Movie Review Websites

Because every review needs to be reviewed, right?

This hub is dedicated to pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of some of the most popular movie review websites on the web. Hopefully, this hub will also provide you with enough information to help you choose a movie review website that best suits your movie-going needs. Sounds a bit like a pill, doesn't it?

Despite how we may deny it, we as movie-goers do pay attention to the critics. If we didn't, they wouldn't have a job. Sometimes, we might be on the fence about whether or not to see a movie and want that added push in one direction or another. Other times, we just want to find someone to agree with us (and often get angry when they don't).

So what makes a good review? What makes one person love one movie review site and the other hate it? Here's a list of things that keep us coming back for more or running away like mad.

• Pretentious Reviews - Let's face it: sometimes we like movies that we're well aware aren't going to be nominated for an Oscar. Does that makes us ignorant? Unlovable? Smelly? There's nothing worse than a film reviewer who won't admit to liking a few bad movies. We all have them. I refuse to give up my love for "Independence Day" despite the fact that I know it's probably a horrible film by most people's standards. Readers want to read reviews that are honest above all. If it stinks, it stinks, but if it was sorta fun, give us a break and let us know. Life is too short to be serious all the time.
• Variety - While genre reviewers are good for those who are fans of a specific genre, it's good to have a site that reviews all genres of films and leaves none left out. What if you're in the mood for a sci-fi film this week and a romantic comedy the next? It's good to know that you can depend on a reviewer to give all genres a chance.
• Spoilers - This is a biggie. Does the reviewer give away key plot elements and, worst of all, the ending? Nothing is worse than beginning to read a review only to realize that the reviewer has sucked all the fun out of the movie by revealing all the movie has to offer. While some like to be spoiled, many choose to remain spoiler-free, so choosing a reviewer who respects their readers enough to leave a bit of mystery for the reader's viewing is key.
• Readability - Are the reviews fun to read? It may seem a ridiculous favor to ask, but there are so many good reviewers out there that it's crazy to read a boring review. Whether it's funny you're looking for or a plain spoken, down-to-earth review you're looking for, there are plenty out there.
• Track Record - Despite the fact that it's unethical, there are still some reviewers who can be bought. Do you see a reviewer who is constantly giving good reviews to films you know don't always deserve it? It may seem in contrast with the pretentious bit on this list, but there has to be a balance. Otherwise, it just smells fishy.

Above all, keep in mind that you don't always have to agree with a critic in order to be a fan of their work. Not everyone will always agree. I've been a fan of Ebert's for years, but we don't always agree and that's okay.

Rotten Tomatoes has become one of the most well known and most utilized movie review websites since its conception.

Combining reviews from print and web film critics, visitors can easily assess a film's popularity with the critics with Rotten Tomatoes' handy "Critics Tomatometer." Tallying the scores from each critic, the film receives either a "fresh" or "rotten" score. Under Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, the site offers an assessment of the film being reviewed in a one phrase consensus that loosely sums up the feel for all the combined reviews.

For example, for the film "Dan in Real Life," the consensus is, "Fine performances elevate it beyond its sentimental plot." Combined with the film's fresh rating of 61%, film goers can glean from the site that, if they aren't in it for the performances, they might be disappointed.

Rotten Tomatoes also offers a users' rating system that allows movie-goers to weigh in with votes and comments as well as a forum for more in-depth movie conversations. Overall, Rotten Tomatoes provides one of the most concise ways to judge a film according to various film critics' reviews.

Entertainment Weekly provides the best of the print magazine's film reviews - mostly courtesy of Owen Gleiberman and Lisa Schwarzbaum, who have been providing Entertainment Weekly with film reviews for quite some time. Owen and Lisa's reviews are (normally) witty, to the point and their likes and dislikes are usually hard to pinpoint, making them an intriguing read.

Of course, when they dislike a film - they really dislike it - much to the dismay of some hard-boiled movie fans. But, for the most part, EW.com provides movie-goers with a straight-forward assessment of the movie you're about to pay (or not) to see.

imdb.com's reviews are user-generated and while sometimes these reviews provide more depth and emotion than those of "official" critics, it also means that you can run into a lot of "iffy" reviews. However, sometimes, the reviews for the film can be better than the film itself. If you don't believe me, just look up the reviews for the horror flick, "Cabin Fever."

The true highlight of Internet Movie Database is that you can usually find a review for just about any film - no matter how obscure. And while you'll probably get a good idea of what to expect when you rent that obscure horror film from 1983, chances are some of the reviews will also leave you howling with laughter. Did I mention the reviews for "Cabin Fever?"

Aint It Cool News provides both movie news (and sometimes rumors) and reviews of movies that usually tend to be fanboy fodder. As such, AICN and its reviewers (mainly Harry Knowles, the creator of the site) have been frequently accused of being too soft on some movies. Just as well, they're such a force with internet film fans that they can't be ignored.

While many of AICN's reviews are fun to read, they are sometimes guilty of going off topic and providing information not only about the film, but sometimes the drive to the theatre and the texture of the popcorn.

However, AICN also has the added benefit of not taking itself too seriously. A trait which many movie-goers looking for a good review find refreshing.

The Flick Filosopher is Mary Ann Johanson, a film buff who began her own blog in order to review the latest films in theatres. The blog took off and now Mary has quickly become one of the most trusted names in internet film reviews.

A self described Gen X-er, Mary provides a somewhat geeky and fresh look at the films she reviews. While you might not always agree with her, her unique take on films is usually both entertaining and humorous and does what it sets out to do: gives you an honest opinion of the film she's reviewing.

Mary also reviews recent DVD releases and frequently provides trivia games for her readers. Being that her reviews are in blog form, the site and reviews give it a more personal feel and, at the least, give Mary something that other reviewers lack: a feeling that you're not only reading review, but in some odd way, discussing the film with her.

There's also the added benefit of Mary's wide gamut of film taste. You can't really accuse her of being a film snob because she's just as likely to enjoy the latest Spider-Man film as she is the latest Scorcese film. Overall, Mary's reviews are a fun read and easily digestible when you decide you want a little bit more than the Tomatometer reading.

Mr. Cranky's reviews are just that: cranky. If it sucks, they're going to tell you in no uncertain terms that it was god awful and they'd rather had a railroad spike driven through the skull than to ever have to sit through the film again.

Reviews are submitted by a number of different reviewers and usually added on Friday, "when (they) feel up to it." When reviewing a film, the reviewers say it quite unlike many reviewers. For instance, for the much reviled teen comedy, "She's All That," the reviewer states that it's "like emotional farting." You can't get much more descriptive than that, folks.

Mr. Cranky isn't for the film-goer expecting to read about the beauty of the cinematography or how he movie went just a little bit overboard on the exposition. However, if you're looking for a review that will tell you exactly how bad that new Eddie Murphy movie stinks, this site will let you know how it smelt and if you'll survive the fumes.