📖 Overview
Mark Kermode is Britain's leading film critic and author, serving as chief film critic for The Observer and co-host of BBC Radio 5 Live's long-running film review show with Simon Mayo. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Manchester and has written extensively about cinema for publications including Sight & Sound and The Guardian.
Known for his passionate and often polarizing reviews, Kermode has published several books on film criticism including "The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex" and "Hatchet Job." His distinctive style combines academic analysis with populist accessibility, and he maintains a particular interest in horror cinema, having written definitively about The Exorcist.
Beyond print and radio, Kermode presents film programming for BBC News and has produced documentaries exploring various aspects of cinema. His work spans academic writing, journalism, broadcasting and public speaking, establishing him as a central voice in British film culture.
His influence on British film criticism has been recognized through numerous awards, including The Observer's Critic of the Year and the London Film Critics' Circle Service to Cinema Award. Kermode continues to contribute to film discourse through his various media platforms while maintaining his position as one of the UK's most trusted voices on cinema.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Kermode's direct, passionate writing style and deep film knowledge. Reviews highlight his ability to balance academic analysis with accessible language. One Amazon reviewer noted: "He writes exactly as he speaks - with enthusiasm and authority."
His books receive high ratings for humor and personal anecdotes about the film industry. Readers point to his detailed analysis of horror films and candid criticism of Hollywood business practices. Several reviews mention the value of his behind-the-scenes insights into film criticism and distribution.
Common criticisms include his repetition of favorite topics and occasionally combative tone. Some readers find his writing style too conversational. A Goodreads review stated: "Sometimes reads like transcribed radio segments rather than crafted prose."
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.5/5 (580+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,000+ reviews)
The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex: 4.3/5
Hatchet Job: 4.1/5
It's Only a Movie: 4.4/5
📚 Books by Mark Kermode
It Was Fifty Years Ago Today (2021)
A personal reflection on the Beatles' films and their cultural impact through the lens of cinema history.
The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex (2011) An examination of modern cinema culture, discussing the rise of multiplexes, digital projection, and changing audience habits.
Hatchet Job (2013) An analysis of film criticism in the digital age, exploring the role of professional critics versus amateur reviewers.
Silent Running (2014) A detailed study of Douglas Trumbull's 1972 science fiction film, examining its production, themes, and lasting influence.
How Does It Feel? (2015) A memoir focusing on the author's teenage years and his experiences in various bands during the 1970s.
It's Only a Movie (2010) An autobiographical account of the author's life as a film critic and his encounters with various filmmakers.
The Movie Doctors (2015) A collaboration with Simon Mayo presenting film recommendations organized as prescriptions for various moods and occasions.
Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (2003) A comprehensive study of William Friedkin's The Exorcist, its making, impact, and legacy.
The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex (2011) An examination of modern cinema culture, discussing the rise of multiplexes, digital projection, and changing audience habits.
Hatchet Job (2013) An analysis of film criticism in the digital age, exploring the role of professional critics versus amateur reviewers.
Silent Running (2014) A detailed study of Douglas Trumbull's 1972 science fiction film, examining its production, themes, and lasting influence.
How Does It Feel? (2015) A memoir focusing on the author's teenage years and his experiences in various bands during the 1970s.
It's Only a Movie (2010) An autobiographical account of the author's life as a film critic and his encounters with various filmmakers.
The Movie Doctors (2015) A collaboration with Simon Mayo presenting film recommendations organized as prescriptions for various moods and occasions.
Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist (2003) A comprehensive study of William Friedkin's The Exorcist, its making, impact, and legacy.
👥 Similar authors
Roger Ebert wrote film criticism for the Chicago Sun-Times and published numerous books analyzing cinema and the art of reviewing. His writing combines deep technical knowledge with cultural context, similar to Kermode's approach to film analysis.
David Thomson specializes in film industry histories and biographical works about Hollywood figures. He examines both mainstream and art house cinema with a focus on the broader cultural impact of film, matching Kermode's interest in cinema's societal role.
Pauline Kael wrote for The New Yorker and published collections of film reviews that shaped modern film criticism. Her work features strong opinions and detailed analysis of filmmaking techniques, paralleling Kermode's style.
Peter Biskind focuses on behind-the-scenes accounts of film industry developments and cultural shifts in cinema. His research-based approach to film history aligns with Kermode's interest in contextualizing movies within their time periods.
Philip French served as film critic for The Observer and wrote extensively about cinema's evolution through different eras. His writing combines British perspective with international film knowledge, sharing Kermode's cultural viewpoint and analytical depth.
David Thomson specializes in film industry histories and biographical works about Hollywood figures. He examines both mainstream and art house cinema with a focus on the broader cultural impact of film, matching Kermode's interest in cinema's societal role.
Pauline Kael wrote for The New Yorker and published collections of film reviews that shaped modern film criticism. Her work features strong opinions and detailed analysis of filmmaking techniques, paralleling Kermode's style.
Peter Biskind focuses on behind-the-scenes accounts of film industry developments and cultural shifts in cinema. His research-based approach to film history aligns with Kermode's interest in contextualizing movies within their time periods.
Philip French served as film critic for The Observer and wrote extensively about cinema's evolution through different eras. His writing combines British perspective with international film knowledge, sharing Kermode's cultural viewpoint and analytical depth.