Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I am the first to admit there is something absurd about film criticism..." (more)
Key Phrases: Star Wars, Scary Movie, Andy Kaufman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The founder of the Web site filmcritic.com offers his take on the business and philosophy of film crit, based on his experiences with the site. Null focuses on the Internet as "the world's great media liberator," and argues that it's the best way for a beginner to get published. He then, over about 100 pages, takes the reader through the mechanics of actually writing a review. For someone just starting out this may be the most valuable part of the book, from sections on "Judging Cinematography" to internalizing "The Point of a Movie Review." Later chapters on the business aspects of film writing ease neophytes into a difficult market. Null also includes a list of "300 Must-See Films for the Aspiring Critic," a good starting point for anyone looking to learn more about the movies. While this is a useful book for those who simply want to write reviews for a blog-sized audience, writers looking to break into prestige publications should probably seek advice elsewhere.
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Review

Anyone who wants to know about film reviewing ... would do well to read this book! -- BookPleasures, June 2005

I guarantee you will come away watching movies with a different – and more informed – perspective -- Blogcritics, July 2005

Neophyte reviewers will be far better prepared for the rigors of popular cinema -- James Wegg Review, August 2005

Null is like a film professor you always wanted, but never had. -- Film Threat, July 2005

a can't miss proposition for would-be critics and filmmaking hobbyists -- MyMac, June 2005

a fantastic little book! ... a very solid investment! -- Hollywood Bitchslap, July 2005

a gem! -- New York Resident, August 2005

a truly marvelous guide to making your dreams a reality, without all the snobby film school bunk -- Rangelife, June 2005

an honest, clear and thorough guide to becoming a film critic -- The Compulsive Reader, August 2005

essential reading for wannabe film critics! -- Memosaic, June 2005

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sutro Press (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972098119
• ISBN-13: 978-0972098113
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,049 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Manual For Aspiring Film Critics, July 1, 2005

By	Norman Goldman "Editor of Bookpleasures.com" (Montreal) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There aren't many books pertaining to movie reviewing, and in fact, according to
Christopher Null, the author of Five Stars: How To Become A Film Critic, The
World's Greatest Job, this is the first manual for aspiring film critics ever to
be published.

Null is the founder of the web site, filmcritic.com that today is one of the
largest and most successful movie websites on the Internet.

As the author points out, the primary focus of Five Stars: How To Become A Film
Critic, The World's Greatest Job, is teaching newcomers how to break into
Internet criticism and grow a career from there.

I must admit that I had reservations if it was possible to condense film
reviewing techniques with all of its complexities into a 255 page informative
manual.

But Null's manual goes a long way toward assuaging my doubts.

Written in a lively and organized manner, the book divides itself into fifteen
easy to read chapters providing an overview of the film industry, and dealing
with such topics as the market for film criticism, film history and
understanding film making, reviewing concepts and techniques, grading, starting
your career, building a movie review site, securing complimentary movie passes,
film critic etiquette, handling your own criticism (this is quite amusing), and
interviewing.

There is even an appendix suggesting 300 must-see films for aspiring critics.

While the focus may be for the aspiring film reviewer, the manual nevertheless
serves as an excellent primer for even those among us who have no inclinations
of becoming reviewers.

This is particularly in evidence when we consider the book's remarkable breadth
and its success in articulating the basic ingredients necessary to appreciate
movies.

As an example, an entire section of the book devotes itself to different genre
of film and what to look for when watching movies.

We are provided with tips as to how to evaluate slapstick comedy, satire,
sequels and remakes, documentaries, foreign films, classics, children's movies,
oddball movies,

In addition, Null provides us with a framework of questions to ask ourselves
when viewing movies: did the movie achieve its goal, is the story interesting,
how are the performances, how's the direction, what about the support crew, was
here a worthwhile point, is it too long, and how well does it all come together.

Although, as Null points out, these should not be looked at as if it's a
checklist, or a grading test, they are nonetheless important elements to take
into consideration when evaluating any film.

Anyone who wants to know about film reviewing and what to look for when watching
any genre of film would do well to read this book. Who knows, you may even be
able to show off some of the information you gleaned from the book at cocktail
parties, when participating in conversations concerning the latest movies.

Norm Goldman Editor Bookpleasures.com

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What other rating could you give it?, July 1, 2005

By	Eric Meyerson (The 415) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Five Stars" deserves five stars.

I read an early edition from Sutro Press, and "Five Stars" is truly a marvelous guide to making your dreams a reality, without any film school snobbery to weigh it down. The book surveys all the stuff you need to know to write credibly about movies, coaches you through the writing process, and even provides excellent tips on how to get your words published.

The author is a web entrepreneur, a seasoned magazine editor, and even a novelist, so he really knows what he's writing about, and that really comes through in the book. Whether you want to pursue film review as a career or even as an occasional hobby, or you just want to go see a lot of new movies and DVDs for free, this book is a fabulous way to start.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on movies and being a film critic, October 3, 2005

By	T. Cronian (Montgomery, Al USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Other reviewers have gone into great detail about what's in this book so I won't repeat their efforts. Simply put, this book is written by a critic, Christopher Null, which knows movies and can put that knowledge on paper in an informative and still entertaining way. Each point he makes in this book includes at least one movie as an example and it's obvious by the movie titles he lists that he has watched thousands of them. This is a must buy for anyone that wants to be a film critic (or already believe they are one) and a highly recommended purchase for those of you, like me, that simply love watching movies.