Movies News
By M&C Movie News Jun 20, 2007, 8:17 GMT
Projectionist fired for bad movie review
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Older Talkback
Makes me glad I pirated the thing off Usenet!
A couple years ago I worked with a guy at GM who was fired for posting a negative review of a Saturn on a blog.
So, basically, even if his employer had him sign an NDA, it isn't legally binding. However, this only means they can't sue him. However, it is well within their rights to fire him, which they did. Many many many people get fired every day from many many different jobs on a regular basis. Not quite sure this one incident of a single firing needs so much attention.
the first movie sucked, and the second will also
Well, in most states an employee can be fired for any reason or no reason, except for specifically prohibited reasons such as race, religion, creed, or national origin. Not that I agree with the firing. It's a sleazy and shortsighted act, and undoubtedly does the theater and the movie much more harm than if they had ignored this (most likely) obscure review.
Here's the question you need to ask yourself, as far as the theater goes: Did they know and support him in writing reviews of their movies? If so, then the young man did nothing wrong and is simply being bullied, along with the theater owner, by the movie industry. And in my opinion they should BOTH sue the hell out of the movie producers for EXTORTION, because that is what it is people. Plain and simple. Y'all just roll over and take it. That's what they hope for. A movies best friend, like it or not, good or bad, is the review.
Now, if on the other hand the theater had no idea of the review activities of this young man than I would have to say, although I don't like it, he should have been reprimanded. After all, he did nothing wrong. And without a non-disclosure having been signed and filed he damned sure did not deserve getting fired but that's the theater owners right. Remember, you have a right to work but not a right to work at a particular place.
The real issue here, that everyone should be discussing is the issue of extortion on the part of the movie producers. Think about it. What's to stop them from ever letting X theater chain from getting another of their movies just because the movie didn't make alot of money in that particular movie chain? I'll tell you what stops them... standing up to them. It's just like the school yard bully.
Since when did the movie industry EVER step in when a bad review came out?
This guy is but ONE little review in a vast ocean of oceans. Do you think his review spells the death knell for FF?
Just think about what would have happened if the shoe were on the other foot.
Bill
If he didn't sign a confidentiality agreement, then he did nothing wrong. He should sue. It's time for show biz to start following the rules the way every other employer has to.
I wonder what would have happened if the review was positive?
Seriously, all the people on here who think he has a good lawsuit..why do people automatically think that way? 'oh, i got screwed over by the man, I should probably sue.' thats so typically American and white trash. When slighted, sue. Grow up and move on with your life.
HA, if I owned a restaurant and a dish was being served that was loaded with maggots, I’d prefer that my loyal customers were warned. You may say that telling them reflects poorly on the restaurant, but not telling them is not a reasonable option imho.
They have movie theaters in Tennessee?
If an employee does something to hurt company revenues then they might get fired. Everyone understands that. I find it easy to believe that Fox didn't have anything to do with the decision, beyond perhaps bringing it to the theater's attention and expressing their displeasure.
Too bad for us moviegoers. He should have kept anonymous.
Strictly from a Human Resources standpoint, if he had issued reviews in the past, negative or positive, and had not been warned about his actions, he has a legal right to sue for this most recent firing. There are states like Washington that are 'at will' states, meaning a company can fire an employee for any reason or no reason at all. However, if the company issues a reason for the firing, they then bear the responsibility for it being a legitimate firing. In this case, his actions were deemed appropriate by the company based on his previous reviews (think case law).
Come off it guys!!! These are fantasy movies,get real, a lot of other important stuffs are out there that needs your intelligent opinions...
Good review = good job son
Bad review = hit the road
Thanks Fox.
who should be fired are the writers and producers of that crap they call big screen entertainment. I totally agree with MemFlix, FF2 was awufl. Since when was something of that quality produced for so much money?
When fired for illegal reasons, there are laws that protect the victim of this very common crime. Wanting justice for the crime that has been committed against you does not make a person 'white trash', it makes them courageous, and to be respected for standing up for their rights. Would you call a woman 'white trash' for suing her boss after being fired for turning him down for a date? Illegal is Illegal. PERIOD!
This man should pursue criminal charges against his employers to the fullest extent of the law for wrongful termination of employment. I own a stained glass shop, and would never dream of letting somebody go without due cause. If I did, I would expect to be served with papers immediately. Victims of crimes, no matter how small YOU think they are, need to fight back, or else the crimes will never stop.
Usually, people agree that critics stink. Now it stinks to be that critic:)
his is an ethical AND a legal problem .
Is it justified to sack somebody ove a negative review ?Not on itself ,if so there could only be positive reviews.You guys will fill in the consequences .
Newt question ;Is it allowed to sack somebody working in a movie theater when his opinion is eventually bound to reduce fiscal income for hos boss .Honestly I think so ;there must be plenty of jurisdiction already from previous courtcases available .Suddenly there is much more involved as financial gain inyterests collide with free speech .Let us assume the projectionist has free speech,as there is no confidentiality contract involved .
One should carefully weigh these two matters in the balance of justice .
To me free speech weighs more than eventual financial loss due to reduced income from diminished ticket sale .The employer seems to hold a different opinion ,eventually FOX too if it could be verified that they applied pressure to fire this employee .Certainly sacking a person means loss of financial income for that person .So a logical question would be ;Is it allowed to reduce free speech AND reduce a person's income for personal benefits ?
If he'd given a gushing review, he would have been promoted. Sorry, honey, but welcome to the Real World - where Corporate America axes you for having a brain to create your own thoughts and opinions.
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