Netflix’s Rim of the World Is No Stranger Things. And Here’s Why
Many Critics Were Comparing "Rim of the World" to "Stranger Things" Before Even Watching the Movie. Why Would They Do That?
"Rim of the World" is no "Stranger Things". Sure, McG's latest film for Netflix is a great teen-friendly, sci-fi adventure worthy of a binge. But calling it "Stranger Things with aliens" is not right.
"Rim of the World" stars: Miya Cech, Jack Gore, Alessio Scalzotto and Benjamin Flores Jr. Annabeth Gish, Dean Jagger and Andrew Bachelor also star in this binge-worthy movie from Netflix.
Nothing But "Stranger Things" Will Ever Be "Stranger Things"!
Don't judge a book by its cover. Looks can be deceiving. Beauty is only skin deep. What really matters is invisible to the eyes.
No. "Rim of the World" is not "Stranger Things". Neither is "Summer of 84", "Super 8" (which came out first), "The 100", or "The Order." "Rim of the World", which is great by the way, should not be compared to "Stranger Things" anymore than it should any other show.
If you're looking for the review, you're on the wrong page. You can read a detailed, but still brief, opinion about "Rim of the World" HERE. Click on the "88 second 8FLiX review & binge briefing" tab.
For the Love of Mileven, Please Stop...
It seems like nearly every movie or TV show released lately that have teens riding bikes, or might be supernatural in nature, is compared to "Stranger Things". Often, these outlandish comparisons are made by (presumably) intelligent people calling themselves journalists.
To all those types, I say - with all the malice I can muster - STOP IT! You're embarrassing yourself, your organization, and worst of all - real journalists.
Writing clickbait headlines with ignorant, thoughtless "reviews" and rehashed Variety or Deadline stories do not make you a journalist. It's wrong, it's stupid and it's lazy.
Don't Get Me Started...
I won't mention the names of those responsible for soiling our timelines or our Google Alerts.
What's important to know is that these pseudo "Rim of the World" reviews were based only on the trailer. They were written at least 2-weeks before the article's writers were given access to advanced screenings. They were also published during a mandatory "embargo" on reviews.
Embargo, in this context, means reviews for the film may not be published until a specified date. For "Rim of the World", the Netflix embargo did not lift until 9 hours after the premiere (09:00 PT) on May 24th.
But Why...
So why do they do it? For the same reason why on YouTube you see things like, "Stranger Things Season 3 Trailer" a full one year before the real trailer is released. That, plain and simple, is clickbait. These misleading headlines and titles are designed for only one thing: to suck you in and put some money in the poster's pocket.
Don't feel bad about getting lured. It's not your fault. Clickbait headlines are made to get our attention. Even before the internet existed, tabloid newspapers were luring us in with silliness like "Eight Legged Baby Born In Toledo!!!". Heck, I'd want to see that too. Unless, of course, it turned out to be a baby spider.
Fact: I'm An Idiot, But At Least I Know It...
I am NOT a journalist, and I am the first to admit that. In fact, the day Netflix granted me access to advanced screeners they called me a "journalist." My response was literally laughing out loud. Then a mass email campaign to my friends advising of the good news quickly followed. I cleverly attached screen shots of the flattering Netflix email proving my credentials.
"I'm a journalist!" I screeched with the kind of glee not seen in my house since Netflix picked up "Arrested Development."
I wrote Twitter, demanding a coveted "blue tick."
"Now I am a journalist."
And for good measure I even offered my pièce de résistance.
"AND I have a website!"
Did I get my "blue tick?" You bet I didn't!
"Hey Stupid, Click Here"...
Being serious now, for many years I shot news in the field and in the studio. I've worked with, for, and along side journalists in both TV and print. I'm a DP, a tech, a lighting-camerman. I'm not a journalist. Writing entertaining stories for a blog doesn't make me a journalist. But, I STILL wouldn't write misleading reviews based on a 90-second trailer.
And I certainly would never write those idiotic "Ending Explained!" articles or YouTube videos. That's akin to saying, "Hey, we know you're stupid so click here because we're smarter."
Write What You Know...
I'm not a writer either. I'm trying, unsuccessfully so it appears. It took me three days to write this masterpiece (no joke)!
A dude named Samual Clemens once said, "Write what you know." I think we can all agree that Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, was a great writer. I don't know what I don't know, but I do know this: I'm not a journalist, I'm not a writer, I'm not a DP anymore. But I love to write and I love tv and movies.
- Nick Runyeard
