Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Biography of a Renowned Film Critic
Full Name and Common Aliases
Kenneth Turan is the full name of our subject. He is commonly known by his last name.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 18, 1944, in New York City, USA, Kenneth Turan is still active in the field of film criticism as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
As an American journalist, critic, and author, Kenneth Turan has dedicated his career to the world of cinema. He is a prominent figure in film journalism and has held various positions throughout his illustrious career.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in New York City, Kenneth Turan developed a passion for the arts from an early age. His interest in writing and criticism led him to pursue a degree in English Literature at Columbia University. During his time at Columbia, he began to develop his skills as a writer and critic, laying the foundation for his future success.
Major Accomplishments
Kenneth Turan's career is marked by numerous achievements, including:
Becoming the first film critic for The Los Angeles Times in 1984.
Serving as the Chief Film Critic of The Los Angeles Times until his retirement in 2022.
Writing several books on film, including "Never Coming to Shiloh" (1994) and "Sight Unseen: How Film Creates Reality" (2012).
Receiving numerous awards for his work, such as the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Book of the Year in 2001.
Notable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Kenneth Turan has written thousands of reviews and articles on film. Some notable works include:
"Sight Unseen: How Film Creates Reality" (2012) - a book that explores how film creates reality and shapes our perceptions.
The Los Angeles Times's annual Top 10 Films list, which he curated for many years.
Impact and Legacy
Kenneth Turan's impact on the world of film criticism is undeniable. He has:
Influenced generations of film critics and writers with his insightful and thought-provoking reviews.
Helped shape public opinion on films through his influential columns in The Los Angeles Times.
Provided a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work, often highlighting lesser-known talents.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kenneth Turan is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Unparalleled expertise in film criticism, which has earned him recognition from both critics and industry professionals alike.
Unique perspective on the art of filmmaking, combining a deep understanding of cinematic history with a keen eye for contemporary trends.
Commitment to promoting emerging talent and highlighting underappreciated films, fostering a more inclusive and diverse cinematic landscape.
Quotes by Kenneth Turan
What’s most troubling about this witless mishmash of whiny, infantile philosophizing and bone-crunching violence is the increasing realization that it actually thinks it’s saying something of significance.
Death is supposed to be the great equalizer, but that’s never true. Death is random, capricious, unconcerned, a flagrant player of favorites. It keeps its own counsel, so much the better to profoundly shock by its actions.
The director is Rob Marshall, who directed 'Chicago.' It looks to be a very beautiful film.
The 'Harry Potter' films are as close to a sure thing as there really exists in Hollywood now. There is a built-in audience for these films.
You can't be a movie fan and not be excited about the prospect of this 'King Kong,'
Audiences looking for a rich, textured, cinematic experience will be put off and disconcerted by an image that looks more like an advanced version of high definition television than a traditional movie.
Baseball endures at least in part because it is a contemplative sport that delights in nuances. Not a brazen game, eager to sell its thrills cheaply, but rather an understated affair that must be courted if its to be loved.
What's most troubling about this witless mishmash of whiny, infantile philosophizing and bone-crunching violence is the increasing realization that it actually thinks it's saying something of significance.
"Joy" is based, albeit loosely, on the life of Joy Mangano, an entrepreneur, inventor and QVC shopping network star with the mega-selling Miracle Mop. Jennifer Lawrence is excellent as Joy, but the film starts off on the wrong foot with woeful depictions of her background as the only sane person in her dysfunctional family.
What audiences end up with word-wise is a hackneyed, completely derivative copy of old Hollywood romances, a movie that reeks of phoniness and lacks even minimal originality.