Since switching the comment system from one where you need to register to comment to the more traditional and online friendly version I use now there has not only been a VAST increase in comments, but also an increase in mudslinging in my direction. For the most part it's not that much of a problem. I know taste in film differs for everyone, even folks who tend to agree on most every film will always have those films that separate them. It's the wonder of the art form and it's what makes sites like RopeofSilicon.com and all the other movie websites you visit possible. Arguing film has gone on for ages and it will continue to go on long after we're all gone. That said, the mudslinging and overly negative comments have me baffled. They are comments without anything to add to the argument and simply a means to spew vitriol. Why has the Internet spawned so much hatred?

I have had the same arguments posed in so many of my editorials and reviews with the myriad of people I discuss movies with in real conversation and I have not once been called a pussy, or an idiot, or any of the other names so frequently used when someone disagrees with an opinion of mine. The anonymity of the Internet has allowed for people to attack without consequence. As a result I am left with the option of ignoring the comment or deleting it as replying would be of little use, since my reply would either be met with the same ignorance or never received as so often many people leave hateful comments only to never return.

A while back I asked a couple of local Seattle publicists as well as national studio publicists a few questions regarding the state of online movie reporting and where they got the majority of their information. When asked whether or not online movie websites have hurt or helped the world of movies one publicist told me, "I think they have definitely lowered the standards of movie reporting as well as news because anyone can have a site and a blog." That's definitely true, look at me for example. I didn't go to film school and while I have a print/broadcast journalism degree I still have plenty to learn about movies.

Another publicist took a completely different stance telling me, "I think they have helped. I think the internet is a great forum for fans to share info and enthusiasm, as well as disappointment. I think the online communities are a great outlet for fans to share their movie-going experiences." Interesting the distance between the two answers eh?

How about this evaluation of movie sites, "Majority of sites are not impressive. Majority of sites are gossip columns not true movie critiques and reporting." The person that told me this also said they get the majority of their movie related news from the newspaper and when asked what kind of an impact they believed movie sites had on the film industry they said, "I don't think they have any impact."

So here's the battle I face. On one end I have people that would much rather take a hatchet to my skull because I didn't love a movie as much as them and on the other end I fight a battle of making sure I remain credible under the watchful eyes of the publicists. Of course, my only request of publicists – for the most part – is tey tell me when they are screening movies and that's about it, but nonetheless I don't want to be looked at in comparison to a gossip column. Yikes!

I have written an article along these lines a number of times, but never published it because it never quite felt right, but a comment on my Gran Torino review showed me there are people that understand it is possible to disagree on movies and yet share a common bond in the desire to discuss them. The comment from Allan went as follows:

Brad:
I have enjoyed visiting your website during the past few weeks. I must say, however, that I disagree with most of your top 10 picks from 2003 through to 2008. It seems we only agree on about 2 or 3 films each year.

I also disagree with your C+ rating for Gran Torino. While not at the level of Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, or Letters from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino is a good flick with a fine performance by Clint Eastwood. Like Roger Ebert, and several other top critics, I would rate it a little shy of four stars. For a letter grade, I would give it a B+.

Critics and movie lovers are all entitled to their opinions, and I will continue to visit your site regularly to read your reviews.

Allan agrees with me only 20-30% of the time and disagreed with my opinion of Gran Torino. Yet, he didn't feel the need to call me names and most importantly says, "Critics and movie lovers are all entitled to their opinions." The question I run into is in wondering where I draw the line.

Just yesterday, on my list of Top Ten Movies someone commented saying The Dark Knight should have been my number one film of 2008 because it was better than Vicky Cristina Barcelona, although they did add the one good thing about VCB was that "Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson [were] HOT" in the movie. Is this a comment I should just delete outright or is this person's opinion adding to the conversation?

I like to have fun and rattle a few cages here and there – my recent Street Fighter vs. Dragonball article is a perfect example – but one thing I will never do is assume everyone should have the same opinion as mine. I will go on giving my opinion and more importantly asking for you to add yours. Despite some of the publicist quotes above, I personally think online movie sites are the future of film criticism and over the past couple of months I have enjoyed the increase in comments and hope 2009 continues to bring in more diverse opinions. After all, in my experience one's opinion on movies is never final.

Related post categories: Editorials : Gran Torino, The Dark Knight, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

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