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Post by Duragizer on Apr 16, 2020 19:45:11 GMT -5
If we’re going to speaks truths about Star Wars .... the Clone Wars series is the best movie/serieswith Star Wars attached to the title. There. I said it. Probably. Palpatine & Yoda with lightsabers still suck regardless.
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Apr 16, 2020 19:54:47 GMT -5
While I would not fully disagree with you about Empire (RotJ is my favorite OT) that I like the OT more I can’t deny the amazing job Clone Wars did telling a story that Lucas himself couldn’t manage in the PT. The only SW games I’ve played were the two Force Unleashed. And that was purely for the game play. The story was almost non-existent. Ironically, the gameplay in KOTOR has aged pretty poorly and would likely not be fun to someone for the first time in 2020, which is a shame because man what a story. I actually think we own it on OG Xbox. Was it from that Gen of consoles. But yeah I’d agree that era is a tough cookie to go back to unless the game was exceptional. Like Halo CE. And even then it’s still aged.
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Post by Icctrombone on Apr 19, 2020 17:17:08 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not.
There I said it.
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 19, 2020 21:53:03 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. While I am super-guilty of that, I find that it helps to know the basic plot to discuss the highs and lows; but, I probably go way too far. That said, I try to filter commentary within and poke fun at the silly stuff. I get into details when I talk about things; I could never be a writer/editor. I once sent in a rebuttal to a letter-to-the-editor that criticized Calvin & Hobbes for messing with the "occult" (playing with a Ouija Board), but had to edit it down twice, before they would run it. I tend to write stream-of-consciousness, which makes synopses a lot longer than necessary. I probably write more of a commentary track than a review. I had to do a 10-page research paper for a 20th Century American History class, in college and chose to do comic books, illustrating how trends within them reflected the society of the time (we could do sports or pop culture, so long as we tied it into history) and had the worst time editing it down to 10 pages. That's barely a foreword for an industry that was 50 years old (at that point) and had such dramatic change, just in the previous 5 years, let alone wartime, the 50s, the Silver Age, etc.
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Post by Icctrombone on Apr 19, 2020 22:19:01 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. While I am super-guilty of that, I find that it helps to know the basic plot to discuss the highs and lows; but, I probably go way too far. That said, I try to filter commentary within and poke fun at the silly stuff. I get into details when I talk about things; I could never be a writer/editor. I once sent in a rebuttal to a letter-to-the-editor that criticized Calvin & Hobbes for messing with the "occult" (playing with a Ouija Board), but had to edit it down twice, before they would run it. I tend to write stream-of-consciousness, which makes synopses a lot longer than necessary. I probably write more of a commentary track than a review. I had to do a 10-page research paper for a 20th Century American History class, in college and chose to do comic books, illustrating how trends within them reflected the society of the time (we could do sports or pop culture, so long as we tied it into history) and had the worst time editing it down to 10 pages. That's barely a foreword for an industry that was 50 years old (at that point) and had such dramatic change, just in the previous 5 years, let alone wartime, the 50s, the Silver Age, etc. I wasn't singling you out. It's hard to find a balance on what to write and how to summarize a plot without giving every detail.
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 19, 2020 22:27:37 GMT -5
While I am super-guilty of that, I find that it helps to know the basic plot to discuss the highs and lows; but, I probably go way too far. That said, I try to filter commentary within and poke fun at the silly stuff. I get into details when I talk about things; I could never be a writer/editor. I once sent in a rebuttal to a letter-to-the-editor that criticized Calvin & Hobbes for messing with the "occult" (playing with a Ouija Board), but had to edit it down twice, before they would run it. I tend to write stream-of-consciousness, which makes synopses a lot longer than necessary. I probably write more of a commentary track than a review. I had to do a 10-page research paper for a 20th Century American History class, in college and chose to do comic books, illustrating how trends within them reflected the society of the time (we could do sports or pop culture, so long as we tied it into history) and had the worst time editing it down to 10 pages. That's barely a foreword for an industry that was 50 years old (at that point) and had such dramatic change, just in the previous 5 years, let alone wartime, the 50s, the Silver Age, etc. I wasn't singling you out. It's hard to find a balance on what to write and how to summarize a plot without giving every detail. Oh, I didn't take it personally; but, know I am guilty of that and not everyone wants to slog through longer pieces. I have watched a few Youtube "reviews" that were pretty much just a snarky plot summary, without getting into good and bad or what would have made it work better. Plot summary is fine to help you get a feel for a story you haven't read or scene (or heard); but, if that's all there is then it isn't a review.
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Post by beccabear67 on Apr 20, 2020 0:23:52 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. I find often I really have nothing much to say about an individual issue or even a short run, I would have to force myself to dig up something to avoid doing more than just a plot summary and an 'it was okay', which leads to maybe looking stronger in an opinion you really aren't that strong on just to 'say something'. Skipping those issues you have a lot of the lows and the highs which looks more extreme than reality too. I'm a lot better at reviewing music, but it's also hard to work up much to say about some albums or CDs. I think most reviewers end up looking more extreme in their opinions than they actually. A review thread could act as more of a basic guide for people who haven't read the comics (yet). By the way, I just want to say shaxper is doing a fantastic job on the Bela Lugosi reviews. It's been very useful to me! Other review thread here are why I have a lot more Deathlok, 2000s Legion, and some other titles!
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 9,561
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Post by Confessor on Apr 20, 2020 2:46:44 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. There are instances of that for sure, but I can't say that I see it all that often. I do absolutely agree though that the reviewer's own personal thoughts are the most important thing in a review. After all, we can all find out what actually happens in an issue from multiple places online. But the individual reviewer's thoughts, theories and opinions are what this forum can offer that is unique. That said, sometimes, a reviewer has to go into detail about a particular aspect of a comic's plot in order to place their thoughts in context. So, it's definitely a balancing act. I'd love to read a review thread of yours, BTW Icc. But, if you're going to find it tedious, then don't put yourself through it. Chances are you'll never finish anyway, if you're not in love with writing the reviews. On a related note, my personal view is that a reviewer should write reviews for his/her own entertainment first and foremost. If anyone else is interested in what you write and comments or likes your posts then that's a bonus. With that in mind, my advice would be to pick a run or series or theme that you absolutely love or else you'll just get bored. Myself, I'm currently making a big final push to finish my Tintin review thread, and then I'll resume my Sandman TPBs one and hopefully complete that reasonably quickly. After both of those are done, I have a new Spider-Man related review thread in mind.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,388
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Post by shaxper on Apr 20, 2020 6:32:10 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. I think Icctrombone should revive the New Teen Titans from The Beginning thread. There I said it...
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Post by Icctrombone on Apr 20, 2020 6:35:53 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. I think Icctrombone should revive the New Teen Titans from The Beginning thread. There I said it... I see what you did there...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 9:43:48 GMT -5
Just do it how you would want to do it.
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Post by berkley on Apr 20, 2020 9:52:27 GMT -5
I have a few ideas for review threads for this forum, but I find writing reviews to be tedious. I was under the impression that reviews were not a page for page regurgitation of the comics events. But that's what I see here more often than not. There I said it. There are instances of that for sure, but I can't say that I see it all that often. I do absolutely agree though that the reviewer's own personal thoughts are the most important thing in a review. After all, we can all find out what actually happens in an issue from multiple places online. But the individual reviewer's thoughts, theories and opinions are what this forum can offer that is unique. That said, sometimes, a reviewer has to go into detail about a particular aspect of a comic's plot in order to place their thoughts in context. So, it's definitely a balancing act. I'd love to read a review thread of yours, BTW Icc. But, if you're going to find it tedious, then don't put yourself through it. Chances are you'll never finish anyway, if you're not in love with writing the reviews. On a related note, my personal view is that a reviewer should write reviews for his/her own entertainment first and foremost. If anyone else is interested in what you write and comments or likes your posts then that's a bonus. With that in mind, my advice would be to pick a run or series or theme that you absolutely love or else you'll just get bored. Myself, I'm currently making a big final push to finish my Tintin review thread, and then I'll resume my Sandman TPBs one and hopefully complete that reasonably quickly. After both of those are done, I have a new Spider-Man related review thread in mind. The one time I tried a review thread, I found I was pretty much forced to do a lot of tedious plot description in order to explain my ideas on what it was all about. But that was partly because I didn't (and still don't) have a scanner and couldn't find the images I needed online. If I could have just posted the pages or panels in question, I think it would have saved me a lot of typing.
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 20, 2020 12:33:54 GMT -5
I have found myself trapped a few times, when I am covering a single title and I have run into a really bad period in the book. I tapped out on Guardians of the Galaxy because I couldn't take the stories any longer, as I just wasn't interested and I dropped the book for the same reason, in the early 90s. I rushed a couple of titles because I wanted to get through the boring stuff for the better. Right now, I am looking at the list of remaining Marvel Graphic Novel titles and am not very enthusiastic; but, a few of them have surprised me enough that there is a small gem for me to discuss, even when I am not won over by the story. I was dreading another Punisher GN; but, it was better than the previous one, thanks to Mike Baron being better at writing this kind of pulp. Still, it wasn't A Sailor's Story of Dr Doom and Dr Strange. However, I only have a few to go and there is some Conan in there and a few others that I have no knowledge of; so, maybe there is some more gold in there.
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Post by brutalis on Apr 20, 2020 13:55:55 GMT -5
For me the reviews of comics are ALWAYS more interesting when the reviewer is personalizing as to WHY they enjoy/like the series. I want differing viewpoints and thoughts which might draw in to either reading or purchasing it. All the talks of Valerian and Corto were of help in my pulling the trigger last year for finally purchasing them. The same occurred with all the Man Thing reviews, as I only had a few issues I had ever read but the conversations of it gave me enough interest for tracking down the less expensive Essential's B/W run to read. While I love reading others ideas on series, it just isn't something I have time or energy for crafting on my own threads (at this time) but, like my brudder Icctrombone says, there are always ideas for some series to could delve into which others have not. It truly does take quite a bit of dedication to write up reviews and I know it can be draining trying to put an issue into perspective. This is partly why I have several threads started with no specific focus other than a broad discussion for when it pops into my thoughts for writing down. I use my Western, Remember When, Anime Dojo and Which One (and possibly my Kung Fu Movie Heroes once I start watching again) to delve into my own head trip of my addictions and drag you all kicking and screaming into the discussions
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 14:07:20 GMT -5
I love reviews on this site. Most of them cover comics I haven't read before, so the depth of the reviews helps me decide if the comic is something I want to investigate. I also appreciate the light-heartedness and cultural context and the industry history they often come with. What I don't get about the reviews is how guys can put that much effort into it and still have time to live life. If I were to try to write a mini-essay about every comic in a hundred-book run (or whatever), I would go nuts. It would take forever to write just one of those. But then, it takes me a really long time to organize my thoughts about anything. I guess I'm just saying that I'm jealous.
Edit - I could have just "liked" Brutalis' post. I didn't see it at the time, and I know it looks lame when someone just paraphrases a post someone else just made.
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