Ever heard the expression that something is so bad it’s good? After these guys review something, that saying becomes a reality. Thatguywiththeglasses.com provides a boatload of satirical reviews that cover almost every media format, from movies to video games to comic books.
This site was created by Chicago native Doug Walker, after his first Youtube series was pulled from the site after copyright issues in his reviews. Together with Internet webmaster Mike Michaud, they officially re-launched the site in April of 2008, and all of Walker’s videos have been broadcast on the site ever since. Now with plenty of reviewers and programs on the site, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular programs on the site.
“The Nostalgia Critic,” the sites most popular program is hosted by Walker in the guise of a reviewer of films from the 80’s and 90’s. Most of them are reviews of forgotten movies that had every reason to be forgotten.
The critic specializes in negative reviews, but can also be an effective positive reviewer as seen in his top 11 countdowns. Why top 11? Because he likes to go one step beyond. In the top 11 countdowns, Walker lists various topics, like scariest nostalgic moments and best Christmas specials.
He also does segments where he compares classic movies and their up to date remakes called Old Vs. New. But to me, the negative reviews are where “the Nostalgia Critic” is at his best. The sarcasm and blatant pop culture references make it a hilarious internet show, and proves why it’s the most watched show on the site.
“Bum Reviews with Chester A. Bum.” Also played by Doug Walker, “Bum Reviews” is hosted by Chester A. Bum, a hyperactive homeless man and moviegoer. Walker’s character in this series is meant to cover reviews of newer movies that just came out in theaters.
The episodes open with Chester saying that the movie he just saw was the best movie he’s ever seen and after giving a synopsis of the plot in his own words, ends with him asking the audience for change in a styrofoam cup. Walker’s character may seem overwhelming to some, but I think his hyperactive humor is in good contrast with his other character “the Nostalgia Critic.”
There’s only one thing I could never understand. How does a homeless man manage to go to the movies all the time?
“Atop the Fourth Wall.” The world of less-than-par comics is reviewed in this web series. Hosted by Lewis Lovhaug, aka “Linkara,” with magic gun in his holster, he steps into the world of comics biggest blunders.
His best work though comes when he reviews comics that were made solely to make money. Like “NFL Superpro” and “Godzilla vs. Barkely.”
Linkara’s humor is sarcastic and mirrors “the Nostalgia Critic,” but he still makes the show his own with his overly dramatic narration of the comics he’s reading.
“AT4W” is definitely a unique show seeing that reviews on comics aren’t as common as reviews on other media sources.
“The Spoony Experiment.” The main format of this show is mainly humorous reviews of video games. Noah Atwiler, under the pseudonym “The Spoony One” or just simply “Spoony,” hosts the show in an homage to “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” While reviews of video games are the most common reviews on the show, B-movies and other low rate films have also been satirized.
Another thing that makes the show unlike the others is Spoony’s alter ego, Doctor Insano. Fitting the mold of a stereotypical mad scientist, Doctor Insano is always concocting plans to take over the world. He also serves as an antagonist to Linkara from “Atop the Fourth Wall.”
Out of all the sites on the internet, I found that thatguywiththeglasses.com is most reliable for poking fun at the bad, but also for providing substantial reviews of pop culture that they remember, so we don’t have to.
