Why The Hell Does A Certain Fat Bearded "Film Critic" Hate Paul W S Anderson So Much?

[Psychocandy]

This is a question that has been bugging me for a while now. Why the hell does Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News have such a fucking hate on for Paul W S Anderson? I know that Anderson ain't the best movie maker in Hollywood but he's pretty fucking far from being the worse, something that Knowles states with conviction and a large measure of vitriol every opportunity he gets. His latest rant centers around Anderson's forthcoming Aliens Vs Predator movie. I just don't get it. For a start it's pretty damn stupid for someone in his position to prejudge a movie that hasn't even entered production yet. It's this sort of unprofessional idiocy that drove me away from Ain't It Cool News and it's pointless forums and led me to discover Joblo's site and the brilliantly well managed forums therein.

[Droog989]

The simple fact of it is, Anderson butchered the Soldier script. It was (apparently, according to all who've read it), a brilliant sci-fi epic that would be reveared for years blah blah blah. It's supposed to be a fantastic script, and Anderson turned it into....what you saw on screen. Knowles pretty much resents Anderson for that fact alone.

Plus, the guy isn't known for quality filmmaking. Of all his films, Mortal Kombat is the only one I enjoyed, and by "enjoyed" I mean found some entertainment in it. I guess Resident Evil had some ok kills, but it was not my thing. And then there's Event Horizon...and *shudders* Soldier.

Knowles is entitled to his opinion the same as any other movie critic is. It's pretty obvious that most of the people who frequent his site don't follow him blindly (as shown in the Talkbacks. Most actually rather hate him), so it's not like he's doing any harm.

Knowles is a very passionate kind of guy. He loves or he hates shit. And just as a thought, if you really can't stand the guy so much, it'd be better not to attrack attention to him and his site, such as with posts like this. Just ignore it. You don't have to read the site.

[Scarface98.9]

Anderson's far from the worst director ever, but Knowles just despises him, it seems like enough that he'd want to kill him after awhile. In his commentaries, he seems like a good guy. Though I'd pay to see a boxing match between the 2

[Droog989]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
Though I'd pay to see a boxing match between the 2

Yeah, cuz Harry's in great shape and could last at least a dozen rounds :rolleyes:

[Scarface98.9]

Originally posted by Droog989
Yeah, cuz Harry's in great shape and could last at least a dozen rounds :rolleyes:
That's the whole point. It'd be like Davie and Goliath

[JCR]

As Droog989 says it is about soldier. Knowles lists it as the worst film of all time in his book. I think he goes way OTT with this (hell I liked event horizon) but I have to say I still like harry. I find his reviews funny, and I like the fact he's obsessed with film and proud of it. (OK probably not the most popular viewpoint on these boards. Joblos better though :D )

[Droog989]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
That's the whole point. It'd be like Davie and Goliath

No way, it's more like Godzilla vs. screaming, terrified citizen of Tokyo. At least David and Goliath were relatively the same species, at least in appearance...

[Ren Hoek]

I guess every movie lover and critic needs a director he/she absolutely despises. Harry Knowles (though you're right, I wouldn't exactly call him a critic) hates Paul Anderson, Pauline Kael disliked everything Kubrick... hell, even our very own Arrow has found his nemesis in Larry Clark. I, too, would rather end up in a deep fryer than watch another Michael Bay flick. And you'll have a hard time to convince Mr. Turgidson to embrace a Tim Burton or Tony Scott movie... I dunno if this all makes sense to you, but sometimes it simply feels good to bitch about a director.

And let's all keep our fingers crossed that Anderson doesn't fuck up ALIENS VS PREDATOR :)

[MarkItZero]

I dont know about Hairy Knowles, but I kind of liked Event Horizon. Very spooky!

[JoBlo]

Originally posted by Droog989
The simple fact of it is, Anderson butchered the Soldier script. It was (apparently, according to all who've read it), a brilliant sci-fi epic that would be reveared for years blah blah blah. It's supposed to be a fantastic script, and Anderson turned it into....what you saw on screen. Knowles pretty much resents Anderson for that fact alone.

That's kind of unfair to the director, since a film production isn't always entirely in his/her hands. You guys should read Paul Anderson's take on his experience that he discussed with the Arrow right here (http://www.joblo.com/arrow/interview65.htm). It sounds like he tried to do the best he could under the circumstances (and HE'S not even happy with the final result), and even though I too (http://www.joblo.com/soldier.htm) didn't think the film was "all that", it certainly wasn't the "worst movie of all time".

I personally think it's kind of pathetic for ANYONE to pre-judge a film or a director to the point of completely erasing any objectivity whatsoever....ESPECIALLY for someone who calls themselves a critic or a film "advocate". Whatever....to each his own, I guess. I'm not a fan of Larry Clark but quite appreciated a couple of his films...

[Reigh Kaufman]

IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: EVEN A FUCKED CLOCK IS RIGHT SOMETIMES (usually twice a day but no way is that chucklebum ever right twice in the same day - Anderson is awful, and Knowles, for once, is right on the money).

Next up: Why does Ebert think McG is Satanic man-paste?

[Scarface98.9]

What Knowles is to Paul WS Anderson is the Batman community to Joel Schumacher. It doesn't matter if Paul Anderson makes the next Citizen Kane, Knowles will always claim him to be "guy who ruined Soldier" and never get past that. Much like if Schumacher made the next Casablanca, everyone will still only call him the "rubber nippled Batman destroyer."

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
Much like if Schumacher made the next Casablanca, everyone will still only call him the "rubber nippled Batman destroyer."

Actually I think Schumacher has since redeemed himself.

[Cronos]

ive liked and enjoyed all the films hes done, although i havent seen The Sight

Shopping - 7/10
Mortal Kombat - 8/10
Event Horizon - 10/10
Soldier - 7/10
Resident Evil - 9/10

[BubbaStrangelove]

Harry Knowles gives the internet a bad name.

[Scarface98.9]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
Actually I think Schumacher has since redeemed himself.
I agree. Although I still here many fans of the Burton era, even 6 years after, still complaining about how bad the movie is, even though it's just a movie, and I know many others who never see his movies just because he made B&R

[jolanar]

People who judge based on things like this arn't critics, their called cynics.

[outsyder]

I like Anderson. Mind you, Soldier "ain't so great," but he's come through with his other films. Mortal Kombat was good, and I loved Event Horizon and Resident Evil. AvP might just turn out fine, like several of his other films. It could be crap. NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE.

Harry Knowles may have very up-to-date news, but I don't trust Harry's opinion as far as I can throw him.:rolleyes:

[Weapon X]

Knowles hates Anderson for probably the same reason Arrow loves him...simply put, "That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!" Knowles is unapologetic for his hatred, while Arrow is unapologetic for his fondness. It's of course much more complicated than that, I'm sure, but there's your base right there. Me, I like Anderson. Mortal Kombat was great mindless fun; Event Horizon, while obviously the victim of extensive cutting room massacre, was stylish as hell; Soldier was all right as an action movie; and Resident Evil was da fuckin' bomb (no, not A bomb, THE bomb)!

And Joblo's right, it's just stupid to pre-judge a film based on one's dislike for the people making it. Hell, even Arrow was willing to give Tomb Raider 2 a shot (his eventual "review" notwithstanding) while everybody else was thinking "Jan de Bont's directing it!? Dude, that's suck-central already!"

As far as Knowles' unbridled hatred of WS, I dunno what to say. I think he says all that shit just to sound like an asshole (which isn't hard for him to begin with). He claims to have hated ResEvil with a passion, calling it I believe "the wussiest zombie movie in years", and he didn't even give it the dignity of a full review. Not to mention that he fails to realize, if it were not for Paul WS Anderson, we likely would not have a certain Jude Law. Long live Gigalo Joe. :cool:

[Droog989]

Originally posted by Weapon X
Knowles hates Anderson for probably the same reason Arrow loves him...simply put, "That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!" Knowles is unapologetic for his hatred, while Arrow is unapologetic for his fondness

I understand what you're saying, be The Arrow seems to have more of a reason for liking the man's work. He enjoys all his film, respects how Anderson is basically a fan-boy videogamer who made it to the big leagues, and stays true to what he feels is right. The only reason Harry has ever given for hating him is the Soldier debacle. Which to me, is simply another example of why this site has such a loyal fanbase, and AICN is slandered by its own members. Respect and credibility.