Mark Kermode.

 

I think there are some good points there but not sure I entirely agree. I do think good blogging and good criticism is strengthened when the writer in question puts their name to it, but only to a certain extent. I totally understand why some prefer anonymity, especially given recent blogging events. A lot of great bloggers did their work anonymously, notably Belle de Jour to name but one. What do you think?

Very entertaining. Mark Kermode captures the essence of the modern multiplex experience through a number of strands: Poor cinemagoer experience, poor Hollywood films, poor choice, and 97% irrelevant film critiques. Never less than vitriolic, cynical and suspicious of the motives of the modern cinema and blockbuster making film companies, Kermode harks back to the days of explosive reels of film, and the 'art' of projection, while trashing blockbusters and explaining very effectively why big films don't have to be good.

I've liked Mark Kermode since the days of 'Moviedrome' on late nights BBC2, which he used to present. I have always thought his reviews to be entertaining and accurate reflections of the films which pass his way and was not surprised to discover that in fact we agree on almost everything he describes in this book- from popcorn-selling multiplex assistant managers to the lack of exposure of decent foreign language films (and over exposure of pointless drivel, which we are stupid enough to pay money to see).

At times he wanders into the romanticism of the 'good old days' of celluloid, and adds a few snippets of autobiography which seem out of place (and I'm afraid I don't really care about the demise of film reels in favour of digital), but overall the book is engaging, and Kermode knows exactly where he has taken the reader, where he has been, and where he is going. Intelligent and funny.

If you listen to Radio 5 every Friday afternoon from 2-4pm, and enjoy what you hear, then you will love this book. I don't claim to be any kind of film expert, I'm more of a casual cinema go-er, but if you fall in to either catergory then this book is a must read. This book documents the failure that is 3D and the summer blockbusters we are forced to enjoy, despite the ever declining quality, and relives the glory days of film when film was actually projected from physical film as opposed to modern digital technology. It was certainly an education reading this book as, like I said, I'm no film expert but most of all it was completely entertaining along the way and had me laughing along at every Kermodian rant. Full of opinions, laughs and sheer brilliance.

Not bad, a bit like the radio show - lots of anecdotes told in a rambling style. Somehow not quite as satisfying. Maybe he needs another voice to keep bringing him back on track as with Simon Mayo on the radio.