Which film critics do you rate?

[srebbe64]

I'm sitting here watching Film 2005 - pretty much ignoring what Jonathan Ross says. Reason being, I've noticed that when he interviews an actor / director, etc of a movie he always gives that film the thumbs up.

However, if I'm going to give up an evening of my life I'd like some idea of how good the movie is before I invest this time.

So, where do people get the most objective movie advice from?

[moleamol]

Jonathon Ross, because his wife is blessed with a right rack.

[srebbe64]

So that's helpful. A dead bloke, followed by the bloke I said I didn't like in the first place

[Raffles]

Ross's wife is lovely...

Hannah McGill in The Herald (Glasgow) is fantastic! Her film reviews have you in hysterics, She describes the film in such a way you can make your own mind up whether you'll like it or not, whatever her rating is. Although her rating is almost always accurate.

[moleamol]

los Angeles said:

Time is the best judge, Srebbe, but it takes so long to make its verdict it allows too movie critics to stroll around without clothes.

Are you on gas?

[srebbe64]

I used to rate the bloke who used to front Film (insert date) before Jonathan Ross - I've forgotten his name.

[srebbe64]

los Angeles said:

I'd have classed Jonathan Woss a witty celebrity but not a film critic.

Yes vewy twue, LA.

And "Barry Norman" - that was the chap. Obviously assessing a movie is a tad subjective, but I found that his opinions used to be reliable for me.

[andy mac]

Critics... never trust em... How can they possibly say what you like, or don't like./.. 'The Postman' got slated utterly, but I thought it was alright... 'Traffic' was held up as a great film, I thought it was long drawn out, boring, drivel... I'd rather watch a movie, and make my own judgement... probably why I've seen a lot of crap, but, I've enjoyed the little journey!

[andy mac]

los Angeles said:

Which makes my original point, Andy, once you whittle down what genre of film attracts you, all you can do is check the early review to get a sense of the film's worth then make your own judgement. And its the most populist films that get most notices. Something like The Station Agent, a really fine movie, got very little notice and missed out on exhibition in more than a handful of cinemas.

Yup.. The big distribution houises, who have the big spangly launches, and massive interview sessions get the most publicity, etc, where as a lot of the good movies are low budget independents, who get their publicity via word of mouth... Movie critics are like food critics... Its an opinion, and not neccessarily the correct one!

[uriel]

www.rottentomatoes.com give a summary of a whole load of reviews.

Or go by the www.imdb.com rating.

[theaxe]

Mark Kermode's reviews are good if you've got an iPod (or similar). I recommend his rant over 'Revolver'.

[Raify]

If they rate it highly in Total Film, and slate it in the Sunday Times, I know I'm going to love it...

But if Paul Ross says that it's the "film of the year" .... well that's ready for a Raspberry award!

[Yugguy]

I rate myself as I am the only person with the same taste as me.

[dick dastardly]

I used to subscribe to Empire & Hot Dog magazine and found that between the two of them I'd always go and see films I liked. Now thaough, as mentioned before, I'll just scan through the Rotten Tomatoes & IMDB ratings and message board.

[Jaglover]

Empire is usually pretty good.

I very rarely disagree with the star rating they give for a film.

The Telegraph reviewers are good but I mixed bunch. In the Sunday Telegraph you have the female film reviewers who often have a different perspective to the male ones on Friday.

[anonymous-user]

I liked Barry Norman.

Or not.

[dick dastardly]

I hate to admit to reading it but the Guardian online used to, & may still have, quite a decent film section

[selmer]

Phillip French's tastes usually reflect my own but as with any critic you get the day when you think "hell, what was he on about".
Again, Mark Kermode is usually on the ball especially with his appreciation of classic 70's cop films/film noir or things that generally reflect the cultural zeitgeist before ir becomes commonplace.

[bad_roo]

Jonathan Ross gets my nod.

[Witchfinder]

I don't trust anyone other than myself to rate movies.