Who Are Your Favorite Critics?

[Pirate]

Sometimes I feel like we’re drowning in critics. The internet has made it possible for every single person—knowledgeable or otherwise—to have a voice about cinema. And then there are the newsprint, magazine and television mainstays like Ebert, Kael, Travers or that one with the giant mustache.

So, which critics do you feel most enlighten or entertain you with their writing and/or point of view?

[iluvalex]

Certainly no one that is on a show or any particular writer in the papers. When I'm interested in seeing a movie, I am very well content to read about the film at screenit.com and sometimes I go to rottentomatoes.com to look at critic and consumer ratings.

I realized I was watching Ebert & whoever to see the film clips. I could care less about their opinion.

[Taxi]

I always liked the often opposing views of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. I often thought it was more informative when they DIDN'T agree on a movie. I think that they've got a similar thing going with Roeper, and I do hope that Ebert recovers enough to continue with the TV shows again.

I'm also a fan of James Berardinelli at Reelviews, and that bald guy who writes for the Villiage Voice who's been filling in for Ebert quite a bit.

[rixrex]

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

None of them. Never have been a fan of anyone whose living comprises criticisms of other's work when they themselves have not been active in doing that type of work. I guess with that being said, I would respect Truffaut.

[Pirate]

Just because one is interested in film doesn’t mean they want to participate in the making of it. There are several critics/writers who have added depth and thought to the medium without ever really making films of their own—like Andre Bazin.

I think these "outsiders" are important, because creators often have trouble explaining themselves and may, at times, not even fully know what they’ve created. Good critics can illuminate an artist’s work in ways that even the artist can’t see.

And I think several filmmakers would argue that, through thoughtful criticism, their work has grown.

[Taxi]

Yeah, I gotta agree with PH.

Can only artists appreciate art? So it is that appreciation (or lack thereof) that the critic is writing about, which makes it perfectly valid, IMHO.

[limacharliewhiskey]

Don't really follow any of the TV reviewers much these days. On print, I find that the reviewers in my local papers, the LA Times and Orange County Register, tend to have opinions similar to my own, so I find them pretty reliable in their ratings and reviews.

[rixrex]

Well, sorry, but I don't agree, and of course I understand this is a personal perogative for anyone.

I don't take too seriously those folks who have opinions or criticisms on a particular production activity and especially one that involves an amount of creativity, and these same folks make their livelihood on that opining, where they have not themselves been involved in any aspect of the livelihood in regards to producing something of note.

I didn't say they couldn't do such or that they couldn't appreciate the product, or that others wouldn't be happy to consider their criticisms, those were not my words. What I'm saying is just that I have little regard for their opinions as to having an effect on my viewing habits, and I feel the same way about critics of music, art, architecture, and such. My feeling is that any person who critiques another's work is bringing into the critique a personal taste that influences the critique, and I'd just rather read the critique of one who's actually 'paid the dues', so to speak.

I take more seriously those who have worked in the field, in this case the field of film and television production, and will consider their opinions as the most worthy of regard. I am talking about their opinions of others' productions, not their own as they certainly would have a bias. It's my personal taste and comes from my own experiences, and is also a valid answer to the query. Of course, as all are critics here, and work in a variety of other fields, I fully expected the flak, but you guys aren't making your livelihood from film criticism, and are typically not pretentious.