I’m not sure calling a well-made popcorn flick “big, dumb fun” counts as fan-boying. Nor does a random comment in an exit survey that mentions wanting to see more of a character. I’ve never seen one, but considering their popularity I’m guessing his portrayal as pretty accurate.
Also not sure where you’re getting it from when you assume he’d be milquetoast about Citizen Kane. If anything, I think the author is a little bored with popcorn flicks and would much rather be reviewing meatier, more independent movies.
In fact, if it were up to me, I’d shake up the staff at The Ringer, put one of the seemingly innumerable people who write about television on the mainstream movie review beat, and let Collins go around and find excellent, lesser known movies to write about. I feel it would be an excellent use of his talent while still allowing the site to cover mainstream movies.