Insanity Ramblings
As back story, check this out.
And then read this:
Hey Jim,
According to my admittedly hasty count going back as far as 2006, I've got 110 different theatrical reviews up. There is a reason I bring this up. Maybe it's my vanity or my overwhelming inability to keep my mouth shut when I should, but I think that number gives me some sort of consideration when it comes to calling movies.
Also according to my count, before my first review (Inside Man), there was a single theatrical review on the site. Now maybe there were more and they were wiped clean a year or two back; I don't know. The point is from the first regular review I did (Mission Impossible 3), no one has said boo to me. Not you, not Henning, not John. When appropriate, we've done double reviews: The Golden Compass and Superman Returns (with John), W. (with Chris)...and those are only the ones off the top of my head. I've heard it mentioned in passing Henning would prefer not to have those in favor of two different reviews. I can understand that.
In the past, when Will or Chris or John have been able to get to a screening, they know to e-mail me and let me know. Not to get my approval, but just as a heads up. Now, with you acting as a clearing house for these types of things, no one has any idea what anyone else is doing. Or at least that's my perception of it. More often than not, I don't get to choose what movie we'll be seeing until Thursday morning and it's only after talking to Jim and my movie buddy.
Above that, plans tend to change. I had wanted to see Milk last weekend and even found a theater playing it in the area. But by the time Saturday rolled around, I quite honestly didn't feel like driving at least 30 minutes to the theater. So I opted for Four Christmases instead. I've become accustomed to that kind of flexibility in the schedule because that's the way it has always been. (Which isn't to say things can not and should not change, by the way.)
If you want to be "master control" for these types of things, that's fine by me. I would humbly suggest a calendar everyone can access is the best way of achieving this goal. Or even a dedicated thread in the message board. I'm sure a google calendar we can all log into via the feedback e-mail would work just as well, provided everyone updates it.
As I said before, I have no interest in competing with someone else over who gets to review what movie. It didn't make any sense to me when you sent out the original e-mail and it doesn't make any sense to me now. Therefore, I've come to a solution for me: I will continue to go to press screenings when I am able to for review. As soon as the information comes in, I will let you know and RSVP. Otherwise, I am off theatrical reviews. If Chris wants them, fine by me. Same goes for Will or John or anyone else. If no one reviews anything, fine by me too.
Jim, this may sound as if I'm not getting my way, grabbing my toys and leaving the playground. And this just be my vanity coming into play. I do not want to be theatrical editor or anything along those lines; this is not a power grab or a "blackmail" or anything like that. I would also hope you know I'm not being vindictive or trying to cause a problem.
This hasn't been sent yet and I am looking for constructive criticism.
And then read this:
Hey Jim,
According to my admittedly hasty count going back as far as 2006, I've got 110 different theatrical reviews up. There is a reason I bring this up. Maybe it's my vanity or my overwhelming inability to keep my mouth shut when I should, but I think that number gives me some sort of consideration when it comes to calling movies.
Also according to my count, before my first review (Inside Man), there was a single theatrical review on the site. Now maybe there were more and they were wiped clean a year or two back; I don't know. The point is from the first regular review I did (Mission Impossible 3), no one has said boo to me. Not you, not Henning, not John. When appropriate, we've done double reviews: The Golden Compass and Superman Returns (with John), W. (with Chris)...and those are only the ones off the top of my head. I've heard it mentioned in passing Henning would prefer not to have those in favor of two different reviews. I can understand that.
In the past, when Will or Chris or John have been able to get to a screening, they know to e-mail me and let me know. Not to get my approval, but just as a heads up. Now, with you acting as a clearing house for these types of things, no one has any idea what anyone else is doing. Or at least that's my perception of it. More often than not, I don't get to choose what movie we'll be seeing until Thursday morning and it's only after talking to Jim and my movie buddy.
Above that, plans tend to change. I had wanted to see Milk last weekend and even found a theater playing it in the area. But by the time Saturday rolled around, I quite honestly didn't feel like driving at least 30 minutes to the theater. So I opted for Four Christmases instead. I've become accustomed to that kind of flexibility in the schedule because that's the way it has always been. (Which isn't to say things can not and should not change, by the way.)
If you want to be "master control" for these types of things, that's fine by me. I would humbly suggest a calendar everyone can access is the best way of achieving this goal. Or even a dedicated thread in the message board. I'm sure a google calendar we can all log into via the feedback e-mail would work just as well, provided everyone updates it.
As I said before, I have no interest in competing with someone else over who gets to review what movie. It didn't make any sense to me when you sent out the original e-mail and it doesn't make any sense to me now. Therefore, I've come to a solution for me: I will continue to go to press screenings when I am able to for review. As soon as the information comes in, I will let you know and RSVP. Otherwise, I am off theatrical reviews. If Chris wants them, fine by me. Same goes for Will or John or anyone else. If no one reviews anything, fine by me too.
Jim, this may sound as if I'm not getting my way, grabbing my toys and leaving the playground. And this just be my vanity coming into play. I do not want to be theatrical editor or anything along those lines; this is not a power grab or a "blackmail" or anything like that. I would also hope you know I'm not being vindictive or trying to cause a problem.
This hasn't been sent yet and I am looking for constructive criticism.