In a world where practicality reigns over passion, it is often difficult to make time for our true hobbies. Guitar playing is sacrificed for economics studying, while running marathons is replaced by running psychology experiments. Washington University alum Matt Rosenberg, however, has found a creative way to balance a career in accounting with his love for films by co-founding a Web site dedicated to movie critiques: The Movie Banter.

Rosenberg graduated from the Olin Business School in 2007 with a double major in finance and accounting. At Wash. U., he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi. Although his extracurricular activities may not reflect his interest in movies, Rosenberg grew up watching films. “I’d be sitting in high school class with my buddies, and we’d just be quoting movies,” he said.

After graduating from Wash. U., Rosenberg accepted a full-time accounting position at Ernst & Young. Even during his work’s peak season from January to March, he maintained his passion for watching and discussing the newest flicks. When his friend Craig Kessler brought up the idea of starting their own movie blog, he jumped on it, despite the stress of his job.

“It was unusual to start it at that time because I was so preoccupied with work,” Rosenberg said. “But Craig was involved in the internet business, and he knew which people to contact to start it.”

While Rosenberg studied business at Olin, he said that making a Web site was an entirely different experience. “Starting a business is not stuff you find in a classroom—it’s about being comfortable with people and finding people you have similar interests with. You need people behind you to support whatever you’re doing,” he explained.

Indeed, with the help of Kessler and a hired Web designer, Rosenberg launched The Movie Banter in December 2008. Rosenberg said he had to find time to take care of the details of starting the site, including naming it and formatting the reviews, during lunch breaks and after long workdays.

Rosenberg believes that his dedication to the site, however, has paid off because it offers something unique to readers. The Movie Banter, which includes written reviews, video commentary and movie-related features (called “rants”), is meant to be more intimate than larger sites like International Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes.

“We facilitate conversation and try to offer something that more corporate film websites don’t do. More formal Web sites are like, ‘This is what Roger Ebert says,’ but we give our opinion, and then see what other people think,” Rosenberg said.

He also explained that many fans of the Web site know him or Kessler personally, so readers are more likely to trust their opinions on movies than those of distant public figures. In addition, the founders make the site more approachable by taping YouTube videos of their reviews so that viewers can better understand the critiques.

Recording videos also allows for the free flow of opinions. As Rosenberg said, “I try to do video reviews right after I see movies so my thoughts are right there. I don’t want to let them linger.”

Although the Web site only has two full-time bloggers, they are dedicated to posting daily and recording videos at least weekly. Most of the blogs are movie reviews, while some posts are on related topics, like “Did Twitter Help Inglourious Basterds to Box Office Success?” or “What Was Your Favorite Bruno Skit?” These entries not only make the site more unique but also encourage readers to interact with The Movie Banter.

Rosenberg hopes to expand the site while keeping it close to its roots by giving another student with a passion for movies the chance to intern for The Movie Banter. Although blogging for the Web site while keeping up with schoolwork might be difficult, Rosenberg believes it’s good to pursue your interests.

“It’s important for people to do something they’re passionate about,” Rosenberg said. “Everyone has a job, but you should have something on the side that you’re passionate about because it mixes things up and it’s a lot of fun.”