Let's begin.
Who am I?
The world has come to know me as Austen. I am three-fifths of the manliest duo to ever walk amongst the lands and societies of movie reviews. (The remaining portion would be that of my best friend, Jason.)
Not too long ago, Jason spoke to me regarding his thoughts of writing reviews. Quite some time ago, I would lazily write reviews and articles for a newspaper in a bluish haze, bleary-eyed from long hours in front of the computer.
Needless to say, I was up for this little idea of his.
So we began deliberating on what we would do. Seeing as how we both love movies, we came up with Janus Movie Reviews -- unfortunately, that name had been taken. After an other try, thusly was birthed under a bright star, Ampersand Movie Reviews.
What is A.M.R.?
In The Screenwriter's Bible, Dave Trottier writes:
This, I find, says it all.
Two best friends sit down (across the world though) to watch a movie. Then they give their honest opinion concerning the film. Two complete and reasonable opinions, mind you. We do not get paid to watch these movies. We pay to watch the movies. We find time throughout our busy lives, just like millions of others do, to spend two or so hours in front of theater or television screen absorbed in a world not our own. To say that our opinions already differ from that of paid movie critics, it is true, because we keep in mind if the movie is worth it a watch.
Not to be confused with the 79 Best Pictures project -- which is cool in its own right -- Jason and I have not limits to movies we will watch. The films don’t have to be an Oscar winner; they don’t have to have sold millions in the Box Office their first weekend. No, any movie shall work -- hoping it is a good movie. We are here to watch the world's movies.
Some people may say that this has been done before: two people watching films and critiquing them. But who hasn't been a critic? No one. If you've ever told a friend about a movie you love or hate, you're casting your opinion about the film. So, in one way, shape or form, everyone has been or is a critic.
There are plenty of movie review sites online, some by professionals and some by regular Joe Schmoes. There are television programs where professional critics berate or praise films. So, what makes our site so different?
Nothing.
But if you care to stop by, I then wish to thank you. I hope you enjoy your visit.
The Rules:
We’ve slated a few rules for us to follow.
Regarding our reviews, we will not be working together. Period. Seeing as how Jason and I live thousands of miles away, we won’t necessarily be watching the same movie at the exact same time. We won’t have any communication regarding our reviews before we post them. Only after we have posted our reviews will we talk about what our feelings were for the film.
Our only source of information regarding the films we watch will be that of IMDb. We are not to read any other reviews regarding the movies we watch prior to the screening.
Jason and I are big fans of not ruining movies for others, so a rule we plan on following religiously: no spoilers. So, take comfort in the knowledge that we won't try to ruin the experience for you.
That’s really about it.
If you made it this far, I thank you. Thank you for taking your time to stop by and read this little blurb I carefully inscribed via my computer.
If you see any movie you hate or love, feel free to share your opinion regarding it. I would love to hear from the populace of the world and see how you feel about the films we rate.
Your’s Ebulliently,
Austen.
The world has come to know me as Austen. I am three-fifths of the manliest duo to ever walk amongst the lands and societies of movie reviews. (The remaining portion would be that of my best friend, Jason.)
Not too long ago, Jason spoke to me regarding his thoughts of writing reviews. Quite some time ago, I would lazily write reviews and articles for a newspaper in a bluish haze, bleary-eyed from long hours in front of the computer.
Needless to say, I was up for this little idea of his.
So we began deliberating on what we would do. Seeing as how we both love movies, we came up with Janus Movie Reviews -- unfortunately, that name had been taken. After an other try, thusly was birthed under a bright star, Ampersand Movie Reviews.
What is A.M.R.?
In The Screenwriter's Bible, Dave Trottier writes:
"If there are two or more writers and they worked together and contributed equally, use an ampersand instead of the word and. For example:
'NAZIS IN SPACE'
By Bart Snuff & Buffy Bucksaw."
'NAZIS IN SPACE'
By Bart Snuff & Buffy Bucksaw."
This, I find, says it all.
Two best friends sit down (across the world though) to watch a movie. Then they give their honest opinion concerning the film. Two complete and reasonable opinions, mind you. We do not get paid to watch these movies. We pay to watch the movies. We find time throughout our busy lives, just like millions of others do, to spend two or so hours in front of theater or television screen absorbed in a world not our own. To say that our opinions already differ from that of paid movie critics, it is true, because we keep in mind if the movie is worth it a watch.
Not to be confused with the 79 Best Pictures project -- which is cool in its own right -- Jason and I have not limits to movies we will watch. The films don’t have to be an Oscar winner; they don’t have to have sold millions in the Box Office their first weekend. No, any movie shall work -- hoping it is a good movie. We are here to watch the world's movies.
Some people may say that this has been done before: two people watching films and critiquing them. But who hasn't been a critic? No one. If you've ever told a friend about a movie you love or hate, you're casting your opinion about the film. So, in one way, shape or form, everyone has been or is a critic.
There are plenty of movie review sites online, some by professionals and some by regular Joe Schmoes. There are television programs where professional critics berate or praise films. So, what makes our site so different?
Nothing.
But if you care to stop by, I then wish to thank you. I hope you enjoy your visit.
The Rules:
We’ve slated a few rules for us to follow.
Regarding our reviews, we will not be working together. Period. Seeing as how Jason and I live thousands of miles away, we won’t necessarily be watching the same movie at the exact same time. We won’t have any communication regarding our reviews before we post them. Only after we have posted our reviews will we talk about what our feelings were for the film.
Our only source of information regarding the films we watch will be that of IMDb. We are not to read any other reviews regarding the movies we watch prior to the screening.
Jason and I are big fans of not ruining movies for others, so a rule we plan on following religiously: no spoilers. So, take comfort in the knowledge that we won't try to ruin the experience for you.
That’s really about it.
* * * * *
If you made it this far, I thank you. Thank you for taking your time to stop by and read this little blurb I carefully inscribed via my computer.
If you see any movie you hate or love, feel free to share your opinion regarding it. I would love to hear from the populace of the world and see how you feel about the films we rate.
Your’s Ebulliently,
Austen.
Labels: Ampersand News, Introduction
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