Tuesday 9th February, 2010

The best way I can think to describe Mark Kermode is the Jeremy Clarkson of film criticism. Depending on whether or not you have a penchant for said Top Gear presenter, you may call that high praise or an unjust slander. Take it as you will. What I mean to say is that his ranting, arm-waving, anecdotal impressions and hyperbole are all in the Clarkson school of presentation. And that is in no way a bad thing.

Mr Kermode was introduced and we, the audience, were told that he was to “Speak briefly, then open the floor to questions and answers.” No stranger to blurting out contradictions, he informed us otherwise. He was to speak for quite a while, actually, and then, if he managed it, save a little time for our input. Excellent.

The talk began, ostensibly, with his now well-rehearsed rant about 3D films. He went about this by waving around some soft-toy Smurfs attached to a hanger, then - using a pole - extending them out over the audience and waggling them in audience members’ faces to illustrate his point. I have to say that I found this argument most compelling. One of those, “I knew I didn’t like it for a reason -- so that’s why it‘s so annoying!” Or perhaps I’m just gullible. Rather than recapitulate his entire argumentation, you can hear it for yourself here.

Mr Quiff then went on to share some background about how he started, and his path to becoming one of Britain’s best-known film critics. From his persistent door-knocking at Time Out in London to his (alarming) first couple of attempts at radio, his advice on how to get started as a film critic has fallen out of fashion; however it was interesting to hear a little history from the man himself.

A couple of anecdotes followed, including a great tale about his experience interviewing Bavarian (not German!) filmmaker Werner Herzog. I can’t say I would do the story justice, so if you’d like to hear it, I suggest you buy his book.

After a brief Q&A session, the night wrapped up with a signing of his book, fresh off the paperback press, entitled . (It’s only £5.39 on Amazon, less than half the cover price of £11.99).

Coming up next: British Animation Awards

[Photograph from the BBC website.]