For me, there are very few examples of entertainment which I find completely useless. More so I find my enjoyment of a movie, TV show or song just has to find the right mood and temperament to be enjoyed. There is certainly no shortage of "junk" floating around in the entertainosphere, but for the most part if you are in the right mindset all works have their place.
For a basis moving forward, let's take a look at a few example to understand what I mean.
For a basis moving forward, let's take a look at a few example to understand what I mean.
These are the two confusing aspects to understand my methodology of reviewing songs, movies and shows. Other factors I consider:The Shawshank Redemption: A movie which can fit almost any mood. It is the great equalizer. I know I am not alone, but whenever this movie comes on I will find myself at least watching a few minutes. Something has to be added to this, however. While most of my guy friends feel similarly to me on Shawshank, fewer females are on board. Yes, it is a great movie which everyone can enjoy, it just seems to trend more towards the male audience. This is why I tend to give movies a "gender". This does not simply mean male/female. Movies, as well as TV shows and music, can be couples (He's Not That Into You, How I Met Your Mother, the Swell Season), old men (The Bucket List, Biography, Bruce Springstein), old women (any Meryl Streep movie, The Mentalist, Michael Buble), tweens (High School Musical, Glee, Miley Cyrus), etc.
A Beautiful Mind: Another great movie which I try to watch whenever it comes on. The difference here is the mindset for full enjoyment. No explosions, no terrorists, no crazy plot twists, just a great screenplay and wonderful acting. A Beautiful Mind is not what you want to see in front of you after a long Saturday night has bled into Sunday morning. To match this, I like to group all entertainment by mood as well. This could be lazy (Jersey Shore), sad (Ray LaMontagne), angry (Die Hard 7: Attack of the Clones), excited (Passion Pit) , happy (Happy Feet). All I know is I tend to enjoy some forms of entertainment more under a certain mood.
- Re-watch/listen factor (made famous by Bill Simmons, among others) which is simply a measure as to the staying factor of a piece. Is it enjoyable the second, third, fourth times through?
- Time Limit which factors in the amount of times you will look at your watch wondering when it will end or if you are left wanting more
- Twitter Pitch: my take on how this movie/show/album was pitched at a production meeting. 140 characters or less! (Example: Despite not having seen the movie yet, here is what Hot Tub Time Machine might look - "Let's take B-level TV guys, add 80s star, accidentally travel back to the 80s, hilarity ensues! Oh, and it'll be raunchy, gotta be raunchy" or "It's just like the Hangover! In the 1980's! With an even zanier premise! What's not to like!!")
- Do NOT Watch/Listen When...: This is the absolute worst time to experience the media. (Example: Do NOT Watch Top Chef with an empty stomach and an empty kitchen.)
I am no expert on anything. My views on entertainment mean nothing. I might as well be yelling these thoughts on the street corner (or better, wearing a sandwich board with crazy things written on it. Less work if you don't actually have to yell, let those around you do the work by reading!). All I am trying to do is take a look at things I read, watch, listen to, experience and potentially give one other person a reason (or reason not to) intake a certain piece of media. There are too many wonderful review sites for me to consider writing epic, artistic reviews (my favorites: RottenTomatoes, AllMusic Guide, MetaCritic). Just stop by here every once in a while, check out the reviews, tell me I'm wrong, stick around and read some of the more intellectually stimulating stuff, and subscribe to the RSS.
Is that so much to ask?
Probably...
GRM for RAL
