Barry Norman was my favourite reviewer until he jumped ship to join Sky TV, then Kermode gradually took over. I find not only do a lot of his opinions agree with mine but he will refer to details in certain films that I would also find notable myself. We don't always agree but mostly a good review from him will have me wanting to see that film.
Thank You! I am a horror film historian of sorts and constantly defending the horror genre to film nerds and film school snobs. I actually will cease having a film conversation with someone that says "i don't watch horror because it isn't a respectable genre". That's rubbish! why is it the only genre that is dismissed over and over. Hollywood is ok when they get it right like 'The Exorcist' yet they completely forget about those types of horror films when it comes to promoting new ones.
John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, David Cronenberg & Sam Raimi are some of the luminaries of Horror, that show Horror while not as attractive or engaging as Drama or Action maybe is not rubbish. Being a ghetto genre means it endures all the criticism and prejudice from film snobs but it's capable of so much quality when people give it a chance.
dimabbq: For those who live outside the UK, some videos of Mark didn't work saying it's "Not available in your country". But the latest ones all do, so I hope it's because this problem is solved.
I LOVE the original versions of ´´The Exorcist´´ and ´´Halloween´´. They were brilliant and chilling, and most importantly- they had real artistic depth. But they were huge exceptions to a genre that for the most part are vehicles for directors/writers with deplorable sadistic and sado-masochistic urges that are tragically finding an ever wider audience.
I watched "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel a couple of years ago that had an episode based on this Conneticut horror story. All I remember is the basement was haunted because of the dead bodies being prepared for funerals. Did that even make it into the film version?
I like how Mark manages to twist everything to his own agenda. It has nothing to do with thinking critics are idiots. In fact the opposite, horror films mostly get bad reviews so they release them for the audience first just like Mark said in the beginning. The fact that he liked a film that wasn't critic screened is throwing him off.
From a major film critic who is telling it like it is. When I went to film school I was asked what I would like to make. I said I loved Horror. The face they pulled when I said this was like I'd just been found pissing on a homeless shelter's christmas dinner! I said psychological horror I much preferred, what you don't see is scarier, and their faces changed and I was told: "Ah yes, that's OK then". Personally, I find in the film industry and critic industry the snobbery when it comes to horror films is pathetic. Some of the horror's that have been SLATED by them, I have found are excellent (except the generic horrors that have the same repeated narratives). I like horror. YOU like horror, so b***ocks to the critics who don't!
@SamHain1031666 Really? Not just watching the wrong ones? It's all about the foreign horror films i.e. Asian or European cinema. And every now and then you'll get an American gem; usually low-budget and independently produced. Just saying, cause, as a horror fan, it breaks my balls for someone to say horror's rubbish. I mean, you can't rely on the latest remake or sequal.
i believe, if its the documentary i think it is, you can watch it on youtube in about 7 parts. (now i've said this it will probably dissappear so sorry)
@ottopotomas I dunno, I can't really tell, but I think you've missed the point here. He's complaining about the decisions of the distributors and the marketing people, not the 'plebs,' or audiences.
Well, Once again, Mark kermode is the pure proof of why we need so much of the critics, thanks Mark, I totally agree with you... Say no to Toilet rubbish.
There's a stack of horror movies that are great horrors even if they're not Great Films. Take Silent Hill for example, not a Great Film, but in my opinion it's up there with the best horror movies ever made. Why? Atmosphere! Silent Hill creeps me out, it takes me into a world with a unsettling atmosphere that, after watching it, left me with echoes of unease for days after. Genre films should primarily be judged within the context of the genre.
He's kind of avoiding the fact that most horror movies are panned by critics. The horror genre, more than others, is highly selective. It's like marmite, you either like it or hate it.
Danshavis You realise he's talking about the remake of the 1960's english TV spy show called 'The Avengers' not the Marvel comic book movie titled in the UK as 'Avengers Assemble' right?
I dont remember seeing a good horror since Drag Me To Hell, and probably The Orphanage before that. I find it to be the most untrustworthy genre these days to be honest.
"Elias Koteas, who was in Atom Egoyan's films & was in David Cronenberg's 'Crash'......and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'." I wish he had of said that, the way I wrote it. I would've LOL'd
I agree about some horror movies actually not being total garbage. In fact, there's an independent horror movie called "Splinter" which was released a year or two ago. It had a limited theatrical release in the U.S., but it got relatively good reviews. I saw it on TV one time because I had heard good things about it, and I ended up loving it. It's now one of my favorites.
As Mr Kermode himself said: "Just because you think a film is good or bad, it doesn't mean that I have to think it's good or bad too". Kind of makes film critics - or any other 'critic' for that matter - totally irrelevant and pointless. Each to his own, as they say.
![[DOKKAN BATTLE] Worldwide Campaign Announcement Video](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zxfEiMksZQs/mqdefault.jpg)
this is the only film critic i have ever liked in my life, ever.
Barry Norman was my favourite reviewer until he jumped ship to join Sky TV, then Kermode gradually took over. I find not only do a lot of his opinions agree with mine but he will refer to details in certain films that I would also find notable myself. We don't always agree but mostly a good review from him will have me wanting to see that film.
Thank You! I am a horror film historian of sorts and constantly defending the horror genre to film nerds and film school snobs. I actually will cease having a film conversation with someone that says "i don't watch horror because it isn't a respectable genre". That's rubbish! why is it the only genre that is dismissed over and over. Hollywood is ok when they get it right like 'The Exorcist' yet they completely forget about those types of horror films when it comes to promoting new ones.
genius kermode is genius simple as that
"Total toilet" lol
John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, David Cronenberg & Sam Raimi are some of the luminaries of Horror, that show Horror while not as attractive or engaging as Drama or Action maybe is not rubbish. Being a ghetto genre means it endures all the criticism and prejudice from film snobs but it's capable of so much quality when people give it a chance.
Marvelous. Simply marvelous.
dimabbq:
For those who live outside the UK, some videos of Mark didn't work saying it's "Not available in your country". But the latest ones all do, so I hope it's because this problem is solved.
Your final words stuck with me. They're surprisingly haunting.
Dr Kermode rules!!!
Oh, and it's great not to have these location restrictions anymore. Hope it won't change :)
Oh right, thanks for clearing that up.
Nice one Mark! Well said!!
He's nothing like Clarkson.
But, like Clarkson, i could listen to him reading the phonebook.
Love him
He is a bit Clarksony.
I LOVE the original versions of ´´The Exorcist´´ and ´´Halloween´´. They were brilliant and chilling, and most importantly- they had real artistic depth. But they were huge exceptions to a genre that for the most part are vehicles for directors/writers with deplorable sadistic and sado-masochistic urges that are tragically finding an ever wider audience.
A Haunting on discovery is classic late night tv, the reconstructions are pure gold.
I thought he said it was co written by Adam Sandler at first!!!
I shouldn't have to sit in a cinema with plebs! I'm Mark fucking Kermode!
I watched "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel a couple of years ago that had an episode based on this Conneticut horror story. All I remember is the basement was haunted because of the dead bodies being prepared for funerals. Did that even make it into the film version?
I like how Mark manages to twist everything to his own agenda. It has nothing to do with thinking critics are idiots. In fact the opposite, horror films mostly get bad reviews so they release them for the audience first just like Mark said in the beginning. The fact that he liked a film that wasn't critic screened is throwing him off.
Could Jesus direct a horror film so scary that even he could not watch it?
Best movie critic there is. Magnificent hair too, though mine is slightly better.
Loved this.
Ive never seen them in the same room at the same time...and thats the God's honest truth.
I definitely liked Ebert's reviews better, but Mark dresses better.
From a major film critic who is telling it like it is. When I went to film school I was asked what I would like to make. I said I loved Horror. The face they pulled when I said this was like I'd just been found pissing on a homeless shelter's christmas dinner! I said psychological horror I much preferred, what you don't see is scarier, and their faces changed and I was told: "Ah yes, that's OK then".
Personally, I find in the film industry and critic industry the snobbery when it comes to horror films is pathetic. Some of the horror's that have been SLATED by them, I have found are excellent (except the generic horrors that have the same repeated narratives). I like horror. YOU like horror, so b***ocks to the critics who don't!
The Kermodo Dragon strikes once again!
Absolutely right!
@SamHain1031666 Really? Not just watching the wrong ones? It's all about the foreign horror films i.e. Asian or European cinema. And every now and then you'll get an American gem; usually low-budget and independently produced. Just saying, cause, as a horror fan, it breaks my balls for someone to say horror's rubbish. I mean, you can't rely on the latest remake or sequal.
i believe, if its the documentary i think it is, you can watch it on youtube in about 7 parts. (now i've said this it will probably dissappear so sorry)
Man a badman
I miss the Southbank!
This same thing is happening with Ghost Rider 2, which I know is obviously shit without even having to see it.
@ottopotomas
I dunno, I can't really tell, but I think you've missed the point here.
He's complaining about the decisions of the distributors and the marketing people, not the 'plebs,' or audiences.
Well, Once again, Mark kermode is the pure proof of why we need so much of the critics, thanks Mark, I totally agree with you... Say no to Toilet rubbish.
I guess he didn't want to shell out 9 quid either..
Wow, 10 year old comments. Had they discovered fire back then?
Haha, horror movies should only be screened for Kermode, he should be the horror movie buff to tell us what's crap and what's not!
There's a stack of horror movies that are great horrors even if they're not Great Films. Take Silent Hill for example, not a Great Film, but in my opinion it's up there with the best horror movies ever made. Why? Atmosphere! Silent Hill creeps me out, it takes me into a world with a unsettling atmosphere that, after watching it, left me with echoes of unease for days after.
Genre films should primarily be judged within the context of the genre.
Ooh, Mark getting a little aggro. He should have been wearing a leather jacket for this one.
He's kind of avoiding the fact that most horror movies are panned by critics. The horror genre, more than others, is highly selective. It's like marmite, you either like it or hate it.
Wait a sec, i watched Kermodes review of Avegers and he seemed to really like it?!
Danshavis You realise he's talking about the remake of the 1960's english TV spy show called 'The Avengers' not the Marvel comic book movie titled in the UK as 'Avengers Assemble' right?
+Danshavis wtf... Faith in humanity gone
Your right Kermode but who pays the movieman.
cine-mah
FINALLY! Someone who agrees! Doesn't he just. :D
I dont remember seeing a good horror since Drag Me To Hell, and probably The Orphanage before that. I find it to be the most untrustworthy genre these days to be honest.
"Elias Koteas, who was in Atom Egoyan's films & was in David Cronenberg's 'Crash'......and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'." I wish he had of said that, the way I wrote it. I would've LOL'd
@DonnieDarko999 That could be a good thing!
I agree about some horror movies actually not being total garbage. In fact, there's an independent horror movie called "Splinter" which was released a year or two ago. It had a limited theatrical release in the U.S., but it got relatively good reviews. I saw it on TV one time because I had heard good things about it, and I ended up loving it. It's now one of my favorites.
What location restrictions?
CONNECTICUT REPRESENT!!!!!
you haven't seen Val Kilmer lately
@DonnieDarko999 hahahaha right
He's far more attractive than Val Kilmer…
thought he meant marvel avengers got confused
As Mr Kermode himself said:
"Just because you think a film is good or bad, it doesn't mean that I have to think it's good or bad too".
Kind of makes film critics - or any other 'critic' for that matter - totally irrelevant and pointless.
Each to his own, as they say.