Frequently Asked Questions
(or in the case of this web site, occasionally
asked questions, since the hit count is somewhere between my shoe size and the number of
people that liked "The Avengers")
Q: So who is this MovieWatch guy, and what makes him such an expert?
A: I am just a movie fan, certainly not an expert, but over the years I found that my
opinion was sought out by friends and family because I see quite a few movies and usually
on opening weekend.
Q: Why do you give away plot points in your mini-reviews?
A: I rarely read reviews before I see a movie, and I also try to avoid movie ads and
trailers. I love to see a movie "cold". I do like to check the star
ratings by reviewers (especially Ebert) to help me to decide if I should see it. But I
like to read reviews after I see a movie, so I guess I assume others do the same.
Q: Who is "Roger" and does he know that you mention him frequently in your
movie comments?
A: Roger Ebert, my favorite movie reviewer. I really enjoy reading an Ebert
review, not only does he have keen insight into the world of film, but he is an excellent
writer. I also tend to agree with his assessment. Although we have never
formally met, he did sit next to me at a screening of "Reefer Madness" at an Old
Town theater in Chicago in the early 70's. I never did find his review of that film,
I was curious to see if he mentioned the cloud of "sympathetic" smoke that
filled the theater that day.
Q: What is the "scale" of the points that you assign to a movie?
A: 3 stars or above is a movie I recommend. Above and below 3 stars is just a
subjective assessment of how much I liked or didn't like it (not to be confused
with "how good" the movie is.)
Q: How do you have time to see over one hundred movies a year?
A: no kids
Q: How could you possible put "What Dreams May Come" in your 1998 Top Ten
list?
A: Just my opinion, worth no more than yours.