Observer makes Mark Kermode chief film critic
Mark Kermode is to become the Observer's chief film critic from next month.
The author and broadcaster, perhaps best known for his no-holds-barred film reviews for the BBC, will take over from veteran critic Philip French, who is retiring after 50 years.
Announcing his appointment in today's edition of the Observer, the paper described Kermode as "a man with an instantly recognisable passion for cinema and a fearlessly independent voice".
Kermode said he was "honoured and thrilled" to have been given the role.
"The paper is second to none, and writing for it has always been a privilege and a joy," he said.
"When I first started working as a film critic over 25 years ago, Philip's Observer reviews were an inspiration. No one can match his breadth of knowledge or elegance of expression, but I hope I can bring to the role the passion for cinema which Observer readers expect."
Kermode started his reviewing career at Time Out and NME, has hosted the BBC's Culture Show and become a familiar voice on the airwaves, where he reviews films with Simon Mayo on Radio 5 Live.