Do you ever feel that your local or national film critic is talking down to you, a consumer of the Hollywood entertainment industry, the very person his or her article is supposed to be aimed at? I often feel movie critics don‘t have the same tastes as I do, and rarely appreciate the films I want to see. Is it wrong of me to want to be entertained for the money I am spending, whether in a movie theater or at the rental store?
Dramatic pictures, especially those low-budget indie films the Oscar voters crave, tend to receive all of the film critics’ attention and praise. Other movie categories, like romantic comedies, action films, and horror pictures, get either ridicule or begrudging approval. The Hollywood blockbusters people want to go see are ignored or treated with disdain by the “experts”, while a movie no more than a few thousand will ever see, gets the comprehensive treatment.
That is why I have begun writing film reviews, which can be found in The Maine Edge newspaper and at their website (www.themaineedge.com), and can also be read at my site, which was created with great assistance from my wife. My film reviews are meant to spark your interest, entertain you, and most importantly - help you find a film to watch that YOU would want to see. How much stuffy Oscar bait can people really watch, anyway?
At www.thereelguy.com, I will help you parse through the best and worst that Hollywood has to offer. I will also have articles for you to read about upcoming events and issues in film, and poll questions for you to give me your opinion about the movies. And you can always feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree with my reviews or want to share some particular insight into a current film. Movies are not just meant to be entertaining, but are windows to real human issues, that should be considered and discussed by everyone.
My favorite film critic, Roger Ebert, has been out of work lately, recovering from a major surgery and I want to keep the candle burning for the few populist film critics out there, who’s opinions aren’t so different from your own. I will update the site each week, so please join me and become a part of Maine’s (and the world’s) movie community. Because entertainment is supposed to be the primary reason why we watch movies. Thank you for your time.
Jeremiah 'The Reel Guy' Rancourt
E-mail: jandlrancourt@verizon.net