Top 7 Reasons Why Writing Reviews Is Cathartic for Me

Here’s the last Top 7 post for 2020. I wish that I had a more fun post to end this year, especially with a more negative Top 7 list that was written when I was very frustrated. Maybe I can end something with something that’s somewhat positive. Blogging has been therapeutic for me. It allowed me to be open and honest with others while allowing me to share my knowledge or to use avenues for creativity in multiple disciplines. Getting into reviewing films, anime, and docs, especially the ones that aren’t talked about as much or at all. Sadly enough, part of this stems from doing my best to prove myself to others by showing what I know, but at the same time, I do want to have an outlet to bring light to these films as well as give my own thoughts on them.

Here are 7 reasons why Iridium Eye has been cathartic for me.

7: Research is fun for me.

Okay, I’m quite nerdy about numerous things which can really show in some of my interactions with others. Not just in film, but also with geography, storytelling, and some forms of music even though I’m nowhere near as much of a music fan as I used to be. I like being able to learn about the different actors, directors, studios, or inspirations that went into each thing I review even if I don’t like it. This allows me to give my own commentary on various media and sometimes can make something better in some situations after watching what I’m about to review. Things like a country’s international movie scene or someone’s filmography can be quite fascinating.

6: This allows me to be an advocate of sorts, oddly enough.

I certainly advocate for giving lesser-known creators time in the spotlight on this blog. Sure, I’ve reviewed things from more renowned directors, creators, or even actors, but I felt like there were so many great movies and series out there that people aren’t talking about. I don’t want to canonize myself as a saint of reviewing obscure media, but I do feel like it has become a bit of an obligation or a labor of love outside of work and my other creative projects. There have been other things that I’ve advocated for if one has read a multitude of my posts such as positive racial representation, exposing cinema from countries one wouldn’t think would have a movie scene there (or at least countries most people haven’t heard of), calling out film plagiarism controversies, and with certain documentaries out there…shedding a light to some serious issues even if they get quite uncomfortable. Iridium Eye has helped me to stand up for different people and ideologies even if I feel like the only one who is standing up at all.

5: Critiquing is another form of creativity.

It’s very fascinating seeing all the different film and anime reviewers putting their thoughts online for what they critique. Some have creative scoring systems, a great sense of humor, laser-focused analytical skills, and have even exposed me to movies or series I never thought I wanted to see which is awesome. Hopefully, I’ve done my best to be creative in my approach to reviewing. I know I go for a more minimalist approach that isn’t so reliant on screenshots most of the time, but I hope things have worked. I try to use humor when appropriate, come up with unique viewpoints on different aspects of what I critique and even come up with metatextual references like if I review something with someone who’s played a similar character or something like that. Maybe people enjoy what I do. I don’t know, but it does feel good making these posts.

4: I have rediscovered my fandom of world cinema, anime, and documentaries while learning even more as I started this blog.

I’ve had an interest in international cinema and documentaries even though I’ve been quiet about it for years. I got back into anime a few years ago after I had a hiatus of sorts when I was busy with so many other things. Reviewing all of this media has rekindled those interests where I get to talk about them to the best of my ability. After getting my degree, I thought it would be good to use some of that media/film experience in a format like this one. I have also reviewed things I saw years ago by design which I explicitly mention how I first discovered something. Not every time has been perfect, but I was able to have a sharper eye for critiquing things in general.

3: This allows me to practice my writing skills.

Some of you know that I write poetry and fiction. Those things are great to write, but I’m not going to be a two-trick pony as a writer. Creating these analytical pieces has been a godsend in articulating my thoughts on how much I like or dislike what I’ve watched. I felt that I’ve been a stronger writer as well as a better storyteller when I see all these stories in different genres or media playing out in front of me. They can be fiction or fact (mainly documentaries for the latter even though some are very slanted), but that has also inspired me in my other fields. These reviews and Top 7 lists do allow me to be a well-oiled machine when it comes to writing.

2: I can be passionate about certain subjects and I won’t be criticized for these passions.

This one is huge because I’ve been bullied for things I liked (and even still like). I can write with so many emotions from pure joy, anger, sadness, and everything in between. It’s amazing to be honest about how I feel about what I watch and the things I do. In my offline life, people either didn’t get my passions or felt that I had too much emotion on different subject matters which the latter felt like low-key shaming (more on that in my #1 post) me. There have been times when my fervor comes out when I praise a movie or series for being unique or artistic. One has also seen the times when I was seething in rage when I excoriated racist content or how someone plagiarized another person’s work, especially in Hollywood. Even the subject matter is quite diverse on the blog. Do you know any other review blogs or sites that have posts involving silent films, musicals, Nollywood, long-form music videos, Irish animated works, avant-garde anime, or even documentaries involving Welsh pro wrestlers? Iridium Eye can allow me to be unfettered at times where I can fully express my thoughts in the context of movies and anime.

1: I can actually feel liberated and not silenced with these thoughts (or as much as I can with the state of the internet).

I’ve been bullied or shamed in silence. Some abusive people who have been in my life thought I was too loud or too outspoken regardless if I said something I shouldn’t have or for daring to defend myself verbally. This has helped me to strengthen my voice by mentioning something like fandoms or even more intense subjects like colonization for example. I can express these reviews and even drop uncomfortable truths to my viewers. Even with my opinions, I wanted to be intelligent in my responses whether someone would agree with me or not. There was a kind of freedom in that. I still have a ton of things to work on, but I’m glad to have this little blog to cover my passions about the best movies or series you’ve never heard of. It’s a miracle I even have readers or that people actually respect my opinions.

Thank you, everyone.