I'm Better Than Ebert

I am a movie fan. I admit it. I love movies, especially old ones. With a DVD collection of over 4,000+ movies, I have earned the title MovieDiva. When I find a movie I like (which is often), I learn everything I can about the cast and crew, where and how the movie was created. I enjoy the idea of cinema.

I know that movie critics are in the business of making money from reviews, but they are just as fallible as any of us amateur media critics. We know what we like and why. No one can tell me why I shouldn't like the Dune movies when I feel I'm living in a parallel universe everytime I watch. (I have all four versions of the movie.) Once I took Japanese lessons so I could know the dialogue was correct in Shogun. I had a friend from Nepal verify the dialogue from Golden Child. In both instances, the dialogue was correct. I have been known to research the theme of a movie or tv series. The Tudors (Showtime) has been incredibly accurate based on history. A regular critique wouldn't go through the trouble. Their focus is on cinematography and directors. Most people aren't interested in that information. What they want to know is whether or not is a good movie, why they should or shouldn't go to it or rent the DVD.

When I go to Blockbuster, the staff asks my opinion of a movie. They keep a list of what I've seen and what I can tell you beyond the cover. If I've read the book (assuming there is one) I also compare to see how accurate the screenplay is. So far my opinions have been on point. I come home to messages to call Blockbuster about any movie, any genre. It's assumed that if a movie was made before 2008, I know about it. Though I think that sometimes BB overvalues my opinion but that's just me. I know, unlike the Eberts of the world, that a movie is funny or sad or weird just based on who is in it. Thus my obsession with Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr.

I'm not afraid to cry, to laugh out loud, to feel the movie. Sometimes it's about the soundtrack. My taste movies and soundtracks are eclectic. I can't say that I love or hate anything based on what someone else thinks. We all are critics. We all have discriminating taste. I'm better than Roger Ebert because I can keep my critique on the movie and not on my personal tastes.