials told them to see. The web is doing that too. But overall, 1999 has been a great year for movies.
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......Harry loves movies. Harry has a site. Just because Harry's site is one of the most popular film sites around doesn't mean he should stop loving movies!?! If he loves a movie, then so be it -- I think it is self-evident that he is not being payed off or bribed into liking a film (though I'll never understand why he likes so many movies -- or maybe I'm just too cynical?). Anyway, this is ridiculous, let's just talk film!
...and on that subject of film, why can't there be more independent and foreign film talk on this site? I mean, there are TONS of great indies out there now that I see NOTHING about on this site? XIU XIU: THE SENT DOWN GIRL, AFTERLIFE, THE RED VIOLIN, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, ILLUMINATA, THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS, TWIN FALLS IDAHO, AUTUMN TALE, MY LIFE SO FAR, THE KING OF MASKS -- these are all great films that I've seen no reviews or nada mucho on this site. Oh well, so be it. I got my SLEEPY HOLLOW and THE INSIDER one-sheets today at work, they rock...for those who care to talk about film and not question integrity and by all cynical and crap!
Stig Helmer -
On the front of your site poll, "In your opinion which of these "worldwide" blockbusters offered up more Hype than Substance?", you forgot Godzilla. That would get my vote..quite the crapfest.
Also, I can't believe you paid to see the Haunting twice. Ouch.
And, as you can probably tell by now, most of us don't doubt your integrity. Everybody can be swayed by whatever experience they have before seeing a movie (whether it's from reading great/poor reviews on this site, or reading the book a movie is based on, SPOILERS, etc, etc. Some people understand that, and others don't.) -
Does anyone think the people behind the promotion of THE IRON GIANT would even be clever enough to try to bribe someone for a good review? I mean just look at the brilliant way they've been marketing the film.
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Actually, while I agree with most of what you have said Harry... You really do go down on the Blair Witch project like it was the Second Coming of Christ. I've seen the Blair Witch. I saw how disappointing it was. The crowd as a whole moaned after the lights when it was up when it was done here in Dallas... literally. People began talking about how ripped off they felt. And I haven't talked to one person yet... and I have been asking around... who sees why this movie was any big deal. Most of the folks I talk to can't stand it, and a few who I talked to actually said they felt as if they had been "raped." Someone on one of the Blair Witch talkbacks said the same about it... like it felt he had been raped. But for a LONG time on this site, you couldn't log on without having some goddamn Blair Witch tidbit hanging around. You may not have meant it Harry, and I do not fault you for liking a film... but surely you can see where this feeling of purposeful hype originated. Will we hear the same hype about other films coming out later this year, like "MY DEAD LOVER", I wonder?
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I thought Blair Witch was pretty weak, & think it would've been best premiered as a TV movie on SCiFI channel or something. Absolutely not worth $9.50 or a theatrical release & certainly not all the hype it's been getting. Shit, I was expecting the Hoop Dreams of horror flics, instead it's just lame, lame, lame, & then a really lame ending which I sadly predicted 15 minutes into it. Yes the one line that seemed like it was written & not shot from the hip had me waiting for the stupid stand in the corner at the end bit. Hohum. This movie was not very creative, & actually was barely a movie. Now Iron GIant, that was a classic. Hype that up all you want please.
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Aug 04, 1999 6:57:27 PM CDT
Harry, Nordling, a little note for DAS BOOB, and the corrupting
by freud
Don't sweat it, Harry. You can't sell out because there isn't anybody or anything you're selling out TO. You're not a paid professional critic. Your standards are your own. If people think you're biased and impressionable, what are they gonna do? Cancel their subscriptions? Write scathing letters to the editor? Do you really care? I hope not. If I thought this site was full of jive, I'd go elsewhere. (And I never subscribed to the notion that the buzzers for "Blair Witch Project" are all flacks from Artisan Entertainment trying to brainwash an unsuspecting public into seeing a piece of overrated offal. We're dumb, but not that dumb. BWP outdoes the hype.) But NORDLING disturbed me with his pride in being "recognized" for his TalkBacks. The idea that people in the biz are watching this site (thanks to the Premiere 100, etc.), and that any number of psycho TalkBackers with a modem and giant shoulder chip will inundate this site with flaming hysteria, to be "noticed," is not a good thing. The trouble is, the movie biz is incredibly sexy, and I bet the most opinionated among us would bend right over if a media mogul dropped a soapbar at our feet. I don't care if Harry does it. Harry could have 30 prime-cut disease-free L.A. whores put up at an Austin hotel if he made one promise to one studio chief. He could set himself up for fifty lifetimes if he wanted. He didn't, but even if he did, God love him, and God bless America. But we lowly TalkBackers shouldn't have any motive but the love of the game, so to speak. I'm not accusing Nordling of sinister motives but I got a whiff of pride off his post and it bothers me. Oh, and DAS BOOB: Pauline Kael got the script for "The Elephant Man" to David Lynch, and even if her six months at Paramount added up to that and nothing else, she should be honored for that. Sorry so long. -- Freud
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Sorry... I must disagree... Pauline Kael should smoke a terd in Hell for the axe job she tried to perpetrate against Orson Welles.
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Lost World the most hyped blockbuster? Fraid not---that would fall to the one film not even on the list--despite it being the third highset grossing film--The Phantom Menace. How the fuck can you have this poll and not include the all time winner for hype over substance? Lost World had minimal advertising by comparison..iT came--it went. I dont recall it getting great reviews either. LW was a standard hollywood flick--no worse than its predecessor. And in certain ways Jurassic Park was a profound disappointment--some of the worst characters and dialogue i have ever suffered through...but its hype was focused around fx--and on that front it delivered.
But only on that front. It didnt even have a third act! At least LW had some clever moments towards the end.
In fact--I never once saw a review or article that said Lost world was going to blow away JP in effects or anything else.
The real question remains--why wasnt TPM added to the list?
That will be known as the all time hype menace.
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Never had a doubt Hank.....If a movie sucks you will say so
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keep up the good work harry
dont let it get to you !!
saw you at dragon con in atlanta
last year great job
great page -
Break out the chapstick, 'cause the ass-kissers are on the prowl...An earlier poster said that Ebert didn't review 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' (which he wrote). That's true. But him (he?) and Siskel named it one of the 10 most important films made betwen 1968-1978.
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Aug 04, 1999 8:37:02 PM CDT
Harry, Stop you're pathetic bitching and get back to your roots
by radracing
Listen buddy we all know you are becoming a adman for the various film studios. I'm over it. Just get back to the reporting the news. We don't care if you think something stinks or you love it in a review. Thats your problem. You are starting to believe your own hype. Getting a big head listening to all these people talk about you. You got used on the Blair Witch. That movie was a piece of trash. The last three minutes saved its ass. Lets face it, Scream was even ten times better. So stop your whining about turning down publicity tours etc. Hey take them. I would. Get back to giving us rumors and news.
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Or, with the extended talkbacks to this one, is this place starting to look like a cult? That, of course, would not be Harry's fault ... but wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwow! As for Harry's response, liked it. Stuck to the facts for the most part. No offense, Harry, but that's much different than what I expected. Facts are good. www.get.to/sterlingwolfe/
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If you are really and truly concerned about your public image, then start a new policy: on anything that you personally review, mention at the beginning of the review what, if anything, you got from the distributor, the theater, the Austin papers, or anyone else. When I was working as a reporter at my college paper, we had to disclose EVERYTHING, even the soda a frat guy bought me during our interview. This way your cards are on the table immediatly, and those who don't want a 'tainted' review can look elsewhere.
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First of all, the cynics have sad little lives. Why would somebody waste their time hating something. I like movies. This website celebrates movies. If you don't like movies go fishing, read a book, or jerk off. Criticism is good. But the extreme ranting about movies is a little disturbing. They are only movies, jerks, they are supposed to be fun. I like Harry's reviews. He's a real person. Real people have their quirks and individual ideas. WE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS. We all don't have to like the same thing. This isn't a site for elitist posturing, it's about having fun at the movies. P.S. my friends, family and I had a lot of fun watching The Phantom Menace.
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Aug 04, 1999 10:43:38 PM CDT
I Got Free Passes to Haunting, Thought It Sucked. Do I Blame, Ha
by grouchlord
In fact, I had avoided Harry's reveiw in hopes of not spoiling it.Ha! Are you a sell-out, Harry? I really couldn't care less either way. I've got my own brain.
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...Harry, my man. There will always be those narrow minds with wide mouths. We know you. We love you. We dig what you do. Fuck the assholes who just don't get it. They are a waste of good bandwidth.
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Since when can someone not totally love a bad movie?! It's almost as idiotic a thought as someone not being able to hate a good movie. I know plenty of folks who'd think that, say, Starship Troopers was a horrible movie. Know something? I fucking love that movie. IMHO, it's the best movie of that year. I'm convinced that 10 years from now, when someone lays a list of movies released on that year that I'd choose Starship Troopers to watch over again (though I love the Ice Storm -- which is arguably a better movie -- I'm nuts for Starship Troopers).
So what if Harry loves Lake Placid or something?! I know why he loves it, and that's for the same reason I love it. It's certainly not because he's on the take from the studios, or that he's being played by them -- it's because he fucking loved the sensorial experience of watching THAT movie THAT day.
I really hate it when people come down on you for liking something that's not popular. It's almost as bad as someone coming down on you for liking something that's popular. -
Harry, how do you explain your pathetic plea for presents last December? That was utterly disgusting. I believe you turn down freebies, not because of a potential conflict of interests, but rather there is only so much free stuff that can fill up your house. I agree with a earlier talkback in that you should disclose everything you get from a studio when you write a review...it only seems fair to us to determine the objectiveness of your review. As for the Iron Giant, while i believe it will be a good movie, there has been an excessive amount of hype here the last week or so. With this much hype, I expect the Iron Giant to jump out of the screen, cure cancer and bat .400 for the Yankees.
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Have to plug the Movie Guys here in Las Vegas since Harry mentioned Jeff and Dave in passing in the above article. Its a great, youthful team who is more frank than siskel and ebert could ever have hoped to be. They are hard to catch here on local radio, but if you get a chance, give them a listen!
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Okay that may be a bit of a cheap shot but that outpouring from Harry has got to rank right up there with those "get out of my way, don't you know who I am?" outbursts from 'stars' who buy into their own bullshit hype machine too much and believe themselves to be above reproach, when the reality is that no-one is perfect and that everyone, from us mere peons to those that ride the wave of superstardom have to deal with, and accept their fare share of critisism. I'm sorry but the above just seemed to me to be nothing more than an ego boosting self congratulatory pat on the back. That said, I don't have a problem with Harry's reviews (to be honest I only occasionally read them, *I* decide what I want to see, and then *I* decide whether I like it or not), or Harry himself for that matter. If Harry likes Godzilla or Armageddon or The Faculty or Phantom Menace then fair enough, that's his opinion and thats fine. What irritates me is Harry's seeming need for validation which leads to him changing or updating his own views so that they fall more in line with what the masses think, or the flip side where he ries to rationalize his opinions. He shouldn't try to make excuses, he shouldn't feel the need to explain his opinions, he should just let them sit as are. He should have the confidence to just say "I hated..." or "I loved..." or "...disappointed me" or whatever, not try and justify why his opinion is right, because the fact is everybody's opinion is right, at least to them (with the possible exception of anybody that enjoyed Species 2, those people are just plain out and out wrong and should seek help immediately). Harry needs to just keep doing what he does instead of these feeble attempts to justify himself, they don't do him or the site any credit. This was just a puff piece guaranteed to get a majority of people patting Harry on the back and making him feel good. My advice is to just do what you do best and deliver the scoops and the news. I personally don't give a shit whether you scored some free stuff or got some set visit or attended a premiere, I just come here for the news. Will that stuff make your views biased? Perhaps, but we are all biased in our own ways whether we want to admit it or not. There will always be detractors, that's the world, like it or not, and rants like the one above just come off as a phoney attempt to justify yourself (and show how many people love you and your site into the bargain), something that you don't need to do. Prove yourself by doing what you do, have your own opinions and stick to them and to Hell with anyone that is so feeble minded that they can't get over the fact that people can have an opinion different from their own but just as valid. Anyway that's my rant and my opinion.
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Harry, you're a good dude. You're human. I'd hate you if you didn't have your own opinions. You're awesome when you have an opinion on something. I think it's awesome when you disagree with me, because we can trade opinions on a subject. I'm not kissing ass, because that's the last thing F.B. does, but I believe all you rat bastard, fuck nuts, better back the hell off of Harry. He's skilled at his this hsit, and one day (once again not kissing ass) I hope he writes a review to one of my movies. F.B. on H.K.
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I'm kind've a newbie on this site. I've only posted about a couple times before. But I still stick up for Harry Knowles. This is his site, let him run it how he chooses. If you don't like it, then leave. I personally, was a little skeptical of all the hype surrounding the "Blair Witch Project". But after seeing it today, I was completely wrong. The film was entertaining and suspenseful all in the same mold. I had some criticisms with the film(such as the ending). But overall I realized that this was just nitpicking an overall great film. Certainly better than Stanley Kubricks last film. Unlike Kidman and Cruise, these actors were real. Not done up all pretty by makeup, but using dialogue and slang pretty much how I would talk and respond to those type of situations. Anyway, I have to say that most of the critics of Harry in this Talk Back just seem mean-spirited and envious. Why would you even care what people think about you Harry? I mean, if I had the chance to meet Tarantino, I wouldn't be talking about friggin films. I would be finding some way to hook up with his ex-girlfriend Mira"hotty"Sorvino. Hell, i'd be on coke binges most of the time at night responding to the Talk Backs! I'd be living up any celebrity connections that I had trying to score some women! At the end of my life, people would be saying how tragic it was that kingbun was found lying dead in a ditch from O.D.ing on Heroin. Yeah, I would be dead but I would have had a helluva time. Hell Yeah! Thats the ticket!;)
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It seems that a few talk back bitches hate Harry, hate this site, and hate movies. Get the fuck off this site. Harry dosn't go to you're site and complain about all the homosexual JPEGs. The only complaint I have about this site (my new homepage) is the talkbacks. Some people seem to think this is a chatroom. There is very little real discussion of films or filmmaking. It's difficult to post an oppinion when the first 80 posts are off subject bullshit. We don't care to hear you're opinion on a film you have never seen. And when you have seen it, you're elloquent and informative response is: It sucked! It rocked! Or it kicked ass! Even worse is the pretentious film school - wanna be bullshit. Ever notice every director is a hack? But the absolute worst is 16 posts simply stating "I'm first" If studio execs used talk back as a demographic they would be dumbing down their scripts like there's no tomorrow. And that's the last thing we need. I generally don't post because nobody is going to read post no. 1483. It is possible to criticize a movie without simply trashing it. Why did Armaggedon suck? Why was Phantom Menace so dissapointing? Why was Blair Witch Project so effective? I would post my opinions on these and other subjects more often if I thought anyone would scroll all that way to read them. It's like trying to have a quiet, subtle conversation in a room full of screaming idiots. You people know who you are. The personal attacks and posting by reflex is really getting old, fast. How about talking about films and filmmaking for a change? You know, the way Harry does. P.S. This is a site for film GEEKS! That means sci fi, fantasy, horror, animation and action. It dosn't need to be cluttered up with a bunch of pretentious forign films and gay indepentant movies. Ich bien ein geek.
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I mean, it's not impossible to believe that Harry likes reprehensibly bad movies. Hell, according to exit polls, most Americans do.
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Look, I'm nobody. To have somebody talk to me in the movie business is a big deal to me, just because of something I said here. By far talking to Guillermo Del Toro was my favorite thing to come of this. I wasn't trying to brag - I just thought it was cool as anything to get it. I even forwarded the Del Toro e-mail to Harry and other guys on this site. It was like having a world exclusive, if you're a reporter. As for the LA Times thing, I've never even been in my local paper, much less an LA one. So fuck it, I thought it was cool. And to get an e-mail from an animator of a movie that is in my top ten lists of all time just rocks. If he wants to e-mail me back, cool! I'd love to talk movies with him. I also get e-mails from people who just talk movies, and I enjoy the shit out of that. I'm a guy who works two jobs (one is in a video store, and that was INTENTIONAL, believe me) trying to make ends meet for my wife and 1-year-old daughter. When I'm online, AICN is my chief social outlet. I love this site. Is it pride that I got those e-mails? I don't know. But it sure wouldn't have happened through Dark Horizons or Corona Coming Attractions. I'm thankful for this site, and when I see bullshit like the Salon article, and when it pisses Harry off, it pisses me off, too. At least Harry's honest. He says he had a good time at the movies, even when the movie sucked. He may be a little jaded now about the Hollywood scene, but he'd never give up the chance to, say, be in a major motion picture. I wouldn't either. If that's due to a little movie site online then so be it. I would have said something sooner, but I only have two times a day when I can get here.
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I think not. So if Ebert believes in Harry so do I.
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Anyone else doesn't like it, go create your own. Anyone one doesn't like Harry's opinions, that's fine to disagree. This is what a forum is all about. Disscussion of a topic! I'm sure there are "Bowzer" movies that many of you like that hold a special place in your heart and you'll give it the highest opinion in the land. But, its the even of goiung to see a movie, the magical two hours or so that transforms everyone's lives into those characters or caring for gthem on the silver screen that matters. Some people think "Gone With the Wind" is the greatest movie eveer made, but others would think that "Willy Wonka" is much better. Harry has every right to say yea or nay on a film. Its his opinion and his site. That doesn't mean that you have to agree with him. If Harry said, "Go jump off abuilding!" would you do it? Okay, maybe a few, but I'm sure you get my point. I don't agree with Harry's reviews, but that's okay, because he sometimes doesn't agree with mine. Also, he was on television with Ebert. Pro or con on his appearance, that doesn't matter. He did it. How many of you have created something that allowed you to go on national television? Reguardless, everyone takes punches from time-to-time. Harry, just roll with them. This is a great site!
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It appears from your post, that you are doing the same thing that you are accusing talkbackers of doing. The real problem with talkback is all of this homophobic lashing out. This site is for "geeks, meaning scifi, etc. etc. . . . not gay foriegn films." What the hell is that all about? One of the most talked about films on this site at one time was Gods and Monsters - a movie about a gay man.
It seems to me that a lot of the hostility that is being exuded on this site in recent months is getting more and more offensive to specific people. Soon enough, there will be racial slurs bandied about.
If you have an opinion on a movie, I think you should express it with all the energy and attitude that you can muster. But is it really necessary to insult other people constantly.
Just one last thing - "Ich eibn," whatever . . . is this becoming a place for White Neo Nazis to start spouting off?? God help us! -
I've been really into The Blair Witch Project recently. I've seen it five times. I love it. It's really gotten to me. Less is more and I wish more Hollywood films were made this way. But one thing I've learned in talking to many people about this film is that you can't convince some people of the truth. You can talk till yer blue in the face and if they have it set in their mind that this really happened, that's what they believe. Common sense doesn't deter them. I've tried. "It's just a movie! They were just actors! The directors themselves came out and admitted it!" I'm beginning to believe it's best to just come out and say it and "ruin" it, because some of these people are just flat scary. Now there are people out there who believe you're a sell out, Harry. I don't but they do. Now you can try to show the facts to them but they won't be deterred because some people out there are just flat scary. So take my advice: go on ahead and sell out. Make a few bucks and do some of those suit gigs. Rub a few elbows. Get a few kickbacks OR just stick to your guns and your principles and do what you know in your gut to be right, but be sure you're doing it for the right reason. Be certain you're retaining a sense of credibility because you want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror. Don't do it for anyone in Talk Back, because some of us in here are just flat scary.
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Harry is entitled to his own opinions. I for one appreciate his excitement for future movies. Isnt that why we all check in daily to Aint-it-Cool? As an advid reader for the past 2 1/2 years, I don't know how I was able to get excited about movies beforehand. I did though, just not to the same degree I do now. Harry runs the best site on the Web and he has opened our eyes up to a lot of things we might simply have missed with out his input. A Simple Plan comes to mind. I never would have seen that without his kind words. Who can forget the hype for Titanic? In case anyone forgot, the excitement started here. Before that, the word on the street was that the movie was going to be another Ishtar or Godzilla. Bottom line... give Harry a break and go check out the Iron Giant! The build up is half of the fun!
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Last things first: To all the people who post here and elsewhere, saying how awful Blair Witch was and how they feel 'raped', go click on that little 'Reviews' button over there, go to Harry's review of BWP, and look at the survey results. Do you see how much in the minority you are? Do you start to realize that maybe, just maybe, you missed something? Second: I apologize profusely, Eternal. I read things into your post that weren't there. I will remember you during my weekly flagellation. Finally: There is a great piece on the press junket circuit in the most recent issue of a journal called the Baffler. You might want to read it, not just because it and the Baffler are GENIUS, but because it illustrates just how far Harry has to go before he really sells out. I mean Heyzeus Christie, make up you minds people! "Harry sucks 'cause he liked a movie I didn't." "Oh, he changed his mind on the movie and now he doesn't like it, so he sucks 'cause he can be influenced by people like me saying it sucked." Methinks you have some emotional investment in Harry's suckitude.
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So... let me get this straight... because of a poll showing how we're in the minority (we being the folks who detested the Blair Witch), we're supposed to go "Oh...well if everyone else liked it, then that must mean we also did, but we weren't smart enough to figure that out?" Thanks, but no thanks, Anton. Go get bent, you Stalin wannabe.
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I'm actually surprised more people didn't like it. Those of you who didn't, you ARE in the minority. Don't sweat that. Also however, by repeatedly saying how weak and "poorly executed" it is, you only further reinforce in the minds of those who disagree with you, that the reason you didn't like the movie was because you didn't GET it. And they won't believe you, listen to you, and in the end your words fall on deaf ears. Blair Witch actually SHOULDN'T be liked by as many people as it is. It's a fluke. It's one of those movies that never gets appreciated, and is supposed to only have a cult following. The fact Blair Witch is getting attention like this is rather eerie. It's the kind of movie that one should find on one's own by accident and treasure immensely, despite the naysayers who say it's trash. Instead, everyone's discovering it relatively at the same time, and many more are getting into it than one would normally predict. I'm quite appauled and frightened really, all the sudden. Is my taste suddenly becoming fashionable? PERISH THE THOUGHT! I was into music group DEVO when everyone thought it sucked, and by the time they made that comeback some years ago, and were temporarily the IN group to listen to, I'd gotten kinda bored with them then. Usually my taste is never popular, and I LIKE that! So you Blair Witch haters go on ahead and continue to spew and pretend your opinion is in the majority. Hopefully someday you'll get your wish and others will become brainwashed by your words and once again I'll be in the minority, because The Blair Witch Project should be WORSHIPPED by a chosen few who feel compelled to gravitate together late at night in seedy midnite theater venues and then speak in hushed tones in coffee shops about it until the break of day. It should not be like an overhyped rock concert in a football stadium. It should be more like an intimate showing in a hallowed sanctum lit by candles. This thought that my opinion is by pure accident beginning to blend with the accepted mainstream of the moment is quite frankly scaring the bejeezus outta me.
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Earlier in this thread (is this a thread or just contradiction?) Malla suggested Harry just disclose up front in every review exactly what all was sent to him prior to actually giving his review. Like a prologue inventory where he discloses to us his dedicated readers just how much of his soul he's selling to Hollywood. Great idea Malla and all that in that it will make some people feel better but you know what? At the same time it sucks royal devilled eggs through a straw. You know why? Because it shouldn't matter one flying spitwad how much Hollywood is stoked up Harry's ass. It really shouldn't. In fact, I'm APPAULLED that Hollywood isn't shoving caviar down his throat and buying prostitutes for him. Though not single-handedly, Harry Knowles has helped immensely to turn the Internet into a powerhouse - he has basically empowered you and me as casual moviegoers into accumulatively having a sliver or spark of voice in the marketing of cinema. People are listening, and the industry is noticing how effective the change has become.
Harry Knowles is one of the key figures on the Internet when it comes to movies, and Hollywood SHOULD kiss his ass. He's entitled. Actually they should be kissing all our asses, but the fact is they might think if they kiss his butt then we'll follow suit cuz we're brainless sheep. Let them THINK that, and let Harry get some free noogie on the side, know whut ah'm sayin'? People are chastizing Harry for doing it when he's not, when what we SHOULD be doin' is ridiculing him for not sinking his teeth into Hollywood and draining them dry! THEY think HE has his hand on the pulse of whatever it is WE are. I'm sure there must be a way to capitalize on that. You guys got it backwards. We should be ENCOURAGING Harry to get those kickbacks and free airplane rides to movies that suck and then he should tell us to go see them. Wink wink nudge nudge. He should get on some studio's payroll and get a CONTRACT out of 'em so when they find out he doesn't really have us all brainwashed and doesn't really control us they'll be STUCK paying him hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for ten years and then he can sit back and go into early retirement. THIS IS AMERICA we're talkin' about!
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Aug 06, 1999 11:14:51 AM CDT
Zachsmind's right! Psychotic... but absolutely right!
by dr_frankenevil
Just kidding... I needed to make an "Animal House" quote today. With that out of the way, what REALLY scares me about the Blair Witch is A.) the terrifying nightmare I have, wherein I am forced to watch it again (blech) and B.) the fact that Hollywood is gonna jump on this like stink on shit. I can see the studio heads now, looking at this with their eyes glazed... mulling it over... $60,000 to make... and it is bringing in millions upon millions... NOTHIN' but profit. I am scared beyond words about what we'll see coming out soon... Hollywood's own Blair Witch Projects. *shiver* I say we nip this in the bud, and we nip it NOW. And Zachsmind is right... this should be a CULT film, not an overnight mania. It should be watched for the next ten years in darkened theaters, with people acting it out in front of the screen, throwing toast, and waiting for eons before Fox airs it on TV, cut up all to Hell but with the goofy acting in front of the screen, and then the video finally comes out and people stop seeing it. The Blair Witch SHOULD be the next Heavy Metal or Rocky Horror... just without the cool music and without being good. "Shop SMART. Shop S-MART."
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No, that's not what I meant at all. I meant exactly what I said: You MISSED something, and I don't mean in the plot. The rest of us are having a grand old time getting scared out of our minds while, for whatever reason, you are sitting on the sidelines going, "Feh." I just cited the survey results to show you how futile your dire warnings about how much BWP sucks really are. And Stalinist, am I? I'll have you know the poster above my bed is one of Trotsky, you reactionary pigdog!
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Yeah harry you can esily be duped OH yeah you told off tom rothman at alien resrurection Yeah Big Deal Fox deserved it cause they wernt smnart enough to have Winoa Ryder flirt with you during the premerie then sit next to you. I mean youre still beating off over that blond chick was sitting next to you during the ARMAGEDON premerie in Fl. No more need be said....If I have offened your Time Warner Programed values please send all hate mail too bankofkev@hotmail.com
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Yup. The author of the article that appeared in Salon posted a rebuttal here in Talk Back, and not one of you schmucks ever mentioned it. What ails you people?
No I know that this article is buried and no one will read this post, but I'll give my opinion anyway - just for the record. When I read the article I was appalled. Not only was there no proof given for ANY of the accusations, but the implication of the article was that ALL fan sites are possible plants or are under the sway of various studios and there hype machines. That really got me mad. There are so many kids who have WEB pages devoted to their favorite movies or stars, and this article impunes the integrety of all of them. What a shame. It's as if Senator McCarthy has come back and is now picking on the internet, caling anyone with a fan-site a tool of the studios. So it's not just Harry who is being attacked. It is anyone who has a WEB site devoted to films. I'm surprised you guys didn't pick up on that. In defense of her article, the author has stated that the editor at Salon took her piece and edited out quite a bit and used the rest to make it look like thsi was some big expose on a vast conspiracy. What trash. What garbage. The Salon article is false. Period. -
I mean, he must have like a trillion DVDs, posters, toys, etc. Fuh-sheesh.
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