Who is the most reliable film critic?

Question

So many film critics out there, but who is the most reliable.

Why do you think so.

Answer 1

Roger Ebert. He's great and he's been around for years. He really knows what to look for in films.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean by "reliable." All arts critics are merely voicing an opinion, after all. As I see it, what separates the good critics from thd not-so-good critics is the amount of context they bring to their process. They have to know enough about the technical processes of filmmaking to assess how well or poorly the film in question was made, and they need to know enough about motion picture history in general to note the film's influences.

Oh, yeah...and they have to be good and entertaining writers.

I never read reviews until after I see films, as I think that MOST critics give away FAR too much of the plot in their reviews, but these are some of the critics I especially enjoy reading:

1) Manohla Dargis (NY Times)
2) Mick La Salle (SF Chronicle)
3) Scott Foundas (LA Weekly)

And, postumously, Pauline Kael, who was the best and sharpest of them all.

Answer 3

Well, I dislike most mainstream film critics because they generally go for mainstream, commercial films (such as Roger Ebert, whom I cannot stand). My favorite film critic was always David Sterritt of the Christian Science Monitor (he's incredibly knowledgeable and has an appreciation of independent and art films), but since he's retired, I use these film review sites to fill the void:

http://www.thecinematheque.com/index.html

http://www.moviemartyr.com/

http://www.filmref.com/

Answer 4

you have to read a few until you find the one who has the same ideas about movies as you do.

For example, some like novelty and a quick paced film, others like character development and don't mind "slow" movies.

You can go to IMDB (or Yahoo movies) and look up your favourite movies, and see which critics gave those movies the best reviews.

Answer 5

YOU are the most reliable!

Don't watch these film school dropouts spew their venom in frustration over the fact that they don't work in Hollywood.

If nothing else, if you don't want to take a chance on a movie yourself, listen to word of mouth on the street. Or ask friends, family, co-workers who have seen the movie you're thinking about seeing.

Answer 6

I Belive the viewers are. I have found viewer ratings to be more close to my likings than professional critics.

Try yahoo veiwer ratings on yahoo movies aswell as viewer ratings on hollywoodvedio and blockbuster websites.

Answer 7

Leah Rozen, because she doesn't always label the silly movies as 'bad', and has good taste in dramas.

Answer 8

ebert & roeper,leonard maltin is good too.-i agree with them 80% of the time.

Answer 9

None. You need to make up your own mind about the movie.

Answer 10

Ebert - he's been around the longest.