I've watched Mr. Plinkett's reviews of the Star Wars Prequels 3 times. Saw the movies once.

An obscure horror movie was recommended to me and I hunted it down to watch it - it was a great hidden gem for a horror fan like me. A few really effective scenes. I'm not a found footage maniac, but this movie did it well!

When I went online to look up people's reactions and reviews I found very few, but what struck me were the comments. On an indepth synopsis and review channel, so many people were happy to know about the movie, and everything that happened in it, and would never have to see it. I don't really care what other people watch or don't watch, but those comments made me disappointed that all those people were depriving themselves of seeing the actual movie and having the experience. Being told everything that happens is not the experience of seeing a good movie at all. Anything special, rewarding or satisfying about it will not exist just hearing someone explain the plot.

Even though I shook my head, I recognized the fact that I do the same thing a LOT. If there's something I actually want to see I either avoid reviews, or stick to non-spoiler reviews if anything.

For years now, I've devoured behind the scenes analysis and theorizing or rumors about movies and the movie industry from channels like Midnight's Edge and Overlord DvD. Likable, entertaining hosts with insight. To be fair, they are more focused on the behind the scenes machinations around genre/franchise entertainment.

The bizarre unfolding of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and everything around that has been more interesting to explore with the pundits I like than the actual movies have been. But even before that, with their dissection of the Fantastic Four and Ghostbusters debacles made me a Midnight's Edge acolyte.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrd6VtgWF7CwaZH1S0N-Qg

“Everything Wrong with (blank)” by Cinema-whatever is horrendous. But I did play an hour-long analysis that agreed with my assessment of that YouTube channel and explained why it sucked. That was good. In my defense, I WAS cleaning the house while listening. So, you know. I'm not ALWAYS in the chair.

It's actually more and more rare that there's any movie I really want to see. I watch far more reviews than actual movies these days. Not sure why that is. This habit seems to be widespread from what I can tell.

I've even watched quite a few “reaction” videos (though only for shows I actually like and have seen). I never would have had interest in that a few years ago.

One time I watched some guy's reaction video to a “bad parking job” YouTube clip. Not sure how that happened.

Is it just a time saver? Is it because I can do other things while listening to a review, while watching a good movie requires actual attention to appreciate? Is this tendency a bad sign for our culture in some way? Is this tendency harming us in some way?

I spent some time devouring political and media analysis too. Maybe I'll talk about that next time.

Meanwhile, look me up online to see my reactions to tweets about the comments on unboxing videos.

Have a good one,

-Banes