One of the best things about running a movie site is the commenters.
I love reading what people have to say about what we write – both the news itself and our opinions on the news of the day. It gives Screen Rant a sense of community that I and my writers work hard to maintain and grow.
To that end, I’m pretty strict on what is allowed and not allowed in the comments section.
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The short version is: No profanity and no personal attacks. It makes people feel safe enough to express their opinions without fear of being “flamed” and I believe it’s a big part of why we have so many “regulars” here on the site.
But of course everything isn’t always sunshine and roses. 
As Screen Rant has grown in popularity and is popping up on more radar screens, we’ve begun to attract some of what I consider to be the absolute bane of the internet:
The spineless and spiteful anonymous commenter.
You know the type: They arrive at a blog or social website and promptly begin spewing vile garbage. It can be a rant against another commenter’s opinion or the point of view of the article itself. Generally there are a couple of hallmarks representative of these folks:
- They can’t seem to express themselves without using profanity.
- Instead of arguing why their point of view is valid, they just attack the person expressing the opposing point of view.
- They do it anonymously.
Now let me be clear: I have NO problem with people disagreeing with the opinions we express here at Screen Rant – in fact, we expect it. This is after all, an editorial movie news site/blog. (A point I have had to repeat more than once when we’ve been accused of a lack of objectivity.)
What I do have a problem with is people who can’t express their point of view in a civil, intelligent manner. If you disagree with a movie review, I don’t want to hear “You’re a $%*%ing idiot! Why are you even allowed to review movies you @$@##$ %^@##$$ #$##@@%!!!!.” On the other hand, please do feel free to tell us WHY you disagree – in your opinion the acting was better than we described, character so and so DID have motivation to do X, etc.
Recent examples include things like:
- Calling us “gay” for doing so much Star Trek coverage.
- Someone ripping me a new one for ONE typo in a review (nothing about the validity of the review itself).
- Four sarcastic comments in a row about how we run the site.
- Getting cussed out because I think that AVP:R was a terrible movie.
- Calling other commenters “stupid,” “idiotic” or worse.
The other thing that I find pathetic is that when someone does try to post an idiotic comment, 95% of the time they don’t use a valid email address. They’ll think they’re being witty by using something like you@suck.com or some other brilliant address. Once in a great while we’ll get a flaming comment and when someone actually includes their email address, I contact them offline and usually we sort things out (much to their surprise).
On the other hand, using a fake email address and dropping a trollish comment is to me the most pathetic form of online cowardice. This tells me that face to face you’d never have the balls to say to someone’s face what you have no problem typing on your little keyboard. My rule is treat someone online the same as you would if you were sitting across from them in the same room, and you thought they might be able to kick your ass. Be. Polite.
If you notice all of us who write for Screen Rant use our real names as a byline. We have our opinions and we are secure enough to stand by them.
But if you’re such a spineless little wuss that you’re not even man enough to leave a real email address when you leave your flame bomb, you’re not welcome here. Rest assured that I can see your IP address – act like a jerk and your comments will automatically be circular-filed. Cross way over the line and you’ll be banned from even seeing the site at all.
Want to disagree and debate intelligently? Come on in and join us, we’d love to have you! Just looking to vent to compensate for your lack of manhood? There are plenty of other sites out there where you can have a party with other like minds. You won’t be missed here.
Sincerely,
Vic Holtreman, Owner/Editor-in-Chief: ScreenRant.com
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55 Comments
One. I think this site is run pretty well, I would go as far as saying it is run pretty perfectly.
Two. AVR:R IS a poor movie.
Three. It is a shame that people tend to jump in full force when thy disagree or even agree with something. Seems to be that people just like reading there own text.
Also, you say your strict, maybe I don’t read all of the comments, but I do think that people get a wide spread when wanting to say what they want. Keep it up.
Right on. This is the only movie news site I read, honestly, and I think your team pretty much hits the nail on the head.
Trolls should go back under the bridge where they belong…or in the case of ‘net trolls, back into their parents basements.
Tony
That’s a pretty brilliant bulletin, though I am kinda paranoid now. I also feel kinda ashamed for using a alias, but my email is valid. I just couldn’t believe you thought AVP was better than AVP 2, both were bad movies in my opinion. I might just hate AVP because of Paul WS Anderson ruining the Resident Evil movies for me.
Well, anyone that will cuss you out for saying AVP:R was a bad film, I’m not sure if you can expect anything more from them.
And to prevent someone else flaming you for one stupid typo, let me just point it out for you now so we can avoid having that same idiot come in to flame this entire article based on that one typo, lol.
Toward the beginning of the thread when you’re describing the anonymous commenter you meant to write “they” but typed “the” instead. Here is the line: “You know the type: **The** arrive at a blog or social…”
Vic;
Screenrant is a top notch site. Explaining yourself shouldn’t be necessary. Seeing where you stand is further evidence why Screenrant is such high quality. I find the commenters are intelligent, informed, and opinionated. More so than myself often times. I look to them for alternative points of view and enjoy reading their comments.
Don’t make apologies for an occasional typo. I print newspapers, and you should see the stuff that makes it to the street in typical press run. If it wasn’t for spell check, the comedy level of Screenrant would skyrocket every time I post a comment.
Keep up the good work, and thanks.
David.
Vic,
You’re sexy when you’re mad.
@Patrick
Dude, don’t be paranoid. I don’t care what you use as a screen name.
@Shut up Stella
ROFLMAO!
Thanks for the support, folks, it’s truly appreciated.
Vic
Its going to happen. Bound to happen to this site sooner or later. Funny in a way
LOL David, you should read the Miami Herald. I swear they still haven’t discovered spell-check, lol.
Yah, I have to use it too, spell check is my friend. But the occassional typo slips through, like the example I spotted, since “the” is an actual word, spell check has no idea that you meant “they” so that’s a really common one to get right by spell check. Another is when you mistakenly type your for you’re or their, there, or they’re, lol.
But seriously, Vic has a good point though. It seems that the people who are the rudest and make the least educated comments tend to be the ones most likely to want to stay anonymous. I like to call them internet tough guys. Because they’re only tough when they’re on the internet, lol.
I have been known to reply to peoples’ comments with smart-a** comments, but unfortunately I do that in real life right to peoples’ faces too, haha.
It’s one of the major flaws of the internet. I use to run my own little opinion site. No where near the size of this though. I still had anon comments. Of course I wasn’t as nicce about it as you were. First I called them out when it continued. I Banned their IP’s after that they changed IP’s which is fairly easy to get around, but they to not be intelligent enough to figure it out.
I think this site is ran very well. Hell I’ve gotten out of line a time or two. Never to the extent that you are describing, but still a little out of line. You took the time to contact me away from the site and politely point it out to me. There were no threats or any thing like that. You were kind and understanding, but still firm enough to explain that the rules need to be followed.
I shutter at the thought that before I found this place I was using IMDB for communicating with other people about movies. Those are the worst boards on the internet. Everyone on those boards is full of hate. FOr the most part the people here are smart and respectful.
PS AVP was terrible.
Vic, this type of post is one of the main reasons that I keep coming back for more and the kind of example I am trying to follow with Truth On Cinema. Your humility and honesty is a breath of fresh air in an online world full of e-gos.
*By the way, that’s not a typo, I was trying to be clever by combining the word “ego” with the often used Internet pairing of “e” with normal everyday objects. e-mail, e-reviews, e-opinions, etc.
Great post Vic,
and lol Shut up Stella
I gotta agree with everyone else Vic you shouldn’t have to apologize for a typo here and there. Can anyone type perfect? I know I cant lol!
The ones that make thoose comments probably still live in their mother’s basments and visted a dumpster one too many times.
AVP:R does blow, and you are %100 right.
First of all Jess, LMAO, I won’t give it away.
But secondly, I don’t think Vic is apologizing for making a typo. His point is that some idiot was trying to call him a moron and dismiss the entire article because he made one typo. He’s saying how dumb of an argument that is and I think it’s pretty clear that we all agree. That’s what you call setting up a strawman (or straw person if you’re worried about bein pc). Basically that person couldn’t actually find anything wrong with what Vic had said in his article, but simply disagrees with it, so he finds another argument that is easier to win and diverts attention to that instead.
So it’s like someone who isn’t good at public speaking makes a speech that makes sense. Someone disagrees with this person but can’t think of a way to dispute the points he has made, so instead diverts attention to the way he speaks, pointing out his accent, or grammatical or pronunciation errors, and using them to claim that is proof of a lack of intelligence.
This fools stupid people, but smart people can see past this. Vic has no need to apologize since most of us here are not that dumb to fall for something like that. But they will try. That’s why I try to use spell check when I can to avoid even giving such an opportunity to someone like that. But most of the time I am too lazy, lol.
Of course, none of the above applies to me, as I am a blithering idiot with no taste in movies whatsoever.
Vic, I appreciate your sentiments and support them, but when you yourself contributed to the name calling game in the “Best War movies” calling all liberals “atheist and leftist” it does erode some of the sincerity of the statement. In fairness you did regret the statement but it does show how easy it is to decay the topic of the boards. Setting the example I find to be an excellent way to establish the desired effect.
I think making a generalization is not the same as name-calling. And BTW, generalizing that liberals are leftists is not exactly the worst generalization you can make…
Vic, I’ve got two words for you.
Star. Trek.
Oh yeah, I went there.
=)
Ken,
You’re missing the point. This is a site about movies, not about political commentary . If you were to say conservative facists I would have the same argument. Political commentary should belong in appropriate settings and Vic should not allow such commentary to continue nor should he instigate it.
Well unfortunately war movies are inherently political. What a concept, politics affecting wars…
Some people have a way with words…
On the other hand, some people…
No have way.
I loev this sight becuz its the best plase to get nooz on movy stuff and read intelijent remarx by my esteamed colleegs!
Rock on S.R.!
Vic,
Don’t change a thing. And if you need to ban every **** ***** *** **** on the **** *** ****ing Internet. Than to paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “The Banning Starts in Five Minutes!”
Carry on…
Oh yeah, all typos intentional. All grammar police can go ****.
Umm calling a conservative a fascist is far more insulting than calling a liberal a leftist. That is a terrible comparison. If you called a conservative a rightest that wouldn’t be a big deal. In general Liberals are to the left and conservatives are to the right. That’s not name calling, insulting or even generalization it’s simply a factual statement. It’s like calling someone who teaches a teacher. Though the Atheist part I can see your point on. As an atheist I am very much insulted to be put in the same category as a liberal leftist.
I love movies, I love this site Vic, This is the only site I interact with, but always worry my comments will gernarate a vicious responce. I’ve been quite shocked at the level of hurtful comments I’ve read in the past week, and do hope that after reading your statement of rules, these small minded people will be more constuctive and less spiteful in there opinions.
Completely understand your point of view, Vic. If someone were to flame, be great if they had the guts to back it up, but clearly most won’t dare.
Nothing like starting a fight without risk.
@Ken J
Just thought I would throw that in there to lighten the mood! lol
I understand what you mean, I dont know if I was reading the article wrong the other night or what but I get what you mean.
I really like what you do here with this website. I appriciate the frequent updates you give and such. Keep up the good work. And by the way, to all the people insulting those of us who live in their parents basement. What makes you so much a better person than I? Is it my fault I’m a disabled adult that doesn’t make enough money to support himself? We’re not all trolls thank you.
Well said Vic. I… WHAT? Our real names!?!?!?! Oh crap!!
@Dave Fernandez
I appreciate what you’re saying but I believe you are twisting what I said. Here is my exact quote:
“Digg ‘regulars’ are notoriously Left/Liberal/Atheist for the vast majority. “
That means that they EITHER “Left,” “Liberal,” or “Athiest” for the most part over there – and that my friend, is obvious to anyone who frequents that website. That does not mean that I’m saying “if you’re one of those, you’re all of them.”
Thanks for noting that I apologized for bringing it up in a post where it would have been better left out, though.
Considering the hundreds of comments and posts I’ve written, I’m entitled to slip up once in a while (I am human, believe it or not). I’m talking about people whose stock in trade is to be antagonistic online day in and day out.
And folks, Ken J is right: the point of this post was most certainly NOT to apologize for a typo – it was just an example.
Best,
Vic
Well put, this site is the very first place I look for movie reviews or news. Keep up to good work.
Nick, et al: It’s great to see the nice words you all have to say about us, Vic and the site. Thanks for them. -Bruce
Great post Vic!
All sites like this eventually have to deal with this problem. The fact that it is so easy for people to hide really brings out the most hideous parts of some people. It’s too easy to leave a fake name/fake email, so people can say the most horrible things imaginable. It truly is sad. But as writers for websites we must be prepared to face the occasional biggot or cowardly jerk. It’s just part of the job. I think you did a great job of bringing it out into the open, and addressing it publicly so everyone can see that won’t be tolerated.
Just another reason why I love it here at Screen Rant. Reading your posts here is one reason why I got into the internet movie site business. Thanks for the inspiration Vic. And thanks to all the regulars, both here and over where I “work” who bring their opinions and ideas to our attention in a respectable manner. Vic is right, reading the comments really makes this “job” special!
I can honestly say that my email, as used by me, is not real. The reason is, that no one on this board NEEDS TO KNOW IT. It’s not about having something to hide, it’s about: “why would someone else WANT my email address?” Going to spam me or something? I post only legitimate comments, not using profanity, but often flying in the face of politically correct, herd-mentality movie loving.
That said, message board trolls are all over the net, and they are people with too much time on their hands. They only want to cause trouble, not give inciteful feedback on ANYTHING they’ve seen. All I can say to the MODS, is delete their posts, but be careful not to start deleting ANYTHING that goes against your opinion, or god forbid, you wind up like the Allspark discussion board, where anything you say “against” a new transformers product is labelled “flaming,” and you get booted.
Sometimes, it’s a fine line.
Might be an idea to have people create accounts on this site before commenting.. There are options to hide email addresses for people that prefer to have it hidden. It’s about time with the success of this site to now head down this path to reduce the amnount of idiots posting and wasting your time filtering it out.
Vic, I am impressed with how far this newsletter and site has come in the last year. It’s short and sweet and covers only the interesting titles. The only movie email I have sent to my inbox.
Kudos to you all at Screenrant.
First off, its Good that you have become popular. That’s a big plus. I certainly respect your standards as I don’t really get the use of profanity in written form. Hey, we all curse at least once in a while, but when its in written form, its just seems so low class. At least to me. Many other big sites have no problem with it, which surpises me a little but I guess to each there own. I don’t get it either when the F-Bomb is used repeatedly in podcasts. Like Bruce Wayne said in the Dark Knight We need to aspire to be so much more! Thats just my opinion.
Chuck
Good post Vic,
I wish other sites would take such a stand.
@Jim Dandy
Let’s be clear: NO ONE CAN SEE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS except for myself and my writers. It is not visible or made available to regular site visitors in any way. It can’t be seen be viewing the page source code or anything like that.
So while I can understand your online paranoia (and I don’t mean that in a bad way at ALL with all the spambots out there) your concerns about it are completely unwarranted.
The thing is when someone subscribes to a comment thread that is popular and I get a continuous string of bounced emails because it’s a bogus address, it bugs the hell out of me.
Vic
HEY ALL: In regards to emails and online concerns, I get it completely.
We’re careful here, as Vic noted. I spent several years as a network admin and there were a few tricks we used to use when we would sign up for things.
Here’s my fav: Sign up for an email for the use on forums and other places. I don’t recommend AOL… they randomly block emails before you even see it … but yahoo and gmail are pretty good.
Just a thought.
Hear! Hear!
I’ve been studying the way people use comments for over a year now, and it’s amazing to see the almost virtual society that you will see in the land of website commentary. USAToday is probably my favorite to watch and participate in right now because literally – it’s like that scene you see in any movie about New York – that shot of people of all walks of life walking down the street – inattentive, some chatting to themselves, others with their head down, others reading. It’s amazing. I can imagine doing several formal studies that would provide oodles of information about the way and frequency people post comments. Great stuff and a super-pointed article Vic. Well done.
Pfft @ people who freak out over typos. I made a bunch (yes, a bunch) of really bad one AGES and when I re-read my comment, I was so ashamed of myself. I didn’t show my face (figuratively, duh) ’round these parts for ages. But I got over it. Why? Because I am not some divine being who’s perfect in every way (as much as I’d like to think so, let’s face it…I’m not Mary Poppins).
and UGH! INTERNET SPAMMERS!!!11!! I blow my nose at them, those sons of a silly person.
you tell em’ vic
Vic-
Kudos.
Since i am new to the whole comments thing, I have this to say, I enjoy posting here, because I do not feel that i will be attacked because of my opinions, and I can joke around.
Thanks Vic for running this site the way you do, its a safe Haven for Opinions. If I, in any way, have violated any of your protocols, I sincerly apologize and meant no harm in doing so.
Once agian Vic Keep up the good Work
I just wanted to say,
This is the best site of its kind online.
Bar None.
Thanks guys, I do appreciate your comments about the site. We work hard to make it what it is and a bit unique when compared to other sites.
Vic
As one of the writers here, I have to say Vic is cool to work for too.
Don’t forget to spread the warmth and tell your friends and others about this uber-cool source of entertainment news and commentary!
Thanks everyone.
Well Golly, Horsepuckey and Dangit…
Just used some profanity!
Sorry!
Many thanks and salutations to you and yours!!!
Love it here…
Larry
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