I’m sure you’re aware of this, but professional film critics get to attend early screenings of films so they can do their reviews and (hopefully) generate pre-release buzz for a film. You may also have gathered from our podcast that it is possible for members of the general public to attend pre-release screenings of movies, as well.

What you may not know is that, if a screening is designated as being for the public only, critics can’t attend at all. One of the reasons for this is what is called a “Review Embargo,” which means members of the “professional” media cannot publish their reviews until after a certain time, often a day or two prior to the actual opening of the film.

Ryan, my partner-in-crime here at the Visually Stunning Movie Podcast, being a professional, actual, for real and for true critic, one recognized by the various studios as being worthy of them paying to fly him to New York City, LA, or even London, to screen a movie and do interviews with the principals involved, can’t attend certain pre-screenings. Literally. They won’t let him in the door.

I, being a “not-professional” critic, can attend any screening I can get my paws on a ticket for. And I can publish my thoughts about that film any time I want. Ain’t no embargo on my opinion. Nope.

Now, do I hope to one day be considered “professional” media, the recipient of all the rights and privileges thereof (obligatory A Christmas Story reference… sorry.)? You bet.

But right now, that isn’t the case.

On a completely unrelated note, tonight I’m going to see the new Ryan Reynolds/Samuel L. Jackson film, The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Completely unrelated.

I’m just sayin’.

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