Customer Reviews

Seen That, Now What?: The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Video You Really Want to Watch

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

 

 

As a die-hard film buff, I am tough to please when it comes to video guides. I've got them all, Maltin, Halliwell, Kael, Ebert, Baseline, etc., but the one I use the most is SEEN THAT, NOW WHAT. Not only is the system of categorization brilliant, but the capsule reviews themselves are uncommonly astute. They also have a system of symbols to help classify each film (classic, visually interesting, for buffs only, etc.) that puts the "star" system to shame.

This video guide opens up a whole new universe. For the first time someone has mapped-out a birdseye view of the entire world of movies. It may only include 5400 films, but it has chosen films that are available at most video stores and are considered the most representative (good and bad) of their genre. The guide arranges films chronologically and according to genre/look/tone and sometimes actor and director. It's so easy to use, almost like using the yellow pages. Finally, it's got a unique writing voice that clearly and entertainingly reviews the movies (plus identifying which films are gold standards, classics, visual spectacles etc. by use of icons) This will change the way people browse for movies

Lot's of movies reviewed. Interesting book for thinking about genres. Sometimes things get lumped together in odd ways. My only pet peeve with the book is that the actor and director indexes only list page numbers, not movie titles. For example, when you flip to pages 238, 267, 389 and 403 to see what movie starred Amy Irving, you are confronted with 20 or more capsule reviews per page. Ferreting out which one(s) have Irving in it is a major headache. But if you already know a title, that index works great.

I cannot wait for the next edition of this guide. They do an excellent job of putting the films in a proper creative context. A must for anyone interested in movies.

"Seen that" wins my vote for the most disappointing video guide currently available on the market.

If you liked "When Harry Met Sally", wouldn't you expect to find a list of additional highly rated romantic comedies? Right? Wrong!

Many of the "Now What" selections are lowly rated films from the same genre. I was amazed to find films sporting D and C- ratings as viewing suggestions alongside the winners.

In my opinion, if you're looking for the cream of the crop in movie guides, The TLA Film and Video Guide 2000-2001, would make a far better choice.

"Seen That, Now What?" is now quickly and quietly on its way to my local used book store - where it belongs.