Film Critics and advertising

[Pootle]

On the poster advertising or on the video cover, every film without exception has a film critic stating 'best film of the year' or ' if you are going to see one film this year...' So you pay the money and see the film and its absolute crap with the acting and storyline being Hollyoaks standard and in most cases not even so. Now I acknowledge much of these film critic straplines are down advertising and promotion and the distributer will use the best feedback from the most wellknown critic. But is this critism really down to personal preference, i.e a film is blatently atrocious but Joe Bloggs from the Film Times thinks is great? Or are there backhanders going on? Finally, who are the flim critics you can genuinely trust to be objective?

Thanks in advance, Pootle

[coyn]

I rate Jonathon Ross as a top class film critic, the thing about personal opinions is thats all they, are just one persons opinion.

[Drusilla]

I think a lot of the problems with posters for films is their canny editing of a reviewer's words. A reviewer could write,
'If they thought this was going to be the greatest film ever, they are very much mistaken!'
He could then find it edited to, 'The greatest film ever!'
I doubt he could complain, because he did say those words and in that sequence, even though they weren't in that context.
I agree with coyn about Jonathan Ross. He may be a cheeky chappy, but he knows what the public will enjoy and understands quality. Mark Kermode and Mark Cousins understand what makes a quality film, but I don't think they judge a film by it's entertainment value to the general public.

[jno]

here is how some film companies do it - basically bribing critics or their papers. I don't really trust any critics except Philip French in the Observer, who's been around even longer than I have and can jog my memory about films I saw decades ago. (Shouldn't think younger filmgoers care.) Better to read quite a few reviews and form a consensus in your own mind - you can do this by going to the film on www.imdb.com then clicking on 'external reviews'.

[Mattk]

the only opinion that really counts is your own.if you see the trailer and the film appeals then go and see it !

critics seem to gang together to make it look like they all know what they are on about.the example i will site here is the 'shawshank redemption' - pretty much slammed by every critic but now regarded as one of the best films ever made.

[Golem]

I have a lot of respect for Roger Ebert who writes for the Chicago Sun Times. His reviews can be found through the external reviews at imdb.com, or his website www.rogerebert.com. Intelligent, mature, knowledgeable and been around long enough to put films into a cinematic historical context. Will also publicly criticise companies who use his quotes out of context.

[jno]

Matt the thing about Shawshank is that it did poorly in cinemas (this won't be the critics' fault, they don't have that much effect) but became popular on TV and DVD. Maybe it just works better on a small screen? Which is not how critics see it.

[MsBadely]

The Shawshank Redemption is regarded as one of the most popular films ever made. I still don't think you'll find many professional reviewers who think it is one of the best films ever made.

[kazza12345]

personally i always find mark kermode a brilliant reviewer, you can tell he's never taken a bribe to say a film is good, and later, if on reflection the fillm is actually better than he first thought he dosent mind saying. You can catch his film reviews on BBC radio fivelive on a friday afternoon between about 3 and 4. I usually download them on a podcast, as it cuts the news etc out

[MsBadely]

Mark Kermode's favourite film is The Exorcist, so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.

[joko]

critics are just over paid to over analyse films - sometimes I don't care whether a film is technically very good or there are plot holes - if I am entertained for an hour and a half then I am happy.

Having said that if you are expecting a corker and get a conker you are pretty irritated.

I personally just was a synopsis of the film and i'll decide from that if i want to see it - if it turns out to be crap - so what, if it good - great. if i am not sure i'll wait for the video. I couldn't care less what some stranger thinks

[jno]

yes, I remember reading that MsBadely... then I read somewhere today his favourite film is Clockwork Orange. Can't make up their minds, these critics.