As a film fan, I think it’s hugely important to have deep and insightful conversations about what we’re seeing on the silver screen. Whether it be with your family, a group of friends or even an online forum, talking about films is the best way to know and learn about the art of filmmaking. It doesn’t matter where you get your material from, as long as you personally learn something from it, and I believe YouTube is a medium that can help you do that.
YouTube can be a pretty incredible place to receive some great information about the world of filmmaking. Because of this, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite movie-related channels on YouTube. They range from video essays, to reviewers, and even sin counters! Without further ado, here are my Top 8 YouTube Channels Every Film Fan Should Subscribe To (in no particular order.)
8. Filmmaker IQ
Have you ever wanted to delve deeper into your understanding of making a movie? If so, Filmmaker IQ is the perfect place for you to do that. Their YouTube channel was founded by Dennis Hartwig and John P. Hess in 2008, and has lesson upon lesson about the different aspects of film. Most of their videos last about twenty minutes and go extensively into the technical side of motion pictures. If you’re thinking about starting a career in the film making industry, I reckon taking a quick peek at their videos to increase your knowledge tenfold.
Click here for a higher film IQ.
7. THR or The Hollywood Reporter
For a true glimpse behind the elusive velvet rope that is Hollywood, I recommend checking out The Hollywood Reporter. As a film and television fan, finding this channel was like striking oil. It offers, I think, so much more than the average film-related channel on YouTube. With celebrity interviews, box office reviews and special round tables, every time awards season rolls around, that include some of Hollywood’s most prominent directors, writers and actors, THR is definitely a great channel to get a look behind the scenes.
Click here to experience more.
6. Screen Junkies
Now, Screen Junkies isn’t your average channel. They don’t necessarily do reviews, nor do they have video essays, so what are they? Screen Junkies pretty much cover all of your entertainment needs. They have a “podcast” called Movie Fights where they sit down in sort of a round table type of discussion and just debate whatever topic comes up. Whether it be something like, “What David Lynch film is the best?” or “If any movie were to be remade, which one would it be?”; it makes for some thought provoking conversations. They also have this thing called Honest Trailers (you may have heard of them,) where they take a movie and pretty much point out all of the obvious issues with it. It’s sort of similar to another YouTube channel I have on the list, but, not quite. And if you already think those two segments are handfuls, they have their own self-titled show where they bring on different guest and discuss general movie news.
Click here to get hooked on Screen Junkies.
5. John Flickinger aka theFLICKpick
When you first watch one of John’s videos, you’re immediately bombarded with the fast-talking, quick witted character that is theFLICKpick. Now, he isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you buckle down and actually watch one of his reviews, he’s quite knowledgeable. John is a known comic book fan and his reviews frequently feature his living room that holds his Blu-Ray collection and vintage Hulk and Batman posters. His style is very direct; he tells it like it is and doesn’t apologize for it. If he likes the film, he’s reviewing he’ll pass it with flying colors; if he so happens to think the movie is horrendous, he’ll hilariously pick it apart using every word known to man. I suggest you give him a shot if you love comic book films. And if you’re not into that, from time to time he does review the occasional non-superhero flick.
Click here to see John’s videos.
4. Your Movie Sucks
Probably one of the funniest reviewers on this list, Your Movie Sucks (or YMS) is a cynical look on the world of movies. Ran by a guy named Adam, his monotone delivery and skepticism to most big blockbuster Hollywood films makes for an eccentric look of the world of movies. If you look through his channel, you’ll find a good mix of indie films and the and typical mainstream Hollywood flicks as well as the occasional straight-to-DVD releases. As I said before, his delivery is a bit monotone but that only adds to the comedic value. I only recently discovered YMS and I’m happy that I did. Adam has taught me how to look at a movie critically, not just saying I enjoyed it at face value. I warn you, he isn’t for everyone, but I do recommend that you watch a few of his videos.
Click here to visit Adam’s channel.
3. How It Should Have Ended or HISHE
HISHE is exactly what you think it is – alternate endings to mainstream Hollywood films. It was started by Daniel Baxter and Tommy Watson after they asked the natural question that any human would ask themselves: How could the ending be better? Now if you check out their channel, it’s pretty much all animation. Their videos are usually around 3 minutes long and cover the beginning of the movie to the alternate ending that they’ve created. These videos are parodies, so the plot may be skewed from the first time you’ve seen it, but that just adds to the fun.
Click here to visit the channel.
2. CinemaSins
We’re finally getting into the good stuff (well, it’s not like anything else on this list isn’t enjoyable, I just happen to really to enjoy Cinema Sins.) Jeremy Scott and his friend Chris Atkinson are the lovely fellows who run this YouTube account and they just so happen to be deathly funny. Most of the time, though, you’ll hear Jeremy on the voice overs. Their videos consist of the ‘Everything Wrong With..” series where they count “sins” which are basically any clichés, plot holes, similarities with other films, editing mistakes, writing mistakes et cetera. I suggest you watch a couple of their videos if you’re down and need a laugh – I promise they won’t disappoint.
Click here to watch hilarity unfold.
1. Every Frame A Painting
One of the most informative YouTube channels I’ve encountered so far, Every Frame a Painting are video essays that explore the technical side of film. Done by a man named Tony Zhou, his videos look at the things that make films what they are; the topics range from directors to certain styles of filmmaking, to specific actors and even Michael Bay (yeah, he made some valid points about his films, though.) I’m not going to tell you everything about this guy because I truly think it’s better to discover his videos without a preexisting idea in your head. He’ll have you looking at films differently, and in the end you’ll definitely appreciate it.
Click here to check out the great Every Frame a Painting videos!
Did I leave out your favorite channel? Let me know in the comments!
(top image source: HISHE)
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