Hubbry Logo
Robbie CollinRobbie CollinMain
Open search
Robbie Collin
Community hub
Robbie Collin
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Robbie Collin
Robbie Collin
Robbie Collin
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Robbie Collin is a British film critic.

Collin studied aesthetics and the philosophy of film at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.[1] He edited the university's student newspaper, The Saint.

Collin has been the chief film critic at The Daily Telegraph since 2011. From 2007 to 2011 he wrote a weekly film column for the News of the World until the newspaper's closure. That year he was shortlisted for Critic of the Year at the British Press Awards,[2] and was shortlisted again in 2017, when he was highly commended by the jury.[3]

He appeared on the Channel 4 Vue Film Show, presented by Edith Bowman, and contributed to the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman. In August 2013 he guest presented BBC Radio 4's Film programme. He guest-presents Kermode and Mayo's Film Review, also with Edith Bowman, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Ben Bailey Smith.

In 2018 Collin compiled a list of the 100 greatest films of all time for the Telegraph, with Singin' in the Rain at number one.[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Robbie Collin

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robbie Collin is a British film critic best known as the chief film critic for , a position he has held since 2011, where he writes reviews, conducts interviews, produces features, and offers opinion pieces on cinema. Raised in , Collin earned a degree in and the at the , which influenced his analytical approach to criticism. He began his journalism career as a graduate trainee and feature writer at , transitioning to for the publication from 2007 to 2011, during which his columns brought philosophical depth to analyses of mainstream releases. Over two decades in the field, Collin has covered major events like the , hosted Q&As with directors such as and actors including , and contributed reviews to outlets like the , Channel 4's Vue Film Show, Sky , and Sky Movies. His work has earned recognition, including a shortlisting for Critic of the Year at the 2011 British Press Awards for his early contributions at , and he served as a jury member for the 2016 . Collin also hosts director Q&As at the in and has participated in prestigious polls, such as the BFI's Sight & Sound greatest films survey. Notable aspects of his career include temporary blacklists from two major studios due to his reviews and a reputation for insightful commentary that has shaped public discourse on films ranging from blockbusters to independent cinema.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Robbie Collin was born around 1982 in the United Kingdom. Public information about Collin's family background remains limited, reflecting a private upbringing that shielded much of his early personal life from media scrutiny. Raised in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s, Collin's childhood was marked by formative experiences that quietly nurtured his lifelong passion for cinema, without the influence of a prominent public family profile. Collin's initial exposure to films occurred through personal viewings that profoundly shaped his tastes, beginning with his first cinema trip in the mid-1980s to see the reissue of Disney's , an experience he has described as influential enough to resonate with his grandparents as well. By age eight, around 1990, he had a near-epiphanic encounter with at a friend's birthday party screening, highlighting how everyday family-oriented outings fostered his engagement with movies. Other childhood favorites, including (1989), (1990), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), The Witches (1990), Beethoven (1992), (1993), and (1986), provided meaningful emotional connections during this period, embedding cinema as a core element of his . These early encounters with Hollywood family films and animations laid the groundwork for his discerning cinematic perspective, emphasizing imaginative storytelling over formal instruction.

Academic studies and early interests

Collin enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Scotland for a four-year degree in English and Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on aesthetics, the philosophy of art, and the philosophy of film. During his studies in the early 2000s, he took a dedicated module offered by the university's philosophy department on the philosophy of film, which deepened his engagement with cinematic analysis. As part of his university involvement, Collin served as editor of The Saint, the student newspaper, in 2001. In this role, he began writing pieces on films and the arts, marking his initial foray into journalistic practice and honing his ability to articulate critical perspectives on cinema. His coursework in film theory during the degree cultivated analytical skills that would shape his future approach to film criticism, emphasizing philosophical underpinnings in evaluating movies. This academic foundation provided a rigorous framework for interpreting narrative, aesthetics, and cultural significance in film.

Career

Entry into journalism

Collin entered professional journalism in 2003, securing a graduate trainee position at the News of the World, a tabloid newspaper then owned by News International. This role marked his initial foray into the industry following his university studies in English and philosophy, where his academic focus on the philosophy of art and film laid a foundational interest in cinematic analysis. During his two-year traineeship, he honed general reporting skills before transitioning to feature writing, gradually building experience in entertainment coverage. By 2007, Collin had advanced sufficiently to launch a weekly film column in the News of the World, a significant milestone that introduced his critical voice to a broad mainstream audience. The column, which ran until the newspaper's closure in 2011 amid the phone-hacking scandal, allowed him to review major releases and emerging trends, blending accessible prose with insightful commentary on as both entertainment and cultural artifact. This period solidified his reputation in , where he navigated the demands of high-volume output while developing a distinctive style attuned to popular cinema. By the mid-2020s, Collin had accumulated approximately 20 years in film criticism.

Work at The Telegraph

Robbie Collin joined The Daily Telegraph as its film critic in September 2011, following the closure of the News of the World, where he had contributed a weekly film column. He quickly progressed to the role of chief film critic, a position he has held since, overseeing the paper's primary coverage of cinema. In this capacity, Collin's responsibilities encompass writing in-depth film reviews, conducting interviews with prominent actors and directors such as and , and producing features and opinion pieces on cinematic trends and cultural impacts. By 2024, Collin had reached 20 years in his career as a film critic, reflecting a sustained output that has shaped The Telegraph's arts desk during a period of digital transition in . Collin's critical style draws from his academic background in the philosophy of art and , infusing his analyses with thoughtful examinations of thematic depth while maintaining an approachable, engaging prose that broadens accessibility to diverse audiences. This approach has occasionally sparked controversies, including temporary blacklists from two major studios due to his candid reviews, as well as public confrontations at industry events like Baftas. As of 2025, Collin continues as chief film critic, reviewing films including those at the 2025 .

Media appearances

Radio contributions

Collin has been a regular contributor to 2's The Arts Show, hosted by , where he provides film reviews and discussions on cinematic trends. His appearances on the program, which airs weekly, often feature in-depth analysis of new releases and interviews with filmmakers, extending his film criticism from The Telegraph to audio formats. In August 2013, Collin served as a guest presenter for 4's The Film Programme, taking over for several episodes to explore contemporary films and conduct interviews. During his tenure, he discussed topics such as the film with director and examined film festivals with , highlighting the benefits and challenges for filmmakers. These episodes aired on Sundays and showcased Collin's expertise in guiding listeners through the week's notable releases. Collin frequently appears as a guest on Kermode and Mayo's Film Review, originally a BBC Radio 5 Live program now continued as a podcast, where he delivers critiques and joins discussions on major films. His contributions include detailed reviews of films like Pain and Glory (2019), praising Antonio Banderas's performance, and The Innocent (2023), offering insights into narrative twists. These spots, often filling in alongside hosts Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo, emphasize Collin's role in providing balanced, thoughtful commentary on cinema's evolving landscape.

Television and podcast roles

Collin has made notable contributions to television film criticism, particularly through his appearances on Channel 4's Vue Film Show, where he provided reviews and discussions on current releases and broader industry trends alongside presenter . These segments highlighted his analytical approach to cinema, often exploring thematic elements and cultural impacts of new movies during the show's run in the . On , Collin served as a presenter for the series Life Cinematic in 2020, conducting in-depth interviews with filmmakers such as about the movies that shaped their careers and creative processes. In these visual essays, he facilitated conversations that blended personal anecdotes with critical insights, emphasizing the biographical role of film in directors' lives. Additionally, Collin contributed analytical and promotional segments to programming, including film reviews. Building on his audio media experience, Collin has taken on guest hosting and panel roles in film-related podcasts with video-integrated formats, such as Kermode and Mayo's Take (2022–present), where he co-hosts episodes reviewing contemporary films like Dead Ringers (2023) and (2023), often debating interpretations with other critics. He has also appeared as a guest on specialized podcasts, including Ghibliotheque in 2018, discussing Studio Ghibli's Only Yesterday and its emotional depth, and Flixwatcher in 2021, analyzing alongside co-hosts. These engagements, extending into the mid-2020s, underscore his role in video-enhanced discussions that incorporate clips and visual aids to enhance .

Awards and recognition

British Press Awards

Collin was shortlisted for Critic of the Year at the 2011 British Press Awards for his work as a film critic at the , recognizing his incisive and engaging reviews that marked his early prominence in . Following his transition to in September 2011, Collin received further acclaim from the awards in 2017, where he was again shortlisted for Critic of the Year alongside notable figures such as AA Gill. Although AA Gill of took the top honor, Collin was highly commended by the judges for his , highlighting the sustained impact of his analytical depth and cultural insight at The Telegraph. These nominations and commendations underscore Collin's evolution from tabloid criticism to broader arts commentary, affirming his influence in shaping public discourse on cinema within the British press.

Other honors and contributions

In 2018, Collin curated The Telegraph's selections of the 100 greatest films of all time, organized by genre and crowning selections within categories; his personal favorite is Singin' in the Rain (1952) for its exuberant blend of music, dance, and satire. This project highlighted his curatorial expertise, drawing on decades of reviewing to prioritize films that balanced artistic innovation with emotional resonance, such as Citizen Kane for drama and The Godfather for crime. Beyond such compilations, Collin has contributed to film awards panels, serving as a jury member for the (BIFA), where he helped evaluate independent British cinema for its narrative boldness and technical craft. He also participated in the 2022 BFI Sight & Sound poll of the greatest films of all time. His involvement in BIFA underscores a commitment to championing underrepresented voices in filmmaking, aligning with shortlistings in other criticism honors that recognize his analytical depth, though specifics remain tied to broader industry acclaim. Collin's influence extends through his candid reviews, which have occasionally provoked backlash, including temporary blacklists from two major studios due to sharply critical assessments of high-profile releases. This bold approach—evident in his willingness to dissect commercial blockbusters alongside arthouse works—continues to shape discourse, as seen in his 2025 critiques of films like The Running Man remake (praised for its satirical edge) and (lauded for introspective storytelling), reinforcing his role in guiding public and industry perspectives on contemporary cinema.

References

  1. https://www.bifa.film/people/robbie-collin/
  2. https://www.strandmagazine.co.uk/single-post/2019/03/12/in-conversation-with-robbie-collin-lead-film-critic-for-the-telegraph
  3. https://www.presscontact.co/journalists/robbie-collin
  4. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/rk-ro/robbie-collin/
  5. https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time/all-voters/robbie-collin
  6. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/fitness/workouts/get-ripped-like-a-marvel-superhero-aged-40-muscle-workout/
  7. https://us.drakes.com/blogs/news/the-bureau-film-critic-and-broadcaster-robbie-collin
  8. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/parents-please-dont-beat-watching-movies-good-child/
  9. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8813640/Hello.-My-name-is-Robbie.-For-the-foreseeable-future-Ill-be-your-film-critic..html
  10. https://www.drakes.com/blogs/news/the-bureau-film-critic-and-broadcaster-robbie-collin
  11. https://www.thesaint.scot/previous-editors
  12. https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/former-now-film-critic-robbie-collin-joins-telegraph/
  13. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/colin-farrell-gamble-doesn-t-173000771.html
  14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2014/04/r2-arts-show
  15. https://ukjewishfilm.org/people/robbie-collin/
  16. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037sf6r
  17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03859n3
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037vb42
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ljdrh
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=698I2Ceo1Dg
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000f1jb
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11168112/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19373556/
  24. https://open.spotify.com/episode/60KsujykJCTgYtJv166FLU
  25. https://podfollow.com/flixwatcher/episode/62461d748c259dca4490ff59003879fd187ab943/view
  26. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/25/press-awards-list-nominations
  27. https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/press-awards-shortlist-announced-3551
  28. https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/press-awards-2016-winners-announced-3503
  29. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/best-movies-all-time-greatest-films/
  30. https://www.bdcmuseum.org.uk/explore/item/65987/
  31. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/robbie-collin/movies
  32. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/best-films-2025-picked-by-experts/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.