Philip French

RIP Philip French:

http://www.theguardian.com/film/philip-french

I am a lifelong reader of The Observer and until his retirement one of the regular highlights of the paper was Philip French's film review.

It was from his writing that I began to learn that cinema can be much more than what is on at the local multiplex, that it has a history that constantly influences even the most anodyne of commercial releases, and that it is possible to write well about even the worst films.  he also had a brilliant sense of humour and could never miss the chance to work a cringe-making pun into an otherwise serious review.

He will be sorely missed!

A Modest Proposal

If any film producers wish to use quotes from this blog to promote their films then I'm happy to agree subject to payment of a nominal fee.

In an extract from his new book on the role of the film critic Marc Kermode has picked up on the novel use of non-professional critics to puff a film:

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/29/hatchet-jobs-anonymity-internet-kermode?guni=Keyword:news-grid

In the world of books I think the providers of such puffs are known as "quote whores".  The world of arts journalism is a rough and dangerous place.

New Film Critic for The Observer

The soon to be legendary Mark Kermode is to take over as film critic for The Observer when the legendary Philip French retires:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/aug/17/mark-kermode-film-critic-observer

Hooray!

The End of an Era

Sad news that Philip French will be leaving The Observer later on this year:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/may/04/philip-french-observer-film

His column is always a highlight of the weekend and his book I Found It At The Movies was brilliant.

A small crumb of comfort is that there are more books in the pipeline...