Some of the reviews

[-jonny-]

Most of his reviews are fine. But the following reviews by Greg Maltz are a disgrace really:

Black Book, The Departed, Groundhog Day, I've Loved You So Long, JFK, L.A. Confidential and Natural Born Killers

Something ought to be done about them.

[Sussudio]

why? they're *his* reviews and *his* opinions. not everyone is expected to agree with all the reviews on here. instead of complaining and criticizing, why not take an active role in the problem you're having and write your own user reviews for these movies to give a different opinion? calling someone's work that is performed for US--the readers--a disgrace is just tasteless and immature.

svet has stated this before and i'm using it because i think it is a great quote: a review isn't necessarily great because it gives a movie high marks. it is great when the reviewer is able to make an argument and support/defend it successfully, whether that be for a high or low rated movie. imo, greg has done an exceptional job of this

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Most of his reviews are fine. But the following reviews by Greg Maltz are a disgrace really:

Black Book, The Departed, Groundhog Day, I've Loved You So Long, JFK, L.A. Confidential and Natural Born Killers

Something ought to be done about them.

Why what's wrong with them...

[Johnny Vinyl]

While I didn't agree with every review Greg wrote, or any other reviewer here for that matter, they are writing "their" viewpoint and it is only there for us to read. To call one's review or viewpoint a disgrace is juvenile at best.

If you disagree that much, write your own user review.

John

[Slec]

another one of these.....

It's ok to disagree with reviewers. If you already feel one way about a movie, then you shouldn't even bother with what their rating is. To wit, isn't the commentary of WHY they liked or disliked it far more informative than a ratio?

There are people out there who hate movies you love. You probably hate movies that others love. A reviewer is a person who can intelligently discuss why they did or did not enjoy a movie. Critics never agree on the merit of movies, just like the fans.

I'm tired of all the hyperbole thrown out on this site, calling his reviews a disgrace is inflammatory and wrong. You don't have to agree, but you shouldn't cast stones.

[-jonny-]

Okay, maybe "disgrace" is too strong a word. But 4 of those movies are masterpieces, and the other 3 are universally considered damn good movies. This is not the type of site you go to to read the thoughts of a critic you are familiar with and want to know their opinions on new releases. This site is for a far more general audience. Therefore the reviews of the movies themselves (if included at all) should be done by people who represent the average, intelligent movie fan, more than anything else.

Let me point out that the other reviewers are all doing a sterling job. But Greg's views on certain wonderful movies are in the extreme minority, and that doesn't serve the site well.

No offence to him - I'm sure he's a lovely intelligent guy - but I am happy to see that he hasn't been reviewing anything recently.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Okay, maybe "disgrace" is too strong a word. But 4 of those movies are masterpieces, and the other 3 are universally considered damn good movies. This is not the type of site you go to to read the thoughts of a critic you are familiar with and want to know their opinions on new releases. This site is for a far more general audience. Therefore the reviews of the movies themselves (if included at all) should be done by people who represent the average, intelligent movie fan, more than anything else.

this site may exist for a broad audience, but that does mean the reviewers need to be drones who simply cater to the majority or the "intelligent" movie fan as you put it, however that would be defined . reviewers should not adjust their scores simply because you or others are displeased. they write based on their own thoughts of the movie. whether they like a movie or not isn't necessarily the point...it's how well they are able to support their conclusions that should matter more than anything. you have the ability to take away from the reviews what you want, so don't blame the reviewers for writing what you don't want to hear

[Blu-Raider]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Most of his reviews are fine. But the following reviews by Greg Maltz are a disgrace really

Reviews are OPINIONS. If you don't like the review, post your own!

Something "ought to be done" about posts like this.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Most of his reviews are fine. But the following reviews by Greg Maltz are a disgrace really:

Black Book, The Departed, Groundhog Day, I've Loved You So Long, JFK, L.A. Confidential and Natural Born Killers

Something ought to be done about them.

Good afternoon,

I see that your thoughts have already been addressed and I could not agree any more with what Andrew and the rest of the guys have said - the reviewers should not feel pressured to please the majority of the readers on this site.

Thank you for posting

Pro-B

[-jonny-]

Well, checking the forums out a bit more I see I'm obviously not the only one to think this, as it appears he doesn't review anymore, and some of his reviews have even been replaced. Good to hear.

[Batman1980]

You're actually GLAD a reviewer quit doing reviews just because you don't agree with him? I just don't know what to say to that other than you need to not take things so seriously.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Well, checking the forums out a bit more I see I'm obviously not the only one to think this, as it appears he doesn't review anymore, and some of his reviews have even been replaced. Good to hear.

they haven't been replaced (link) so maybe you should check the forum some more

and of course not everyone on here will agree with all the reviews. it's just sad that sometimes when people don't agree, they have to go make a thread about it and complain instead of handling it maturely and understanding that the world is made up of a wide variety of people with all different types of perspectives and mindsets. personally, i'd prefer to read a review where the reviewer doesn't just tell me what i want to hear and instead exposes me to ideas and opinions i've never thought of before, even if i disagree with them.

i've never understood this...if you (in the general sense) know a movie is a must own or already think it is great, are people (again, in the general sense) really insecure to the point that they need a reviewer to tell them what they want to hear? or if you've never seen a movie and think the review on here might not be something you agree with, get a 2nd/3rd/4th opinion...it's not hard to do

[jw]

I am glad I watch movies for what they are, Entertainment! I dont rely on others opinions to sway my decision for a purchase, however others do. I use most of the reviews here for PQ/AQ grades.Its like a Playboy , and who wants to read the articles anyways?

[Slec]

While some of the movies mentioned are good, I certainly don't feel they are classics. Doesn't meant one of us is right while the other is wrong

Svet... Maybe it's time for a sticky in this section called "so you didn't like a review"

[DetroitSportsFan]

Here we go again.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Most of his reviews are fine. But the following reviews by Greg Maltz are a disgrace really:

Black Book, The Departed, Groundhog Day, I've Loved You So Long, JFK, L.A. Confidential and Natural Born Killers

Something ought to be done about them.

Something was done and I am no longer reviewing BDs for this website. But over the past couple years I did contribute more than 100 reviews here and I'd bet you agree with 90% or more of them. To stir up the pot over this small handful of titles is silly. I do stand by my opinion of each of them and would be happy to discuss my rationale if you want to have an intelligent discussion. But I get the feeling you don't.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by -jonny-

Okay, maybe "disgrace" is too strong a word. But 4 of those movies are masterpieces, and the other 3 are universally considered damn good movies. .

What is "The Departed" because I think it's an abortion.... and no where near as good as the original.....

Two of the titles are by a director who is very polarizing....

And Black Book and I've Loved you So Long aren't poorly done, but they're certainly not masterful dramas such as Last Year at Marienbad, or L'enfants for instance......

Groundhog day is funny.... I love it.... but it's certainly not a cinematic classic, so I think I have one of your "Universally considered damn good" movies figured out..... but I'm curious where these others fall.....

I guess your "4" and "3" system didn't clarify it enough for me.

L.A. Confidential is alright.....

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Slec

Svet... Maybe it's time for a sticky in this section called "so you didn't like a review"

As cliche as it may sound, I believe in freedom of speech.

If members of our community disagree with our reviews, they should be able to open up a thread and tell us why. Just as those who agree with our reviews should be able to do the same.

Typically, feedback, whether negative or positive, helps writers get better. I personally welcome constructive criticism. So, as long as these discussions remain civil and we all act as mature individuals, I welcome them.

This being said Slec, I am really not in a position to address what you have requested.

Pro-B

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Typically, feedback, whether negative or positive, helps writers get better. I personally welcome constructive criticism. So, as long as these discussions remain civil and we all act as mature individuals, I welcome them.

i completely agree with this; however (and unfortunately), most of the time these threads are not about constructive criticism. a lot of the time, they are are about complaints because members are displeased that some of their favorite movies weren't rated high enough. in this case, when members choose to use words such as "disgrace" or take direct stabs at former reviewers because they are no longer employed here, i feel the constructiveness has been lost and all that's left is inappropriate criticism. just my .02

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

As cliche as it may sound, I believe in freedom of speech.

If members of our community disagree with our reviews, they should be able to open up a thread and tell us why. Just as those who agree with our reviews should be able to do the same.

Typically, feedback, whether negative or positive, helps writers get better. I personally welcome constructive criticism. So, as long as these discussions remain civil and we all act as mature individuals, I welcome them.

This being said Slec, I am really not in a position to address what you have requested.

Pro-B

For what it's worth, I love your reviews, and find that they fill me with anticipation to see the film, or renew my love for a film I've seen several times.

I also always found Greg's reviews very detailed, and well construed. Sometimes he has a different take on a film than me... but that only provides me with a desire to view the film with a different set of eyes next time.