Vic Holtreman’s background doesn’t scream “movie critic.”
The editor in chief at the savvy film site Screen Rant once worked as a car salesman, waiter, construction worker and mechanical drafter.
But that’s the beauty of the web – that someone from Holtreman’s diverse background can sound off on film from an Everyman’s perspective. And, given the success of the site, people seem to be responding.
WWTW checked in with Holtreman to get his thoughts on being an online movie critic and how his site changed the way he watches movies.
WWTW: Briefly, how did you get started with Screenrant.com/reviewing films on the web, and how has the site grown over the years?
VH: It started out as a lark. I’ve always been a big movie fan and being a computer geek, about seven years ago with the advent of “weblogs” I decided I’d try my hand at creating one just to see what was involved. A friend and I who shared the same opinions regarding some of the strange decisions that are made by studios in deciding what to green light, who to cast, etc. just started posting up our thoughts. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that the site would grow to become what it is today with multiple editors, a dozen writers and tens of thousands of visitors a day.
WWTW: How has being a web-based film critic changed how you watch and enjoy films?
VH: I may catch some heat for this, but it actually makes it harder for me to sit back and just enjoy a film upon first viewing (if I’m reviewing it). I can’t just relax and let it wash over me so much when I’m watching it with a critical eye. Thankfully, with Blu-ray and a home theater set up I can kick back and enjoy the ride over and over on my favorite films after the fact.
WWTW: Do you think film critics need a particular skill set to review movies? What qualities mark the best film critics?
VH: I’m probably not the best guy to ask that since I’m not a professional movie critic myself. I’ve watched well over 1,000 films and I believe I have a pretty good idea of what is a good film vs. one that’s not so great. Again, here I may be diverging from other reviewers in that my approach to movie reviewing is to help people decide whether to plunk down their $10 to go watch a particular movie. I have a ton of respect for professional critics who can break down a movie into its component parts for detailed analysis – but I don’t think that’s why the average person reads reviews.
WWTW: People keep bemoaning the death of the print film critic. Thoughts? Will web-based critics ever have the clout of their former print peers, or do they now?
VH: With the growing influence and use of social media I think perhaps critics in general, both online and offline, will see a decline in “clout.” There will always be people who find particular reviewers with whom they tend to generally agree and will turn to for help in deciding whether or not to watch a film. But aggregate review sites like Rotten Tomatoes and MetaCritic, along with up and coming websites which compile what people are saying in general about particular movies will do well as folks put a lot of faith in the consensus opinion.
WWTW: Online readers can give you grief, but they also keep you honest. Any anecdotes regarding the more interesting exchanges between you and your readers you’d like to share?
VH: Absolutely! I’ve had more than one occasion where a reader has left a comment that made me think of something regarding a film that hadn’t occurred to me before. I really encourage discussion on Screen Rant - my only rule is that people must be able to disagree with each other without personally attacking the person with whom they have a differing opinion. There’s just no need for insults, even though that seems to be the currency of online discussion. Oh, and my favorite anecdote (which has popped up more than once) is when a reader tells me that I should be fired from Screen Rant because they disagree with my review.
WWTW: What’s the worst aspect of being a film critic?
VH: Dealing with people who call you an idiot or worse because they disagree with your review. But you get used to that. 
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
The trouble is that a lot of people (especially in online discussions) can’t get past that consensus opinion. If you hate a movie with a high score or love one with a low score you’re wrong, no other discussion needed. People talk about the power that print critics once had, but I don’t remember people saying ‘Roger Ebert called it the year’s best film, so you’re an idiot if you don’t like it!’
I think this is more of a problem with geek-related movies. The anger you’ll face by disagreeing with NerdNation is pretty potent.
I’ve been a reader of Screen Rant for a few years now and I find it is one of the best places to have an open discussion about films. Sometimes it gets a bit out of hand with fanboys bashing people who hate movies, but Vic tends to put a stop to that stuff pretty quickly. I really like that Vic tries to come at the movie from a movie fan’s point of view instead of a film snob point of view. I agree with some of Vic’s reviews, but more often than not, if Vic gives a film a good rating I will tend to enjoy. The only major exception thus far has been American Gangster, that film was just awful.
One word of advice before heading over to Screen Rant, be careful in the Twilight threads, those girls get vicious protecting their emo vampires!! 