Romancing the Stone

[Shmoooooo]

Personally I am quite surprised that anyone could dislike Romancing the Stone as much as Judge Clark seems to. Given that the "Have we judged movie fairly?" verdict is currently at a pathetic 3 of 13 maybe it might be prudent to have someone else review this movie. Personally I think this is one of my favorite movies of the 80's ... and I don't feel it deserves to be trashed as Judge Clark has trashed it.

I'm not saying remove his review ... Judge Clark has an opinion, and that should be shown. However, I personally think it's way out of wack of the target audience of this DVD ... Maybe a second opinion could be offered to counteract the negativity that was offered by the honourable Judge Clark's review.

[Steve T Power]

I think he's insane, but i respect his opinion.

[cdouglas]

I don't think that any review I have written to date has generated more angry e-mail. People are evidently upset about my negative review of Romancing the Stone, so let me explain myself. Honestly, I don't think that I was all that hard on the movie... I just find it a disappointing viewing experience. As I said at the conclusion of my review, "Romancing the Stone isn't a bad movie, just an awkward one that never really quite works for me." I have no spite in my heart for the film (The Jewel of the Nile, that's a different story).

I certainly respect the fact that a lot of people disagree with me on this one. However, it would be dishonest if I were simply promoting the general consensus on this movie rather than offering an honest reflection of my feelings. According to the standard you are proposing, my opinion is going to be "out of whack with the target audience of a DVD" every time I dislike a film. Does that mean that Judges should only review films that they like? Personally, I don't think so. Perhaps you disagree.

However, Shmoooooo... it may cheer you to know that there are actually two positive reviews of the film on the site (though no one has been enthusiastic about the way the various releases have been handled).

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/rtstone.php

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/romancingstonese.php

I don't want to sound too defensive here... but I would like for someone to tell me where they feel my review is unfair. I am very respectful of the opinion of anyone who disagrees with my review... but so far, all the feedback I have received has essentially been along the lines of, "I'm upset you didn't like this movie." However, no one has offered an example of where I have made an unfair or unfounded point. I wonder how many readers are interpreting the "Did we give Romancing the Stone a fair trial?" as "Do you agree with the opinions stated in this review?"

[Steve T Power]

I don't think that any review I have written to date has generated more angry e-mail. People are evidently upset about my negative review of Romancing the Stone, so let me explain myself. Honestly, I don't think that I was all that hard on the movie... I just find it a disappointing viewing experience. As I said at the conclusion of my review, "Romancing the Stone isn't a bad movie, just an awkward one that never really quite works for me." I have no spite in my heart for the film (The Jewel of the Nile, that's a different story).

I certainly respect the fact that a lot of people disagree with me on this one. However, it would be dishonest if I were simply promoting the general consensus on this movie rather than offering an honest reflection of my feelings. According to the standard you are proposing, my opinion is going to be "out of whack with the target audience of a DVD" every time I dislike a film. Does that mean that Judges should only review films that they like? Personally, I don't think so. Perhaps you disagree.

However, Shmoooooo... it may cheer you to know that there are actually two positive reviews of the film on the site (though no one has been enthusiastic about the way the various releases have been handled).

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/rtstone.php

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/romancingstonese.php

I don't want to sound too defensive here... but I would like for someone to tell me where they feel my review is unfair. I am very respectful of the opinion of anyone who disagrees with my review... but so far, all the feedback I have received has essentially been along the lines of, "I'm upset you didn't like this movie." However, no one has offered an example of where I have made an unfair or unfounded point. I wonder how many readers are interpreting the "Did we give Romancing the Stone a fair trial?" as "Do you agree with the opinions stated in this review?"

I, for one, don't think you were unfair at all. Just insane.

I can live with that. We're all a little insane sometimes.

[cdouglas]

On behalf of myself and other insane judges everywhere, I thank you for your support.

[mavrach]

I like that it was reviewed this way. It goes along with the whole "The only negative review of 2001 on the internet, and proud of it!" mentality which makes this site special.

[Steve T Power]

:) On behalf of myself and other insane judges everywhere, I thank you for your support.

Anytime.

[Shmoooooo]

I don't think that any review I have written to date has generated more angry e-mail. People are evidently upset about my negative review of Romancing the Stone, so let me explain myself. Honestly, I don't think that I was all that hard on the movie... I just find it a disappointing viewing experience. As I said at the conclusion of my review, "Romancing the Stone isn't a bad movie, just an awkward one that never really quite works for me." I have no spite in my heart for the film (The Jewel of the Nile, that's a different story).

I certainly respect the fact that a lot of people disagree with me on this one. However, it would be dishonest if I were simply promoting the general consensus on this movie rather than offering an honest reflection of my feelings. According to the standard you are proposing, my opinion is going to be "out of whack with the target audience of a DVD" every time I dislike a film. Does that mean that Judges should only review films that they like? Personally, I don't think so. Perhaps you disagree.

However, Shmoooooo... it may cheer you to know that there are actually two positive reviews of the film on the site (though no one has been enthusiastic about the way the various releases have been handled).

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/rtstone.php

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/romancingstonese.php

I don't want to sound too defensive here... but I would like for someone to tell me where they feel my review is unfair. I am very respectful of the opinion of anyone who disagrees with my review... but so far, all the feedback I have received has essentially been along the lines of, "I'm upset you didn't like this movie." However, no one has offered an example of where I have made an unfair or unfounded point. I wonder how many readers are interpreting the "Did we give Romancing the Stone a fair trial?" as "Do you agree with the opinions stated in this review?"

The comment that got me was when you wrote Michael Douglas didn't fit the part ... totally disagree with you, indeed I flat out think you are wrong on that one. Romancing the Stone is a very popular movie, not just some random 80's flick, so I don't agree that it would be the same as any other movie that you gave a negative review to.

You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, and wrote the review that YOU should have ... but, yeah I do think that if you didn't like the movie before you reviewed it then maybe this one wasn't for you ... on the other hand, there are two other reviews of this movie on this site, so a differing opinion isn't really a bad thing ... I just sort of feel like a kid who has been told that his favorite type of ice cream sucks and I want to argue that point for the rest of my life ... cause that type of ice cream is awesome and you don't know what your talking about ... you stupid bum bum poo poo head!!!!

[tucco]

I have fond memories of Romancing the Stone. It was a rare flick everyone could like.
But a review is an opinion......the only thing I strongly disagree with is Michael Douglas being miscast.
I thought he was fine. But this isn't Citizen Kane either, so.....

[BenSaylor]

but, yeah I do think that if you didn't like the movie before you reviewed it then maybe this one wasn't for you ...

Wait, just to clarify, do you mean that the judges on this site should only request titles for review that they already know they like, the result of which is that every single DVD review that is published is unfailingly positive? And extrapolating from that point, would you also be in favor, then, of film critics who only review films featuring directors/actors they like, music critics who only review releases by artists they like, literary critics who only review works by authors they like, and so on?

The absurdity of such a reviewing system aside, Judge Douglas' opinions on the movie itself are hardly the most important part of the review; being a BD release, I would think the salient point is how that version stacks up to previous, standard versions, and whether it is worth the upgrade for fans of the film. On that score, I'd say Judge Douglas delivered.

[tucco]

but, yeah I do think that if you didn't like the movie before you reviewed it then maybe this one wasn't for you ...

Wait, just to clarify, do you mean that the judges on this site should only request titles for review that they already know they like, the result of which is that every single DVD review that is published is unfailingly positive? And extrapolating from that point, would you also be in favor, then, of film critics who only review films featuring directors/actors they like, music critics who only review releases by artists they like, literary critics who only review works by authors they like, and so on?

The absurdity of such a reviewing system aside, Judge Douglas' opinions on the movie itself are hardly the most important part of the review; being a BD release, I would think the salient point is how that version stacks up to previous, standard versions, and whether it is worth the upgrade for fans of the film. On that score, I'd say Judge Douglas delivered.

oh snap!

[Shmoooooo]

but, yeah I do think that if you didn't like the movie before you reviewed it then maybe this one wasn't for you ...

Wait, just to clarify, do you mean that the judges on this site should only request titles for review that they already know they like, the result of which is that every single DVD review that is published is unfailingly positive? And extrapolating from that point, would you also be in favor, then, of film critics who only review films featuring directors/actors they like, music critics who only review releases by artists they like, literary critics who only review works by authors they like, and so on?

The absurdity of such a reviewing system aside, Judge Douglas' opinions on the movie itself are hardly the most important part of the review; being a BD release, I would think the salient point is how that version stacks up to previous, standard versions, and whether it is worth the upgrade for fans of the film. On that score, I'd say Judge Douglas delivered.

Well, mostly no, I am not suggesting that reviewers who don't like a movie shouldn't review it ... but in certain cases yes I do suggest that. For instance, if someone didn't like cartoons, would they be the person to review Cars? Or The Iron Giant? They may give both movies a crappy review and say they are stupid and childish. Knowing their bias going in to that genre I would prefer it if they stayed away from those movies, unless of course there are a multitude of reviews out there and the one the reviewer writes states in the beginning that he/she just doesn't like cartoons ... even then the only way I could see that review as having any sort of impact is if the reviewer goes against his set opinion and ends up liking the movie.

While, admittedly, Romancing the Stone doesn't fall into that category, I think it was a very loved film at the time it was made, and a lot of people have fond memories of it. Frankly, I've never heard anything bad about it before ... and no one has even hinted that Michael Douglas didn't fit the role that I know of. IF that was the only review of Romancing the Stone at the Verdict I'd feel the movie didn't get a good representation of what many people feel ... which is why I suggested for a second. That it was already there made my asking look rather silly. I never suggested that the review I disagreed with should be removed, or altered. I just suggested that a second point of view be offered.

I often enjoy reading reviews that don't like the movie ... even movies that I happen to love ... for some reason I just couldn't wrap my head around someone not liking Romancing the Stone I have no justification for that other than it's true.

[cdouglas]

Well, mostly no, I am not suggesting that reviewers who don't like a movie shouldn't review it ... but in certain cases yes I do suggest that. For instance, if someone didn't like cartoons, would they be the person to review Cars? Or The Iron Giant? They may give both movies a crappy review and say they are stupid and childish. Knowing their bias going in to that genre I would prefer it if they stayed away from those movies, unless of course there are a multitude of reviews out there and the one the reviewer writes states in the beginning that he/she just doesn't like cartoons ... even then the only way I could see that review as having any sort of impact is if the reviewer goes against his set opinion and ends up liking the movie.

By that logic, there is no reason I shouldn't have reviewed the movie, as I tend to enjoy action-adventure films. Even so, I question your logic. The Judges here at DVD Verdict may have very diverse tastes, but I think that all of us make an attempt to be fair when reviewing a movie. None of us are simply going to dismiss something because the genre isn't really our cup of tea. Besides, variety is the spice of life, etc... I certainly wouldn't want be limited to reading reviews that reflected how the public in general feels about a movie. I can skim through IMDb user comments for that. I'd rather hear an honest personal opinion.

While, admittedly, Romancing the Stone doesn't fall into that category, I think it was a very loved film at the time it was made, and a lot of people have fond memories of it. Frankly, I've never heard anything bad about it before ... and no one has even hinted that Michael Douglas didn't fit the role that I know of. IF that was the only review of Romancing the Stone at the Verdict I'd feel the movie didn't get a good representation of what many people feel ... which is why I suggested for a second. That it was already there made my asking look rather silly. I never suggested that the review I disagreed with should be removed, or altered. I just suggested that a second point of view be offered.

Though the reviews of the film have generally been positive, I'm certainly not the first person on earth to be less than enthusiastic about it.

http://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/dvd_review.asp?ID=1009

I often enjoy reading reviews that don't like the movie ... even movies that I happen to love ... for some reason I just couldn't wrap my head around someone not liking Romancing the Stone I have no justification for that other than it's true.

It happens. I still cry every time I read a negative review of A Prairie Home Companion.

[Shmoooooo]

Well, mostly no, I am not suggesting that reviewers who don't like a movie shouldn't review it ... but in certain cases yes I do suggest that. For instance, if someone didn't like cartoons, would they be the person to review Cars? Or The Iron Giant? They may give both movies a crappy review and say they are stupid and childish. Knowing their bias going in to that genre I would prefer it if they stayed away from those movies, unless of course there are a multitude of reviews out there and the one the reviewer writes states in the beginning that he/she just doesn't like cartoons ... even then the only way I could see that review as having any sort of impact is if the reviewer goes against his set opinion and ends up liking the movie.

By that logic, there is no reason I shouldn't have reviewed the movie, as I tend to enjoy action-adventure films. Even so, I question your logic. The Judges here at DVD Verdict may have very diverse tastes, but I think that all of us make an attempt to be fair when reviewing a movie. None of us are simply going to dismiss something because the genre isn't really our cup of tea. Besides, variety is the spice of life, etc... I certainly wouldn't want be limited to reading reviews that reflected how the public in general feels about a movie. I can skim through IMDb user comments for that. I'd rather hear an honest personal opinion.

To be fair, that paragraph was simply in argument that there are some times when a certain reviewer shouldn't review a certain film ... I was answering a previous question, and it didn't really have much to do with you or your review in question (even though the question I was answering was inspired from my requesting a second review). I stand by my statement, people shouldn't review a movie they already have a bias against and then review it negatively. If you like the movie despite your negative bias towards a genre then your review is much more powerful ... in the same way that if you dislike a movie even though it's in a genre you adore that's a powerful review. Someone who says, I don't like Star Trek movies, and I don't like this one either ... sorry, but that just doesn't tell anyone anything. Someone who says, I don't like Star Trek movies ... but Wraith of Kahn was surprising enjoyable, well, that means something. That's how I see it anyways ... you may disagree ... but, in the same way you are entitled to your opinion (no matter how wrong it is) that Michael Douglas didn't fit the role, I am entitled to feel this way.