I’m A Flickaholic
Hi. My name is Michael Osciak, and I’m a flickaholic.
Some doctors might claim that this isn’t a real addiction; but if Tiger Woods can have a fake addiction, then who’s to say that being addicted to ranking movies isn’t a real thing? Every time I’m on a computer, the first thing I do is open up Flickchart. I always like to have it ready so when I start getting the shakes, I can quickly do some matchups to feed the beast inside of me. Even though I know I’m addicted, I can’t help but wonder why I should quit when it’s so much fun to rank movies ranging from The Godfather, to Major League 2, to Norbit? How can I stop before my all-time list is complete? Schindler had his important list; I am slowly building mine. I wonder if someday they’ll make a movie about me having the most rankings on Flickchart? I can’t guarantee it, but I’m sure they’ll at least put me on a Wheaties box someday.
So what makes me addicted to Flickchart? I think my girlfriend asks me that question daily. The answer is simple. Everyone has been asked the following question at least once in their life: What is your favorite movie of all time? Since I’m always watching movies, people have been asking me that question since I was five years old. I would always answer the question differently; Good Will Hunting? Die Hard? G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra? Okay, maybe not – but one can dream for a great live action G.I. Joe film.
I could never decide on my favorite movie. I tried websites that rate movies on a scale of one-to-five stars, or one-to-ten stars. But after doing that for a while, I realized that I had about 100 movies rated 5 out of 5 stars and the ratings were incapable of distinguishing the subtleties that existed within each star rating. I would discuss with friends that there had to be a better way to rate movies.
Stars can only go so far.
Then, about four months ago, a good friend of mine Jon (Weasel21385 as he’s known on Flickchart) mentioned to me this new website that ranks movies. Since I’m always looking for something to distract me at work, I decided to take a look. It was love at first sight.
My first match up was Crash vs. The Matrix Reloaded. I couldn’t click Crash fast enough. And I’m talking about Crash, the movie about racial tensions, and not Crash, the movie about car crash sex fetishes (which in reality, still might be better than The Matrix Reloaded).
I did a few more matchups and I thought to myself that I wonder how long I could actually do this. 160,000+ rankings later, I’m still on the site at least 8 hours a day. I look constantly for them to put new movies up so I can keep building my perfect list. I love looking up random users and seeing where they have ranked their favorite movies. I love having a top 20 list of movies I haven’t seen – which I use to try to watch at least two movies from weekly.
I love Flickchart.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing a movie that I’ve never seen before. And the first thing I do after seeing that movie? Add it to my Flickchart.
I will now open up the floor for others to share their stories. Please don’t be shy. I’m sure we can find you a sponsor to help your addiction. Just don’t pick me – as I will only help fuel your addiction.
This post is part of our User Showcase series. You can find Michael as osciak219 on Flickchart. If you’re interested to submit your own story or article describing your thoughts about movies and Flickchart, read our original post for how to become a guest writer here on the Flickchart Blog.
“if Tiger Woods can have a fake addiction” WOAH. Hold on a second. Last time I checked, sex addiction is a real thing. If you meant to imply that Tiger Woods is faking it, you should know that it came across as disbelief that it exists at all. A whole lot of experts and sufferers will disagree with you on that point.
Further, I might have missed it, but you never seem to qualify Flickchart as an ‘addiction’. You put it forward as just a strong interest, even an obsession. I know this is supposed to be tongue in cheek, but it really bothers me that you both disregard real addictions and claim (without basis) your own addiction.
I really hope the rest of the Flickchart Users series isn’t more hurr-hurring about ‘addiction’. Get creative, guys. I almost applied for this series in order to do some articles comparing movies to their literary equivalents, but then figured someone more qualified (and with more free time) would apply. After reading this first entry, I’m suddenly not so sure.
Hey Fekket,
We’d be glad to have you submit your ideas for upcoming articles. We’re hoping to have a mix of serious, humorous, insightful, personal, and intellectual subjects and tones for the series – so while some of the message and style of this post may have not been appealing to you, you may find posts from other users in the future more in line with what you’re looking forward to reading.
Thanks for your feedback, and again, please do email us if you have some thoughts of your own for an article. We’re eager to hear from all types of users and how movies – and Flickchart – affect all of them in their own unique ways.
Did this guy just imply that Paul Haggis’s self-congratulating crap-fest Crash was better than David Cronenberg’s masterpiece of the same name? For shame, sir. For shame.
Even if you’re one of the many who doesn’t see the brilliance of the Cronenberg film, the Haggis one is obviously inferior, even to Matrix Reloaded, terrible as that sequel may be.
I know it’s not fair to judge people based on their taste in movies, but I just lost any respect I may have had for, guy I’ve never met.
@Thom: I enjoyed Happy Feet (with the penguins) more than any Cronenberg movie I’ve ever seen. Heck, I only lasted a few minutes into A History of Violence (Moms as Cheerleaders creeps me out) and Naked Lunch (which tasted of ‘stupid for stupid’s sake). To be fair, though, I haven’t seen The Fly or Scanners, which I’ve heard are very good.
Welcome to the internet.
I have seen both Crashes that I have mentioned and I just didn’t care for your Crash. I find Haggis’ Crash enjoyable even though it is overrated. If you have any other suggestions for movies to see, I would love to hear them as I’m always looking for new movies to see. I’ll put that other Crash on my Netflix and maybe after a second viewing, I’ll enjoy it more then I did the first time.
Isn’t that the best part about movies? Every movie means something different to everyone who sees it. I have a friend who claims that Waterworld is Costner’s best film. Do I think he’s nuts? Of course I do but I respect him for standing by his opinion.
@Fekket: Haha, while I don’t know what all our contributors have planned for the series, I’m with you in hoping it’s not going to be a roundtable discussion about addiction.
The forewords of books, the first letter from a new editor of a magazine, the first post on a new blog — these things often launch with a background story, a context, a statement of purpose, an explanation of self as the opening volley. Consider this Michael’s, or even the entire series’. And might I just say, well done, Michael. :)
Going forward, we’ll be seeing articles delving into both obvious and esoteric film topics and touching on the crossroads of flicks and Flickchart.
It sounds like you have some great ideas yourself that I’d love to see written up… if we can convince you! The literature-to-film translation is something I’ve always been piqued by.
@Thom: Please be careful when throwing around language implying or stating outright that The Matrix Reloaded is better than another movie. That’s dangerous talk.
Even though I’m the co-founder, I still find it pretty enlightening (and a little exciting) every time I watch a movie now that I have the ability to go rank it, find out where it should comparatively end up on my list, and have another movie to add to my total count. I’m nowhere near your now 170,000+ rankings, but I still really enjoy the utility of what we’ve built. It makes me even happier to hear others are getting the same enjoyment out of it as we are.
Two weeks ago I discovered this site, thanks to TRS. For better or worse, I am now a fellow addict.
Good to know I’m not alone though. :)