One of the most interesting aspects of online criticism is the diversity of films being spotlighted. Sure, there are plenty of good web-based critics who remain devoted primarily to the old masters and the classics of world cinema, but more and more people are breaking with that mold and giving serious consideration to corners of film history that in the past were passed over by the critical establishment.
For an example of this, look no further than the blog Welcome to L.A. Proprietor Larry Aydlette formerly known by his noms de 'net That Little Round-Headed Boy and The Shamus — has devoted the entire month of February to mounting the mammoth one-man Burt-Reynolds-a-Thon. Every day this month, Aydlette will be spotlighting another aspect of Reynolds' long career, from his seventies-era salad days to his Oscar-nominated comeback in Boogie Nights, as well as all the somewhat leaner years both between and since. So far, Aydlette has taken on a Super Bowl weekend double feature of Burt's football-playing roles in Semi-Tough and The Longest Yard, as well as writing a reassessment of his only Oscar-nominated performance to date, Boogie Nights' porn paterfamilias Jack Horner.
While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a Reynolds fan, there's no denying his status as a pop-culture icon, something people have a tendency to forget given his current ubiquity and presence in more than his share of regrettable roles. Bear in mind that in the era of Pacino, Nicholson, Hoffman and Beatty, it was Reynolds who was Hollywood's biggest moneymaker. Even today, we all know his name and his face. In Aydlette's words, "Some thirty years after his peak of stardom, you never have to ask: Burt Who? How many of today's stars will be able to say that thirty years from now?" For this reason alone, Reynolds' career deserves to be taken seriously, and I'm glad that Aydlette is putting forth the effort.