Favourite Kermode rants

[Heathcliff]

I am a big fan of the UK film critic Mark Kermode, and I wanted to share

DEUCE BIGALOW, EUORPEAN GIGOLO

Best bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQDHRCQ35IU
0:12
"As opposed to what? Deuce Bigolow - Sheep Gigolo?"

HOLMES AND WATSON

Best bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou0UxEv7_5A
3:00
Someone says "That was TERRIBLE"

RUN FAT BOY RUN

Best bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a4-DX7nFlw&t=29s
1:00
"At last? What do you mean 'at last'? You can't say "the comedy of the year" in August, you've still got half the year to go!"
And who is Neil Sean?

TERMINATOR SALVATION

Best bit: Mark's explanation for why Christian Bale went mad on the set:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a4-DX7nFlw&t=29s
6:10
"AAAAH- I've woken up! I'm in a movie directed by McGEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

 

[Travel]

I'm not a big fan of critics getting snarkyranty, and I think Kermode often falls for that. However, he's still a solid critic, especially when his enthusiasm for a film is contagious, his interest in the filmmakers he interviews feels genuine, he comes across as an actual journalist, surveying a life and best of all, he's not above changing his mind or taking opposite opinions. These are some of my favorite moments from him: 

1. The time he was with Werner Herzog and it got weird:  

. 

2. The time he apologized to Spielberg for giving A.I. a negative review: 

 

3. His fascination for Punch-Drunk Love and his discussion with viewers of the film: 

 

[Heathcliff]

14 hours ago, Travel said:

I'm not a big fan of critics getting snarkyranty, and I think Kermode often falls for that. However, he's still a solid critic, especially when his enthusiasm for a film is contagious, his interest in the filmmakers he interviews feels genuine, he comes across as an actual journalist, surveying a life and best of all, he's not above changing his mind or taking opposite opinions.

I appreciate your opinion, and I take your point. I think the radio show has gone into that territory - Robbie Collin already reviewed Holmes and Watson... but let's make Kermode see it anyway because he'll hate it and it will be funny.

But I do like the way he gets angry at a film being racist or sexist (and so on) and not in a "I am trying to score ally points" way, but quite genuinely. He really complained about Superbad, and I think a lot of people disagreed with him about that - but he stuck to his opinion that the film is a bit of a sexist male fantasy.

And I do think the best thing a critic can do is prompt you to see films you didn't otherwise know about.

He prompted me to try watching horror films again, and I watched Candyman again and suddenly realised it was a really good film- and watched the Shining and was stunned and scared.

[Travel]

Oh yeah, when Kermode attacks a film for being racist or sexist, I'm all for that. I love Superbad but I think he's right on the money about the overall idea he wants to express. Teen movies were generally terrible for women back then.