Customer Reviews

Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide 2008

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Have you noticed? There are two versions of this book (the other is Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide (Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide (Signet))) and they seem identical except for the price. But there IS another difference: the size! This one is bigger -- 8 inches tall instead of 7. That may not sound like much, but it really makes a difference. The two books have exactly the same pages, just at different sizes, and the smaller one's reduced type is much harder to read. In other words, stick with this one.

Size aside, this is an exhaustive reference work. It lists every movie made from 1960 through early 2007, as well as most major films before then. Each listing has a star rating and short summary of its film as well as key specs (director, major cast, running time and year released) and icons identify whether each film has been released on DVD, videocassette or laserdisc.

There's also a list of mail order and online sources for obscure titles, and, on the last 57 pages, an index of actors. Want a quick list of every movie ever made by Humphrey Bogart? Reese Witherspoon? Jim Carrey? Here's where to find them.

Overall, this is a great book for any movie fan. The back cover features a recommendation by Roger Ebert.

I have used the Leonard Maltin Movie Guide ever since he first started publishing them. Always updating them every year or so, and have felt his reviews were very accurate. Now that I am over eighty, and have his newest 2008 Guide, find his up sized edition is so easy to read, and now has video listings. I highly recommend this larger size print edition for those of us with poorer eyesight.

I recently purchased this book as a Christmas gift for a relative who was fascinated with my 2003 edition of Mr. Maltin's Movie guide. Like me, he is a fan of older movies. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that since I had purchased my copy the book had been split into two different volumes and, as luck would have it, this is the volume that deals less with movies in which he might be interested.

However, I do feel that he will find it both informative and useful. I have yet to find the information lacking if you are searching for a short synopsis of a movie or series (i.e. The Saint or The Lone Wolf series of films). But if he wants to find out more about older films, he'll have to buy the other volume (Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide) for himself.

Good information about the films including fairly complete list of actors as well as other data. Reviews are subjective, naturally, so take them with a grain of salt. Cast Index and Director index are very skimpy, almost useless, since they list ONLY the very major directos and actors.

I love Leonard Maltin and I think this is by far the best of the movie review books, but each edition seems to be published earlier in the year. How can they call this the "2008 edition" when it doesn't include reviews of many 2007 movies. Want a review of the third Pirates of the Caribbean film? Not here. The fifth Harry Potter? Not here. Transformers? No. Ratatouille? No again. The only big summer movie I could find reviewed was Spiderman 3. Why publish the "2008 edition" in early August? Summer is prime time for movies and it seems reasonable to expect reviews of the 2007 summer movies in a "2008" book. I agree with paying the extra four bucks for the larger edition, but do be warned that the typeface is really not all that larger than in the smaller edition. If you actually do need large print to enjoy a book, then, unfortunately, even this larger edition won't be much help.

I recently purchased Maltin's Video Guide (2008) - my first in over 5 years, so herewith some random thoughts. It's nice to see "Alien" promoted to near classic status (*** 1/2); director Robert Bresson given a fair shake (most of his films now included), and, I notice a couple of "Bollywood" items (e.g. "Lagaan") have made the cut as well. That's good.
It's a useful guide, but as usual, even a cursory glance through its contents is enough to raise a few hackles. Granted, there are going to be differences of opinion...and whether you find "Amazon Women on the Moon" (* 1/2) - "astonishingly unfunny" as per Maltin, or reasonably entertaining, as I do, is of course a matter of taste. But, in relegating so many good films to the proverbial cellar (** or less), one wonders if this "critical" guide is doing more harm than good.
For instance, it seems arbitrary to criticize Eastwood's beautifully crafted "Pale Rider" (**) for lack of originality (a "preposterous" clone of "Shane") when even the best westerns offer the same tried and true cliches. Shyamalan's "The Village" (* 1/2), far from being "downright preposterous", is actually his first film to really hold together...and the first to develop a distinctive visual style. The devilishly clever "Deathtrap" is characterized as a "second-rate "Sleuth", when apart from the presence of Michael Caine, there's no similarity at all. And the "Bomb" rating, haphazardly applied to "Pepe" and "The Bible," hardly takes into account Pepe's seven academy award nominations, or the Bible's revelatory use of Dimension-150.
There are some minor curiosities: Where's "Torpedo Run?" The previous synopsis was removed around 2001 or thereabouts, apparently for good reason. Still, how long does it take to do a re-write?
Maltin & Co. seldom mince words. Dana Carvey is branded an "imbecile" for his on-screen shenanigans in "Master of Disguise." The talented Carvey can fend for himself; on the other hand, Benigni's dazzling "Pinocchio" inspires a "humorous" disclaimer ("a big hit in Italy, but....so was Mussolini!") which I find downright offensive.
Also, it's irritating to find identical titles unceremoniously deleted (a computer glitch?) What sense does it make to drop, say, "The Girl Next Door" (1953) just to make room for a 2004 release of the same name, as happens in this issue. They're two entirely different films!
Still, it's a useful guide - provided you know what you're looking for. As for myself, I plan to check out "The Wind Will Carry Us" for its "breathtaking" imagery, and "The Plague of the Zombies" for its "beautiful low-key photography and direction." Happy Browsing.

This book has been a staple in my family for as many years as I can remember. It is a must have Christmas present for my Father every year. It is very informative and comes in handy. If you are a movie buff or even if you are not you can't go wrong with this in your library.

I have been buying this book's yearly edition and ifind it to be invaluable. I don't know what watching TV would be like without it. And the price is right!

Not real happy with the info in this book. Not nearly as complete as others I have had.

Well, I already had this but accidentally ordered it again. But, since I'm here: This is the usually reliable standard. Don't agree with a number of his reviews (Blade Runner especially) but it's a great starting point with when a movie is on TV OR looking on Netflix.