POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
girders(Competent) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 12:58
Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
As a consumer guide - is it worth buying/seeing
71%
20 votes
As critical analysis - putting a work into wider context
4%
1 vote
To entertain the reader
11%
3 votes
Other
11%
3 votes
Having a debate elsewhere about the primary purpose of reviews and I`m interested to see how others view this.
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
Fowler9(Elite) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 13:01
I would suggest they have multiple uses but primarily i have backed as a "consumer guide"
Whether there is praise or criticism for the actors/plot etc etc it is all written to give the consumer an insight into [the writer`s opinion of] what they will see if they part with their hard earned cash.
Chris
A.C.C. Member LFC YNWA
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
whoot(Elite) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 13:06
What is the main purpose of a baz babigoye film review?
also. i saw Paul Ross review a film once.. it was Casino or something equally good.. part of his verdict was ..." weeeeelllll, it`s a bit long.."
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
bowfer(Elite) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 13:32
I sometims wonder about film reviewers. Take that Mark Kermode (sp) on Radio 1. Seriously,he`s just a professional whinger. If he ever does have a good word to say about a film,you can guarantee it will be the sort of film that would make a Red Bull junkie sleep. IMO,day after day viewing of the sorts of films `we` will enjoy makes them crave anything that breaks from the norm,so they rave about a black and white film showing the struggle of a 1930`s boy in a Bulgarian clock factory. I suppose you could liken it to being a porn star. If you`re shagging gorgeous birds every day,that sweaty behemoth might be a welcome distraction. Does it mean they`re good though ? Does it hell. Does it mean your average Joe won`t enjoy the gorgeous bird ? Nope.
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
Ben Franklin(Reviewer) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 13:39
Completely agree about Kermode. I like listening to him, but purely for entertainment. However, I did turn him off for the first time ever this week when he was reviewing Superbad. He had an absolute hatred for it, which I felt was so far off the mark I actually felt embarassed for him.
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
bowfer(Elite) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 14:57
I lost my rag with one Kermode review and e-mailed Simon Mayo`s show and had a right go. Mayo actually read it out there and then,with Kermode there. I can`t even recall the film being spoken about,I`d just had enough of his constant negativity towards anything mainstream. So if I ever see/hear/read a Kermode review saying it`s crap,I`ll rent it.
RE: POLL: Film/Book/Theatre Reviews - what is their *main* purpose?
Brian Elliott(Reviewer) posted this on Wednesday, 19th September 2007, 15:02
Sadly (and I`m not speaking specifically about Kermode here because I don`t know enough about him) there are a lot of professional reviewers out there who are more interested in getting themselves over (ie. looking cool, sounding intelligent and authoritative), than they are about actually providing an honest review for the reader or listener.
It`s another version of the "controversy breeds success" motto that so many of us are sick of. Some journalists will say and do anything to be noticed.
