Does Anyone Read Film Magazines Anymore?

OldeCinemaSoz

Just wondering.

Before the age of the WWW comunication to connect with
film fans that was just about all there was (maybe olde Baz Norman
if you were up to see him that late).

I'm only asking because somebody gave me (do you think
i'd buy it?) the june issue of empire which has some vaguely interesting
Bond content.



There's loads i used to read back in the when;
PHOTOPLAY, FILMS ILLUSTRATED (I gave the collection away for
nothing but that's another story), FAMOUS MONSTERS OF
FILMDOM (only the tail end), STARBURST, FANGORIA (when i could get it),
STARLOG (nauseating muck, just good for a laugh now and then), FEAR,
SAMHAIN, SHOCK XPRESS, GOREZONE, VIDEO WATCHDOG, FLESH AND BLOOD, NECROMONICON, Is is UNCUT? and MONSTER MAG.

But now i find all up to date content online; done by fans, read by fans and enjoyed by fans. Sometimes it's a bit too much up front (with spoilers) but it's all good pointers...

to the films which get bad press and you've just got to see! :cool:

Anyone else readings mags at the moment?

Sad Professor

I still read Sight and Sound, which I'm subscribed to. Although the subscription runs out in August and I'm not sure if I'll bother renewing. Mostly because I think it would probably work out cheaper to buy each issue individually. They really don't do international subscribers any favours. As a magazine I like it because it's a great one-stop shop for everything that's worth checking out at the moment. Every film is reviewed, although most of the reviews are terrible and written by film academics who can't write for sh*t and will think nothing of spoiling the entire film. But it's still a great resource and the interviews are usually very good.

I also occasionally pick up a copy of Empire or Total Film on Sundays when I'm on my lunch and have nothing else to read (I'd rather have my eyes poked out than read any of this country's ghastly Sunday newspapers). They're good for passing the hour, but I usually find I already knew most of what's in them already.

johnny_ultimate

I actually like the slightly academic tone of Sight & Sound - it at least gives slightly different perspectives on films than any of the review sites. I like reading them after rather than before the film. Although half the time you can't tell if the reviewer actually liked it or not :P Still, as the only film magazine that seems to recognise film as an artform rather than a product, it's the one I buy.

Empire is arse-wipingly bad these days.

krudler

I used to read Empire years ago but stopped about 5 or 6 years back, I'd buy a copy on a train or something if I was stuck for something to read but since they put their review scores up for sale ("two covers in six months and exclusive set access? why here's a 5 star review then!") they do good features occasionally like their LOTR special issue but their reviews are horrible.

Never got into S&S, it always seemed like it was written by and for people who dont actually like films.

Sad Professor

krudler wrote: »

Never got into S&S, it always seemed like it was written by and for people who dont actually like films.

Well, that doesn't really make any sense. If you didn't like films why would write for or read a film magazine, especially one that specialises in world cinema?

Galvasean

I only ever pick up a film magazine if I'm going on an aeroplane or something like that as a means of passing the time.

johnny_ultimate

krudler wrote: »

Never got into S&S, it always seemed like it was written by and for people who dont actually like films.

Not sure if serious?

But I think I'll choose the magazine that considers Wes Anderson, Aki Kaurismäki and Achipatpong Weerasethakul worthier cover stars than the reveal of the latest monstrosity of Hollywood superhero latex.

CastorTroy

I used to get Empire as well but, and think this is the same with any film magazine, they always did features on films that were months away and so if it was on a film I was inetersted in, I wouldn't read it before seeing the film. Of course the film comes and goes and sure I forget about the magazine.

So after months of unread or partially read magazines building up, I decided to stop getting it

ChtuluDawn

I occasionally buy Fangoria or Rue Morgue but they are so feckin expensive over here its laughable.:mad:

As for the likes of Empire et al,rags,pure and simple.

Bullseye1

Empire and Total Film.

tony1kenobi

I get Empire the odd time but only because I am a huge fan of 75 page adverts for Jameson.

Kiith

I tend to have a copy of Empire or Total Film in the jacks.

Duggy747

Used to read Empire years ago but the reviews were shoddy and predictable, especially if the magazine had exclusive features related to it months before. Some great features on older films, though.

If I'm getting the train or bus and it tickles my fancy I might pick up a copy of Total Film, depending on the content and features inside.

Sleepy

Go through airports a lot so used to regularly buy Total Film or Empire. Find myself buying less of them since I got the Kindle though. Far less likely to run out of something to read now.

mike65

Used to get Photoplay religiously in the late 70s/early 80s, also Starburst. More recently The Dark Side was an entertaining read plus various "hand made" cult movie short runs/one offs which might or not be worth a fortune

Never brought into Empire, Total Film and the like.

OldeCinemaSoz

mike65 wrote: »

Used to get Photoplay religiously in the late 70s/early 80s, also Starburst. More recently The Dark Side was an entertaining read plus various "hand made" cult movie short runs/one offs which might or not be worth a fortune

Never brought into Empire, Total Film and the like.

I like FABpress. I've quite a few myself.