What happened to Harry Knowles? - Page 5  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

Apple butter and Hazmat suits. Greedo in a tuxedo. Beach towels made of bubblegum. Tina Turner on Spotify. Hercules in a boating accident. Pepperoni pizzas. A very small whale. 

 

Comb-overs on the Cliffs of Dover.

You don't mean to be cruel? You read what you wrote, right?

Plus, you'd think you'd have a soft spot for people who are difficult to read.

Anyway, thought Knowles' last piece was pretty stellar.

But, Matchstick, he looks icky!

Quote:

Originally Posted by yt 

Harry is a sweet person.  He's passionate and genuine about his love for movies, and that's why he started the site and continues the site.  I agree with Martin Blank--it takes stones to put yourself through rehab after so many years of near paralysis.  I read his twitter and I'm amazed -- I don't know if I would have the strength to do what he's doing if I were in his shoes. 

I agree.  I love how the Internet tough guys bash on Harry.  An Pysch Analysis of Harry Knowles, seriously?  Did his instructor at PC Pro School just laugh at him when he was supposed to turn in a report on Microsoft Excel? 

Harry is a pure fanboy... he likes what he likes... makes no bones about it.  If you have to resort to ripping on his weight, or how he looks, fuck off.  Don't read him.  I don't find his reviews interesting, in the way a review by Ebert is, but I do find them fun.  The guy has been through hell and back, and still has a smile, and is kind to every movie lover out there.  Unlike other movie site runners, who like to devolve into personal insults.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roboTimKelly 

Was this actually published or is this just something you just floated on a message board?

Message board. Also, fuck Knowles, as he is a greedy fat fucking child.

With all sincerity to my legit buddies on this board - tend the garden, lads. The broken windows theory is real.

There's nothing more incredible than folks on the 'net telling someone else how much of a fucking loser they are...on the 'net. Glass houses, etc. I'm sure everyone that hates Harry is a professional writer and body builder but I doubt they love movies as much as he does. I've always felt about Harry the same way I did Devin. They're both good at what they do but it doesn't mean I'd want to have a drink with them.

Phil, you're a gentleman and a scholar.

I'd have a drink with Harry, he comes off as that goofy friend everyone had in High School. 

I look at many posts on AICN, that rip on Harry about every little thing.  From his weight, looks, even to his wife (not cool bra!), but he keeps on coming back.  He doesn't ban those people, and he doesn't even engage them with a insult,... I have a feeling he just laughs it off.  So to that, I'd buy him a drink...

Ass Master, welcome to the ignore list.

My issues with Knowles stem from his lack of journalistic integrity, and his success built off his corruption. His corpulent form factor is just an easy target for my ire

or it's just sour grapes.  How can you begrudge a guy for getting perks?  Do you go to your doctor, and tell him you don't respect him because he pushes certain prescriptions due to the "perks" that drug company gives him? 

Might be wrong, but I don't think Harry has EVER told someone to take his site seriously.  Just look at the interface... it's purely there for entertainment.  You either like his long winded reviews that are more about him and his family, or you don't.  You can't comment on the integrity of his site, when there really isn't supposed to be integrity there to begin with. 

He should have a disclaimer *for entertainment purposes only

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil 

With all sincerity to my legit buddies on this board - tend the garden, lads. The broken windows theory is real.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGhost 

There's nothing more incredible than folks on the 'net telling someone else how much of a fucking loser they are...on the 'net. Glass houses, etc. I'm sure everyone that hates Harry is a professional writer and body builder but I doubt they love movies as much as he does. I've always felt about Harry the same way I did Devin. They're both good at what they do but it doesn't mean I'd want to have a drink with them.

 

Phil, you're a gentleman and a scholar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

I'd have a drink with Harry, he comes off as that goofy friend everyone had in High School. 

I look at many posts on AICN, that rip on Harry about every little thing.  From his weight, looks, even to his wife (not cool bra!), but he keeps on coming back.  He doesn't ban those people, and he doesn't even engage them with a insult,... I have a feeling he just laughs it off.  So to that, I'd buy him a drink...

Worth repeating. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

or it's just sour grapes.  How can you begrudge a guy for getting perks?  Do you go to your doctor, and tell him you don't respect him because he pushes certain prescriptions due to the "perks" that drug company gives him? 

 

Might be wrong, but I don't think Harry has EVER told someone to take his site seriously.  Just look at the interface... it's purely there for entertainment.  You either like his long winded reviews that are more about him and his family, or you don't.  You can't comment on the integrity of his site, when there really isn't supposed to be integrity there to begin with. 

 

He should have a disclaimer *for entertainment purposes only

The history of plant reviews, "prwesents", ETC, is simply unacceptable. I am interested in movie journalism, and he's made clear his opinions are for sale

It's a news site. It's right there in the URL

Entertainment News.  So, you don't like the "plant" reviews, well, reviews in general, are not news.  I don't think his being "bought out" effects any of the news on the website.  And if you go there for serious reviews, you need to look at yourself,  because Harry's reviews are strictly for entertainment value. 

It's a fanboy website, for fanboys... not to be taken seriously.

The Onion must be a news site, it's right there on their header.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

Entertainment News.  So, you don't like the "plant" reviews, well, reviews in general, are not news.  I don't think his being "bought out" effects any of the news on the website.  And if you go there for serious reviews, you need to look at yourself,  because Harry's reviews are strictly for entertainment value. 

 

It's a fanboy website, for fanboys... not to be taken seriously.

 

The Onion must be a news site, it's right there on their header.

There is a long and well documented history of AICN slanting news and reviews. I've stated my opinion

Kate, no offense, but your "standards" make you seem a lot more important as a human being than you really are. Take it down a notch, like the rest of us humans.

Knowles has always been garbage, but it's irrelevant. Why should anyone be invested in how he's made his living? He's pushing stupidity, not hate. And anyone going to AICN looking for unslanted, unbiased 'journalism' is just as dumb as the reviews Knowles writes.

Garbage?  Why?  Because he talks to Stallone, and gushes over his childhood of growing up with hippies and watching Super 8 films?  The guys is the most harmless dude out there, the fascination people have in tearing apart a guy they don't know, is borderline pathetic.  Don't like him, don't read him.. simple as that. 

Look man, if I take my basketball game to the park and I'm chucking up bricks the whole time, people aren't going to say "let's just not watch him shoot the ball", they're going to say "he's garbage." 

Knowles, at least as far his public presentation goes, is a writer. And he's a really, really bad writer. That doesn't mean I'm tearing him apart, it means I'm literate. My advice was also to just not read him, because it's harmless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe T 

Kate, no offense, but your "standards" make you seem a lot more important as a human being than you really are. Take it down a notch, like the rest of us humans.

My mother was a journalist and so I was raised to care about such things. It's what brought me to CHUD in the first place, CHUD sourced stories and treated movie news with a sense of professionalism

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhukov 

Knowles has always been garbage, but it's irrelevant. Why should anyone be invested in how he's made his living? He's pushing stupidity, not hate. And anyone going to AICN looking for unslanted, unbiased 'journalism' is just as dumb as the reviews Knowles writes.

That is why I have not been to AICN more than a handful of times since 2004. Until a thread like this pops up, I don't spend any time thinking about him

But if 100,000 people came and watched you throw up bricks... would you stop?  If you were getting the likes of Kobe Bryant inviting you to Laker games, would you stop tossing up bricks?  Dislike the guys writing all you want, but you can not deny his influence on the culture that is Internet movie websites.

I get it, he's an easy target.  He's even been parodied on The Simpsons.  But give the guy credit, he's not a cynical asshole like so many "lesser known" Harry Knowles out there.  I guess I rather look at the positives in what he's done, then just tear him apart like the countless jealous, Internet haters out there.   I love how people rip on his writing, but yet, can't do what he does. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

But if 100,000 people came and watched you throw up bricks... would you stop?  If you were getting the likes of Kobe Bryant inviting you to Laker games, would you stop tossing up bricks?  Dislike the guys writing all you want, but you can not deny his influence on the culture that is Internet movie websites.

 

I don't deny his influence. I recognize it and am revolted

if AICN "revolts" you... I don't know... I mean, seriously?  A website, made by a fanboy, REVOLTS you... that's pretty strong. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

if AICN "revolts" you... I don't know... I mean, seriously?  A website, made by a fanboy, REVOLTS you... that's pretty strong. 

You disagree. OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dickson 

I gotta admit, I read his BNAT review and was genuinely happy for him to hear he's lost over 100 pounds.  The guy might lack technique and polish, but he makes up for it in love and enthusiasm, and if his physical condition is as bleak as it sounds, I can forgive the guy his occasional excesses.  It's the only release he seems to have.

I enjoyed reading his personal progress bit at the start of it more than the actual BNAT review itself.  Generally his "I watched this WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL" or "I haven't seen this movie yet because I WAS HALF-DEAD AT THE TIME" routine gets on my nerves, as he tosses it into almost everything he writes now, but it was well written and justified this time 'round.  It's nice to see that he is making some progress and is enthusiastic about continuing to do so.  He seems proud of what he's accomplished so far on that front and he should be.

PK, I think the point is that you're hammering epithets at someone who isn't here to defend himself.  It's a mean, bullying thing to do. 

Having been online back when Harry, Nick, Patrick at Coming Attractions and Garth at Dark Horizons first started their sites, there wasn't any money in it.  There wasn't any glory.  The studios didn't know them from Adam.  There was no payoff.  They did it because they loved movies and wanted to connect to other people who loved movies, and each did it in a different way that reflected their personalities and interests.  I had and continue to have a lot of respect for what they did, particularly how they gave a face and a voice to people the studios never heard from, non-corporate, non-focus grouped to death movie geeks. 

Once you create something like that maybe you'll have ground to stand on.  But if you're going to just hate on Harry constantly around here, you're going to get it right back from people who love and/or appreciate him and his site. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by yt 

PK, I think the point is that you're hammering epithets at someone who isn't here to defend himself.  It's a mean, bullying thing to do. 

 

Having been online back when Harry, Nick, Patrick at Coming Attractions and Garth at Dark Horizons first started their sites, there wasn't any money in it.  There wasn't any glory.  The studios didn't know them from Adam.  There was no payoff.  They did it because they loved movies and wanted to connect to other people who loved movies, and each did it in a different way that reflected their personalities and interests.  I had and continue to have a lot of respect for what they did, particularly how they gave a face and a voice to people the studios never heard from, non-corporate, non-focus grouped to death movie geeks. 

 

Once you create something like that maybe you'll have ground to stand on.  But if you're going to just hate on Harry constantly around here, you're going to get it right back from people who love and/or appreciate him and his site. 

This guy is rich and famous. I'm bullying him? I'm criticizing a public figure, a journalist. Not a small child
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

I don't mean to be cruel, but Harry's grotesque physical presence tells me all I need to know about him as a human. It's like Pearl from BLADE started a movie site. Oh, and I can't for the life of me get through one of his 'editorials', they're full of sentences that make no sense. It's extremely difficult to read his writing

 

Combine that with his reputation as a bought and paid for studio shill, and it's no wonder AICN is one of my least favorite places online

How is that, criticizing?

"You, your grotesque physical appearance and your website, REVOLT ME."  Structured criticism if I ever heard it 

my problem, with anyone going after Harry, is how it ALWAYS turns into his body.  Like somehow, that matters at all to any of us.  A simple "I don't like the talkback section, and the articles are too self serving for my taste... that is why I don't like AICN" is a fine argument, one I would have trouble arguing against.  But when it turns into mindless hate speech... "writ ting a pysch analysis... fat slob... grotesque appearance".. that's where I draw the line.  Not liking a guy is fine, not liking a website is fine... but when you start hitting low blows, not cool. 

Course Correction needed:

He is not actually a "journalist."

he is not one... and I really would have a hard time beleiving he would seriously consider himself one.  He's a guy, who loves films, started a website... and it went from there.   Call him a sellout... whatever, but much like George Lucas who is a sellout in many regards, you can not take away when he did in the past, and what they are now doesn't take away from that.

If AICN had anywhere near the kind of influence it once had, I could see getting in a knot about him.  But gone are the days when an unfavorable spy report on AICN could send studios scrambling for damage control.  Harry's pretty much a relic now, but you know what?  He hasn't changed.  He's still the same guy, even if his "glory days" are sort of over.

That "he's not a journalist" bullshit doesn't fly with me. He's the owner of a site that reports on and reviews movies. What bothers me is when someone lies to me like, say, giving a good review to a movie because he got free trips, screenings of swag. And it's not just AICN that does this as CHUD, and certain people who write/wrote for this site, act like whores if the price is right. I can forgive Knowles' horrible writing style, the annoying and endless shit about his disgusting existence as a fucking nauseating tub of lard blah blah blah etc...But I don't like being lied to.

The word is "integrity" and I guess it's hard to expect that from someone who is a craven fat piece of shit.

Meltdown.

never used that FLAG option until Tax Master showed up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tax Master 

That "he's not a journalist" bullshit doesn't fly with me. He's the owner of a site that reports on and reviews movies. What bothers me is when someone lies to me like, say, giving a good review to a movie because he got free trips, screenings of swag. And it's not just AICN that does this as CHUD, and certain people who write/wrote for this site, act like whores if the price is right. I can forgive Knowles' horrible writing style, the annoying and endless shit about his disgusting existence as a fucking nauseating tub of lard blah blah blah etc...But I don't like being lied to.

 

The word is "integrity" and I guess it's hard to expect that from someone who is a craven fat piece of shit.

Funniest post of the year.

Apologies for being behind the times as I haven't been on the boards as much lately, but are Tax Master and Princess Kate an item? If not, they ought to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

There is a long and well documented history of AICN slanting news and reviews. I've stated my opinion

 

All movie-news sites, even my little one, slant news and reviews. That's why it's called commentary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfit 

Apologies for being behind the times as I haven't been on the boards as much lately, but are Tax Master and Princess Kate an item? If not, they ought to be.

It'd probably result in something like this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfit 

Apologies for being behind the times as I haven't been on the boards as much lately, but are Tax Master and Princess Kate an item? If not, they ought to be.

FUCK HARRY KNOWLES!!!!

Loving this demand for strict Journalistic integrity when reporting on movies.

If Robert Downey Jr. ate a cream puff on the set of Sherlock Holmes 2, you damn well better not refer to it as  a "Hostess Ding-Dong" YOU GODDAMN SHILLS!

Normally I don't have a problem with opinion sites.  However, in the case of AICN, back in the early aughts Harry was pretty easily bought.  And again, I don't care that much, but then studios started putting AICN's pull-quotes on posters and dvd cases and it bothered me since he was, then anyway, a real shill. Are there bigger deceptions perpetrated by Hollywood?  Sure.  But that doesn't make it any less annoying/troubling.

The thing with Knowles is, he's pretty open about it. The guy brags about the free crap that Studios give him, and publicly pouts when they don't send it. So I'd say this is a case of truth in advertising and enjoy or not enjoy AICN for what it is.

What's wrong in asking for integrity when writing about movies?

aicn is such a hodgepodge.....Harry is either a cheerleader or a shill, credible arguments can be made for both.

Neil Cumpston's LOTR review is classic, and the others were not too bad either....though it did seem to be Oswalt's riff on JeffK from Something Awful.

I cant wade through the bullshit on that site anymore, the talkbacks, the shills, the hideous layout......the fact that if I admit to someone I read and respond to an internet movie site, I am mortified that they may think I am a talkbacker.

The fact that AICN thrives while Chud struggles is one of those things that can depress the shit out of me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard 

What's wrong in asking for integrity when writing about movies?

Nothing at all. I'm saying Knowles doesn't go out there and beat his breast about how objective he is. He admits he loves movies and loves getting swag and access to movie stars. There is no hypocrisy. In fact I'd say that Knowles does display a form of integrity, in that he lets you know his agenda (if getting free T Shirts and shit can be deemed an agenda).

That is why i never read his reviews.

So.......

Harry Knowles and Matthew Lilard had a rivalry? What's that about? :D

I cant say I have much of a negative opinion of Knowles anymore, but if he has one thing going on for him, is that he certainly has thick skin and isnt bothered or annoyed by the massive amounts of trolls, cunts and douchebags in the talkbacks; he's harmless and provides a niche for an audience, and that's that.

I guess he's some bizarro Devin, in that i dont care/value his critical opinion, but I respect/enjoy his more affable and easygoing online/forum persona.

I like Harry, and I enjoy his writing. He has his faults, to be sure, but I like his enthusiasm and affability. I understand how his mashed up sentences and poor grammar put off a lot of people, but it's never bothered me. His writing has a lot of personality and passion; it's entertaining, and for me his wonky sentences are part of the charm. 

​

AICN is lacking in a number of ways, no doubt, but that's why it's cool there are other movie sites on the internet.

​

"Giggle".  Are you serious?  It's like a man-child.

I can appreciate to a degree Harry's interesting upbringing exposing him to a multitude of media.  However going to a strip club with "Uncle Bob" who apparently had a full Godzilla costume isn't necessary for me to read about.  The authorities perhaps, but me?  NO.

"I didn't receive this disc yet", said whilst pouting.  Get over it, you receive more free shit than anyone else.

And as someone else mentioned, the "I did or dodn't watch this because I was near death" shite is old.  Make a separate post pandering in regards to your "recovery".  That way I can determine if I want to click on it or not.

My favorite from this week: "I have an original release Italian 3-sheet on this title that is amongst my favorite posters I own… I write most nights these days in GODZILLA feet slippers – and yes, there’s a strong likelihood that I’ll be penning a Godzilla limited series for IDW after I get past the first quarter of this year."

OK, one of these statements is a cool aside (poster) and one is slightly topical but a bit odd to me (slippers), thinking of Harry's ginger fur covered grape stompers makes me retch.  But OH YES, I WILL BE...I'm sorry but who was asking this question?  Anyone?  Anyone at all?  Nope, just more shameless delusions of grandeur.

Also in this weeks DVD "review" for 50/50, the review itself isn't even 50/50.  Most of it is ALL about Harry's medical "recovery" (fuckin hell, what's he going to write about after he's recovered?) including his constipation.  Thanks.

OMG, I forgot the other offramp to insanity.  Yoko loves, Yoko didn't love, oh cripes, who give a shit?

Lastly, I can do without the homoerotic, perverse phrasing of reviews.  Something along the lines of "this movie tickled my ginger balls and fucked my eyeballs so bad I had a brain orgasm and jizzed all over my screen.  Giggle".  Fucking gross.

Harry sucks,  Rant over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopTop 

Harry sucks,  Rant over.

So, like, don't read him and stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rain Dog 

So, like, don't read him and stuff.

So, like if you didn't like my post and stuff, don't like respond and stuff.  Seriously, I really appreciate your obviously well thought out advice.  Why post at all?  Congrats, you have added absolutely nothing (again) by espousing the same tired "don't read it" advice that is not only thrown about ad nauseum on the internet but even within this thread.

Yes, thank you Rain Dog, I've been feeling obligated to read every word Harry Knowles writes without being well aware of my perogative to not do so.  My, how can I thank you for reminding me?

I enjoy Harry's write ups (for the most part) on films he showcases in his BNAT or QT FESTs.  I do think, as the reader, I have a right to opine as to whether or not when reading about a DVD, I want to read about Harry's nighttime footwear choice, pandering for "pwesents", giggles, or sexual perverse phrasing about a movie he has watched, or blathering about his "recovering" from obesity.

As I've tried in vain to explain to you before, this is a forum.  A forum where opinions are stated, deal with it.  I'm well aware of what I have to option to read or not, thanks.