There are few forms of journalism more entertaining than a really good bad review. But it has to be done right: here's how
Among the terrible reviews of Liz and Dick, this week – "stunningly cynical" (TV Guide), "unbearably hilarious" (Hollywood Reporter), "badly paced, cheap-looking and encrusted with a tinkly, preposterous soundtrack designed to make viewers go insane" (Huffington Post) – none was quite brutal enough to ascend to that category of criticism that sweeps the internet now and then, and warms the darkest recess of the heart: the magisterial takedown.
(David Wiegand in the San Francisco Chronicle gave it his best shot with "It's so terrible, you'll need to ice your face when it's over to ease the pain of wincing for two hours." but there wasn't quite enough artistry in his bitching.)
No. For a negative review really to fly, it must meet five broad criteria.
1. Have about it the...
Among the terrible reviews of Liz and Dick, this week – "stunningly cynical" (TV Guide), "unbearably hilarious" (Hollywood Reporter), "badly paced, cheap-looking and encrusted with a tinkly, preposterous soundtrack designed to make viewers go insane" (Huffington Post) – none was quite brutal enough to ascend to that category of criticism that sweeps the internet now and then, and warms the darkest recess of the heart: the magisterial takedown.
(David Wiegand in the San Francisco Chronicle gave it his best shot with "It's so terrible, you'll need to ice your face when it's over to ease the pain of wincing for two hours." but there wasn't quite enough artistry in his bitching.)
No. For a negative review really to fly, it must meet five broad criteria.
1. Have about it the...
- 11/28/2012
- by Emma Brockes
- The Guardian - Film News
Director and team behind Olympic opening ceremony scoop prize, Nick Payne becomes youngest ever playwright to take the award for best play, and Hattie Morahan triumphs over Cate Blanchett
The team behind the Olympic opening ceremony, led by director Danny Boyle, was honoured at the Evening Standard theatre awards on Sunday night, winning the second Beyond Theatre award, which "celebrates theatricality outside the confines of the auditorium".
Boyle was presented the award by cyclist Victoria Pendleton at the ceremony, which took place at the Savoy Hotel in London, for an event that the Evening Standard's editor, Sarah Sands, said "managed to find a way of showing us who we are" as a nation.
Elsewhere, it was Nicholas Hytner's night, as the National theatre's artistic director, who recently teamed up with Boyle to spearhead a campaign against arts-funding cuts outside of London, scooped both the Lebedev special award and best...
The team behind the Olympic opening ceremony, led by director Danny Boyle, was honoured at the Evening Standard theatre awards on Sunday night, winning the second Beyond Theatre award, which "celebrates theatricality outside the confines of the auditorium".
Boyle was presented the award by cyclist Victoria Pendleton at the ceremony, which took place at the Savoy Hotel in London, for an event that the Evening Standard's editor, Sarah Sands, said "managed to find a way of showing us who we are" as a nation.
Elsewhere, it was Nicholas Hytner's night, as the National theatre's artistic director, who recently teamed up with Boyle to spearhead a campaign against arts-funding cuts outside of London, scooped both the Lebedev special award and best...
- 11/26/2012
- by Matt Trueman
- The Guardian - Film News
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternated for each performance of a three-month run at the National Theatre
After alternating playing Victor Frankenstein and the Creature for each performance of a three-month run at the National Theatre, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller have been rewarded jointly with the best actor prize at the UK's longest-running theatre awards.
The judges for the 2011 London Evening Standard awards said it would have been "invidious not to recognise both actors" for what were memorable performances in Frankenstein, the Danny Boyle-directed production.
One role involved two hours in makeup and getting naked on stage to play Frankenstein's creation; the other, that of the egomaniac scientist himself, did not.
Although the awards have been running since 1955, Cumberbatch and Miller are among the few to share the best actor award, jointly following in some illustrious footsteps – the first recipient was Richard Burton for Henry V,...
After alternating playing Victor Frankenstein and the Creature for each performance of a three-month run at the National Theatre, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller have been rewarded jointly with the best actor prize at the UK's longest-running theatre awards.
The judges for the 2011 London Evening Standard awards said it would have been "invidious not to recognise both actors" for what were memorable performances in Frankenstein, the Danny Boyle-directed production.
One role involved two hours in makeup and getting naked on stage to play Frankenstein's creation; the other, that of the egomaniac scientist himself, did not.
Although the awards have been running since 1955, Cumberbatch and Miller are among the few to share the best actor award, jointly following in some illustrious footsteps – the first recipient was Richard Burton for Henry V,...
- 11/22/2011
- by Mark Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
Stop complaining about me giving away plots. I'm doing you a favour
Am I guilty of indecent exposure? I only ask because I am frequently accused by bloggers of revealing too much of a play's plot. I was even charged, rather weirdly I felt, with spoiling someone's enjoyment of the National theatre's Frankenstein. Given that Mary Shelley's novel has been around since 1818 and subject to countless adaptations, I'd have thought it highly unusual for anyone to attend the production in a state of total innocence. But, in general, the accusation raises fascinating questions about the technique of reviewing and the undue primacy we give to narrative suspense.
How much should a critic give away? With a whodunnit, we are obviously honour-bound not to reveal the ending. It's a convention the London Evening Standard's Milton Shulman once broke by concluding his review of a 1950s Agatha Christie thriller with the fatal words: "George did it.
Am I guilty of indecent exposure? I only ask because I am frequently accused by bloggers of revealing too much of a play's plot. I was even charged, rather weirdly I felt, with spoiling someone's enjoyment of the National theatre's Frankenstein. Given that Mary Shelley's novel has been around since 1818 and subject to countless adaptations, I'd have thought it highly unusual for anyone to attend the production in a state of total innocence. But, in general, the accusation raises fascinating questions about the technique of reviewing and the undue primacy we give to narrative suspense.
How much should a critic give away? With a whodunnit, we are obviously honour-bound not to reveal the ending. It's a convention the London Evening Standard's Milton Shulman once broke by concluding his review of a 1950s Agatha Christie thriller with the fatal words: "George did it.
- 4/4/2011
- by Michael Billington
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.