Film criticism

A distinction must be drawn between criticism and reviewing. Most people who call themselves film critics and publish commentary on films in periodicals are actually film reviewers. A film criticism is actually more closely aligned with philosophy than it is commentary. The film critic tries to come to understand why film works, how it works, and what effects it has on people. (See also film theory.)

Some of the names you must know in exploring the world of film criticism include:

• [Andre Bazin]?
• [Siegfried Kracauer]?
• Sergei Eisenstein
• [Christian Metz]?
• [William Rothman]?
• [Kaja Silverman]?
• [Jean-Louis Boudry]?
• [Andrew Sarris]?
• [Mary Ann Doane]?
• [Bela Balazs]?
• [Peter Bogdanovich]?

Some notable film reviewers:

• [Roger Ebert]?
• [Pauline Kael]?
• [[Àlex Gorina]]
• [Leonard Maltin]?
• [Janet Maslin]?
• [Joel Siegel]?
• [Gene Siskel]?

Of course there are many more critics and reviewers, but these will put you on the right track.

Related terms:

Quote whore