Customer Reviews

Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia: Career Profiles of More than 2000 Actors and Filmmakers, Past and Present (Reference)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Initially about a year ago I made the mistake of following the other reviews which panned the book, and did not buy it. I then gradually realized that some of my favorite short bios on IMDB.com were excerpted from Maltin's Encyclopedia. Of course at that point I bought it. There are few, if any, other volumes that quickly give you the sum-up and low-down on 2,000 movie industry people. To say the book has errors and omissions is to me ridiculous...a perfect book would cost a few thousand dollars. Meanwhile, IMDB.com is available as a backstop for searching out hundreds of thousands of details, which wouldn't fit in a reasonably sized volume anyway. Generally speaking, I've gone wrong far more often in rejecting something based on a review or an opinion about a book, movie, etc., than in consuming something recommended -- you can always bail out if a recommender was wrong.

I can't believe Leonard Maltin would put his name on this compilation of misinformation. He must be spreading himself too thin and hiring interns to do his writing. This book is so full of wrong dates, films, facts--I hope if he comes out with a second edition, Maltin hires someone to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make corrections. I expected better of him!

As a confirmed habitual movie watcher, this book was a much-welcomed addition to my library. Actually, it never made it to my library, as I have it next to my favorite TV chair, right under the TV Guide. I've never seen anything else with such concise thumbnail bios, just the facts. Yes, many stars are not included, such a book would be impossible to pick up. I did miss some oldies such as Marge & Gower Champion. The content is 5-stars, but I deducted 1-star for the book's dire need of updating: additions such as Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, etc. But I wouldn't want to be the one to decide who gets removed to include these new additions!

This is a an extremely informative book on film professionals. Loaded with fascinating facts, it constantly provides interesting information which entertains as well as informs. Maltin's dependable appreciation and high standards for film craft shine through in each entry. A most commendable source of information on key motion picture personnel.

Note when ordering that there is only one version of this book - and it was first printed in 1994. And this is not apparent from the writeup on Amazon. I already had this book - but recently ordered two copies assuming it was a new version. I was very disappointed that it was the same book I already had. The fact that the book is so old and missing all movies and information from the past 10 years makes this not as worthwhile as one would expect from Maltin.

This book was great when I got it...10 years ago.

Although Mr. Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia is enjoyable to read, it is extremely outdated and there needs to be a new edition. For readers looking for some info on their favorite classic movie star, chances are you'll probably find a bio on him/her. But for recent actors, no luck.

With the possible exception of my books of movie ratings and summaries, LEONARD MALTIN'S MOVIE ENCYCLOPEDIA is my most helpful movie reference book. Any time I'm watching a movie I make sure to have this book close by. It's written in a very astute and knowledgeable manner, and major movie people especially get a good career-wide treatment. Theatrical films are the emphasis here, though there are a few references to people's television work too. I also like the fact that this book covers such a wide array of movie-makers, from directors to actors to costume designers to music composers, and others. Often after I look up a movie in one of my movie ratings books, I'll then consult LEONARD MALTIN'S MOVIE ENCYCLOPEDIA to see how that film ranks in importance within a person's entire career, so it's been very valuable in that regard too.

I should note that since the book was published in 1995, it's mostly helpful to "classic" movie fans such as myself, so it DOES need to be updated (thus I give it 4 stars rather than 5). It's true that there are some web resources such as IMDB that have more listings of films and are more updated than this book is, yet those sites are not usually written as well, and I've seen many cases where IMDB tells little or nothing about a person, other than film listings. Also, I was at first disappointed that many people are omitted, yet I came to realize that the book could either be composed of good write-ups on fewer people, or shorter write-ups on more people, so I'm glad it's the former. Perhaps the book should be longer and split into 2 volumes so it would not be too unwieldy, since it's already about 1000 pages. But then, I imagine sales would decline as a result. As for the criticism of some reviewers that this book is highly inaccurate, I don't pretend to be a film scholar, yet in consulting other sources I have NOT found many errors in LEONARD MALTIN'S MOVIE ENCYCLOPEDIA. It would be helpful if the book included a photo of each person, in case I don't know who someone is.

Highly recommended, though it does need updating.

I love the movies and movie stars-these books are great if you need
info on the movie or the stars in it.

An exceptional compendium, invaluable source of information and research, this work nonetheless needs an updating. Unless the reader is consulting entries prior to the early nineties, the book is useless.

Leonard has done a great job on this. Tasty tidbits on the stars of yesterday and today. I have only one complaint, there are many of the old stars he did not include. Too bad.