Why I made this blog

In short, I made this blog because I’m taking a journalistic blogging course over the
summer.  However, this blog is not just an assignment for class. Exceptional Film
Reviews is a passion project I’ve wanted to do for years.

There were many routes I could have taken with this blog, but the clearest option was a
film review blog.  I love movies, but I probably love film reviews even more.

I find that film reviews can be almost as entertaining as the films themselves.  Film
reviews are an educational way to create a discussion. Every person has different criteria
when it comes to deciding if a film is good or bad, which I find fascinating.

Exceptional Film Reviews is a film review blog that will focus on new releases as well as
other film related content.  I am still figuring out my writing style, so there will most likely be
some diversity with my first few posts. I will attempt to blog once a week for as long as
I can, but I will post more than once a week for the next five weeks.

I chose the word exceptional in the title of this blog because I am searching for movies that
stand out in some way from others.  Even if I dislike something a film does, I will always be
more forgiving if the filmmaker attempts something out of the norm.

I am very confident in my ability to read film and write properly.  Not only that, but I am also
aware of the loose formula film critics on the internet use to critique film, which will translate
into exceptional film reviews.

One of the reasons I created Exceptional Film Reviews as a blog is because I wanted to
learn how to blog.  Blogging seems like a very important skill not just in journalism but in any
field of work. By writing what I believe on the internet and taking the feedback given by my
audience, I am better preparing myself to work with others in my career.

The second reason I am blogging is to practice my writing skills.  As a journalism major, the
most frequent advice I receive is to read and write as much as possible.  This blog is a fun
exercise in maintaining and expanding my writing skills.

I believe that I am an adequate journalist.  I take my time proofreading my works and
checking facts online.  My one major flaw would have to be my social anxiety when talking
with others.

My experience with blogging thus far has been minimal.  In the past, I have frequented the
Roger Ebert film review blog.  However, I am very interested in YouTube film reviews and
podcasts, which draw a lot of similarities to blogs.

My greatest fear is being the same as all the other film bloggers out there.  I want to find a
way to stand out and make opinions worth hearing. Also, I am a little scared about putting
my opinions on the internet because I am unsure how people are going to react to criticism
or even praise of certain films.

I hope this blog is a stepping stone in my quest to better understand the art of film.  It is
amazing how much my views on certain movies have changed throughout the years, and
I’m sure my thoughts will only grow more complex as time passes.  To all the people in my
audience, I sincerely hope you can help me learn by letting me know your opinions in the
comment sections of my reviews.