British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by GreatUncleBaal

There's quite a few others as well, arrow and more, that haven't gone up there.

Amazon seem to have a love hate relationship with Arrow. It is only recently after a long break they started listing new Arrow titles again.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Olmo

The thin-skinned, preening film critic who deliberately misinterpreted Danny Leigh's intelligent & well-meaning article on film criticism's dearth of talent from the working class as a tirade against privilege & private education. Then publicly creating a false narrative and throwing Leigh under the bus, thereby whipping up his lackeys into a social media frenzy resulting in Leigh's self-imposed exile?

That Mark Kermode?

Prize w****r.

Greet critic though, to be fair.

[jackranderson]

I didn't realise Kermode was so controversial lol

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Greet critic though, to be fair.

I think he’s good when dealing with genre films, horror being his metier.

He is a personality foremost, however, and has cultivated that career for himself mostly through his adoration of The Exorcist, almost becoming a spokesperson for the film ahead of the director & author. I can’t think of another critic that has become synonymous with a specific title?

Ironically, and this is why I don’t like the fella, he baulks at any criticism that comes his way, whether it be constructive or not.

[OnlyJapantown]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

I didn't realise Kermode was so controversial lol

We Kermode haters are a dedicated bunch. Once you notice how partial he is to films from actors/directors who have been on his show, it's impossible to ignore, and makes his preening all the more unbearable.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by OnlyJapantown

We Kermode haters are a dedicated bunch. Once you notice how partial he is to films from actors/directors who have been on his show, it's impossible to ignore, and makes his preening all the more unbearable.

Everyone's quiff tolerance is different, I love the smell of pomade in the morning.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by Modman

Everyone's quiff tolerance is different, I love the smell of pomade in the morning.

Smells like... vitriol.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Olmo

I think he’s good when dealing with genre films, horror being his metier.

He is a personality foremost, however, and has cultivated that career for himself mostly through his adoration of The Exorcist, almost becoming a spokesperson for the film ahead of the director & author. I can’t think of another critic that has become synonymous with a specific title?

Ironically, and this is why I don’t like the fella, he baulks at any criticism that comes his way, whether it be constructive or not.

He is a huge fan of The Wicker Man too, and hosted a doc on that. It’s one of my favourites too.

He just talks sense to me, and I find myself on the same page as him 90% of the time.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by OnlyJapantown

We Kermode haters are a dedicated bunch. Once you notice how partial he is to films from actors/directors who have been on his show, it's impossible to ignore, and makes his preening all the more unbearable.

The way he says "extraordinary" is reason to dislike him. If he wants to prattle on like that at north London dinner parties then fine. Just not on the air.

[Steedeel]

I used to enjoy mark Cousins, any fans? Alan Cox is another I enjoy listening to.

[Stanshall]

Love Mark Cousins, loved Alex Cox, not arsed either way with Kermode.

[dallywhitty]

Mark Cousins seems like a nice enough guy but I couldn't sit through more than an episode of his Story of Film series. I found his commentary extremely grating.

Kermode's alright, I don't really have a problem with his stuff. Although his online presence is something else.

[Stanshall]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Mark Cousins seems like a nice enough guy but I couldn't sit through more than an episode of his Story of Film series. I found his commentary extremely grating.

Kermode's alright, I don't really have a problem with his stuff. Although his online presence is something else.

I love Cousins' soft but effusive brothel creeper tones when introducing some late night arty fodder on C4 but for more than a few minutes, yeah, I get that.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Stanshall

I love Cousins' soft but effusive brothel creeper tones when introducing some late night arty fodder on C4 but for more than a few minutes, yeah, I get that.

"Brothel creeper tones."

[wabrit]

I lost all respect for Kermode on learning how big a fan he is of Love, Actually, a film so insufferable even the mention of it brings me near to apoplexy. That's why I only go to dinner parties in south London.

[trobrianders]

Nearly everyone in the film world seems insuffrable to me now that the culture's shifting away. They all look exposed. The vibe has changed.

[FaceInTheLeaves]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Nearly everyone in the film world seems insuffrable to me now that the culture's shifting away. They all look exposed. The vibe has changed.

I feel the same. I’m a huge fan of Tori Amos and she’s been friends
with Neil Gaiman (who I couldn’t stand) for decades. I don’t know what to do with that.

The whole thing’s completely rotten. Celebrities assume the public owes them our attention even after their talent dwindles, or they run out of things to say. It’s exhausting.

Sorry to be so negative. I got triggered!

[Persona]

I think the age of film critics is dead tbh, Kermode back in the 90s I respected, now he is just too PC and rams his agenda down your throat. His stuff on Exorcist, Wicker Man, Straw Dogs and The Devils are S tier tho.

Back on topic, watched Seven Samurai for the first time last weekend, so glad to finally tick it off the list and one I will certainly be revisiting every couple of years. I did put the older Criterion blu-ray on after for a couple of scenes and the BFI disc in HDR is just incredible.

[GreatUncleBaal]

Originally Posted by Persona

now he is just too PC and rams his agenda down your throat.

every thread now boils down to this claptrap eventually doesn't it.

[Razorhead]

Originally Posted by GreatUncleBaal

every thread now boils down to this claptrap eventually doesn't it.

Seen a few references to Kermode's political views or 'online presence' and just wondering what people mean here. Has he not always been like this and there's just more exposure to him with his weekly show? If anything he's gotten less radical over the years, you might just agree with him less but that doesn't mean his approach has changed.