[Penarin]

I've never really seen any good film discussion of facebook. I don't use twitter, but that 140 character limit isn't made for much analysis.

From what I've seen on facebook, here's how most movie topics seem to go-

--
"Les Miserables was really good. If you're at all interested in this one, try to catch it in the theater- seeing it on the big screen with a crowd was quite the experience."

Like
Like
"Agreed"
"It sucked."
"U just lost yer man card lolz"
Like
--

Or someone will post a screenshot plus a quote. It will get a few likes and maybe a couple more quotes. The end.

Compare that to some of the epic movie threads here at RT. Or something like the "my favorite shots from The Wire thread," with dozens and dozens of screenshots. You couldn't do something like that on Facebook. A blog maybe, but do people still do that?

Yeah, I like catching up with family and friends on facebook, but I've learned a ton about movies over the years here at Rotten Tomatoes. And this place seems to be dying, due to the larger trend away from forums, and the fact that this particular place is hard to find.

So now what?

[RaiderMatt]

If we die, we die.

[Rostron2]

I think it's all a factor of how much time people have, whether they prefer epic write-ups and discussion, or quick hits on Social Media.

[Jyan]

For everything there is a season.

[Han Bennink]

Han Likes This.

[Monsieur Red]

The forums are fast becoming like that.

[Jack Package]

Do you really want movie reviews and opinions from the people on your Facebook list? I sure don't, they all have terrible taste.

[Jyan]

Originally Posted by Jack Package

Do you really want movie reviews and opinions from the people on your Facebook list? I sure don't, they all have terrible taste.

A number of people on my facebook list are critics, so...

[Chroma Noise]

I don't think discussion forums will ever die because it gives us something they lack.....

Anonymity.

[Spencie]

I think another problem is that social networking is so broad that discussion never gets too deep. Everyone here at RT can at least agree on one thing, we all objectify film as a medium in some way. Whereas on facebook, all the people I went to Highschool with don't give a damn what makes a movie good or bad they just like to agree when they like something. It also seems more hostile to disagree with someone on social networking sites but on a "Discussion Board" it's kind of the point.

[The Reaper]

Let's have a war against FB. I'm ready to throw down, yo.

[Penarin]

Originally Posted by Spencie

I think another problem is that social networking is so broad that discussion never gets too deep. Everyone here at RT can at least agree on one thing, we all objectify film as a medium in some way. Whereas on facebook, all the people I went to Highschool with don't give a damn what makes a movie good or bad they just like to agree when they like something. It also seems more hostile to disagree with someone on social networking sites but on a "Discussion Board" it's kind of the point.

That's a good point. On the bookface, if some old friend thinks Gigli is one of the best romantic comedies ever, I'm not gonna go there.

[El Seven]

Reddit has movie discussions and boobs. Reddit wins.

[Ed]

You people are pretty much my only "movie friends", so....

*weeps silently to self*

[Feuer und Eis]

[The Bad Guy]

Like

[Rock]

I've discussed films a bit with some of my friends over the PMs in Facebook, but otherwise haven't seen too much film discussion, and certainly nothing deep.

[dreiser]

I tend to avoid social media, so if my movie forums die out I'm screwed.

[julian.molina]

I've never seen a good discussion on Facebook, movie related or otherwise.

[Huntressmoon13]

Originally Posted by Jack Package

Do you really want movie reviews and opinions from the people on your Facebook list? I sure don't, they all have terrible taste.

This. Not to mention my grandma in her 80s is on Facebook so I can't b itch someone out.

Although she did see Them when it first came out. She might like them.

[The Half Blood Prince]

I've engaged in many thoughtful and dense film conversations on Twitter; I've cultivated a strong network that I enjoy on a daily basis.

Message boards allow for more characters, of course, but I don't get to "choose" who I hear from. It's a free for all.

I don't mean to impugn RT, necessarily, it's as fine a film forum as I've found on the internet.


And Facebook? Forget about it. Utter nonsense.

[Ghost]

i refrain from any kind of opinion whatsoever on facebook because of the exposure. at least here i know people are into film and there is a degree of anonymity.

[doughboy]

This discussion x 100. Even if I post on facebook without fear of offending anyone, most of my friends just defer to me, because 1) I am (somewhat) more of an expert than they are and 2) they don't want to offend me.

[Monster of the Week]

Originally Posted by Chroma Noise

I don't think discussion forums will ever die because it gives us something they lack.....

Anonymity.

This is a good point.

Maybe I'm old-schooled (how weird is that?), but my first instinct is to come search GD for discussion rather than post something on Facebook.

[smile or i will kill you]

It's simply not true that forums are generally on the decline. I post on numerous boards, all of which are thriving.....apart from this one.

It has been said a thousand times before, but if these forums were linked on the main pages of RT then we would have fresh members.

As it stands, people just link their facebook accounts to Flixster and we end up with embarrasments like The Dark Knight Rises comments debacle.

They don't even know that we (the people under the stairs) even exist.

[Nobby]

We need an app that works like a message board on a phone. That's why twitter works. Now if you can combine message board and phone, uhm step 3 is profit!

[Rated NCC-1701]

Originally Posted by RaiderMatt

If we die, we die.

How many Facebookers would get this reference?

[Methuselah]

I consider the forums part of the movie experience now. Its genuinely enjoyable to watch something new and the post in here about it to see what others thought.

[Vivid]

Originally Posted by RaiderMatt

If we die, we die.

[Peace161]

It depends on the people on your friends list. I have one friend who is hilarious, has his own film blog and is currently working in the Aussie film industry. He's ALWAYS posting lengthy and insightful critiques.

And generally, if someone on my news feed mentions a film, a discussion starts. Albeit, in a more casual, conversation way than on here.

I'm a bit brutal about who I add and de-friend on Facey though. I was just sick of reading statuses from ex high school "friends" who I never liked as a kid and like even less as an adult.

As for Twitter, I'm one of those people who don't "get" it. It seems to me like just a public Facebook with limited functionality and a character limit that ensures people rely on text speak.