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The Great Movies |
Author: Roger Ebert
Published: 2003-11-11 |
List price: $17.95
Our price: $12.21
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As of: November 21st, 2008 07:19:34 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Two Thumbs Up
Roger Ebert has become an established film critic, more because of his picks than his pans. The Thumbs-up guy shares a wealth of insights that ties the stories together, gives you historical perspectives, and helps you understand why each film is significant. Ebert writes in simple eloquence that anyone can understand. The experience is almost like sitting together in a living room away from the shushing crowds, and sharing stories with the expert movie guy. From what he says, It seems Ebert reviewed each film afresh after years of compiling notes. Each capsule review answers the why. What makes each of the films important, and why would I want to see it for the first time or again? It's a great guide to catch up on what you haven't seen.
 At least it's worth a look...
I don't see how this is "film-school in a book". I've learned more about films just by watching them and acknowledging them for myself. Although, Roger Ebert does make some interesting insights, even though they are sometimes insights that I have already considered, and don't really need a book to help me point out. And Ebert have listed a couple of films that I've never heard of that I might be interested in checking out, like The Apu Trilogy and The Exterminating Angel.
The Great Movies II has a listing of movies that I'd be more interested in reading, so I might check into it someday.
It's an okay book and is worth a look, at least for any beginner. But it's no film-school to me. 3/5.
A Great, Accessible Resource On Great Cinema.
"The Great Movies" by world-renowned film critic Roger Ebert is a highly valuable resource. In this beautiful volume of film scholarship, Ebert brings across a true love of film and an urge to inform, educate and enlighten readers not just about blockbusters and well-known classics, but he also takes a look at independent, foreign and arthouse features that are rarely mentioned, much less known by the average movie-goer.
Unlike the typical Leonard Maltin guide, this isn't just some quick flip-through to check what's good to go out and fetch at the local Blockbuster, Ebert takes his time to really analyze and discuss each featured movie. There are brushtrokes of history, criticism and sometimes just good ol' fanboy cheer. Some of the entries have a wonderful originality, such as the entry for "E.T." where instead of a traditional essay, Ebert presents a letter written to grandchildren, remembering their reactions to the film. Other essays are both fascinating and interesting insights into Ebert's history as a film critic, consider "Bonnie & Clyde," a good essay to read for Ebert's analysis of the movie but also biographically interesting because it was the first masterwork Ebert reviewed on the job. He brushes modesty aside and mentions that his was the only positive newspaper review the film received upon its original release.
As a basic resource on classic film this is also a magnificent work. Readers will find titles that are known to all such as "Gone With The Wind" and "Dracula," but Ebert also gives space, sometimes with more enthusiasm, to classic yet little-known works in the mainstream sphere like Luis Bunuel's "The Exterminating Angel."
"The Great Movies" is very enjoyable also because it isn't just recommending movies, it is ABOUT each of these movies. Ebert brilliantly discusses the history behind the films, the lives of the directors and the historical relevance of many of the presented works and how they represent the times of their release. Essays for French New Wave movies like "Blowup" don't just discuss the techniques and performances, but the entire culture which made these movies popular and possible. Disney fans will enjoy the review of "Pinocchio" where Ebert goes into detail into the pioneering animation techniques featured in the film. Ebert's section on Oliver Stone's "JFK" is a fascinating look into how historical dramas are not really meant to document cold, hard facts like a documentary or book, instead they are meant to evoke the moods and feelings of the subject and event.
Roger Ebert, like all film critics, may not always give an opinion you may share on a certain movie, but "The Great Movies" is a perfect example of how his work is much more important and worth reading than typical critical work because he has a true grasp of history, art and even how a good discussion of art need not feel stuffy. For film students and film buffs, "The Great Movies" should be required reading.
Film School In A Book
I couldn't believe how many of the films listed in this book I had never heard of before, let alone never seen. Now, after going right down the list, I can't imagine not having seen them!
Movies you should see, things you should know.
Ebert is the most erudite of the film reviewers making money plying their understanding of the world.
I always think it's funny when video store clerks say they love movies, but haven't seen even one of the movies in this book.
While not the definitive collection of great essays on great movies, it's a hardy guidebook of films cinemaphiles should see, and why they are so great.
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