I used to go to AICN back in the day for news about the SW prequels, X-Men, etc. Harry Knowles was then, and obviously has continued to be, a complete POS and disgusting on every level. He's been known for a lot of controversies and sketchy shit over the years: a Kickstarter campaign for an awful public access show that he (very unfortunately) starred in, but he most likely used the money to pay off his tax debts; one of his staffers was jailed for sketchy access to early film viewings; extremely unethical accepting of tons of presents and goodies from studios in a naked exchange for good reviews, etc. Through it all, Knowles is outrageously self-absorbed, myopic, childish, and ignorant. His writing style, critical understanding, and capacity for self-reflection are all primary school level, at best.
I'll never forget one especially idiotic post that he made about erecting a Robocop statue in Detroit. Everything for Knowles revolves around his concept of "film geek-dom", and his take on this Robocop statue was no different:
Motor City, had most of its motors leave - killing the industry that built this great city. Now buildings, houses... vast areas of the city are dying. Once vital neighborhoods. This is an American tragedy. But as geeks, there's one thing we can all help to do, to make Detroit great... and that's help build a ROBOCOP Statue!!!!
They need $50,000.00 to build a permanent statue to the cinematic symbol of justice in Old Detroit. I know there's great charities to do great work for a number of causes, but this - this is just something that feels right for me. Detroit needs ROBOCOP - and we need to visit ROBOCOP in Detroit. Let's make this happen. That's just too cool! Kids playing at his awesome feet. This would be epic.
The comments on the article really laid into him. I'll never forget howling with bitter laughter as I read this stuff. Some of these truth bombs are so savage.
Many of the residents of Detroit are struggling just to get by yet Harry thinks it's cool to support a charity which raised $50,000 to build a statue of a fictional character from a hyper violent film. Why don't they just put the money in a sack, go down to a shelter in Detroit and set the cash on fire in front of the homeless? At least they'll get some warmth out it... This idea is just mind numbingly selfish. Be honest Harry, the only reason that you want this statue is because it fulfills some kind of personal geek requirement. You don't care about the opinions of the people of Detroit one bit so don't give me that tourism will increase nonsense. You live in a narcissistic fantasy world in which you can't even empathize with the plight of other human beings...Harry, I honestly think that it's too late for you to transform your life and become a sympathetic and accommodating individual. You're a horrible person and you'll always be one. I pity you.
I've held this in for a long time...Harry, you are a FUCKING IDIOT. Harry, Sections of Detroit are bordering on collapse due to skyrocketing unemployment, massive property foreclosures and one of the highest violent crime rates in the country. So you think it's a good idea to spend $50,000 on a statute of a fictional character from a hyper violent film which depicts Detroit as an even worse shit hole. Do you even see the irony of your suggestion? Maybe we should ask the struggling residents of Detroit if it feels right to them? Perhaps many of the needy residents of Detroit would rather hang out at the feet of the Robocop statue than you know...eat. This is just another in a long list of appalling self-gratifying maneuvers that you've pulled in the long and embarrassing history of this site (does everyone remember "pwesents"?). Get a clue and stop thinking only of yourself you fucking prick.
Harry, this is fucking irresponsible. And you're a goddamn tool for endorsing it. Yet you still think you can lecture us on politics.
ANYONE WHO THINKS THIS IS COOL...Has no soul... only a cretinous nerd that has no place among film nerdom would dig this....Harry, you can blame it on the medication... but you are so out of touch and give film nerds a baaaad name. Awaiting your push for a Captain America statue at the base of NYC's Freedom Tower... maybe think before you post, wank-stain.
Im convinced, utterly convinced that harry is a douche bag, not so closet racist. straight the fuck up... FUCK your soul, Harry.
The readership of AICN is a unique case, because they are united in their collective loathing of this guy. Comments like these weren't rare - this is just a post that I specifically remembered having some especially brutal remarks. Normally, when you've got guys like PewDiePie, JonTron, and other internet assholes who say horrible and disgusting shit, the viewership falls over themselves to defend their idiocy and hatred as free speech, etc. Not so with Harry. His readers really hate him.