Critique the Critics at Beyond Thumbs Up

Introduction to the Current State of Film Criticism
Wednesday, October 17, 7:00pm

Traditional and Evolving Models of Film Criticism
Thursday, October 18, 10:30am

Outlook for U.S. Film Criticism
Thursday, October 18, 2:00pm

All events are $9.75 and are at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.

When it's good, movie criticism is as much of an art as filmmaking itself. Read the works of the late, great Pauline Kael to discover that. Beyond art, movie critics can help protect our wallets before we shell out $10 for a ticket to the latest Jack Black crapfest. (Nacho Libre, how dare you?)

Coolidge Corner Theatre and Cineaste Magazine has summoned a crew of film critics for various outlets to explain how they can tell the good from the bad.

Here is a quick list of the panelists:
Ty Burr, Boston Globe (Of course!) // Scott Foundas, LA Weekly // Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly // Kent Jones, Film Comment // Glenn Kenny, Premiere // Phillip Lopate, just about everyone // David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor // Armond White, New York Press // Stephanie Zacharek, Salon

Full bios are available at the Coolidge Corner Theatre website. Cynthia Lucia and Richard Porton of Cineaste Magazine will act as moderators when people threaten to mud wrestle over whether or not Bergman was overrated.

The focus is on the practice of film criticism itself, but perhaps these critics can offer some insight about why Hollywood insists on churning out so many remakes, like the unnecessary Heartbreak Kid.

Image from the Coolidge Corner website.