Peter Travers: The Influential Film Critic
Often referred to as one of the most influential film critics of the modern age, Peter Travers is a writer, lecturer, and journalist who has consistently challenged and inspired movie lovers for decades. A stalwart of Rolling Stone Magazine, Peter has been praised for his poetic, often irreverent, and sometimes controversial reviews.
Throughout his career, he has been prolific with his work, covering films from a broad range of genres and eras. His reviews are characterized by insight, wit and detail, and often showcase how films can evoke emotion and provoke discussion and debate. This article will explore Peter’s background, his influence, and his most acclaimed and impactful reviews.
An Overview of Peter Travers’ Film Critic Career
Peter Travers’ film critic career began when he was only a child. Growing up in West Orange, New Jersey, he began writing film reviews when he was just in elementary school. His love for film only grew, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s when he attended The New School and Columbia University, studying a degree in Communications.
In 1983, he began his seven-year stint as Screen Editor and Associate Editor at Rolling Stone Magazine, where he quickly rose to become the magazine’s Chief Film Critic, a position he held for 25 years until 2008. Simultaneously, Peter wrote for various other publications, including Deadline Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.
Peter is a passionate film fan and has often attended major film festivals to spread the word of his favorite films. He is the current presenter of the popular television show Popcorn with Peter Travers which he curates a selection of footage to provide an audio-visual exploration of his favorite films.
Influence of Peter Travers’ on Film Criticism
Peter Travers is one of the most prominent film critics of the post-war era and is considered by many to be the most influential of his generation. His reviews are often poetically written, and highly insightful and witty.
He has often tackled controversial topics and many believe that his clever reviews have left an indelible impression on the film industry. He is particularly known for his use of poetic metaphors and creating a discussion of the film itself, rather than simply assessing it in a binary fashion.
Peter has been credited with popularizing the use of the thumbs up kind of rating system, which has been used by the likes of the BBC, Time Out, and various other publications. Moreover, Travers’ influence has seen him mentor further generations of great film critics and he has often lauded and sought to advise budding talent.
A Selection of Peter Travers’ Reviews
- The Godfather – “A movie experience you will never forget…Weave of strong, levelheaded direction, mesmerizing performances and deep, encompassing emotion not-to be outdone.”
- Jurassic Park – “Riveting, top-notch jolts and surprises. No one will ever forget the suspense. Steven Spielberg obviously feels the same love of movies that I do–just on a much grander scale.”
- E.T. – ”Let the world beware! Spielberg is back with a vengeance and he has made a film that dazzles the senses and stirs the heart with its extraordinary power.”
- The Silence of the Lambs – “This is the movie blockbuster of 1992, and for once that tag is deserved. Not to be missed.”
- Avatar – “A jolt of pure movie magic. No matter what else you see this year, nothing else is going to be quite like this.”
- The Social Network – “A film you don’t want to miss. Fincher and Sorkin have created a real powerhouse…It crackles with wit and insight.”
- Inception – “A masterpiece. Nolan has crafted a smart, sleek mindbender that you won’t forget…Landmark filmmaking.”
Insightful, Poetic, and Controversial
Peter Travers’ reviews have been characterized by poetic language and insightful observations. He has a sharp eye for details and has been consistently praised for his ability to evoke emotion. Travers is not afraid to tackle political and moral issues, often infusing these topics into his appraisals of films.
His reviews often invest in a deeper level of film criticism and analysis, as he is more interested in discussing the film from a personal and subjective point of view. That being said, Travers has not shied away from giving bad reviews when necessary.
A Remarkable Figure in Film Criticism
Peter Travers is certainly a remarkable figure in the film criticism industry. A prolific writer, lecturer, and journalist, he has consistently challenged and inspired movie lovers around the world with his poetic, often irreverent and sometimes controversial reviews.
His influence has seen him popularize the use of the thumbs up rating system and he has often mentored budding film critics, while attending major film festivals to spread the word of his favorite movies. His reviews have often been praised for citing emotion, evoking reaction and tackling contentious topics with poise and wit. In conclusion, Peter Travers is one of the most influential and celebrated figures in modern film criticism and his reviews will certainly continue to stir conversation and challenge viewers for years to come.