Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered

By Azad June 4, 2001 11:05 AM

"Another Winner!?, he said of dire Rob Schneider comedy The Animal. ?This year?s hottest star!? he gushed over A Knight?s Tale star Heath Ledger. David Manning has been one of the most effusive supporters of Sony Pictures? recent films; a critic who is vastly knowledgeable, sharply observant and entirely fictional, according to news from Empire Online UK.

After making a few exaggeratingly glowing poster quotes from the 'movie critic', Sony Pictures has been forced to plead guilty, admitting that the man who wrote such place was a completely fabricated character. The scam was uncovered by a shrewd Newsweek reporter, and it forced Sony Pictures to confess when he queried the credibility of the gushing comments. Somewhat embarrassed at being caught with its hand in the proverbial cookie jar, Sony Pictures has been quick to condemn the whole affair.

?It was a case of incredibly bad judgement,? a Sony spokeswoman told virtual news anchor Ananova. "We're taking all the steps necessary to determine who's been responsible and will act appropriately."

The infamous critic has given a lot positive "opinions" on a number of opiniatedly bad titles including last year?s Hollow Man and the preposterously bad Vertical Limit. Manning was listed on posters as a reporter for The Ridgefield Press, a small newspaper from Connecticut. The publication has claimed they were unaware that their name was being misused.

Looks like someone is being paid a lot of dough to create "good publicity."

| comments: 15

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RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 4, 2001 12:22 PM

What's the big deal?

All a review is, is a person's opinion, I never listen to anyone, unless I know them well. Hollow Man and Vertical limit were not great, but they were entertaining. Every movie that comes out is touted by someone as a top ten movie, or an oscar worthy performance, or the best comedy of the year, or a roller coaster of thrills and chills. So Sony, instead of using one of many really really lame movie critics. I don't think its a big deal at all.

I have to disagree   reply

Posted by Jack (jack@dtheatre.com) on June 4, 2001 12:49 PM

I have to disagree. It would be like if we started running ads for Dtheatre.com saying: 'Michael Breakon says "Dtheatre.com is the best news site of the century.. and I highly recommend feeding your children to your cat!"'

It's dishonest and not a proper way to do business.

RE: I have to disagree   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 4, 2001 1:18 PM

OK thats a fair point of view, but with the reviews that come out, don't you think plenty of these critics are being paid off my companies anyway. Remember last summers "Patriot". That was one dismal flick, but its New York Times feature ad was full of every great quote from plenty of top names in the biz. I agree with what your saying but with all the corruption, it almost doesn't matter.

RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 4, 2001 1:54 PM

how long have you worked for Sony?

RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 4, 2001 5:16 PM

Who gives a shyt what any critic says - real or fake? A person should make their own mind up about a film. After all, liking or disliking a film is entirely subjective.

RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by Jack (jack@dtheatre.com) on June 4, 2001 5:33 PM

See this.

RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by 110% American (hellskitchen__@hotmail.com) on June 5, 2001 7:35 AM

I agree with you %110.

You are da man.

RE: RE: I have to disagree   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 5, 2001 12:01 PM

Critics are definitely paid off my movie studios. Typically when they know the film is bad, they will offer small time critics from newspapers and radio stations that know one has heard of, and wine and dine them to a premier. Who knows how they comp these losers but somehow the get a more or less fabricated quote to promote their latest flop. It's all about getting people into the theatre the first weekend because after word of mouth is out, the picture is doomed. Anyone with a brain should recognize these tactics when these one line reviews are printed in large type and their source is the size of a legal disclaimer. The truth always lies in small print. Maybe Sony is getting cheap, and refuse to comp these small town idiots. As far as I am concered a paid off reporter and a fake one are both lewd business practices. Sony should concentrate on making better films and not on covering their ass!

RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 5, 2001 1:26 PM

if you think about mayble you'll realize that the point of reviewing a movie (and anything else for that matter) so that movie viewers don't have to watch ever single movie released in order to find the good ones.

RE: RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 5, 2001 6:52 PM

You moron! So you're telling me if a REVIEWER says a film is good - the film IS good? Use your own brain to decide what's good, not someone elses.

RE: RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by 110% American (hellskitchen__@hotmail.com) on June 6, 2001 6:29 AM

Yeah, but what if my brain don't work very goodly and I have to relies on someone others brain?

RE: RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by The walking dead (robertdowneyjr@jail.com) on June 7, 2001 8:49 AM

OMG! I'M SHOCKED! DO YOU MEAN STUFF LIKE THIS GOES ON FOR REAL?


Gimme a break  *yawns and scratches balls*

Old news

RE: RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 11, 2001 11:23 AM

That really happens I did some research and there is no Easter bunny or santa claus either!!!!!

RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 11, 2001 7:50 PM

Some movies suck. Therein lies the problem: how do producers get as much money back as possible before word gets out? In recent years, Hollywood producers have relied on some unscrupulous characters, who for a price (say a few free nights at a hotel in Vegas, a chance to sniff the pits of a few celebs) are willing to say anything wonderful about movies they probably haven't even seen. But it costs money to buy off such dubious "critics" too. So what's a studio to do? Hey--we'll just MAKE ONE UP! Face it, folks: we will never see a movie add or poster with the tag-line "The worst piece of crap ever put on film!" or "Poigniantly...insignificant. Trashy...a hopeless mess!" or "This sucks!"

Here's the thing to remember: THEY JUST WANT OUR MONEY! THEY JUST WANT OUR MONEY! Keeping this in mind, why believe ANYTHING Hollywood says (much less the media in general; they're all owned by the same nine guys!!), up to and including the relatively respectable ones like Ebert. He makes a living giving his opinion. That doesn't make him right. And even if he IS right, I don't have to pay any attention to him. Just like I never paid any attention to David Manning, because, let's face it, you pretty much know ahead of time that "The Animal" is no "Citizen Kane."

RE: RE: RE: Fake News Reporter Scam Uncovered   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 11, 2001 7:53 PM

Amen, American!

A sincere thanks-- your posting made me laugh my arse off!