Marshall and the Movies

“The Origins Project” begins with James DeAmara, the Central Florida Film Critic. James was the first blogger to comment on “Marshall and the Movies.”

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

That is tough to say. The Disney classics had a profound effect on me as a child, as we all did, and the original “Toy Story” made me re-think what was possible. I happened upon “The Royal Tenenbaums” when I was only 13, and even though I did not understand it, I fell in love and became known as the kid who likes “weird movies”. It was “No Country for Old Men”, though, that completely blew the mind and led to the obsessive type of film-watching that I do today.

When did you start blogging?

I had begun writing reviews on a football forum in November of 2008, but I officially started “Central Florida Film Critic” on January 14th of 2009.

Why did you start blogging?

Christopher McCandless, immortalized in the splendid “Into the Wild”, famously wrote “Happiness only real when shared”, and that explains it. Film needs to be discussed in order to refine our appreciation of its positives and negatives, and to challenge our opinions on the quality of the product. While I adore my real-life circle of friends, they are not cinephiles, and as a result I have no one to discuss these things with. A blog allows me to rant about how great or bad a film is and allow the commenters, often very smart and astute bloggers themselves, to tell me I am crazy or right on target.

What has kept you going?

A few times I have thought of giving it up for more real pursuits, but there is nothing like getting positive feedback on a lengthy criticism or a defense of a film I dismissed that makes me re-think its strengths. I do not think I could function without the type of immediate impact I can get from blogging. I can write a rant, post it, go to sleep or to class, and come back and have someone who has read my entire post and given me feedback. It is great stuff.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

I have been inspired by many different people, and I fear I may leave them off the list. Emily of Cinebrooding.com showed me that a blog is more interesting when the author is open and loud about their favorites, rather than trying to play it like some sort of objective approach. In that same vein, M. Carter of mcarteratthemovies.wordpress.com showed me a type of more personal reviewing style, rather than approaching it like a research paper, as I often had and still do sometimes. Your [Marshall’s] random factoid segments inspired me to structure the whole thing less formally, and to just go with whatever is on my mind, which is what blogs should do.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

The best part is getting acclaim for a point made or generally liking the correct movies. That always feels nice. The worst part is feeling a certain obligation to watch things I would rather not. Anyone who reads my blog knows I am more passionate about arthouse and foreign film than most mainstream fare, but when everyone is talking about a certain film, I sort of need to see it to stay relevant. It is what led me to break my theater ban and go see “Toy Story 3”, which while I certainly did not regret, upsets the natural order of things.

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

It is hard to say, but I think I look at films more structurally knowing I will eventually write about them. Being a blogger has increased my film snob elitism, which makes it harder to relate to my friends who were wowed by something like “Jonah Hex” or are excited for the newest installment in the albino vampire movie series.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

Easily, when Chad Hartigan became a regular commenter. He is probably best known as the box office analyst for the Oscar site InContention.com, but he is also a director of some promise and skill. Also, he has fantastic taste.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

Firstly, never trust a policeman in a raincoat, and secondly, just be yourself. If you are trying to do things the way you think they ought to be done, you will be miserable and people will be uninterested. Passion shows, so go for that.

Check out “The Origins Project” when M. Carter talks about why she blogs.