The way you feel about Letterboxd as a Film Person is the same way I feel about Goodreads as a Book Person (aka librarian). I use it so haphazardly, when really my life *should* be all about cataloging and recording my own personal record of reads. Especially when I'm supposed to be able to off the cuff recommend something to someone. I'll rave about a book, tell a friend they'll really love it, then go to my review and it says "I guess I like spicy cowboys now." It's telling, but not that helpful.
Maybe part of it is, when you really love something, spending a lot of time explaining it takes some of its magic away.
Also, that spaghetti list is still one of my favorite Letterboxd lists.
I struggle with the review part. I can rarely explain why I like or don't like something. It's all so visceral for me. Im a full emersion viewer (which is also why I think I don't watch as many things as other people).
Lars and the Real Girl, full on vacation into the community I crave. 4 stars, this world is mine now go away.
True Detective Night Country, the place I would delete from the map, 2 stars highly recommend.
And while I know it's controversial, watching anything with Daniel Day Lewis immediately puts me on spit watch. I can't focus on the film, only watch for the moment when the froth starts collecting in his mouth corners. How do rate that? Lincoln, 3 stars, 4 if you count lack of spitting, 5 if you watch as a double feature with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Letterboxd ratings can be tough to navigate. Killer Workout, an 80s slasher wherein a tanning bed is used for murder...that's a 5 out of 5. Does that mean I think it's as good as Tangerine, which I also rated a 5? Well, no. I can get lost in the weeds. I fully understand though, how 4.5 can be greater than 5.
I have a list named "Spotlight on Creamed Spinach," which so far only includes Carol and The Automat.
I actually only got serious about Letterboxd in the last month or two, and have logged and rated pretty much every movie I’ve seen in my life. It’s… kind of insane? But I enjoy.
Also, your lists and reviews on there are the exact type of things that make the place fun.
Anyway, I watched a 5 star movie on Saturday, the ludicrous four-hour epic high school rom com (!) “Love Exposure.”
Well, the “high school rom-com” description might be a bit of a stretch given all of the karate-based perversion (but perversion with dignity, lol!), cult weirdos, Catholic sex hang ups, transvestism, and general Japanese quirkiness throughout. An absolute trip, but one of the most memorable movies I’ve ever seen. And somehow, a four hour long movie that left me wanting more? It never dragged for a second.
It is criminal how little i use Letterboxd relative to how many movies I watch. I've written a few decent reviews for no one to read, but it takes so long that it's not worth the effort. I think I'll try the sentence or two approach for a while.
I rarely rate stuff because I'm lazy, don't want to justify anything, and my 5 might be your 2.
Something could be a 5 for camp reasons, or costuming only, or WTFness. The book "Baked Potatoes" had a great breakdown of categories with icons. If I could note that + a numerical rating, I just might do it.
I’ll never get over the fact you rated MacGruber five stars and called it a masterpiece. I’m so appalled by that rating that I can’t even come up with an appropriate argument against the rating besides ITS NOT A MASTERPIECE DID WE WATCH THE SAME MOVIE?!?
The way you feel about Letterboxd as a Film Person is the same way I feel about Goodreads as a Book Person (aka librarian). I use it so haphazardly, when really my life *should* be all about cataloging and recording my own personal record of reads. Especially when I'm supposed to be able to off the cuff recommend something to someone. I'll rave about a book, tell a friend they'll really love it, then go to my review and it says "I guess I like spicy cowboys now." It's telling, but not that helpful.
Maybe part of it is, when you really love something, spending a lot of time explaining it takes some of its magic away.
Also, that spaghetti list is still one of my favorite Letterboxd lists.
I struggle with the review part. I can rarely explain why I like or don't like something. It's all so visceral for me. Im a full emersion viewer (which is also why I think I don't watch as many things as other people).
Lars and the Real Girl, full on vacation into the community I crave. 4 stars, this world is mine now go away.
True Detective Night Country, the place I would delete from the map, 2 stars highly recommend.
And while I know it's controversial, watching anything with Daniel Day Lewis immediately puts me on spit watch. I can't focus on the film, only watch for the moment when the froth starts collecting in his mouth corners. How do rate that? Lincoln, 3 stars, 4 if you count lack of spitting, 5 if you watch as a double feature with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
I need more of your reviews!
Letterboxd ratings can be tough to navigate. Killer Workout, an 80s slasher wherein a tanning bed is used for murder...that's a 5 out of 5. Does that mean I think it's as good as Tangerine, which I also rated a 5? Well, no. I can get lost in the weeds. I fully understand though, how 4.5 can be greater than 5.
I have a list named "Spotlight on Creamed Spinach," which so far only includes Carol and The Automat.
I actually only got serious about Letterboxd in the last month or two, and have logged and rated pretty much every movie I’ve seen in my life. It’s… kind of insane? But I enjoy.
Also, your lists and reviews on there are the exact type of things that make the place fun.
Anyway, I watched a 5 star movie on Saturday, the ludicrous four-hour epic high school rom com (!) “Love Exposure.”
OMG sounds great - I gotta check it out!
Well, the “high school rom-com” description might be a bit of a stretch given all of the karate-based perversion (but perversion with dignity, lol!), cult weirdos, Catholic sex hang ups, transvestism, and general Japanese quirkiness throughout. An absolute trip, but one of the most memorable movies I’ve ever seen. And somehow, a four hour long movie that left me wanting more? It never dragged for a second.
(Other than the drag sported by Miss Scorpion)
It is criminal how little i use Letterboxd relative to how many movies I watch. I've written a few decent reviews for no one to read, but it takes so long that it's not worth the effort. I think I'll try the sentence or two approach for a while.
I rarely rate stuff because I'm lazy, don't want to justify anything, and my 5 might be your 2.
Something could be a 5 for camp reasons, or costuming only, or WTFness. The book "Baked Potatoes" had a great breakdown of categories with icons. If I could note that + a numerical rating, I just might do it.
Congrats on the new job!!! I know it was a lot of blood, sweat and tears getting there. Wishing you much success ahead!
Thank you so much!
I love reviews like this. I also love that you started your new job. Go Millie!
We're proud of you, Millie!
Awww thanks so much!
I’ll never get over the fact you rated MacGruber five stars and called it a masterpiece. I’m so appalled by that rating that I can’t even come up with an appropriate argument against the rating besides ITS NOT A MASTERPIECE DID WE WATCH THE SAME MOVIE?!?
With all due respect, Slab -- you are wrong
hahahahahahahahahaha