This is a dark time for AICN. I almost re-posted Harry’s Clone Wars review because someone asked to see it. It’s weird that I even saved it, really weird.

So I’m glad I didn’t re-post it, I don’t ever want to be banned, I like AICN, I’ve read it since…I don’t know, ’97 or ’98 even though I only started posting last year.

The anger displayed here is quite surprising. The whole Uncapie thing (this refers to something in the Tropic Thunder/Retard talkback). Yeah, that was one mean post, but so many others insult the writers of this site all the time and in a far worse manner. I’m not defending Uncapie, but so many others write things just as bad and demeaning. Seriously, some people just use the talkbacks to insult the writers.

As a writer, I have written and posted things that I regretted later. So we should realize that some people write off the cuff and this forum is practically designed for such knee-jerk writing. I know, because I’m just as guilty as most of you. In all honesty, I love reading a talkback post that makes me smile or laugh. Though I am sick of so many people insulting the writers, but trolling is what trolls do.

Star Wars brings out the best and worst of us all. We have a passion for it, love it, hate it, sort of like it, ignore it or whatever. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds this geek universe together.

Some of us mature, some of us don’t. Some of the Star Wars films mature with us, some of them don’t. It seems that we spend so much time searching for the next film or series of films that will do to us what the original trilogy did. For many of us this is our quest, whether we’re aware of it or not. It’s sad and tragic, but we also carry that torch to find A NEW HOPE.

Of course there are many talkbackers that are mature. There are many talkbackers that don’t have the same connection to STAR WARS that many of us have or had. There are many talkbackers that understand. There are so many that don’t.

Banning destroys the freedom of this site. It also protects site. Paradoxical. Insulting the writers doesn’t protect the site. Being insulted by the writers doesn’t protect the site. Sometimes the writers themselves write the most disgusting and demeaning descriptions. I can literally go from one post that’s highly intelligent to another post that is pure trash. That’s why I like the site. There’s a range. AICN is a guilty pleasure.

I wish that AICN never had to apologize for anything, that Harry actually had the freedom to write whatever he wants, but that’s not the world we live in. There are consequences. There are laws. There are codes of honor that even a free-minded movie reviewer must succumb to. Even Harry must censor himself. But I respect what Harry wants AICN to be, the vision he has. It’s similar to what I want every STAR WARS film to be; something greater than itself that allows us to become something greater than ourselves.

Update:

I just thought that I’d re-post this since there is now a proper talkback. And if you read this post before then I apologize you have to scroll past it again.

The funniest thing? The shitbag acts like Star Wars was some kind of "weight" or imposition to him - a roadblock, that he had to get out of the way so he could make "a small, independent art-house movie." Anyone have ANY idea when we're seeing that? Oh - he probably doesn't have time to make it, as he's stuffing your hard-earned cash into his polyester slacks.

Truth be told, that chinless fuck used up all his goodwill when he added more effects to SW, Empire and Jedi. He shits on his fanbase, who then puts it on a plate, warms it up and eats it - and then PAY him for it. Anyone who gives this asshole more money ought to be downright ashamed.

And Mori, it's been real obvious for years that AICN has business connections to certain producers or properties. You can't really blame people for jumping to that conclusion in this case, even if your above post is the truth.

So what do AICN know that they don't ?

And will the Warners wrath be anyway ? Financial Lawyer based or simply access to Movies and info ?

Creepy, isn't it? Lucas is like a Twilight Zone apparition who hovers with his angelic bearded smile, while his demonic money-making rage enslaves the minds of everyone.

Not me, George. Go fuck yourself.

Who the fuck cares about the reviews? What I come for on this site is the "AICN crew" and their opinion on movies. If it is a movie that I am anxiously excited for, I may want that review about now. For a movie like Clone Wars, I really don't care. I'll read the review when it comes out, but it is not integral to my life at the moment. You guys can post the reviews whenever you want, we don't need them at this instant.

It's a TV show debuting on the big screen with lots more crazy action than any TV show in history. As a fan of action, this looks to have more battles and chases than anything else ever done in the visual medium. This will be groundbreaking, but I realize that groundbreaking doesn't build a foundation. It's an experiment.

So I will gladly hand over $4.50 to see this in a theater for a simple 100 minutes of entertainment. Lucas has a knack for doing things that many people dislike, he's like a punk rocker, but like any punk rocker, no matter what ideology is there, they must make product.

Product.

And there will be 100 episodes of this. Despite partnering with studios, Lucas does things differently and independently but uses the current studio structure to his own ends. Lucas has freedom. And many people are jealous of that power. I wish more people had that power.

Will I watch all 100 episodes? I don't know, that's a lot of STAR WARS, even for a lifelong fan, but If I like the CLONE WARS in the theater then I'll tune in until they turn me off.

If this embargo shit is for real, then there is a need for a site that will spill the truth about movies when no one else will. If AICN doesn't fill that role then perhaps another site will.

But I'd buy me some overtime to follow this TB all day if I could! Funny stuff.

But it simply underlines that AICN are currently uncomforably straddling the line between Big enough to ignore Warner and small enough to fall through the Gaps and still ignore them.

I had thought AICN had a fair bit of influence (not megacorporation influence obviously but enough to be a good barometer and still have a little clout) but yeah it certainly underlines how business driven some of this shit is and AICN are in a bit of a no win situation here because they are complying with the studios wishes.

Even if they hadn't posted until the embargo date the talkbacks would be screaming almost as much about the "silence" and accusing everyone of being in Lucas's pocket.

On the plus side this sort of Warner Douchebaggery wil be remembered as will the fact that Lucas seems fine with it so it will tarnish him almost as much as this crappy little animation has.

The site exists to give reviews, whether you agree with them or not, and even allows a forum for everyone to jerk themeselves into a froth over flames on Optimus Prime.

The site does not exist to give the finger to the industry, or to perfectly reflect your own specific bloody opinion. How long would this site be in business if it existed outside the industry? How many versions of the website do you think they'd need to run so that everyone could read exactly their own opinion echo'd back to them?

Just how long you think it would be a active if they thumbed their noses at things like embargoes, or if they stormed around screaming like all the 12 year olds in this talkback demanding that they fuck the embargo... or simpering that they remember back when so and so was cool, before some review got posted that they disagreed with.

Man, this site exists and makes money because it manages to work inside the industry to the extent it needs to, in order to sneak news and give reviews on topics that appeal to the people who read it.. so that they can make money selling ads.

It's not brain surgery, people. Good god, you're fortunate they don't just pull the plugs on the talk backs altogether. I can't imagine putting up with this grief and you assholes on a daily basis.

Most people who regularly go to the Movies aren't going to happily give up their hard earned cash for something that is creating such a stink and is so clearly frightened of all the bad reviews it's getting.

It doesn't mean that they have to behave like spoiled kids and break the embargo. This site is a business. Mori may be living with selling his scripts, or Massawyrm selling pot, but Harry's gotta eat. It may be cynical to say so, but it's Harry's site, if he wants to follow WB oukase it's his right. I strongly support the establishment of TOS as so many fellow TBers previously said. So the ban hammer may be justified. Think about it, Harry.

We aren't all AICN insiders. From our point of view, two reviews were posted and taken down. Not updated with an explanation, just "poof" gone.

without an explanation you're going to get speculation because that's all you leave us.

You can't attack TBers for making assumptions and guesses when you haven't provided us with the whole story earlier. Try to see things from our point of view, then tell me you won't have thought something shady was going on.

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then we should wait for Mori to tell us to "calm the fuck down" before we assume it's a duck.

AICN can be in the industry. This means they get invited to early screenings, get interviews, sneak peaks, all that jazz. The cost is that they gotta follow the same rules as everyone else. That means adhering to embargos and whatever other stuff the studios make sites in the industry follow. So there are advantages and disadvantages.

The other option is for AICN to work outside the industry. Post spoilers, undercover scoops, and negative early reviews. You'd piss off all the studios and be blackballed from all the interviews, prescreenings, and other goodies that you enjoy now. You'd still get those early reviews by spies writing in under pseudonyms who did get invited to those pre-screenings. But you can say goodbye to all the great 1 on 1 interviews and other priviliges. So again, advantages and disadvantages.

So did I accurately explain the situation? If so, I personally prefer the latter option. If AICN is going to be a buddy to the film industry then it will get just about the same news that I can read on 99% of all other movie sites. I think AICN and its crew of passionate, hate-filled talkbackers are better suited to be the enemies of the industry that publish the stories they don't want us to because god knows we'll rip them apart.

Even if AICN sticks with the former option, I'll probably still come here. But I will be disappointed. And surely another website will spring up that will fill the niche of the industry killer. I'd definitely visit that site.

Unless is one of them flypaper strategies to get the discussion all in one place, not in every other talkback. In that case, good move.

Truer words were never spoken. Lucas obviously thinks we're more interested in seeing, on the big screen, a lame, tired rehash of the so-far-it-looks-superior Gennedy Tartovsky CLONE WARS cartoon - more of the same - to a conclusion we already know and understand, which leads to one of the worst trilogy conclusions in modern cinema history, to a kick-ass epic where Vader's secret Sith apprentice becomes so powerful he can bring Star Destroyers to the ground BY FORCE WILL ALONE.

Oh yeah, Darth Gizzard - we'd all rather watch an inferior cartoon continuation of an interminably boring war between clones and robots which we ALREADY KNOW THE ENDING to, rather than a movie where Vader's secret Sith apprentice throws around Starv Destroyers with a wave of his astonishingly powerful hand. YOU DUMB FUCKING RETARD!!!

Jesus. This is why I woin't be sitting my ass in a cinema for this shit - I'll watch it (if at all) on fucking Sky Movies. STAR WARS is dead to me.

About this embargo. Does it really matter whether they post the review now or Friday? I mean, the movie will still be vast suckage, won't it?!?

In a word:

RICOCKULOUS.

Seriously, reread Moriarty's well-written explanation. Enough said. WB said take it down AS PER THE TERMS OF THE SCREENING, so they did. Simple. It will be back up soon.

Consequences of not adhering to the embargo may not be legal, but as professional film critics, Harry, Moriarty, and others depend on studios not for dolls and dvds, but SCREENINGS and NEWS to bring to YOU. This isn't some case of free speech where AICN needs to give the finger to WB and have the door to an entire studio closed to them. It's the nature of the business. It's just one movie. Relax.

Try rereading the explanation again. EMBARGOS ARE RARELY ENFORCED, and are ENFORCED SELECTIVELY...meaning that even though critics attend tons of screenings, sometimes reviews are published early, sometimes the studios let them get away with it, and sometimes they don't. Whether Harry published early on purpose or he wasn't aware of the embargo prior to publishing is irrelevant. WB made them aware and told them they were enforcing it.

Are YOU too stupid to understand?

they have shot themselves in the foot again, ps, Han shot first

And holy shit did Massawyrm tear it to shreds. Probably the biggest thumbs down on a movie I've ever read. Everyone should read it.

It doesn't pass the sniff test because of what Warner Brothers have done. I think it's a classic case of they were hoping "good word of mouth" would leak out early and spread across the net. But when the negative feedback started and it backfired, they began to throw their weight around.

Obviously they have to protect their investment in the film and therefore have to do damage control while they still can.

Welcome to the junction of where big business meets free speech. Big business usually calls the shots. Remember the golden rule: he who has the gold makes the rules.

Mori, whom I usually appreciate and defend, has made it a point to go on record again for his total disdain for the talkbackers. By now it's pretty much a known fact about how he feels about us. While usually I just kind of shake that off and go on because I don't know the guy personally or anything, I do respect his reviews. However the outright claim that they will use their powers of banning and seeing as how many people I know on here who have been banned in the past few months, it seems like it's as if a nun is slapping us on the hand with a ruler for getting out of line with what they deem is wrong. I find it funny that on this page the hunt is on for talkbackers left and right over the posting of an early review and then on another page calling out the people with disabillities act for saying they should boycott Tropic Thunder. I'm not PC or anything but this just seems kooky to ban people for posting a review and then saying that the People With Disabilities are stupid and wrong for being offended by a movie.

I don't come to this site as often as I used to and I don't talkback that much anymore. I've made a lot of great friends from being on this site, but the more and more I see on here the more I'm glad that I've distanced myself from getting caught up in a lot of the bullshit I've seen here in the past couple of months. But then again, what the hell do I know?

Oh, and anyone questioning Moriartys' love of his readers (including negative TBers), take a reality check. Look how personally offended he gets whenever he or the site is accused of selling out or compromising. No matter how obviously provocative a TB post is, he'll probably respond. The guy, and by extension the site, is legit.

That's my 2 cents. Not based on 11 years of loyalty (I've only been coming here for about 8ish years), it's based on common sense.

But this is all a GREAT time killer!

http://tinyurl.com/5uyzrl

I saw the movie Sunday. It blew HARD. Ahsoka is an abomination of galactic proportions.

Second, the reaction in the talkbacks WAS reactionary and over-the-top. "You're a sell-out!" "FUCK YOU HARRY" etc. etc.

If you think AICN is specifically bending over and spreading ass cheeks...they aren't. This is a very common thing. If you think they are saying 'fuck you' to the TBers and casual readers, also no, they are simply doing what is expected of them...to 'scratch their backs' in return.

If AICN were to completely ignore all studio requests, the well of resources will completely dry up and they'd have nothing truly cool to show you...ever.

Michael Regina
Editor in Chief - TheOneRing.net
xoanon@theonering.net

This also happens on TV, shows like ET or Access Hollywood will get a 'sneak peek' of a trailer, while websites can only post about it later. Big TV studios and Magazines and websites pay $$$ to get these exclusives, and I don't think sites like Harry's does.

So, while the reviews for this film may be shitastically bad in this case, they may have even asked for it to be pulled if it wasn't, but I doubt it...studios can also break their own rules when it suits them.

And zom, sorry to say AICN doesn't yield as much power as it used to, thousands of sites have sprung up since 1999, they are faster, better funded, prettier, have a wider reach and are more powerful than AICN...no offence guys..been with you since the old OLD days..but it is the truth.

Michael Regina
Editor in Chief - TheOneRing.net
xoanon@theonering.net

There is also the issue of 'synergy' (my mouth stings just saying that word)...we all know the same mega companies that own TV networks also own studios (ABC/Disney, NBC/Universal etc..). So when a movie studio wants to promote a movie, they give these exclusives to the 'sister' TV stations and Magazines...bloody Mega-Companies...

Michael Regina
Editor in Chief - TheOneRing.net
xoanon@theonering.net

Not sure if anyone else caught that this talk back was long and I missed it.

Hey, it happens.

personally I think it's obvious that WB and Lucasfilm know that a few days of hardcore fan backlash will hurt this, they're not stupid. and Harry's review was gonna get reprinted everywhere, it was so harsh. and so they're enforcing the embargo a little more stringently here than elsewhere, because of the type of people that read this site, and the influence they have on the web. ultimately, they underestimated the hoopla that was going to come of it because of talkbacker ire and entitlement, and if that backfires on them, so be it. but that's their problem. why take it out on Mori and AICN?

AICN eschewing an embargo, getting a couple calls, and ultimately complying, isn't the goddamn Kennedy assassination. so a couple of the guys weren't on the same page and a few wires were crossed. relax! I understand being indignant about mistreatment. but you oughtn't make the mistaken assumption that everything that AICN does is about YOU. sometimes, it's about THE SITE.

I'd like to take a quick poll to see how many of you that are up in arms about this still believe in the Loch Ness Monster...and if so, I have some land on Mars to sell you, real cheap!

I haven't seen this many dingbats come out of the AICN woodwork since the Lost spoiler debacle last year. jesus christ. chill out people.

For those of us pleading ignorance to the whole "embargo" thing, I have a couple of questions for the esteemed black-backgrounders.

Break an embargo, what happens? Cease and Desist? Lawsuit? People in black suits knock on your door at a late hour and flash neurolyzers?

I thought newspapers and other media couldn't officially print reviews until at least the evening before opening, does an embargo such as this prevent even that from taking place?

Good or bad, what the hell is everyone getting their panites in a bunch over? Everyone who complained of their childhood being gang-raped by George and Jar Jar, how much worse could this be? Are we talking worse that The Holiday Special?

I honestly don't care, it all seems pretty stupid, but really, this started as a site made by a guy who went and saw movies like everyone else. I don't even read the massively ahead of time reviews because i don't really want to know everything about a movie before i go in, i come out and talk about the movie after i have seen it. Point is you do seem very afraid of pissing these guys off (not that i really care) when really the advantage of a fan boy site this is not caring about pissing them off. what if there was an embargo on Godzilla images? would you post the image?

It's a courtesy to the reviewers so they don't have to rush and scribble out a half-assed review the day before a movie hits theaters (although it may end up being half-assed anyway).

When you go to these screenings you agree to the studio's rules. That's the agreement for the privilege and advantage of seeing it early - it provides more time to write a thorough and thoughtful review but you have to hold off publishing or airing it until the agreed upon time.

It's as simple as that. There is no grand conspiracy at play here. AICN is agreeing to play by the rules that were agreed upon. You simpletons who can't understand this need to fling yourselves under a speeding bus as soon as possible.

Hell if it was a Warner company drone then you may not agree with it but it avoids Lawsuits presumably.

Though if it was an empty threat with no specific sanction then why cave ?

If it was Lucasfilm though... that DOES reek and reek quite a bit.

I don't care how cool a visit to ILM and Skywalker Ranch is TBH. LucasWorship and doing his every bidding is not what I come to this site for.

I mean the WHOLE REASON AICN was so notorious was because Harry dared to take on the wrath of the Hollywood Suits and post many things which angered these same suits. Now, all Hollywood has to do is click its fingers and Harry complies.

In the words of the Joker: "I mean, what happened? Did your - did your balls drop off?"

Its the studios own damn fault for not making Harry sign a confidentiality agreement. What are they going to do if Harry keeps the review up? Not invite him to any screenings? Harry didn't give a rat's arse back then, why care now? It doesn't make any sense.

NOTE: I posted this on the "Free Speech" talkback, so I thought I'd post this on here too. Seemed relevant.

Embargoes? Really? Are you fucking kidding me? That's the best you could come up with? Are you telling me there were no EMBARGOES when Harry posted negative reviews of the Batman and Robin prescreening back in '97? Are you telling me Warner Bros didn't have an embargo policy back then?

You're right on one thing Mori. This isn't a conspiracy thing. Its fucking BULLSHIT.

chill, calm down, take a xanax or two or whatever the hell you Gen Y's do to stop from whinging like firefly lovers about getting cancelled and realise that there are huge companies with powerful lawyers out there. You want there to be no AICN? Gotta pick your battles wisely.

If you feel the need to explain decisions made on the site, talk like an adult to the adults that read here and let the screeching idiots rage themselves hoarse.

They only make you look bad if you rise to the bait.

They can't understand why the world won't kick off against Russia as they did with Iraq. I hate oversimplifying, but it really is a school playground situation. You tend not to pick fights with guys you don't think you can easily beat into submission, or if theres nothing in it for you at the end.

Ditto with Mugabe. He's on par with Hussein in terms of attrocity and all the U.N can do is tut with disapproval.

Back to Clone Wars, I agree that the whole 'oops two reviews posted then pulled, we teh forgot or weren't told about an embargo' is questionable, but to launch into tirades about the writers in wrong. Their site, their creative input = their call.

The world and his wife knows this will be disappointing and lacking at best. If people want to attack anything, attack Warners' (and other studios) fantastically cynical 'embargo the duds, turn to AICN to pimp the good' policy.

All of which is fine from a business perspective. It also shows AICN for what it really is.

Oh and for those that don't understand why they would show it a week early, please engage your brains - obviously not everyone in the screening was under the same embargo. Do you think they are going to hold individual screenings for each organisation, or screen it en masse to a wide range of people but give them different restrictions on when they can review?

it seems if any country needs "liberating" its the us.

If that is the case, then thats something else entirely which I would take issue with (as mentioned I respect the staff for respecting WB due to their position but thats their perogative. By locking out an audience by dictating what views can and cannot be discussed thats something else). If it isn't the case why haven't why seen a tonne of official reader reviews by now?

This looks dire. The Force Unleashed however looks like it may have good potential. Agree with the above comments about making a flick about that.

If that is the case, then thats something else entirely which I would take issue with (as mentioned I respect the staff for respecting WB due to their position but thats their perogative. By locking out an audience by dictating what views can and cannot be discussed thats something else). If it isn't the case why haven't why seen a tonne of official reader reviews by now?

This looks dire. The Force Unleashed however looks like it may have good potential. Agree with the above comments about making a flick about that.

You don't have the right to post here. You have the privilege. And since AICN is a privately owned website, that privilege can be revoked at any time.

The next time you walk into a bar, try calling the bartender a "hack" while questioning his personal/professional motives in front of the other patrons. Then try counting the number of seconds you last in that bar before you get your ass thrown out on the street.

Quote: "I'm not privleged to write here..."

Um, yes you are.

Quote: "...AICN is priviliged to have visitors."

I agree with this portion of your statement. Yes, AICN is privileged to have visitors. Just like any other business, it's the lifeblood of their income and purpose. But, that doesn't mean they can't refuse your business.

Quote: "...it won't break my heart to find out cool news from non-sellouts."

Somehow, I don't think that anyone will care.

And Richard Richard Mayhew's post is correct in his assessment of your "rights" here. You may need to familiarize yourself on owning and/or running a business and what it means to provide a public forum such as this.

Do you understand this distinction?

heheheheeheeee!!!

it has all the nonsensical ramblings about shit not even related to the movie we AICN TBer's have come to love.

of course it may be because I goof on Mori in it... he is a sensitive soul

that is all

As for Clone Wars, I don't give a rat's ass. We've seen Anakin's fall to evil and his redemption. The Star Wars story is over.

Yeaah, lol... Same thing fanbois say when their favorite movie is getting slammed up the ass. "Let's see if YOU can make a better movie! nyuk nyuk!"

Y'know, I'm not entirely unsympathetic to AICN here. I was once part of an online organization where we were the "outsiders" sticking it to "the man". Then eventually The Man realized if they couldn't beat us, convert us. That's what happens. Every single time.

oh...wait...

I mean, all these ethical and journalistic transgressions they ascribe to him seem very misguided to me. I never saw this as a proper journalistic site - how could anyone? It's a place you take with a grain of salt and as long as they are up front about it - and God knows Harry has been with his public requests for gifts and whatnot - I really don't care.

Actually more than that, I think Harry or whomever should do whatever they want, as long as there is no pretense that this is a formal, journalistic site. Which in general, I'd say there isn't. It's a fun, enthusiastic, sometimes informative, but most of the time community-driven place. For the most part I think AICN fills its singular role very well. Sure, there have been some iffy things, but most of them - like unexplained mass bannings *ahem* - are unfortunately a part of internet life. Doesn't excuse it but it's nothing unique to this site.

I believe I said this in one of the review TBs: it really says something about Harry & Co. that they allow so much of what goes on in Talkback to continue unabated. These boards are some of the least moderated forums I'm aware of on the web. AICN Talkbackers are often left to police their own here. Now, I've seen both Harry and Moriarty post fairly straightforward explanations for what criteria they use when deciding to bring down the Ban Hammer (threats, racism/sexism/bigotry, multi-post spam, overt and obvious trollishness, the posting of personal information, unwarranted personal attacks, etc.). But it's also obvious that they are not watching the TBs every minute of every day like some other moderated boards. Therefore, we have these instances where racial remarks and the like are left unaddressed. However, once the Mods have been made aware, they do sweep in and take care of business. And you're kidding yourself if you don't think they are within their rights to defend themselves or remove you for abusing their boards.

I'm not making any apologies for the site here. I think I'm being pretty dry about the reality here. I just think that in lieu of the recent ScriptGirl and Embargo! controversies, people have lost a little perspective about what they are (or aren't) entitled to here.

Cheers.

Nothing against his kids.

Of course, there will always be people who want to stir things up.

So if someone e-mailed an anonymous bad review to AICN from those screening would it be posted or not ?

And pardon me but wasn't Harry saying that he didn't KNOW there was an Embargo ? Sort of blows a hole in Mori's "when someone shows you something, they get to set the rules for when you can talk about it. Period." So did Warner or Lucasfilm change their mind days after the screening upon seeing the terrible reviews ?

Hey, I was actually becoming pretty bored with all this as at the heart of it is a film that looks like a turdfest but this isn't going to go away if the fancy footwork and condescending posts from on high keep continuing.

The site isn't going to shut down and the world isn't going to end because one crap Movie had some terrible reviews pulled at the insistance of the makers, lets at least be honest. It's curious but not earthshattering stuff.

It's probably the fact that it involves Lucas (like the Indy 4 Fiasco) keeping it on the boards and causing so much comment.

P.S. Why is the screensize expanded in this talkback ? Has someone posted some bizzarre consecutive series of characters or something ? It's pretty annoying.

If you make me a Mod, I promise you, my fellow Talkbackers, I will bust some heads.

I'm MNG and I approve this message.

We will be to these talkbacks what Russia was to Georgia in the past 5 days. We will lay waste to all enemies - guilty or innocent.

We will rape asses until the heavens cry.

Let the carnage begin. Please, Mori?

I see loads of new usernames here which makes me think that a lot of regs have registered new ones just to voice their opinions and are afraid of getting banned, which is unfortunate, but not unreasonable.

If there’s an embargo, fine. I can live with that. What gives me pause, however, is the way this issue is being handled.

Maybe I’m dense, but something just isn’t adding up. Others have pointed it out, but it bears repeating: Either there was an embargo or there wasn’t. If there was, then AICN either knew about the embargo before the screening or did not. If they didn’t, then the retraction makes sense. If they did, then it means they decided to deliver a “fuck you” to the studio by publishing the reviews anyway. Their removal would then indicate that AICN caved in during that particular chicken race. If there wasn’t an embargo, and the studio decided to punish AICN after the fact, then it stinks to high heaven. Mori’s post makes it sound like a cut and dried embargo deal, but Harry’s post alludes to shadier and perhaps less wholesome bargains being made.

People keep mentioning short term and long term gains. Well, it seems to me that the very fact that there’s an embargo means that the studio fears the potential of AICN readership. No matter how I do the math it seems that AICN is actually holding all the winning cards here. Sure, no more set visits or other perks – but for how long? How long can studios who cater to Geek Nation afford to piss its members off? Is it so far-fetched to think that the studios are hoping that the perceived image of a sell-out website will spread? The results of such an image, true or false, would arguably undermine the site’s legitimacy and its opinion-forming weight.

Like I said earlier, it’s not my website and I have no rights as a talkbacker, but I’d like to see this particular inconsistency addressed. I don’t care how ugly the truth might turn out to be, but at least get the story straight.

At times I still enjoy the odd review, but the heyday of AICN’s articles seems to be in the rear-view mirror most of the time these days, and are generally conversation starters for the real attraction and what makes AICN unique -- Talkback. Talkback is why I keep returning. Its combination of truly wonderful people, complete fruitcakes as well as wretched scum and villainy is the lifeblood of this site, and I love it dearly. I have a wife, a kid and a decent job but my day still doesn’t feel complete until I’ve checked in on AICN at least once (one of the perks of said job). Nothing would please me more than once again feeling the rush I used to feel all the time when I saw the headers on the front page, but I’ve resigned myself to merely being pleasantly surprised once in a while. As long as talkback, with all its rewards and frustrations, remains as vital as it is, I’ll keep coming back.

This whole thing just makes me sad, to be honest. I can’t shake the image of two violent beasts, Lucasfilm and AICN, clawing and biting each other, locked in mortal combat as they both plunge into a pit of integrity-searing lava together – co-dependents to the very end.

Say it ain’t so.

BSB 08!

There will be a place for everyone under my administration. And everyone gets laid.

Vote for MNG in '08!!!

Granted, tone on the internets is sometimes tough to read but Moriarty's posts have a burdened "oh-I have-to-EXPLAIN-this-shit-to-t hese turds?" vibe. Maybe it's just tiredness but it definitely at least has some crankiness to it. All I'm saying is - I'd expect a bit more patience and generosity of spirit. Maybe it's healthy though; he doesn't feel so superior that he can't get pissy like a TBer AT TBers ...

Damn I can't believe I'm going so in depth about such silliness, but one thing led to another.

I hope you won't mind the Flames On Box posting privilege though...

I'd also echo DocPazuzu's comments that not everyone hee thinks they have a god given right for explanations or justifications. But the fact that there are seems to be ruffled feathers behind the scenes and "miscommunications" aplenty speaks to this as quite a bit more than out of control hysteria and trolling from the usual talkback sources over a non-issue.

I also wonder about the public screenings that were mentioned.

Why none from AICN's team or indeed any AICN contact whatsoever has attended and e-mailed a review from a public screening seems a bit unusual too.

Again it's just odd not scandalous. but it's those kind of things that add fuel to the fire.

Still... there WILL be a huge amount of traffic on the site come Friday so if any staffmember has anything juicy about anything Moviewise, and he wants to get maximum exposure, my bet would be post on Friday.

Try the original (and even the current) Knights Of The Old Republic series, the Ostrander/Duursema Clone Wars series, the current Dark Times and Legacy series... c'mon, somebody make them!

MNG - Keeping it Nice in '08!

In modern Luciferianism, Lilith is considered a consort and/or an aspect of Lucifer and is identified with the figure of Babalon. She is said to come from the mud and dust, and is known as the Queen of the Sucubi. When she and Lucifer mate, they form an androgynous being called "Baphomet" or the "Goat of Mendes," also known in Luciferianism as the "God of Witches."

Mori himself said in an earlier response, that it is inarguable that he and AICN have changed in the 12 years he has been here. And that is only natural. Change is one of the immutable dynamics of the universe. So of course AICN has changed.

I am fairly new here, so my perspective is nowhere near as encompassing as yours or other long time members. But, is the change in AICN really for the worse, or is it merely a natural progression as the site has matured, and as other sites have cut into the pie that was one the exclusive province of AICN?

The talkbacks really do see to be the tail that is wagging the dog around here these days. But then again, we TB'ers have a very high opinion of ourselves!

The LIGHT Bearer!

Consider yourself warned!!!!

Only chance we will get anything better.

Well, they may be disputed by some talkbackers who have no honor. What they say is unimportant--we do not hear their words.

I am only troubled by the previous "campaign promise" which you failed to deliver: namely, specifically, the delivery of my very own 8. Yet, I have received nothing, not even a loaner 6 whilst awaiting the ever popular and probably backordered 8 model. This promise was made, as I recall, in late '06, or early '07.

"Deliver The 8 In 08, Deliver The 8 In 08"

If you need a Vice Moderator, I am willing to serve if called upon, but will not campaign for the post--no sir, not me, no campaigning.

No How.

No Way.

Never Happen.

Call Me [sits by phone]

I for one don't want to see Mori leave the TBs. Everyone is being pretty damn hypercritical.

About AICN, it´s my daily fix since the Batman & Robin fiasco, (sometimes great) free content since day one, and I just have one thing to say: Harry & company, keep the good work.

P.S. Harry, still waiting for the new Avatar exclusives, dude.

At least point out that tinyurls are the method to use and is NOT accepted practice to widen every talkback on the site with massive long urls. Please ?

However, I can completely understand your nostalgia for how the TBs were when it was more of an insular community, and I'm glad you guys kept that going. But you have to see that the balls to the wall anarchy that is the new TB is also sort of fun in its own way.

Having said that, the only thing really in our control is in what direction the TBs can go. That's sort of up to us.

And keep in mind, Harry did publish his review, if only for a little while.

And no I'm not yelling or being condescending. I just had to CAPS LOCK for EMPHASIS.