This is an accepted version of this page Harry Jay Knowles (born December 11, 1971) is an American former film critic and writer known for his website Ain't It Cool News (AICN).

Knowles was a member of the Austin Film Critics Association until he was removed in September 2017 "by a substantial majority vote" of the organization following allegations of sexual assault.

[3] He launched the "Ain't It Cool News" site in 1996, taking its name from a line spoken by John Travolta's character in the film Broken Arrow.

Film fans and professionals alike traveled from all over the United States and the world to attend the event, which was hosted in Austin at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse.

"[16] Gunnar Hansen, the actor who played Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, used Knowles as an example of fans creating fictional personal stories around the film.

Knowles had claimed that at his third birthday party, he was treated to a visit from the cast in full costume, and was given a prop dismembered body part used in the making of the film.

[3] On September 23, 2017, it was reported on IndieWire[18] and circulated in other national media that Knowles had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman named Jasmine Baker on two occasions in 1999 and 2000 at Alamo Drafthouse events in Austin; furthermore, Baker stated that, while Drafthouse's co-founders Tim and Karrie League were horrified to learn of the incident, they "didn't know what to do" and suggested that she "just avoid" Knowles, who denied the accusation.

[21] Longtime writers Steve Prokopy, who used the pseudonym "Capone", and Eric Vespe, known as "Quint", both of whom had been with the site since its beginnings, announced September 25 that they were leaving AICN.

[22] Following the release of the additional women's allegations, Knowles announced on social media on September 26, 2017, that he was taking a leave of absence from Ain't It Cool News.

[25] In a 2022 retrospective piece, Slate writer Jason Bailey dubbed Knowles' review of Blade II “quite possibly the worst movie review ever published, at least in an outlet of note”, highlighting its numerous technical flaws, shallow analysis of the movie, and graphic extended metaphors comparing the viewing experience to cunnilingus.