[Scott_P]

Who are your favourite film critics (bit of a sad thing to have a "favourite" of, but what the hell :P)?

I love reading film reviews and spend a fair bit of time reading or watching them, my favourites are probably...

Mark Kermode from the BBC, always gives intelligent reasons for his opinions, well thought out reviews and pretty funny as well

Vern, used to write for AICN but has his own site now (http://www.outlawvern.com)...his reviews are epic, not so serious as Kermode but still very funny and well written

His Transformers review inparticular is amazing http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33228

I used to like Harry Knowles, also from AICN a lot when I was younger, his older reviews are still very good and you can tell he's passionate about film, but hasn't really written anything of note for a while

[TelevisionUser]

Another vote for Mark Kermode here and his and Simon Mayo's weekly film review can be heard again here: Kermode and Mayo's Film Review. Mark also does the film reviews on BBC News on Fridays just before the main 6 o'clock news bulletin.

I also thought Jonathan Ross was quite good in the decade or so that he had at Film [insert date here] on BBC1. Although you might not have agreed with his reviews, you could tell that he has a genuine interest in films and cinema.

I think that the Sky News film reviewer is OK too but l can't remember his name right now (it's not James King but the other one).

[UltraViolet]

Mark Kermode when it comes to Horror, same for Kim Newman.

But don't really have favourites. I do like the guys who write for Sight & Sound, I like the critics who go more into the theory/deep analysis side of film.

[TelevisionUser]

I apologise for the fluff above; here is the correct link to Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode's film review show http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lvdrj and it gets a star rating.

[fmradiotuner1]

I like Nostalgia Critic

[denphone]

l like Mark Kermode but in my mind Barry Norman was the best film critic there ever was.

[Baboo Yagu]

Another vote for Mark Kermode here.

Originally Posted by denphone

Barry Norman was the best film critic there ever was.

Makes nice pickled onions too.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Baboo Yagu

Another vote for Mark Kermode here.



Makes nice pickled onions too.

Yes very nice with a bit of cheese.

[CoolioD1]

Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1

I like Nostalgia Critic

This. Also agree with others about Kermode.


Also think Drew McWeeny @ HitFix does good write ups.

[kessuki]

i think claudia winkleman and danny leigh have great chemistry and each bring something different to the table and give honest and smart analysis of the films. its like when i watch the oscars and claudia has a panel of critics with her on the sofa analysing the films and actors nominated. she does it brilliantly and i personally love her hot nerdy way of presenting too.

i did listen to BBC's radio programme 'up all night' - with dotun adebayo and dave aldridge discussing films and they always gave credit where its due and i loved it when they tore away at bad films-which was hilarious and they discussed for 2 hours the films of the week and always linked it in with similar types of films and the listeners got to call and text in with their opinions on the reviewed films. unfortunately i think its no longer on the saturday late night timeslot, but i would highly recommend it if it still airs on the Up All Night schedule.

[MJsDirtyDiana]

The Lion King

[stripedcat]

Dr. Kermode is always amusing and informative. Even if he does seem obsessed by grammar!

I think Barry Norman was probably the best film critic. He treated films with an intelligence and respect that they deserved. Sadly, the 'Film' programme on the BBC is so dumbed down.

I would also add Roger Ebert(he of thumbs up/thumbs down fame) from the US TV show and Chicago Sun-Times. His reviews are always entertaining and information.

James Berardinelli on the internet is worthwhile as well.

[bbclassics]

Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1

I like Nostalgia Critic

Me too

'A Bat Credit Card!!'

[Aneechik]

I usually like Kermode, but I also find his manner a little self-important and often disagree with his reviews. I usually agree with Roger Ebert more than any other.

[spiney2]

Anne Billson. Her reviews are wonderful comic articles ........

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/annebillson

[afx237vi]

I like Ebert's "great movie" articles, but most of his reviews just seem to be extended plot summaries. Useful if you want to know what happens but can't be bothered to actually watch the film, I suppose.

[spiney2]

Anne Billson is my film goddess !

Never forget her review of King david as a "battle of silly hats" !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_(film)

http://multiglom.blogspot.com/

[nw0307]

Mark Kermode reminds me of a typical film studies/literary theory lecturer at University. Full of self importance and constantly dropping in theory found in countless film theory books. I studied a bit of this at Uni and believe me, you don't want to hear people prattling on like this after you've left.

Barry Norman is my favourite

[elnombre]

Siskel & Ebert, definitely. Still watch a lot of their old reviews online. What they lack in analysis they more than make up for in entertainment value for me.

[Orangemaid]

Originally Posted by Scott_P

I love reading film reviews and spend a fair bit of time reading or watching them

yea, but sometimes theres good ones and bad ones..The bad ones seem to put me off the film, weather its renting it or buying it

[Scrubber]

I am my favorite film critic.

I hardly ever agree with the real ones.

[PunksNotDead]

Claudia Winkleman
* Runs out of thread laughing manically like the joker*

[Stephen_Simpson]

I agree with the majority and say Kermode goes down as being the best film critic. Too young to remember Norman and don't see the same passion with Ross, Winkleman and even Ebert to an extent (Well not as much as Kermode anyway). Plus I know Kermode's backstory and how he got into cinema so there is bias anyway.

[cunningham1471]

Originally Posted by kessuki

i think claudia winkleman and danny leigh have great chemistry and each bring something different to the table and give honest and smart analysis of the films. its like when i watch the oscars and claudia has a panel of critics with her on the sofa analysing the films and actors nominated. she does it brilliantly and i personally love her hot nerdy way of presenting too.

i did listen to BBC's radio programme 'up all night' - with dotun adebayo and dave aldridge discussing films and they always gave credit where its due and i loved it when they tore away at bad films-which was hilarious and they discussed for 2 hours the films of the week and always linked it in with similar types of films and the listeners got to call and text in with their opinions on the reviewed films. unfortunately i think its no longer on the saturday late night timeslot, but i would highly recommend it if it still airs on the Up All Night schedule.

I think those two have done a great job revitalising what was a very tired format. Claudia is struggling to keep her marbles at times, but usually good fun. They have a good chemistry together and I think it really adds to the review that you get more than just one opinion.

Mark Kermode does nothing for me and IMO is very overrated and is often very negative (and considering how negative I can be about films that is saying something) rather than giving a balanced veiw of a film. We don't have too as we aren't paid critics and nobody is going to go or not go and see a film just because of what we think.

[Gort]

Originally Posted by cunningham1471

Mark Kermode does nothing for me and IMO is very overrated and is often very negative (and considering how negative I can be about films that is saying something) rather than giving a balanced veiw of a film. We don't have too as we aren't paid critics and nobody is going to go or not go and see a film just because of what we think.

On the other hand, I'd rather a reviewer gave their own opinion than one that's castrated as not to offend. Tell it like you think not like what you're expected to think, etc. Sure, I disagree with Kermode a lot, but I don't begrudge him his passionate opinion. BTW, compared with a lot of critics, he does stick up for Twilight. Now, I might shudder at the thought, but I'll give him his due.