39 Messages
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1.5K Points
Here We Go Again
Could someone please explain to me what is wrong with my review [#230325-134807-090304] and why it is being held up? I mean, if you don't want people to review these films then why not just come out and say so?
ACT_1
8.6K Messages
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176.8K Points
2 years ago
@james_a_burgin 😀
Only you and the Staff can see this
review [#230325-134807-090304]
You want to post the Title and text here for all to read ??
.
(edited)
6
james_a_burgin
39 Messages
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1.5K Points
2 years ago
I'm honestly not sure if it's an algorithm or "key words" in their filter, but something is wrong with IMDb these days. Quite frankly, I sometimes wonder if there isn't a secret meeting these guys have where they gather around and discuss which reviewer they're going to hassle that particular week. It's really getting ridiculous. For example, I wrote a review about an old war movie (produced in the late 40's) which was about a spy that infiltrated the German government. Unfortunately, I used a word associated with the political party in question which offended the IMDb censors. Since, I don't want to offend anybody here, I will describe the word in question so that everybody knows what I'm talking about: The first letter begins with an "N". The letters after that contain the first in the English alphabet, followed by the last in the English alphabet and concluding with the vowel that looks like an "i". So, that's the offending word which got my review denied. When I argued that it was difficult not to use the 4-letter word used to describe the political party in Germany at the time, the censors relented (after several days) and posted the review. I've had other reviews declined or "pending review" since then for equally silly reasons. Want another example? I once wrote a review for the 1973 film "Little Cigars" and I used a word to describe Angel Tompkins' assistants that was apparently verbotten in today's English. So, being the conciliatory person that I am, I changed my review by substituting the word "m**g*ts" and used the phrase "a small group of thieves" instead. As George Thorogood might say, "They were so happy. They were lovey-dovey." ["One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer"]. Be that as it may, these are politically charged times with one faction on the extreme right trying to ban books and movies like "Harry Potter" while another faction on the extreme left is trying to ban "Huckleberry Finn." Regardless of how you slice it, censorship is censorship. And I'm sick of it. Now, I could understand it if I used derogatory epithets and slurs toward certain ethnic groups. I could also understand it if I used profanity. But I don't. As a matter of fact, I often give negative reviews to films that I believe are too vulgar or use too much profanity when it really isn't necessary. I could even mention a few comedies that come to mind, but I digress. My point is that IMDb has become too heavy-handed and bureaucratic lately and they are really beginning to upset the one element that keeps them in business--the prolific reviewers. Think about it, without them there wouldn't even be an IMDb! But again, I digress. Now, I only have 3300 movie reviews to my credit. But just this week one person with 10,000 reviews complained about one of his that was declined as well. Apparently, somebody thought his summary was too lengthy. [Note: It was eventually posted.] Likewise, I remember reading another prolific reviewer's comment not too long ago where she had become so frustrated with the censors that her last words were "I'm done." From what I understand, she now posts on Rotton Tomatoes or some other movie database. Then there are a couple of other prolific reviewers who have just recently quit posting entirely. In short, IMDb is a private company, and they can do whatever they want. But, as I said before, censorship is censorship, and if they want to engage in it then they have that right. But they can do it without me. I'm done.
3
Bethanny
Employee
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5.6K Messages
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58.9K Points
2 years ago
Hi @james_a_burgin -
Your review was actually approved and can be seen here.
Cheers!
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