Literally only Tony Zhou @ Every Frame a Painting. Everyone else is utter trash, worse than trash, the lowest of the low.
If you have a Criterion Channel account, esteemed cinema studies professor David Bordwell has a serious of analytical videos examining theme and craft through specific films. Would highly recommend these, though they skew a tad too elementary for my tastes. I could also recommend you some film literature, like, books, depending on what you are interested in. David Bordwell also maintains a fantastic blog where he and his wife analyze all sorts of lesser known films.
Kristin here: The speed with which the news of David’s death, early on the morning of February 29, 2024, spread has amazed me. I expected many responses: condolences, tributes, and most of all stories of how he had affected people’s lives. I didn’t expect the tidal wave of messages and posts and...
www.davidbordwell.net
Otherwise, there really isn't a better substitute then simply watching as many films as you can and taking the time to analyze them yourself. I have a longstanding theory that an over reliance on these Youtube "critics" are lowering societal ability to critically analyze. Countless times I've seen what what I feel like are self explanatory films only to have my filmic companion ask me all sorts of questions that really only take a few moments of reflection to answer. Break the mold!
I've also always liked this video, though it's a tad dry. Taught me quite a bit back in my high-school days.
EDIT: The podcast Screennotes can be great, especially when they bring on guests. A24 and the DGA put out some great podcasts as well.
DOUBLE EDIT: I've also been recently listening to / watching film commentaries as well. The classical end-all-be-all of educational commentaries is John Sturges on the Bad Day at Black Rock laserdisk. PTA once infamously remarked that he learned everything he knows through listening to this commentary. Doesn't hurt that the film happens to be a classic as well. Additionally, Criterion edition of Blood Simple has an amazing features where the Coen Bros and their cinematographer, now director Barry Sonnenfeld, sit down with touchpads and draw out, scene by scene, like NFL play-by-play commentary, how they constructed the look of the film. Def. worth a watch.
By Sven Mikulec One of the biggest compliments that John Sturges’ Bad Day at Black Rock received was when Paul Thomas Anderson commented on its educational value in terms of sharpening one's filmmaking craft. "You can learn more from John Sturges’ audio track on the Bad Day at Black Rock...
cinephiliabeyond.org