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Reads Like A Four
What difference do reviews make? From restaurants to records, film to theatre, Adam Brooks talks to a new critic each week about their best and worst reviews, unexpected reactions and personal connections, to find out how writers, artists, editors...
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20. #20: What have we learned?
31:15In the last episode of the current series, we attempt to draw some conclusions about the purpose and future of journalism with the help of this series' 18 guests - as well as looking at a few of cultural criticism's biggest issues. // Contact us: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Twitter/Insta: @readslikeafour // Get a limited edition RLA4 mug (ends Aug 15th): tinyurl.com/readslikeamug
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19. #19: Sam Clements (Picturehouse Cinemas)
45:44Picturehouse Cinemas Head of Marketing Sam Clements is this week's guest, looking at reviews from an alternative point of view and discussing the hierarchy of film poster quotes, the benefits of 'live' cinema, Paul "5 stars I loved it" Ross, Guy Ritchie's 'Revolver', cinemas' own attempts at journalism, as well as answering a few pressing questions: Does an indie film's success rest on the reviews? Why would cinema-goers trust a cinema's reviews? From Gunn to Spacey, Allen to Depp: What's the impact of a director or star's PR disaster on a cinema chain? // Buy a mug and support RLA4: https://tinyurl.com/readslikeamug // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter/Instagram)
18. #18: Sam Parker (Esquire)
37:47Masculinity, Twitter and the odd passing train all feature this week as I talk to Sam Parker, who rose through the ranks from Zoo's roving reporter via the UK launches of Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post to become Esquire's Digital Editor. We discuss everything from male suicide to longform writing to unplugging from society, as well the problem with sexcapades masquerading as journalism. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour
17. #17: Christopher Hooton (The Independent)
34:58Christopher and I discuss The Independent's shift online, representation, tokenism and crowbarred politics in film and whether people really want a peek 'behind the curtain'. Plus: I play devil's advocate on clickbait journalism and get exasperated with the MCU, Chris explains why he finds 'problematic' problematic, and we discuss the iPad impact on writing of all kinds. Apologies for the crackles on this episode. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour
16. #16: Ed Potton (The Times)
41:35There was a lot to talk about with Times' TV + Film guru Ed. Covered this week: Dunkirk, how to steer clear of puff pieces, Lars Von Trier, avoiding 'critic consensus', 90's pay + conditions vs. now, ELO, Netflix, Morrissey, why journos don't write the headlines and the bannings, walkouts and general flouncing of the Cannes Film Festival. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour
15. #15: Boyd Hilton (Heat/Pilot TV)
37:18Heat Entertainment Director / Pilot TV Deputy Editor Boyd Hilton joins me to talk all things Film + TV, including the trouble with British male actors, why men won't buy weeklies, and what readers get from magazine 'lifers'. Plus: The evolution of Heat, keeping monthlies relevant, and the freedoms of podcasting vs. print. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram
14. #14: Merlin Alderslade (Metal Hammer)
48:11Metal Hammer Editor Merlin and I discuss what makes metal's community unique, where the mag's limits lie, and heavy metal and horror: their shared humour, and why gatekeepers are scared to give both a shot. Plus: synthwave, Babymetal, Ed Force One, glories and risks, and what happens when magazines overstretch. // Get in touch: readslikeafour@gmail.com // @readslikeafour on Twitter + Instagram