00Tim: 00tim Letterboxd Reviews pt 1

So there I was with my film-challenged friends sitting at Naughty Dog: a wonderful dining establishment here in Bloomington…

…as we eat I’m trying to explain to them the ratio in John Carpenter films between the number of antagonists & the film’s enjoyment factor.

Suddenly, one of them blurts out:

“So is Prince of Darkness good or not?”

“Good?!?" I think to myself. “What a callous way of saying: ‘I don’t care enough to share my enthusiasm; but I didn’t hate it’.’ ”

Frustrated, I spewed out a haiku-esque summary: “It’s a classic cult horror weaving science & evil with a quality 80’s retro feel smartly supported by Carpenter’s unique camera style.”…

There was a long hush... unpleasantly long.

What were they all staring at?!?

This wasn’t the kind of long hush that makes the speaker feel the listeners want more.

It was clear I’d discovered some kind of common ground between what my ADD friends wanted to hear & what my eloquent, inner Ebert wanted to express. Clearly, though, this 'common’ ground was favoring their side.

My friends.

Me.

From the ensuing conversation, an online blog somewhere of short, snappy movie reviews emerged. “Am I really so wordy?” was all I could think as they piled on suggestions.

I wasn’t that chatty… was I?

Probably should not have asked them.

They didn’t like my name Haiku Review, but no matter. It was a kinda fun idea having an online diary of movies I’d seen. I really do watch virtually any & everything – and so many movies aren’t worth remembering.

My friends found it convenient to get my bottom line summaries without all my additional "cinematic pontificating." (That's how they worded at any rate, only they didn't use the term 'cinematic' ... or 'pontificating' for that matter.)