Reading reviews - the pros and cons

 I have heard mixed reviews on the Barbie movie, only to come to the conclusion that I would like to actually watch it myself rather than blindly believe reviewers. I have loved books others have hated. I have loved TV shows that others don't like. We all have different opinions on different media and books. Let's talk about the pros and cons of legitimately reading reviews on anything. 

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While it is beneficial to know whether a product is a scam (Amazon reviews) and know how much nudity is in that TV show that looks kind of interesting (IMDB Parents Guide), not everyone sees the same genre as great or the same tropes as awful. Yes, you want to know whether you could be running into sex scenes you didn't ask for, but some plotlines that aren't x-rated may be loved or hated, garnering mixed reviews. Do you believe every review you read?

Why You Should Be Checking Reviews

Let's use Guardians of the Galaxy 3 as an example. I love the first and second movie but heard about Rocket's flashbacks. I looked up trigger warnings and decided to pass on it. This is a good reason to look at reviews. If you think there is something you can't handle it is best to look up the trigger warnings before you enter the theatre. It is of no use to buy a ticket to a movie you can't handle. IMDB parent guides are helpful here. 

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If you have had any addiction to pornographic content you should absolutely be doing your due diligence. I don't advocate watching safe TV often (as the quality of those films varies and may be kind of awful), but this is one case that maybe you should consider it. If you feel you might fall back into old habits that die hard don't pull up Game of Thrones and think you'll be fine. Hollywood caters to what sells, which is unfortunately sex. That's never changed, as awful as that reality is. Hollywood doesn't care as long as they make money. 

Kids are a joy to watch movies with. However, taking a kid to a theatre only to find that movie wasn't so tame isn't a fun experience. Parents, check out what your kids are watching (preferably without pulling the reins too tight). If a warning pops up that says 'for select audiences' you should probably veto that viewing choice until they are old enough. Specific age ranges can handle different things. If it is suggested that kids should watch with a parent, join them in the living room. PG movies are also good choices. Kids are one audience that doesn't generally read reviews, so parents need to. 

Who Do You Listen To?

Reviews are great, as long as the reviewer has the same taste in movies or books. That's the problem; not everyone loves the same tropes and genres. Not everyone is okay with a few sex scenes in a book or movie. Not everyone is okay with cursing in their media. I know people who also blindly believe reviewers that lie. This also goes for video games, for reference. Not all of us like playing Call of Duty and not all of us are entertained by Petz DS games. 

I will also note that the parent guide on IMDB is not a review, because it simply just tells you trigger warnings. It shows how many instances of violence and sex, etc... It may include spoilers, but it puts them in a whole section. It isn't a review, per se, but it does help you get perspective on what is in the film. I also found a website on book trigger warnings, and for that click here.

The question remains, who do we listen to? Well, let's start by looking into the reviewer and their personal tastes. Some reviewers go nuts when there are five curse words in a film. Others might be okay with one sex scene that is thirty seconds. Others may not care about nudity and some care about it so much that one shoulder or butt is a big deal. Look into the preferences of the reviewers before you go on their word. Seriously, it may make the difference between going to a good movie or missing one. Or it could mean you think a movie is fine and it isn't. Think about who is reviewing it. 

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How well is the review written? Is it written so someone could get a constructive view of how intense it is, or is it vague and unhelpful? That matters, too. For example, if some lady who hates fantasy reviewed a fantasy book it isn't going to be a good review and we all know it. A constructive review says what they liked and didn't like clearly. It also reflects on who might like it and who might hate it. 

Look out for spoilers, though. 

I am a Christian. I also watch secular content. Not every Christian is only watching safe TV. Keep in mind different Christians will vary on reviews. Some get upset when one person says one cuss word or one shoulder is exposed. Others may say as long as it doesn't glorify evil they can look past some stuff. Honestly, I believe that our world sometimes needs a mirror to its face. Know thy reviewer before going on their word. 

The problem with looking at reviews

You see, I have a beef with reviews. That beef is that you don't know if they watched it or not. You don't know sometimes. Bad reviews can kill good media quickly. Sometimes an author who is hated wrote a good book and it gets sandbagged. Sometimes people attack the media someone made instead of the person. People are also sheep who can blindly believe false reviews. I don't think we all value thinking for ourselves and that is a real shame. 

What I'm saying we should do is this; we need to use the common sense God gave us and the intelligence we were given to read reviews and engage with media while our brains are switched on. Don't trust just one source. Shop around and see what others said over there and over here. Look at trigger warnings, then decide. If you see mixed reviews I highly suggest you check it out for yourself before judging it to be trash or the best film of the year. I believe in you. Use that beautiful intelligence and turn that brain on. 

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I wrote a book! I am delighted to say that I have four five-star reviews up on Amazon now, which is amazing. I hope you like it, too. If you're interested in buying a paperback or ebook version go to my website link in this blog or click here to go straight to my Amazon page. 

Jack Thomas is running from a past case. He's hiding in Wrenville. Is his past case catching up with him? 

Find out in my first book, Wrenville, a stand-alone suspense novel.