A Conversation for Film Reviews as Approved Guide Entries

Why he asked...

Post 1

Jimi X

The reason I asked was that I'm reviewing three entries and didn't want to hurt feelings by saying two of the three were decent reviews, while the third was a real stinker. Looking at Zach's unofficial guidelines, only one of the reviews fits the bill...
This said, I'm going to be even more anal and say that a review should work without having seen the film!
Having two small children (4 and 4 months), I don't get out to a lot of movies and the ones I do see are generally kid-oreinted. smiley - sadface
I would rather see something like (U37819) Fenny is doing....A compilation of "cult classics." If we do compilations with examples of specific movies (action, melodrama, sci-fi thriller, and then, if needed, spin off specific movie reviews to illustrate the point, I think we're doing a better job of building the Guide.

I agree that reviewing every movie ever made would be a pointless waste. So on these grounds, I'm inclined to reject ANY movie review unless it links back to a page explaining the particular genre to which this film belongs.

Yet, I'd like to see specific restaurant reviews in the Guide and not just Sushi joints. So the above argument for movies wouldn't apply! What's a newbie Sub to do??

I'd really like to get some feedback from TPTB on this one as I'm really oscillating wildly on whether to accept or reject. One of my former editors once told me that if you're in doubt - reject. But I personally never liked this philosophy.


Why he asked...

Post 2

Zach Garland

I'm beginning to try to vacillate towards the opposite: If in doubt, accept. It's hard though. I generally only accept 30% of what's left on my desk right now, but so much of what's being sent in is clearly written without understanding what it is an approved guide entry is supposed to entail. Be it about movies or anything.

As for rejecting movie reviews as per my guidelines, whoa there horsie. These are my opinions mostly. I'm waiting for the other Subs to look them over and offer advice on changes and stuff. So far I've heard bupkus.

Peta has spoken about this off-forum. I'm asking her to come in here and give her two cents. You might want to listen to what she said before rejecting those movie reviews.

I for one would like to see more movie guide entries, but I don't think we should accept a lot of reviews like the Blade one. An approved guide entry about a film should say more about a film than whether or not the field researcher liked it.


Why he asked...

Post 3

Spartus

For corroborative purposes, my accept/reject rate is about the same as Zach's, maybe even as low as 25%. I haven't had time to read the stuff you've written, Zach, but once I do, I'll try to come up with a whole host of commentary and drivel and stuff. smiley - smiley


Why he asked...

Post 4

Jimi X

I heard from Peta too and like a good soldier, I'm going to follow her advice...
Not having seen any of the films I currently have reviews for (I think) gives me a better position for editing the review as they must tell me about the film for me to accurately judge the review.

As for the rest, I'm here and I think this is working....

As long as everybody knows where we're at! smiley - winkeye


Why he asked...

Post 5

Ginger The Feisty

I saw what Peta had to say earlier and I think she is right. Any review should be acceptable if it is well-written. And that goes not just for movies but books, restaurants, plays and even TV shows. <y only problem with these things is that they are often out of date by the time we get to review them but of course, if we keep working hard, that'll all change smiley - smiley


Why he asked...

Post 6

The Ghost Of TV's Frink

Up at the top, Jimi mentioned Fenchurch's Cult Classic project, and I think it is a great idea (as are most of the other cooperative articles on h2g2). I wrote a bit on the Kids in the Hall movie that she included, but I decided to submit a longer review on my own:

http://www.h2g2.com/p124156

I'm not sure it passes your guidelines Zach, but it probably comes close. And yes, I realize your opinions on the subject are only opinions at this point, but they are well thought out. If nothing else it is a great place to start.......

Ginger, you forgot music reviews. Oh, I just happened to submit a music review about The Suede Chain, a band that almost NO ONE has heard of. I'll be very interested to see if it makes the grade:

http://www.h2g2.com/p185951

Music reviews could get really silly - anyone's garage band can make a CD these days. As far as TV shows go, I had an article about a puppet show accepted, so you won't hear me complaining......

-TVF, Self-Appointed Director of Self-Promotion


Why he asked...

Post 7

Zach Garland

Well I don't personally see a problem with taking a garage band and doing a piece on them for h2g2. One of the three general categories I listed for movies was "Little Knowns" and you could probably use a similar list for music. Any album or CD that is 1) A great classic that has withstood the test of time, 2) just a rocking piece of wonderful music that others should be exposed to, or 3) a little known work from a little known band which others might feel is a rocking piece of wonderful music if only the band had the wherewithal to afford a media blitz, should in my opinion have it's h2g2 day in the sun.


Why he asked...

Post 8

The Ghost Of TV's Frink

Good point.....the band doesn't have to be good to do a well-written article about them - they just have to be interesting.


Why he asked...

Post 9

Peta


Mark and I had a conversation about this. The Guide is about life, the universe and *everything* - so that includes film reviews. So accept them if they are of a good enough standard.

You are right that it should work as a piece - even if you haven't seen the film. Blade for instance probably shouldn't have made it in on that basis, so shoot that Sub-editor smiley - winkeye

Hope that helps - if there is a thread going over here that you want my/Mark input email the thread to me and I will come over.

I will try and read these threads just because I want to - but can't *hang out* here if you know what I mean - so whistle - okay?


Why he asked...

Post 10

Jimi X

Roger wilco! smiley - winkeye


Key: Complain about this post

More Conversations for Film Reviews as Approved Guide Entries

Write an Entry

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."

Write an entry
Read more