eFilmCritic

[Erik The Movieman]

You want the scoop on Shawn Edwards - we've got it here at Criticwatch: http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=37494#37494

Look at Edwards' latest egotistical rambling.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/columnists/hearne_christopher_jr/11042740.htm

Cut! Edwards leaves KC Film Critics Circle

HEARNE CHRISTOPHER JR.


Fox 4 movie critic Shawn Edwards dropped the Dear John hammer on the 23-member Kansas City Film Critics Circle.

Edwards, who was bashed recently by a writer at Variety for dishing out positive reviews of movies like “White Chicks,” tendered his resignation earlier this week.

The reason for bailing from the clubby local critics club?

“They're not trying to support the totality of cinema and a diverse viewpoint,” Edwards says. “To me it's nothing but a big clique of film geeks — that's why I resigned. I'm not going to be a part of that. I don't need to be a part of a group that supports negativity.”

Jon Niccum, who heads the film critics circle, confirms Edwards' resignation. But he has another take.

“Basically Shawn was actively suspended because he didn't pay his dues,” Niccum says. “This wouldn't bother me except for the fact that last year I covered his dues for him, for which he never paid me back. So I suspended him.”

Edwards' debt to the Circle: Ten big ones, as in $10.

That said, Edwards won't be entirely left out in the cold from the critics' circle.

“I'm a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association,” Edwards says of the group that describes itself as the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada. “And I'm a founding member of the African American Film Critics Association. And I've actually become an official juror of the Film Life Movie Awards. Their awards show will be broadcast on TNT on May 21 live from Los Angeles.”

Several members of the local inner circle say privately Edwards didn't fit in because they thought he was garnering favor from movie studios by serving up flattering sound bites later used in movie ads across the country. Thus undervaluing the role of critics.

“If they want to fire arrows at me, that's fine, but I think they're firing arrows out of jealousy and envy,” Edwards counters. “If I like a movie or don't like a movie, fine, who cares? Why are they so concerned over what my views are? I don't understand what's been done that's wrong. I mean movies and quotes go together like 7-Elevens and Slurpees.”

“I'm sorry that Shawn feels that way because I think he's always made interesting contributions to the group,” says longtime Film Circle member Jack Poessiger. “He brings a broader, different perspective to the group because he's not a geek, and I wish he would reconsider.”

Edwards' bottom line on bailing: “I didn't like the tone and the vibe at the last meeting,” he says. “I thought the way that we voted (for movie awards) was very condescending. What happens is when we vote, Jon reads the name of the movie and some people will laugh or joke — it's just totally unprofessional.”
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Erik Childress
Online Film Critics Society / Chicago Film Critics Association
Nick Digilio - WGN Radio Chicago

[Oz]

He's *SUCH* a bonehead. And we're *SO* going to take him down.
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[TheAngryJew]

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Scott Weinberg

[David Cornelius]

OK, are you complaining that Edwards liked Robots, or that he called it the best cartoon ever? Because I kinda liked Robots... but sweet jeezus, not that much.

Dave

[Erik The Movieman]

I think (1) just because Edwards was quoted AGAIN and (2) "most dazzling EVER!"???

Over Fantasia and Toy Story and Iron Giant and Shrek and Finding Nemo and The Incredibles and The Polar Express???
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Erik Childress
Online Film Critics Society / Chicago Film Critics Association
Nick Digilio - WGN Radio Chicago

[TheAngryJew]

Robots was a freaking eyesore with not one likeable or memorable character. It's three or four flashy set pieces buoyed by a whole lot of aimless nothing. The "transit system" sequence is the best thing in the film (by far) and even that works only on a visual level.
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Scott Weinberg

[Oz]

Dude, shut up. Shawn "Nuff" Edwards says it's the best animated film EVAH! And he's down with the homies, yo.

Sho nuff.
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[David Cornelius]

I'm sure there's an answer to this, considering how many times folks like Edwards uses the phrase "the year's best comedy" within the same year, but... anyone know if he's used the same phrase ("most dazzling... ever made") before?

And c'mon, Scott. Farting robots! That's comedy gold!

Dave

[Erik The Movieman]

Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events - Dazzling! One of the best movies of the year. A stylish and completely absorbing adventure that's totally compelling and wickedly entertaining.

And I stumbled upon this in my archives:
2003
Kill Bill Vol. 1 – An ultra-cool masterpiece! The best film of the year!

2004
Resident Evil: Apocalypse - An explosive masterpiece tailor-made for those who love ultra-cool high energy action!
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Erik Childress
Online Film Critics Society / Chicago Film Critics Association
Nick Digilio - WGN Radio Chicago

[Loey]

As one of the unprofessional geeks Shawn Edwards can no longer stand to work with, I offer a hearty "good riddance" to the news of his departure. For the last few years, his behavior has gotten worse and worse, and I'm not talking about the quote whoring (no one who knows him really cares about that - we have much bigger problems with the guy).

Shawn rarely bothered to show up at Kansas City Film Critics Circle events (he even skipped a mandatory one, claiming he "forgot"). When he did attend, he could be counted on to bitch about everything, never once volunteering to join the Governing Committee so he could actually DO something useful. At a 2003 meet-and-greet for new members, he became outright belligerent in response to a discussion that didn't even concern him. He put on quite a show that night, shouting at everyone, calling us names, and coming very close to physical blows with one of our members.

We should have kicked him out then and there, but we were so stunned, and so afraid of a confrontation, we let it go. We let him get away with skipping the mandatory meeting. We didn't demand that he pay his dues last year. We didn't act when a studio representative complained about his behavior at a screening. Basically, we were cowards, and he took advantage of every inch we gave him.

Finally, this year, we insisted that he simply pay his dues. We didn't even threaten to kick him out (yet), but chose suspension instead. He never formally resigned (he just told the secretary to remove his name from the membership directory), but he did go running straight to Hearne Christopher, the columnist who wrote the article in The Star. Hearne is inexplicably sympathetic to Shawn's victim routine, and gleefully prints every claim Shawn makes about how we're all out to get him for no good reason.

But we have a good reason. Several of them, in fact. And I, for one, am glad to see him go.


Loey Lockerby
HBS reviewer
KCFCC Treasurer and Governing Committee member

[Oz]

And meanwhile he created his own group... what was it? The Black Quote Whore Association of America?

How many members does he have? Five? Six? And that number includes Wilson "English isn't even my second language" Morales...

I've never seen film critics activvely despise one of their own the way film critics despise Shawn Edwards. And it's good to see that we're finally starting to clean out our collective basement of scumbags like him.
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[Erik The Movieman]

Greg Whore Russell is also a member of the AAFCA. If anyone wants to contact them - feel free:

African American Film Critics Association/AAFCA
1335 North La Brea
# 2146
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323- 969- 4804
info@aafca.com

The complete list of AAFCA’s Top Ten Films of 2004 follows.

1. “Ray” (Universal)

2. “Hotel Rwanda” (United Artists)

3. “Finding Neverland” (Miramax)

4. “Aviator” (Miramax)

5. “Sideways” (Fox Searchlight)

6. “Baadasssss!” (Sony Picture Classics)

7. “Brother to Brother” (Wolfe Video)

8. “Woman Thou Art Loosed” (Magnolia Films)

9. “Million Dollar Baby” (Warner Bros.)

10. “Collateral” (Dreamworks)
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Erik Childress
Online Film Critics Society / Chicago Film Critics Association
Nick Digilio - WGN Radio Chicago

[Lybarger]

If you believe Shawn Edwards' assertions in Hearne Christopher, Jr.'s columns for The Kansas City Star, you probably also trust him when he proclaims that "Beyond Borders" is "Intelligent and inspiring! A rare achievement in film. Angelina Jolie is terrific and delivers an engaging and courageous performance."

Normally, I giggle at Shawn's bizarre ramblings in the Christopher columns, but because he has insulted the rest of the group and our president Jon Niccum in particular, I cannot allow Shawn's distortions to continue unchallenged.

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle did not suspend Shawn Edwards because we were envious of how his name had been plastered across print ads for such gems as the Britney Spears vehicle "Crossroads" ("It has everything that makes a movie totally cool: laughs, adventure, spirit, hot music, drama and of course BRITNEY!").

As much as films like "Sweet November," "Radio" and "The Wedding Date," need defenders, the other board members and I felt that it was imperative to respect the needs of the other members of the KCFCC. Our problems with Shawn stem from his:

·Spotty attendance (he missed a mandatory annual vote claiming he forgot and failed to even appoint a proxy)
·Condescending attitude (he would refer to other people's ideas as "wack")
·Aversion to paying his dues (five dollars last year, ten dollars this year)

It's obvious that he had left the group in spirit long before he quit and poured his guts out to the press.

Why Shawn felt that he was above paying dues is his business. But when every other member of the group had paid the fee both this year and last, it is not fair to them that he continue to flaunt the rules.

When our treasurer, fellow Bitchslapper Loey Lockerby, tactfully reminded Shawn he had to part with the cash, Shawn would snidely inform he'd pay in July.

It's ironic that when we raised and clarified our rules for membership and conduct (they're available for all to see at http://www.kcfilmcritics.com), Shawn, who complains they are not high enough, became the first casualty.

Shawn may think the recent backlash against him is simply a local dispute, but his dubious endorsements have made him a national laughing stock for years.

Variety has been ridiculing him since 2002. Google his name, and you'll see that several critics who aren't hiding behind pseudonyms have taken issue with him. If he wants to be taken seriously again, he might want to rethink what he praises.

Contrary to what Shawn has told Mr. Christopher, his problems with his peers have nothing to do with age. His biggest detractors, like the members of FilmSnobs.com and the proprietors of Hollywoodbitchslap.com, are five to ten years younger than he is.

The sad thing is that once upon a time I got along with this guy. He used to write important local stories about AIDS and the racial divide in Kansas City.

Believe it or not, Shawn even had me as a guest on a radio show he hosted.

Unfortunately, that Shawn Edwards hasn't been around for a while. We need more people like the guy he used to be, not the one he has become.

My hope is that with his membership with other critics groups is that he would follow Jon Niccum's example and provide thoughtful, clear leadership instead of petty sniping. He won't do these groups much good either if he continues the path he has followed with us.

Dan Lybarger
Proud HBS Monkey
Governing Board Member of the KCFCC
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Lybarger
A Kraut by any other name...

[TheAngryJew]

Thanks to Dan and L.L. for sharing this enlightening news with us. I commend you on the way you run your KC crew, and thanks for sharing your reviews with our insane little website.
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Scott Weinberg