A brief guide on where to get the best film criticism:Podcasts
Filmspotting
Chicago based podcast written and hosted by amateur critics Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson. The fact it is only able to run due to audience donations from all over the world not only demonstrates its popularity but how the love of film alone can be a rewarding and satisfactory wage. With each show lasting up to an hour and a half, plenty of time is spent deconstructing the art cinema. It is also extremely educational as each week their regular top five list slot is bound to contain some films you won't have heard of.
Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's Film Reviews
What lacks in Filmspotting can be found in the professional Radio 5 live show run by partners in crime Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode. The only reason it works is down to Kermode and the chemistry that flows between him and his friend. His fast but clear and witty rhetoric combined with hilarious impressions are frequently played off by his host. With a run down of the box office top ten, reviews of the latest films, lots of banter and audience participation being an integral part to the show it grabs your attention for a very entertaining 50 minutes and never lets go. As Skilled as Filmspotting is, Adam and Matty are just too nice to each other, frequently complimenting one another and treading carefully when they disagree you need a bit of good old English sarcasm and bickering. The energy and enthusiasm that runs through the proclaimed Kermodian rants are untouchable by any other critic working today. Broadcast every week at Friday at 3pm, Radio 5 Live it is worth waiting all week for. That is of course unless Andrew Collins is standing in for Kermode which means this entire formula simply falls apart, but at least he is better than the God awful Hardip Singh-Koli.
The Film Programme
Radio 4 does film criticism! Interviews with current and past film directors are bound to send you to sleep. Usually the format to such a show would work and be sufficiently intriguing but the extreme density that comes with Radio 4 hosts is just unlistenable.
Guardian Film Weekly
An improvement on Radio 4's show, basically the same concept but at least the somewhat freaky Jason Solomons seems to have passion and enthusiasm for what he is talking about when he interviews his guests. His reviews and debates with fellow critic Sam Brooks is also worth a listen.
James King, Radio One
Short snappy reviews designed to appeal to today's teenage generation, it is a shame the ACTUAL Film criticism is left behind somewhere. He described Role Models as 'genius 'recently, enough said!
Magazines
The best way to sum up this magazine is to refer to a conversation that took place between Frost/Nixon actor Michael Sheen and Director Ron Howard. Sheen told Howard he must read S&S as it is 'the best magazine of film criticism written in the English language' to which Howard replied, 'Oh really, I've never heard of it'. The most underrated film magazine out there, the BFI funded publication is far superior to its rivals as it is the only one to provide every film release of the month, no matter how commercial, full analytical page long reviews. Critics from all over the country get to together to write reviews for this publication without subduing to the star rating system. Similarly the news segments do not only focus on A list stars or the latest blockbusters but have the freedom to provide insight into any interesting film movement going on around the world. You will also never find a regular column as skilled or as brilliant as Nick Roddick's.
Empire/Total Film
Although not as good as Sight & Sound and a little mainstream for people's liking there is still always room on my shelf for these publications every month. Jam packed with films and stars to look out for in western cinema with well written features that change every month, reviews and extensive interviews with the greats these mags are what initially got me into film criticism. You will never find such well written content in mainstream magazines.
Fangoria
For those who like their Horror films this is an essential read.
Film Review
Proclaims itself as 'the movie Bible since 1950' but I severely disagree. Its news segments are pitiful as they are basically big pictures with little words taking up one half of the magazine with the other half simply containing film reviews that are too generous with their stars.
DVD & Blu Ray Review
If you are passionate about your DVD collection then this is essential. With over 200 reviews a month you know what is worth buying.
DVD Monthly
Like DVD & Blu Ray Review but if you were to take it seriously you would be buying every DVD released!
Radio Times
More of a listings magazine, if you already buy this publication then the great Barry Norman's regular column is always worth a read. Andrew Collins is also worth some attention to, he may not be as skilled on the radio as Kermode but his articles are always a good read!
Newspapers
Pick up any Broadsheet and are you are guaranteed to read worthwhile film criticism. Throughout the week The Guardian's entertainment magazine G2 is my favourite read of all things in wittertainment but Philip French's column in The Observer is worth waiting for every Sunday!
Websites
IMDB
Mainly user uploaded reviews means this isn't the most reliable site for film criticism but who can blame the sight that holds every single fact according to film.
Rotten Tomatoes
A brilliant film search engine. Type in the name of the film you want a review of and several professional critic reviews are presented before your very eyes!
Metacritic
Similar to Rotten Tomatoes although it is not exclusively a film site and all the reviews are extracted from mainly American publications. Only really deals with films realised in the last couple of years too.
Empire/Total Film
Both websites are worth looking at for regularly uploaded news, reviews and features not seen in their magazines. It is also enjoyable joining in with the varied debates on their forums.
Kermode Uncut
Mark Kermode's video blog is the essential companion to his podcast.
blog.spout.com/
The hottest site for film news
http://www.filmspotting.net/
Not much here in addition to the podcast, but worth visiting to take part in the regular polls.
Television
Film 2009
Hopefully Jonathan Ross will be able to return to his role as film critic in the new year given recent events. Often given a lot of stick this show is nevertheless the best television show out there for film criticism. Ross may not compare to the great Norman but his reviews are well written with real enthusiasm and insight for a foul mouthed television host.
The Culture Show
A show which never actually deals with culture, there is sometimes an interesting Kermode segment where he interviews one of his favourite directors.
Newsnight Review
Offers very deep and insightful debates on the current more predominately artistic releases.
ScreenWipe
OK, so it isn't really about films but Charlie Brooker's masterstroke deserves to be watched by everyone!
7 comments:
The Culture Show doesn't deal with culture? I'd be interested to know what you think we're dealing with ;-)
Agree with you whole heartedly about Sight and Sound and Charlie Brooker.
OMG let me be the first to say I am extremely flattered that someone important like you with no doubt an extremely hectic schedule has taken the time not only to find my pitiful little blog but also leave a comment.
Ok so my comment was in fact a little harsh but that is what critics do right? Get attention!
I guess I just find your show a little hit and miss. Sometimes when I tune in there are some worthwhile segments other times I am bemused with set-ups that have included the big brother contestants reading 1984 and providing their own views, Mark Kermode playing the bagpipes or Ricky Gervais arsing around his film set, pleeeease!
Or maybe that is the diverse state of culture in itself I do not know! But what I do no is, Lauren Lauverne serves no purpose!
Also, I guess there is just a thin line between mainstream entertainment and what is considered culture.
I did really enjoy your Metallica special and Angalina Jolie interview but I wasn't to sure as to whether I was being cultured per say.
I may have a hectic schedule, but I'm certainly not important - it's always interesting to know what people think about the show.
What you say about The Culture Show being hit and miss is partly with the format. We cover all sorts of things - this week we have a feature on Renzo Piano and another on Slumdog Millionaire, pretty diverse topics. This does mean that we can't appeal to everyone all of the time - for the person who loves our item on poet Mick Imlah there will be another who finds our Metallica show boring, and vice versa, but it does mean that we are not at all snobby about what constitutes culture. We just hope that if we do a decent job people will enjoy the features about things they are interested in and perhaps find something new as well.
We're also constantly making items, so there are perhaps times that things don't go as well as we would like, but we're at least prepared to experiment!
Any thoughts on what you'd like to see us cover? You seem to be a fan of Dr Kermode.
That's true, it's good to see a mainstream BBC2 show with the freedom to experiment in a fairly primetime slot dealing with the arts. Especially when the brainless masses are interested in only reality tv! A worthy achievement!
Part of what makes it watchable is the fact it isn't snobby or dense like that of radio 4!
But nevertheless it has to be said you have to be patient with the show, there's always going to be something you probably won't like. But culture is diverse!
I wouldn't mind seeing, with regards to films, more features on films that aren't necessarily English speaking ones. It's hard knowing the full extent of what film movements are taking place outside of say England and America. Only Sight and Sound seem bothered in issues such as Iranian cinema.
I would also perhaps like to see the odd massive heated debate! Someone who knows as much as Kermode with the ability to put him in his place could spice things up a bit, without harming the show's credibility.
That's all I can think of right now. Thanks for seeking out my blog I would be intrigued to know how you stumbled across it.
Now I've got your attention, is there any work experience going?
Also, any criticism or advice with regards to this blog or the industry in general from someone working within the arts and criticism world would be really worthwhile and appreciated.
I'm really looking forward to the Kermode awards, it has to be said.
It's fairly amusing how Kermode means bedpan so effectively the awards are called 'the toilet awards' :P.
Hey Ben
Apologies for the delay in responding, I've been having a hectic week.
It's interesting what you say about coverage of foreign language film - I'm very interested in the topic myself. One thing to say, however, is that on the show we tend to concentrate on one single subject rather than doing a survey, just because our items are 6 - 8 minutes long. Specials are decided in a different way from items on the show, so are likely to focus on less eclectic subjects.
I think you might see more heated debate in future - we're hoping to expand the amount of challenging discussion on the show.
As for work experience, we always have someone working with us while the show is on air, but you need to apply here:
https://jobs.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc03.asp?newms=info06/
I wouldn't presume to critique your blog, but I may comment from time to time ;-)
Ah thanks very much.
Nice speaking to you :)
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