How hard it is to write a positive review

MoeDantes

I tend to run up against three problems: 1. The review as a whole tends to come off as "gushy." I get the feeling that a lot of people have a sort of inherent filter against anything positive so singing praises tends to turn people off... which is probably why Caustic Critics are so popular. 2. What exactly it is you like tends to be very hard to pin down. I find a lot of what makes me feel good tends to... when I describe it, it doesn't sound as magical. It's always one of those "you just have to experience it" things. Which of course doesn't fly in a review. 3. I notice I tend to say the same sorts of things for stuff I like. Meanwhile, when I'm bitching about something, I tend to be able to come up with unique complaints. So its simply more interesting to write a bitchfest. Which... sucks. Bitching is not fun. I know this is the wrong forum to ask, but maybe the unexpected will happen and ya'll come up with a solution. Wanna give it a try?

Counterclock

Just look at what sucks, look at what's left, that must be good, use that for your writing.

Ghilz

I've never had that problem. Sure, a positive review can come up as gushy, but from writing some and enjoying positive reviews, I'd recommend the following:

• Say WHY something is good. Or why you found it good. Is a particular scene of a work good? Explain why. Explain how it fits in the grand scheme of the work, what elevates it. Provide example of whatever you are talking about. It tends to make it easier to make your argument look like something well thought out rather than simply mindless gushing.
• Don't be afraid to point the mishaps something might have. Areas that are lacking, etc. No single work is perfect, and it helps doing away with the gushing feeling a reader may have

AHR

I can be bitchy, but when something is good, I have no qualms saying it.

They worked hard for it to be good.

There ain't no gushing about it when you're writing a review. Just keep a balanced head.

MillerCross

wheee, reviewing methodology. My favorite subject. Or at least, the one I think I'm most knowledgeable about.

anyway, praising something is not inherently bad and if someone criticizes you for it, then you have my express permission to bust their kneecaps. And then steal their TV. 

With that out of the way, there are ways in which said praising can come off as fanboyism, and it's kinda easier for someone to fall into that trap in the public eye when compared to the other extreme (Coming off as a nitpicker) 

The secret to avoid this is...

Say WHY something is good. Or why you found it good. Is a particular scene of a work good? Explain why. Explain how it fits in the grand scheme of the work, what elevates it. Provide example of whatever you are talking about. It tends to make it easier to make your argument look like something well thought out rather than simply mindless gushing.

Don't be afraid to point the mishaps something might have. Areas that are lacking, etc. No single work is perfect, and it helps doing away with the gushing feeling a reader may have

Well, fuck. 

captainbrass

Years ago, when I was thinking of becoming a journalist, I read a book on the subject whose author said that critics found it easy to praise good work and to damn the awful stuff, but that the toughest thing was to honestly critique the mediocre. Actually, now I think of it, that was more or less George Orwell's take on it too.

Of course, that's a problem for the pros, who get paid to write about whatever comes up. As an amateur you can at least cherry-pick.