Films/DVD Asylum

A varied group.

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In Reply to: RE: Harmonia posted by PhilJ on September 09, 2008 at 18:25:51

I sometimes look to diferent critics for different types of films.

I nearly always check out Stephanie Zacharek at salon.com (and Andrew O'Hehir at same spot for indies and foreign). Steph and I are frequently on the same wavelength, and her reviews are lengthy and in depth. Even if I ultimately disagree, I understand her POV and can adjust from there.

Kenneth Turran at LA Times - there's another (female) critic on this daily (whose name escapes me) who's done some nice work too.

Ty Burr - Boston Globe

Michael Wilmington - used to be at the Chicago Trib but is elswhere now.

MaryAnn Johansen at FlickFilosopher.com is great for all things geek.

I like to read Dan Jardine's thoughts on film, current or classic.

Will also look at David Denby at New Yorker. And sometimes the folks at the NY Times. David Eddelstein occassionally.

Peter Travers was once actually a good critic, not that you could tell nowdays. When RS actually gave him space and motivation, he had some cogent things to say about contemporary cinema. That was over ten years ago. Travers is smart enough to know better but he's now marginal interst at best.

Ebert is an excellent writer, but he's way too forgiving of commercial pablum. But he can be quite good on individual films and classics. He is absolutely sincere in his passion for movies.

If I'm going to see a movie no matter what, I try not to read any reviews. I hate spoilers and prefer to watch new films with a "clean" eye.

There are more good film writers about, but I don't put much stock in the mass media outlets like EW, USA Today et al. People like Rex Reed and Leonard Maltin is completely off my radar. I NEVER watch "happy face" local or national movie moments on Today or suchlike. Too "consumer guide" for me.

I loathe the concept of giving a film a letter grade, just hate it completely. I'd often rather see and interesting failure than a mediocre success. So I avoid sites with this kind of structure.

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