Thoughts on Cinemassacre/AVGN?
- Thread starter jukeboxhero2396
- Start date
People did? Those people are really sad in that case.
Although not in the same universe as sad as people giving AVGN a hard time for not wanting to see a movie he didn't want to see. Since he doesn't review every movie. Only movies he's interested in.
The lack of ghostbusters review is pretty blatant and I like the amount of people on here of all people who don't get the reason why he didn't review it
Agreed, it was a trash movie. Anyone who had a problem with his non-review should feel awful and have apologized by now.
Faded into obscurity like so many other internet personalities. His old videos still hold up though. I go back and watch them occasionally.
Seems like a real damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't case for a lot of games in general, because if they did put out the review people would complain because the reviewer didn't actually finish the game. (Even then I rarely begrudge games reviewers their job because of how vast games, especially ones produced at the level Death Stranding is, have so much content that it's basically impossible to touch everything. Books can require more extensive time investments than podcasts, albums, films, tv miniseries, etc. but even then the reviewer usually won't go too in-depth on reviews of, say, individual citations.)
I only specifically watch the AVGN videos. I've been watching them forever. They aren't hilarious or anything but some are pretty good and I'm generally amused by them. I don't watch anything else on the channel. I used to like the Halloween stuff he did way back but not the new stuff with those random dudes.
Dude, I'm a fan of Transformers. I watched it when I was a kid and it means a lot to me. I've got basically everything on DVD/Bluray. I've gushed at length about the 1986 movie and Beast Wars and Transformers Prime. When the first Michael Bay movie came out, I was super-hyped and I paid to see it on it's opening weekend, and it was an absolutely miserable experience. Movies 2, 3, and 4... I saw those movies for free, out of morbid curiosity, and those were wasted hours of my life that I wish I had wasted on literally anything else (and yet, I continued to waste more hours on them). Some people have told me that Bayformers 1 was good, and that the 80's cartoon was bad, and therefore I have no sense of taste, or I'm blinded by nostalgia goggles, so I went on a rant once where I took a terribly-rated G1 episode and reviewed it quite harshly, but then I made a case for how Bayformers 1 was an entirely different level of bad.
By the fifth Bayformers movie, I had reached my breaking point. I refused to watch it. Not even for free. I had heard some people say that it was better than #4, but nope, I'm done. People who knew me might have expected that I would watch it, based on how attached I was to the franchise and how many other bad Transformers things I had made an exception for, but Bayformers 5 was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.
The new Bumblebee movie was great, BTW. It had a new director, I liked what I saw in the commercials, and people said good things about it. So I paid real money to go and watch it in the theater, and it was great. Best Transformers movie since 1986, and it blows all of the Bayformers movies out of the water (even though it clearly has ties to those pieces of garbage). I still have zero desire to go back and watch Bayformers 5.
Everyone has their own things that mean something to them. Everyone has their own breaking points. James put together a video explaining what Ghostbusters meant to him, and what he was expecting from a "Ghostbusters 3", and how the Ghostbusters reboot (on top of other Hollywood trends) pushed him past his breaking point... but you're choosing to ignore everything that he said in a lengthy video that explained his feelings, and build your own narrative about his feelings and motivations based on thin air and a groundless accusation of misogyny.
People are still ignoring the subtext of why (and also importantly, by who) Ghostbusters 2016 was maligned before it came out? Media for women (whether it be books, music, or film) always gets a lopsided amount of critical attention from nerds, and god forbid a film with women Ghostbusters comes out to intrude on that nerdy boys club sanctuary.
When he made that video nobody knew how the film would turn out. The alt right has made it another front in their culture war, and the stars were getting harassed for daring to star in the thing. And yet he still cast his weight in with that toxic nerddom with his announcement video.
The quality of the film is practically secondary. He’s not above reviewing other bad films or other bad Ghostbusters games. I don’t buy his reasoning that the franchise is too special to him, not when he made the decision to cast his lot in with alt right chuds. Not when he’s still friends with shitheads like Mike Matei.
When he made that video nobody knew how the film would turn out. The alt right has made it another front in their culture war, and the stars were getting harassed for daring to star in the thing. And yet he still cast his weight in with that toxic nerddom with his announcement video.
The quality of the film is practically secondary. He’s not above reviewing other bad films or other bad Ghostbusters games. I don’t buy his reasoning that the franchise is too special to him, not when he made the decision to cast his lot in with alt right chuds. Not when he’s still friends with shitheads like Mike Matei.
I've never been subscribed to him. But I've watched a lot of AVGN over the years (since like 2008) but I don't think I've ever actually laughed at any of his videos. I think the videos are interesting but I don't think they've ever been particularly hilarious. And they basically just seem the same as ever IMO. I've barely watched anything outside the AVGN videos tho.
His new AVGN videos get a million views within a day or so.
I enjoy James. I think he is a very good dude. I watch AVGN, Board James, and an occasional movie review.
Most of the other people on his channel, not so much. The bearded guy on the Rental Reviews isn't bad, but most of the others are either annoying and/or problematic. Everyone knows about Mike at this point. Although he did try to walk back his comics recently, the writing is on the wall with him. Not a fan at all. And it sucks about Bootsy. Hadn't known about the issues with Justin in this thread, and that's a bummer.
Most of the other people on his channel, not so much. The bearded guy on the Rental Reviews isn't bad, but most of the others are either annoying and/or problematic. Everyone knows about Mike at this point. Although he did try to walk back his comics recently, the writing is on the wall with him. Not a fan at all. And it sucks about Bootsy. Hadn't known about the issues with Justin in this thread, and that's a bummer.
All he said was he has no interest in a ghostbuster film that ignores 2 movies and 2 series this one at least for sure includes the movies. And lets not forget that his wife was called a golddigger for being with a guy that did not want to watch a movie.
On topic, He is still on my subscriptions but I have not watched his stuff since hearing about Mike.
Whatever. That movie was awful. I can totally see his point of view. I don't listen to new Pearl Jam albums either even though I loved them in middle school and I prefer to keep my memories fond. Doesn't feel like a real thing to be upset with him about. Honestly, you are not coming off well in this thread.
Why would the quality of the film be secondary? Am I supposed to go see every horrible Bayformers movie just because I liked the cartoon back in the day?
It’s basically a fallacy at this point. Like would it be better if he made a video about it tomorrow and shit on it?
I enjoy Cinemassacre and AVGN.
AVGN has been running a long time now, so it's probably had it's best days but still enjoy them.
I much more prefer their movie reviews these days, as James and friends like a lot of the same types of movies I enjoy, like low budget horror and monster movies.
AVGN has been running a long time now, so it's probably had it's best days but still enjoy them.
I much more prefer their movie reviews these days, as James and friends like a lot of the same types of movies I enjoy, like low budget horror and monster movies.
I watched him up until a year or so ago when I found out about Mike. I actually didn’t mind Mike and James Mondays as something to have on in the background until I found out about those comics and whatnot.
I even watched James after his dumb Ghostbusters video where he refuses to watch an unnecessary sequel despite seemingly watching tons of mediocre sequels to other beloved franchises.
I agree with those who say that he seems like an otherwise endearing guy who hangs out and excuses assholes, though.
I even watched James after his dumb Ghostbusters video where he refuses to watch an unnecessary sequel despite seemingly watching tons of mediocre sequels to other beloved franchises.
I agree with those who say that he seems like an otherwise endearing guy who hangs out and excuses assholes, though.
He still gets hundreds of thousands of views on each video drop -with 3M subscribers.
The quality is secondary because the film hadn’t even come out when he made it. And it’s not what alt-right chuds were really concerned about and it’s not why they raised the fuss they did, before or after the film came out. Not saying James is alt right, but it’s hard for me to not see how that video plays into their hands considering he made it when nerd bellyaching had hit fever pitch.
Bad and mediocre sequels and reboots come out all the time, and zeroing in on whether the film was actually good or not really distracts from why the alt-right brigaded that film the way they did. That’s the more important discussion to have versus whether Ghostbusters 2016 was any good or not.
If James had quietly skipped or not liked Ghostbusters 2016, that’s his business and that’s fine. I’m not about to defend the film. It’s the announcement video itself and the context with which it was released that’s the issue.
I like James and AVGN, but don't really bother with the other stuff. I don't think it's gotten too much worse since the movie, in fact I think the Earthbound video might be one of his best. Looking back the videos he's done with a positive bend to them are some of my favorites; it makes me wonder if he'd be better served looking at more flawed gems than out right trash.
The newest AVGN videos are hit or miss.
I’d watch the Rentals series but I can’t stand the other guys.
I’d watch the Rentals series but I can’t stand the other guys.
People who didn't accept his non-review certainly gave alt-right ammunition and did a lot more to help them than James did.
It was obvious this film was going to be poorly made and unfunny at the trailer.
I used to watch, but not anymore. No concrete reason why, I just haven't enjoyed the content.
I don't think he could have done anything with Ghostbusters 2016 that would have changed anyone's mind about him or his motivations. Making a video about not reviewing it was a good attempt at staying out of it. I'm sure toxic dudes wanted him to shit all over it and were denied. I'm also sure Ghostbuster 2016 fans would just shit on him more for his criticisms.
I don't think he could have done anything with Ghostbusters 2016 that would have changed anyone's mind about him or his motivations. Making a video about not reviewing it was a good attempt at staying out of it. I'm sure toxic dudes wanted him to shit all over it and were denied. I'm also sure Ghostbuster 2016 fans would just shit on him more for his criticisms.
Yeah but I mean, I pre-made the decision to not see plenty of things that seem like they're in my wheelhouse as a videogame nerd who grew was a kid in the 80s... Bayformers/TMNT movies, Adam Sandler's "Pixels" movie, the new DuckTales cartoon. I agree that the discussion on why the alt-right jumped on Ghostbusters 2016 is important and interesting, I just think it's unfair to lump James in with it, because I totally got where he was coming from.
I enjoy James and Mike Mondays and Rental and Retail Reviews. AVGN itself is hit or miss these days, IMO though.
You really think a vocal minority of leftists and progressives critiquing his video did more damage than a person like James Rolfe giving an alt-right hate campaign legitimacy and cover fire because of his profile? His video helped legitimize the argument that it was based on the apparent quality of the film and not because women started in it.
I added a little more after you replied. Yeah, I’m not begrudging anyone who decided to skip it or not see it, and I don’t think James was obligated to see it or even comment on it. I think the best thing he could’ve done is not issue an announcement video and let it blow over until the thing came out.
For video game themed stuff there are so many more (and better) options to watch these days, why would I waste my time on James and his racist friend?
I stopped watching James’ videos because of this, but then I saw that he collaborated with Arlo of all people on one his recent videos.
His Chex review was pretty good. The Spawn one wasn't bad.
I think he's talented but the humor isn't what it was and even when his production is ambitious, like that one NES review he did in what seems like a single long take, it feels like it's spinning its wheels a little. I don't really watch many of the videos anymore and when I do I'll rarely finish 'em. Rental Reviews is really meandering. The Monster Madness was fun tho - idk.
I think he's talented but the humor isn't what it was and even when his production is ambitious, like that one NES review he did in what seems like a single long take, it feels like it's spinning its wheels a little. I don't really watch many of the videos anymore and when I do I'll rarely finish 'em. Rental Reviews is really meandering. The Monster Madness was fun tho - idk.
I love James, he is talented and has a lot of passion for filmmaking and he obviously enjoys what he does, I cannot stand Mike though.
Absolutely. His video was harmless by itself pointing out how bad the movie looked and that he didn't want to see it. That vocal minority of idiots harassing an innocent person gave the alt-right an an easy target and fired them up.
The fact that James routinely reviews subpar, crappy films all the time like the Michael Bay Turtles film makes him look like a total hypocrite.
OP
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So you're like "He sees some bad movies, he must watch all bad movies!" That makes sense to you.
You can tell that James is a bit over the whole AVGN thing and likely wants to move on from that which is why he does other things now. But of course the AVGN persona pays the bills and he has a family. A few years ago he did a vid where it looked like he was going to walk away from it all but decided to stick with it and keep making the vids when he felt like doing them versus a must do them while being burnt mindset.
It's not hard to see who still holds a grudge about him taking his Ghostbuster 2016 stance.
It's not hard to see who still holds a grudge about him taking his Ghostbuster 2016 stance.
Surprised at how many people are giving him the benefit of the doubt considering the company that he keeps.
There was a point in time like 2 years ago where he was making Metal playlists. I really wish he would continue with those.
i enjoy the channel more than ever, it's in constant rotation at my house (not intentionally per se, i'm too lazy to disable autoplay on YT).
though Rental Reviews is like a poor man's Best of the Worst, some work to be done there but good enough for just wanting something to pass the time
though Rental Reviews is like a poor man's Best of the Worst, some work to be done there but good enough for just wanting something to pass the time
I still have respect for the guy but for me his channel outstayed its welcome. I have very little interest in his stuff anymore.
I love old AVGN but to me he's more or less been unable to do it well for a long time now. It just tries way too hard and he seems unable to even act the character well anymore. It's unfunny at this point, and it's not that the schtick is worn out but just that the writing and delivery is bad now.
The whole Mike Matei thing is a turn off and I find it annoying whenever YouTube people start inserting their little buddies they pal around with in all their videos. I was a fan of James, not them.
I believe I unsubbed a while back. I haven't watched his stuff for a while now. I'll still watch his old AVGN stuff though. I still find his old stuff hilarious. His review of TMNT3 still gets me every time.
I liked some moments from the Planet of the Apes AVGN but that's the only good one I can think of in the last few years. And even then it was a few small parts that made me laugh and that was it. He goes too far with the cheesy skits and it turns me off. I liked his old TCM and Halloween skits but that was it.
But yeah, I'm not into watching his friends pal around and leech clout off him. It's unbecoming in my eyes.
I love old AVGN but to me he's more or less been unable to do it well for a long time now. It just tries way too hard and he seems unable to even act the character well anymore. It's unfunny at this point, and it's not that the schtick is worn out but just that the writing and delivery is bad now.
The whole Mike Matei thing is a turn off and I find it annoying whenever YouTube people start inserting their little buddies they pal around with in all their videos. I was a fan of James, not them.
I believe I unsubbed a while back. I haven't watched his stuff for a while now. I'll still watch his old AVGN stuff though. I still find his old stuff hilarious. His review of TMNT3 still gets me every time.
I liked some moments from the Planet of the Apes AVGN but that's the only good one I can think of in the last few years. And even then it was a few small parts that made me laugh and that was it. He goes too far with the cheesy skits and it turns me off. I liked his old TCM and Halloween skits but that was it.
But yeah, I'm not into watching his friends pal around and leech clout off him. It's unbecoming in my eyes.
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