The Blockbuster Buster

Unlike most internet personalities Eric Rodriguez (shortened to 'Erod'), The Blockbuster Buster is a passionate fanboy who knows his knowledge of various Pop-culture properties, and like most internet reviewers tends to keep an open mind when watching a certain movie. He is called 'The Blockbuster Buster' for he specializes in reviewing movies that were designed to be 'blockbusters', movies intended to make a lot of money within the Hollywood studio system, mostly adaptations, occasional remakes, reboots, etc. Thus his tag-line 'Voicing the Rage of Fanboys Everywhere, One Movie at a time' pretty much fits the picture as to what he does.

Looking back at most of his earlier videos from 2010 it's pretty clear to me he gained a lot more confidence as both a writer and a reviewer as the show progressed over time (first appearing on YouTube then Blip TV and now Daily Motion). His reviewing style as the character; 'The Blockbuster Buster' is both arrogant and hilarious at times which makes up for one very entertaining low budget reviewing show. Although I'm more impressed by his insight and knowledge on various pop-cultural bits and pieces, even when he'll talk about a film that he thinks is not worth 'busting' he'll do a 'Top 10' or a 'Pros and Cons' treatment just to weigh some of the good and bad elements against each other. I've probably gained more insight on his own research and knowledge than I would by just watching the films he reviews (which even include films I wouldn't care to watch personally, unless I decide to before seeing him tear it apart). Another impressive segment he does each year in between seasons of 'The Blockbuster Buster' from December to February, is his 'Honest Reviews' insightful, honest and very well scripted videos of various films, TV shows and cartoons.

It doesn't necessarily matter where viewers should start with The Blockbuster Buster, as I think he talks a lot more confidently and insightful now than when he first started back in 2010. The reviews are low budget and have the production to that of guerrilla film making, but I guess internet users are so into that nowadays it's hard to even argue since so many other personalities like The Nostalgia Critic do the same thing. I might also add I kind of get annoyed when Erod tries to incorporate a sense of story-line into his review series. It doesn't necessarily add anything special to the videos or anything to get excited about. Just having a quick skit or set of supporting characters played by other actors or Rodriguez himself seems like enough of an entertainment value to me especially on this internet platform.

Lastly I don't always agree with everything Erod may say about certain things, but I really like the guy's reviewing style mixing arrogant comedic charms, clever special effects gags, skits and insightful pop-cultural knowledge he brings to his reviews. He really is the 'Ultimate Fanboy', so if there's any sort of Blockbuster; Hollywood has produced you weren't necessarily satisfied with, trust Erod The Blockbuster Buster and his trusty hammer; Lucille to fix up the problem when he reviews the movie(s) himself.

The Blockbuster Buster is among my favorite reviewers of Channel Awesome, right up there with the Nostalgia Critic, Linkara, the Cinema Snob, and Chris Stuckmann.

At first, his videos dating back to 2010 are in somewhat poor quality due to him starting out, as his voice is somewhat more quiet and his outbursts are more reserved and look rather awkward. But overtime, he's grown in both acting as well in special effects (which seemed to improve even more when he joined the Channel Awesome crew.)

Although there are times of where the jokes don't work, that being evident in his Phantom Menace review, the humor in his reviews is really good and there were some moments that had me pause the video for a few solid minute just to regain my breath.

I honestly can't wait to see what he has planned for the future and here's to see what he does next.

Join the legion, suckas!

Remember the old days when Erod used to do 22-30 minute film reviews and show clips of it? Well that's gone now. Nowadays his new "reviews" consist of traveling to a movie universe, beating characters up, and pointing out their flaws. They are not funny, or interesting to watch. When he does make good videos, you have to sign up on the patreon site in order to watch some of them. This is the problem I have with reviewers today. You have to sign up on another website just to watch a blasted video. I miss the old Erod.

The Blockbuster Buster is an awful show plagued by mediocre writing, terrible assets, the dullest host known to mankind who looks like an angry toddler, and the embarrassing downfalls of the host, "E-Rod." Proudly embroidered with "Channel Awesome Presents" no less. I thought that meant quality. You'll see why that's no longer true if you continue to read.

Let's start with format. Which is the same for every episode, so repetitive that an epileptic could edit it in Windows Movie Maker.

Every episode is the same;

-Here's the movie. -Clip from movie. -Joke that isn't funny. -Poorly worded summation of plot. -More movie clips. -garbage artwork -the "review" portion. -"I'm ERod, I win."

It's formulaic and boring. Nostalgia Critic is good, because, while it does stick to a formula, it has great writing and jokes to compliment it.

Speaking of, this show's writing is absolute trash. Actual trash. A toddler with a VHS copy of Cool Runnings could write a more cohesive review show. It's as if the writer (which I'm guessing is Erod) sat down with document templates and wrote in the names and picked his jokes from an auto joke generator. No, Erod, saying, "sh*t-fest" in nearly EVERY REVIEW DOESN'T MAKE YOU CRITICAL. It makes you sound like a toddler learning how to use curse words for the first time. Just make sure you work on the other parts of the show because that sounds like the babbling of a child as well.

Let's speak about the host because good lord I've got some choice words for this guy.

Boring. Dull. Bottom of the barrel. Get. a. day job.

Erod, you don't work. You just don't. Not as a host, not as a writer, not as anything. Your "fanbase" is minuscule, and it's not too late to accomplish something with your life. You're wasting your time trying to attain something that is completely out of your abilities. You're an awful host, you're an awful writer, and I REALLY hope you're single. Because I feel anyone who has to look at you for extended periods of time.

The assets for the show are awful. Someone took an intro to Adobe Illustrator and never went further with it. I implore you to go back to college, or give up.

I'm giving you a 1/10 for this monstrosity you've created, as it's an assault on the eyes and ears of everyone on the internet.

Stop. Making it.

Eric Rodriguez created a homegrown masterpiece that was the equal of every other major American youtube reviewer in 2011. I discovered his work around 2014 or so, and it helped get me through a rough period of under-employment and unemployment. I think it's unfair how he's never really been appreciated, and he deserves far more than a 5.7 IMDB rating for his show.

The work he puts into the show's production and writing, plus his natural comic talents really shows in every episode. I like how he tried to improve the show and try different things, even if viewers didn't appreciate it. Many of shows had me rolling on the floor and laughing my off- especially when he would conclude them with the "busting" of a DVD of the movie he was riffing on.

I hope "ERod" continues his show. I know my viewing of it hasn't been as regular since about 2018 or so as it used to be. He truly possesses incredible amounts of "badassitude."