Archive for the ‘ Movie Reviews ’ Category

Academic Film Criticism Versus Journalistic Film Criticism

If you want to know about academic film criticism versus journalistic film criticism, here’s a basic interpretation: journalistic film criticism will tell you about the basic plot, the quality of acting, and the number of explosions, while academic film criticism analyzes a movie for underlying themes as they relate to broad cultural issues. For those who’d like more than just a one-sentence answer, then by all means read on.

Both forms of film criticism take skill and patience to write, and neither has greater intrinsic value than the other (although some would no doubt argue this point). While they make take different paths, each style arrives at the same destination: informing the potential audience why a film is or isn’t relevant. This is a simple generalization, of course, but it should form a basic understanding of the parallel goals of each.

What is Journalistic Film Criticism?

Journalistic film criticism is the kind you’re likely to find in newspapers, mass-market magazines, television programs, and online. These reviews are widely read by the general public, and they often influence the box office success of a film. Reviews can have such an impact that studios will often withhold advance screenings for movies likely to receive a negative reaction. However, there are films that routinely rake in big cash while being almost universally panned by the critical community (such as the Transformers franchise).

As a general rule, the role of the journalistic film critic has started to decline since the rise of the Internet and the development of more sophisticated marketing schemes by studios. Trash movie reviews (discussed in a later section) are often given equal weight as those written by veteran journalists, and this has served to dilute the quality of the overall quality. A tween interested in reading about the latest Twilight movie is unlikely to be able to muster the patience to make it through even one of Pauline Kael’s shorter reviews.

The Internet has also given rise to aggregate sites such as Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. These services gather together reviews by bloggers and professional critics alike, then use their positive or negative reactions to a film to determine an overall score.

But while journalistic movie reviews are dying a slow death, they can still manage to help elevate lesser-known indie films to the attention of audiences. A perfect example is The Hurt Locker, a limited-release war movie that received wider exposure and a Best Picture Oscar win after a wave of critical praise.

What is Academic Film Criticism?

Academic film criticism can be found in magazines that specializes in deeper discussions of cinema as well as books and scholarly journals. These writers try to focus on the meaning behind the images shown on the screen–whether cultural, economic, or artistic–and this pursuit has come to be known as film studies or film theory. Sometimes these discussions can reveal elements directely included by the director or screenwriter, while other examinations seek to peel back the film and discover unintentional subtext formed by attitudes of the time. It is widely taught in a number of universities around the globe.

Continued Reading on Academic Film Criticism

As I discussed earlier, academic film criticism tends to be published in either specialty magazines or academic journals. If you’d like to do some reading of your own on the subject, the following periodicals are a fine place to start.

Screen
Sequence
Journal of Film and Video
Cinema Journal
October
Jump Cut
Cahiers du Cinema
Rouge
Quarterly Review of Film and Video
Film Quarterly
Ecrans d’Afrique

Leading Figures in Journalistic Film Criticism

If you’d like to read some fine examples of journalistic film criticism, give the following a try:

Roger Ebert – While he’s the master of the form, Ebert also peppers his full-length reviews with plenty of academic film criticism, as well.
James Berardinelli - Ebert once referred to him as the best of the Internet movie critics.
Peter Travers – Short and to the point, Travers writes movie reviews for Rolling Stone.
Andrea Chase - Writes for Killer Movie Reviews.
Leonard Maltin – Venerable film critic and historian who cranks out books like a madman.
A.O. Scott – Chief film critic for the New York Times.

Leading Figures in Academic Film Criticism

Pauline Kael – The late film critic for The New Yorker magazine, Kael melded journalistic and academic film criticism into a new creature that continues to delight and amaze readers years after her passing. Any of her published collections of film essays are recommended.
Andre Bazin – The co-founded of Cahiers du Cinema and a leading force in post-WWII film criticism.
David Bordwell – Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bordwell’s book Film Art is used in many college film studies programs as an introductory text.
Richard Dyer - Winner of the lifetime achievement award from the Society for Cinema and Media Studies, this British academic has penned books on the influence of celebrity in film, white culture, and gay cinema.
Tania Modleski - Feminist film critic and professor of English at USC. Author of (among others) Loving with a Vengeance: Mass-Produced Fantasies for Women.

Trash Film Criticism

While we’re on the subject, I should mention a third category that I like to call “trash criticism.” This encompasses many of the online movie reviews you’ll come across, and they tend to be of a lesser quality than the two forms discussed above. Trash criticism traditionally focuses on the fanboy audience, meaning adult males who may also be into indie music, comic books, and making snarky comments on Internet message boards.

You can usually recognize trash criticism by the following signs:

1. Reviews are sprinkled with curse words.
2. May use lots of exclamation points at the end of their sentences.
3. Reviews may be of a sub-par quality or features numerous typos. This is not always the case, however.
4. May seem biased in favor of certain films, especially those where the studio flew them out to visit the set.

The perfect example of trash criticism comes from the folks over at Ain’t It Cool News. Harry Knowles and company, while still drawing a large online following, have spent years gushing and cursing about some of the most low-brow pieces of trash to ever hit the theatres. If you’d like to experience trash film criticism for yourself, give Harry’s reviews–or those written by his ridiculously-named colleagues–a try.

Diane Negra – A Cheap Plug

I’d be remiss if I didn’t pause to plug the works of Diane Negra, a former instructor of mine in college. I took a number of classes from her, and each explored the deeper meanings of film and television. Whether we were examining the social context of WKRP in Cincinnati episodes or discussing roles of gender in Valentino’s The Sheik, I found the experience to be both entertaining and informative. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have an excuse to watch lots and lots of episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess?

Ms. Negra has served as author or editor for a number of works, and I wanted to close out this article by listing the titles currently available from Amazon. Each features a certain level of examination of film, although most also pulls back the curtain on television and general pop culture. If you want to feel your I.Q. go up several points, give the works of Diane Negra a try.

Interrogating Postfeminism: Gender and the Politics of Popular Culture (Console-ing Passions)
A Feminist Reader in Early Cinema (a Camera Obscura Book)
What a Girl Wants?: Fantasizing the Reclamation of Self in Postfeminism
The Irish in Us: Irishness, Performativity, and Popular Culture
In the Limelight and Under the Microscope: Forms and Functions of Female Celebrity
Off-White Hollywood: American Culture and Ethnic Female Stardom
Old and New Media after Katrina

If you came into this article wanting to know more about academic film criticism versus journalistic film criticism, hopefully you’re leaving with a bellyful of wisdom. If not, I at least hope you understand the basic difference between the two. Just keep in mind that both are equally valid forms of cinematic literature that enable their readers to better appreciate the art of film.

Criterion Collection DVD and Blu-ray Reviews

I’m a confirmed cinema nut, so it should come as little surprise that I’m hooked on the Criterion Collection. Delivering top-notch restorations and extras, Criterion is the film geek equivalent of smoking a cigar in the back of a stretch limo while receiving the hummer of a lifetime from your favorite Hollywood starlet. Okay, maybe they’re not quite that good, but you get the idea.

In case you’re unfamiliar with Criterion, allow me to provide a bit of background. Founded in 1984, Criterion started out by releasing select film titles (usually arthouse) to the prestigious laserdisc format. This changed to DVDs in 1998, and the Blu-ray format was added in 2008, as well as a video-on-demand service.

The Criterion Collection doesn’t deal in Katherine Heigl movies. Instead, they specialize in feature films that have made important contributions to the medium. Many of the selections are no-brainers (Seven Samurai, The Third Man), while others have led to heated debates on various spots across the Internet (Armageddon, The Blob). But no matter what the title, everyone can agree that the Criterion version is going to immediately be the best on the market.

However, this article isn’t just about singing the praises of the Criterion Collection. Rather, it’s about making you aware of the brave individuals who’ve set out to offer Criterion Collection DVD and Blu-ray reviews. Some include only their favorites, while others intend to see every film released under the Criterion banner. In either case, it’s a deed worth mentioning.

The Criterion Contraption – Roger Ebert called the feat “scaling Mt. Criterion,” and that’s exactly what Matthew Dessem is doing. His goal: see and review every film in the Criterion Collection. It’s a project he started back in 2004, although Criterion continues to release movies at a rate that almost guarantees Dessem will never accomplish his goal. He suggests that anyone interested in emulating his feat start at the first film in the collection (Criterion numbers their releases) and move down the list.

Matthew’s Criterion Collection reviews aren’t brief affairs either. He analyzes all the extra content (commentary tracks are a favorite) and even provides his own images by taking them from the individual titles with the help of a computer. In fact, he first came to the attention of Ebert when he wrote the venerable critic to lightly complain about his unauthorized use of his Dessem’s screen grabs.

So far this year (2011), Dessem has turned out six reviews: The Lady Eve (#103), Double Suicide (#104), Spartacus (#105), Coup de Torchon (#106), Mona Lisa (#107), and The Rock (#108). That’s about one per month, but keep in mind the length of time it takes to watch the film, watch it again with various commentary tracks, watch the special featurettes, etc. He’s never going to complete his quest, but it’ll be fun to watch him try.

By the way, you can find the article by Roger Ebert right here.

Criterion on the Brain – Another writer with the goal of seeing every film in the Criterion Collection. He (I’m showing my sexism by assuming it’s a male) delivers compact and well-reasoned personal opinions on each of the movies viewed, and it may be more approachable to those intimidated by scholarly review sites. According to his blog archive, the first post appeared in 1999, with 2010 and 2011 being especially busy years (154 reviews in 2010, and 57 so far in 2011). The author doesn’t see the films in order, so there’s a certain sense of anticipation while waiting to see what he’ll choose next.

During the month that I wrote this article, they’ve reviewed the following so far: Close-up (#519), The Leopard (#235), Blow Out (#562), House (#539), and Carlos (#582). The author also provides a list of the 10 favorite films he’s seen since embarking on the project. That list alone is worth taking a look at.

Criterion Affection – If you like your Criterion Collection movie reviews short and to the point, you’ll enjoy this site by yet another author who’s looking to watch every film they release. Most reviews are wrapped up in a paragraph, which is perfect for those cinephiles in a hurry. The blog started up in 2010 (according to the archives), and the following reviews were staring back at me from the homepage during my visit: Lord of the Flies, The Vanishing, The Ruling Class, My Man Godfrey, Beauty and the Beast, Walkabout, Unfaithfully Yours, The Times of Harvey Milk, and Fanny and Alexander.

Criterion Reflections – Back in the ‘80s, Dave Blakeslee played guitar for a punk band known as the Church Police. Fast forward a few decades, and he’s a happily married father of four who’s decided to watch every release from the Criterion Collection and review it. Each review opens with a quote from the film, and Dave also takes the time to include (when possible) a YouTube clip to give viewers a better idea of what to expect. His reviews are well-written and show a growing understanding of the art of cinema, which is something I always look for when deciding what to bookmark for future consideration. One of the best Criterion review sites out there, Dave had recently reviewed the following films upon my visit: Floating Weeds (#232), Shadows (#251), Fires on the Plain (#378), Il Generale Della Rovere (#463), Black Orpheus (#48), Hiroshima mon amour (#196), and Good Morning (#84).

Criterion Confessions – Jamie S. Rich is a novelist, writer of comic books, and member of the Online Film Critics Society. And when he’s not busy writing fictional tales, he’s watching fictional tales from Criterion and giving his thoughts on them. He reviews about six to eight Criterion releases per month, and his blog dates all the way back to 2007. And since the man makes a living with his words, you can darned well bet that it’s going to be well-written. When I dropped in, these were the films he had recently reviewed: Fish Tank (#553), The Makioka Sisters (#567), Insignificance (#566), The Great Dictator (#565), and Diabolique (#35).

As you can see, all the sites listed above are offering different Criterion Collection reviews at any given time. Since Criterion’s library grows each month, this is an excellent way to inform yourself about some of the many titles being offered. While it’s unlikely that any of these valiant cinema fans will ever look down upon the world from the top of Mt. Criterion, it’s fun to watch them try.

Good Childrens Movies

As a service to our readers, I wanted to write about some good childrens movies currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. I confess that it’s been a while since I was a kid, so many of my selections reflect that. In addition, some of the films listed below aren’t really children’s movies at all, but rather motion pictures I watched and enjoyed as a youngster. While this may leave you wondering as to the stability of my childhood, I guarantee that all of the following will entertain without causing too much trauma.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – I saw this at my local single-screen theatre as a kid, and I remember bawling like a baby at Steven Spielberg’s timeless tale of a little alien stranded on Earth and befriended by a young boy. Sales of Reece’s Pieces went through the roof as a result, and anyone who likes Drew Barrymore will get a kick out of seeing her back when she was a child actress. Not all kid’s movies stand the test of time, but E.T. certainly does.

Up (2009) – Pixar seems infallible when it comes to making computer-animated films that appeal to all ages, and the Oscar-winning Up is just one of many examples. Ed Asner provides the voice for Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower who dreams of making a trip to South America in honor of his late wife. But things take a turn for the hilarious when an energetic Wilderness Explorer winds up tagging along, and the mismatched duo soon find themselves in a dangerous jungle pursued by a crazed explorer (Christopher Plummer) and his pack of talking dogs. My favorite character was Dug (Bob Peterson), a lovable and squirrel-obsessed dog with the ability to speak through a collar around his neck.

Bambi (1942) – You’d have to be made of stone not to cry during this Walt Disney classic, and the nature setting allows it to remain fresh after almost seven decades. One of the greatest animated films ever made, this adaptation of the Felix Salten novel details the maturation of a white-tailed deer named Bambi despite the many perils presented by mankind. Just thinking about Bambi’s doomed mother gets me all misty-eyed.

Ghostbusters (1984) – I still remember rushing out of the theatre in excitement after seeing this supernatural comedy starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Dan Aykroyd as a trio of bumbling ghost hunters. If the comedic starpower isn’t enough, add in the presence of Sigourney Weaver and an irresistible title song from Ray Parker, Jr. Let’s hope they never decide to “re-imagine” this one, as the original still works surprisingly well.

WALL-E (2008) – Another homerun from Pixar, WALL-E tells the story of a gentle robot tasked with cleaning up a trash-laden Earth in the future. When he finds a lone plant growing on the surface of the otherwise barren planet, it prompts a visit from a probe known as EVE. Instantly smitten by the sight of another robot, WALL-E follows her into space and gets involved in a series of adventures. Funny and touching at the same time, which is all the more impressive when you consider the minimal amount of dialogue used. Fans rightfully pitched a fit when it was overlooked for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, leading to the category being increased to 10 nominees the following year.

Charlotte’s Web (1973) – An animated classic that I used to watch on television as a kid, Charlotte’s Web revolves around a young pig (voiced by Henry Gibson) who’s befriended by a wise spider named Charlotte (Debbie Reynolds). I always cried thanks to the bittersweet ending, but there were also plenty of laughs to be had thanks to the lively musical numbers and the antics of a rat named Templeton (the wonderfully distinctive voice of Paul Lynde). A live-action version was made in 2006, but this one remains the better option. If you show this to younger viewers, be prepared to field some questions about death after the credits roll.

Star Wars (1977) – Before George Lucas completely sold out, he tore up the box office with this sci-fi tale of a young farmer named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who gets thrust into the middle of an interstellar rebellion. As a kid, I couldn’t get enough of super-cool smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), but I didn’t really appreciate Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) until she showed lots more flesh in Return of the Jedi. If you’re looking for movies for young boys, this one is a guaranteed hit.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) – When a young girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland) winds up in the fantastical world of Oz, she must contend with the Wicked Witch, flying monkeys, and a host of bizarre pals ranging from a cowardly lion to a dancing scarecrow. They used to show this on TV once a year, and I was always a loyal viewer. Even if you have to rent it, it’s still worth the effort thanks to dazzling musical numbers and plenty of colorful characters designed to please kids of all ages.

A Special Note on Good Children’s Movies

Since I’ve talked about good children’s movies that I would recommend, it’s only fair that I mention one that scared the crap out of me in my youth. I caught it on television as a kid, so there’s no telling what kind of psychological damage would’ve been done by seeing it on the big screen. I’m talking about Carrie, the 1976 film adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel.

I just about lost my little mind when poor Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) got doused in pig’s blood, and even the presence of William Katt and John Travolta on-screen couldn’t stop the terror. It should be a no-brainer, but allow me to be clear: Don’t let your kids watch Carrie or any other movie where tormented high school students get covered in blood and then use telekinetic powers to exact revenge. If you’re an adult, however, run out and rent it as soon as possible.

That concludes my look at good children’s movies. Admittedly, some (most) of these are dated, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth a look. After all, the term “classic” exists for a reason.

Kurt Loder Movie Reviews

I’ve always enjoyed Kurt Loder movie reviews, but the man in question has done so much more during his amazing career. For example, he was drafted into the Army after dropping out of college, and that’s when his journalistic career began. Since that time, he’s written for Circus, enjoyed a much-celebrated run with Rolling Stone, joined MTV in 1987 as their only legit journalist, and co-authored the Tina Turner autobiography, I, Tina. Now in his 60s, Loder is still going strong.

If you’ve never experienced his writing, be sure to check out these Kurt Loder movie reviews. I’ve included a link for each, so you’re just one click away from the full article.

That concludes our look at some Kurt Loder movie reviews. You can catch the shorter versions by watching MTV and sitting through hours of reality programming, or you can just head to their official website and enjoy Kurt Loder’s opinions in all their uncut glory. You the man, Kurt!

Harry Knowles Movie Reviews

If you’ve ever read any Harry Knowles movies reviews, you’re bound to remember the experience…they’re the ones that seem unusually enthusiastic and peppered with curse words and bizarre punctuation. They’ll also drone on at great lengths about personal details that nobody really cares about. But some people must enjoy it, because Ain’t It Cool News (Harry’s website) continues to draw in geeks from around the globe. Then it, that might have something to do with all the insider info that Harry and his crew have fed to them by studio execs eager to get a positive word or two about their project in return.

Still, it’s not too shabby for an obese ginger kid who got his start while confined to a bed. Harry Knowles has popped up on the Forbes Power List, and he’s made appearances on Politically Incorrect and Roger Ebert and The Movies. He’s also made cameos in a number of films, leaving some (including Ebert) to question his ability to remain objective. But Harry doesn’t care; he’s too busy hanging out with guys like Robert Rodriguez and holding his annual Butt-numb-a-thon film festival every December.

And once you’ve checked out the Harry Knowles movie reviews below, be sure to read the multi-part Film Threat expose that was released several years ago. It’s an interesting look at the relationship between Knowles and the studios.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at some of the Harry Knowles movie reviews available online. I would’ve included more, but frankly their shitty site design over at Ain’t It Cool News always causes my computer to lock up. Hope you have better luck than I did.

A.O. Scott Movie Reviews

A.O. Scott movie reviews are always well-written and even-handed, which are two qualities missing from many online critics these days. One of the film critics for The New York Times since 2000 (along with Manohla Dargis), he’s also made contributions over the years to The New York Review of Books, Slate, and Newsday. Born in 1966, he is currently a resident of Brooklyn along with his spouse and two kids. Starting in September of 2009, Scott joined Michael Phillips as the new hosts of At the Movies, replacing Ben Mankiewicz and Ben Lyons.

And just in case you’re curious, here are his list of best films from 2006 through 2009:

As you can see by his selections above, A.O. Scott isn’t afraid to go in a different direction from the rest of the herd.

If you’ve ever considered becoming a regular reader of A.O. Scott movie reviews, I hope this glimpse will help you make up your mind. While he can be a bit wordy at times, he’s a refreshing change of pace from some of the 14-year-old goofs on the Internet.

Rex Reed Movie Reviews

If you’ve read The New York Observer in recent years, then you’ve no doubt encountered some Rex Reed movie reviews. The native Texan (born 1938) also served as the co-host for At the Movies for a time, and he’s never afraid to voice his opinion. Acting is in his blood, as well, as Reed has appeared in Superman, Inchon!, Myra Breckinridge, The Gong Show, and The Critic. And in case you’re wondering about credentials, try the New York Film Critics Circle and the New York Film Critics Online.

When you read Rex Reed movie reviews,you can always expect to get an opinion that’s fresh and honest. Never one to follow the herd, a peek at Reed’s “Worst of” list of 2010 includes such popular films as Inception, Shutter Island, and Winter’s Bone. Many of these films made into onto the “Best of” lists for well-known critics, but Rex Reed was hearing none of that.

He’s also been involved in his fair share of controversy. When Marisa Tomei won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1993, Reed claimed that presenter Jack Palance had read the wrong name due to eyesight problems or because he was too “stoned.” Then in 2005, he wrote the following during a review of South Korea’s Oldboy, “What else can you expect from a nation weaned on kimchi, a mixture of raw garlic and cabbage buried underground until it rots, dug up from the grave and then served in earthenware pots sold at the Seoul airport as souvenirs?” That didn’t win him a lot of friends in the Asian community.

But Rex Reed doesn’t give a damn. He keeps right on typing up his reviews, and his loyal fans keep right on reading them. In case you’re interested, I’ve included links below to some of his more recent work. And if you’re looking for something with a bit more girth, be sure to head over to Amazon and pick up one of his books. They include:

Now here are those links to Rex Reed movie reviews that I promised:

That concludes our brief look at some Rex Reed movie reviews. For even more on the subject, be sure to visit Reed’s official home at the online version of The New York Observer.

Mr. Cranky Movie Reviews

If you find that most films fill you with nothing but loathing and contempt, then Mr. Cranky movie reviews will be right up your alley. Created in 1995 by Hans Bjordahl and Jason Katzman, Mr. Cranky puts forth the notion that all movies suck: the only debate is to what degree they suck. Represented by a purple, self-gagging frowny-face, Mr. Cranky rates all films on a six-step scale. The best rating a film can receive is one bomb, and the bomb ratings go all the way up to four. After that, a film gets a “Boomstick” rating (represented by dynamite), and then the dreaded “Kaboom!” (represented by an atomic explosion).

But not all reviews found on the site are so negative. Each year around Halloween, a guest reviewer named Mr. Smiley drops buy to give the good news about Hollywood films. The exact opposite of the Mr. Cranky movie reviews, Mr. Smiley grades with smiley faces all the way up to the ultimate “Prozacerrific!” rating.

In 2008, it appeared as though Mr. Cranky was calling it quits, but fortunately for cynics and curmudgeons, the site is still in operation at Shadowculture’s Mr. Cranky Rates the Movies. You can also catch the reviews over at the Chicago Tribune website, as well as purchasing their book, Shadowculture’s Mr. Cranky Presents: The 100 Crankiest Movie Reviews Ever.

Just in case you’ve never experienced the form of satire known as Mr. Cranky movie reviews, I’ve prepared a selection of his works below. But read with caution, as prolonged exposure could threaten to dislocate your funny bone (yeah, I realize just how lame that sounds, but I’m too lazy to hit the backspace button).

For more Mr. Cranky movie reviews, be sure to visit his official site. While you’re there, you can also drop by the forums, review the archives, and purchase t-shirts, bibs, caps, and so much more.

Pauline Kael Movie Reviews

Pauline Kael movie reviews were never mediocre affairs. That’s because the longtime film critic for The New Yorker (1968 to 1991) filled her work with personal insight, emotion, and a depth rarely seen in modern-day critical musings. Considered the most influential movie reviewer of her time, she’s rivaled only by Roger Ebert in both fame and acclaim from their peers. In fact, Ebert paid her a major compliment when he said that Kael “had a more positive influence on the climate for film in America than any other single person over the last three decades.” Owen Gleiberman, the resident critic for Entertainment Weekly, added, “She was like the Elvis or the Beatles of film criticism.”

If you’ve never experience Pauline Kael movie reviews before, here are some interesting facts that you might want to know:

If you’d like to read collections of the Pauline Kael movie reviews and assorted essays, be sure to check out her extensive list of writings:

And here’s a preview of what you might expect from Pauline Kael movie reviews, courtesy of a number of different sites across the Internet:

Ben Lyons Movie Reviews

The next time you’re looking for some Ben Lyons movie reviews, keep in mind that you’re reading perhaps the most reviled movie critic in modern-day America. The son of film critic Jeffrey Lyons, Ben took over hosting At the Movies in 2008, the program made legendary by the team of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Along with Ben Mankiewicz, the duo were supposed to revitalize the show and make it appealing to younger viewers. Instead, they generated a shitstorm due to Lyons’ perceived lack of cinematic knowledge and his habit of breaking his comments down into sound bites perfect for inclusion on Hollywood promotional material. Constantly posing for pictures with celebrities didn’t help things, either. Even the VP of the Chicago Film Critics Association weighed in, saying “His integrity’s out the window. He has no taste. Everyone thinks he’s a joke.” Not surprisingly, the pair were fired in 2009.

Born in 1981, Ben Lyons got started in the entertainment industry in 2002, when he created a production company to make segments for the show Hip-Hop Nation. Two years later, he got a gig with MTV co-hosting Your Movie Show. In another two years, he was covering film festivals and red carpet events for The Daily 10. During this time, he also started up a column for E! Online known as “The Lyons Den.” Other jobs have included Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, and Nickelodeon’s My Family’s Got GUTS. To further erode his credibility in the critical community, he’s appeared in two films: The House Bunny and Disaster Movie. Dude, if you’re going to sell out, and least do it with some quality projects.

Roger Ebert wasn’t exactly thrilled with Lyons being hired for At the Movies. In fact, he later wrote a column entitled “Roger’s Little Rule Book,” a look at the eroding ethical standards in film criticism. While he didn’t specifically name Lyons, he later admitted that the youthful critic was meant as the subject.

The LA Times also had something to say, roasting Lyons and his cozy relationship with studios and celebrities. Just click on this link to watch the integrity of Ben Lyons movie reviews get reamed out in every way imaginable.

Ben Lyons Movie Reviews – Quotes

If you head to his section on the E! website (known as the “Lyons Den”), you won’t find any Ben Lyons movie reviews. The same goes for his entry over at Rotten Tomatoes, as all his At the Movies reviews lead to dead links. But since I did promise you some examples of cinematic wisdom from Ben Lyons, I’ve put together of list of blurbs from At the Movies and other source. Does he possess a keen critical eye, or is he just a star-struck whore hoping to increase his own profile? Make your own decision.

Don’t Mess with the Zohan – “Completely original, this is Adam Sandler doing what he does best. Zohan is a classic comedy character that audiences will love for years to come. The most bankable comedic star in Hollywood strikes again.”

Gran Torino – “I don’t know if I could see any other older actor in this part.”

Stomp the Yard – “It’s a great film because it really switches gears, and it doesn’t leave the audience behind, which is very difficult for a film to do.”

Max Payne – “You know what hurts a movie like Max Payne is the success of the Batman franchise. That obviously is about story and character, so they think for all films of the genre it’s gotta be about story and character and this whole backstory of him losing his wife. I don’t care about that. I wanna see Max Payne shoot people. That’s all I want from a movie like this.”

Splinter – “I like Splinter too, I just don’t have the stomach for horror movies. Life is too short. I have to say rent it.”

Horton Hears a Who – “Horton is hilarious! Brilliant from top to bottom. Finally, Dr. Seuss as it was meant to be seen. The first movie to truly capture the magic of ‘The Seuss Imagination.’”

W. – “It’s really important to tell people to go out and see W. so they can talk about it and have an opinion about it and this freedom of speech of course that allows us to go and talk about a film about a current sitting president.”

Burn After Reading – “A hilarious comedy from an all-star ensemble cast! Smart, funny and original. Everything you want from the Coen Brothers.”

Battle In Seattle – “An all star cast that delivers one tremendous performance after another.”

Miracle at St. Anna – “One of the best films of 2008. A classic of epic and scope. Honest, powerful and inspiring, it’s one of Spike Lee’s best, and most important films.”

The Express – “More than just a movie about football. It’s an emotionally charged, inspiring story of a forgotten American hero.”

Boy, he sure likes the phrase “all-star cast,” doesn’t he?

So the next time you stray across any Ben Lyons movie reviews, keep the above information in mind. After all, do you really want to take the advice of someone who’s quickly become a pariah in the critical community?

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