Film critics

[Fellwanderer]

What makes a good film critic? Could you be one?



I know I couldn't be one because I'm not keen on criticising people for their work unless I'm certain I could do better - I'd rather say nothing.



Do you pay any attention to them?



I suspect the answer to that, for most people here, is a no.

[Dandelion]

I would probably watch a film that Mark Kermode recommended, and in the past have found that Alex Cox's recommendations have been OK.



In a similar vein, I would visit a restaurant that Jay Rayner (Observer) recommended

[narabdela]

I think we all have critics whose opinion we trust, and indeed there is one who writes for the paper that dare not speak its name, whose opinions I know are diameterically opposed to my own.

[Steve Crook]

name='Fellwanderer']What makes a good film critic? Could you be one?

No, because you have to watch so many films that you know are going to be bad before you even start to watch them.



It's also very strange going to the cinema in the morning (the few times I've done it), but I suppose you could get used to that



Steve

[Dandelion]

It amazes me how mnay films Philip French gets through in a week. He must virtually live in the cinema!

[narabdela]

name='Dandelion']It amazes me how mnay films Philip French gets through in a week. He must virtually live in the cinema!

I can think of worse ways to earn a living.

[Steve Crook]

name='narabdela']I can think of worse ways to earn a living.

Think of all those bad films you have to watch



Steve

[Lord Brett]

I can vouch for that! I used to review an absolutely enormous number of films for a magazine that specialised in action movies. After a while it did start to kill the joy of watching movies, and it took me ages to get out of the habit of thinking of snappy lines for reviews while watching a movie.



Having said that, if someone offered me enough money to actually live on to do the job again, I'd start tomorrow. Best damned job I ever had, money apart.

[Dandelion]

name='Steve Crook']Think of all those bad films you have to watch



Steve

Yes, but when you're getting paid to watch them, doesn't seem quite so bad

[Brief Encounter]

My dad trusts film reviews completely. If a film has negative press, he simply won't go to see it!



On the other hand, if I wanted to see a film, I'd ignore reviews. I saw 'Changeling' the other day and despite negative press, I thoroughly enjoyed it.