The success of "Titanic" proclaims that the "event" movie is back. "VideoHound's Epics" provides the lowdown on 200 of the biggest movies ever to hit theater screens, covering "big" films--those with the budget, look, feel, box office gross and length to tell an epic story and demand an emotional reaction.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
VideoHound's highly subjective but always entertaining film series continues with two volumes that demonstrate how exciting this series continues to be. Wilhelm, curator of film at the Detroit Institute of Arts, presents short critiques (100-200 words) of hundreds of non-U.S. movies from all times and countries. Interspersed are short biographies of major directors and performers, and the book concludes with excellent indexes (alone worth its price). Happily, Wilhelm examines obscure films alongside the classics, and his selections are up-to-date, making this is a strong addition to any film library. Hopp's collection is less successful. By broadening the definition of "epic," Hopp (English, Howard Payne Univ.) forces 200 films as diverse as Ran, Pinocchio, Babe, and Long Day's Journey into Night under his umbrella. As with Wilhelm's volume, the writing is lively and informative, and illustrations abound, but few patrons are likely to think of many of these films as "epic," which diminishes the primacy of this otherwise useful book. However, as Hopp includes recent releases, Epics is also worth purchasing for most film libraries. Both volumes serve as excellent companions to Magill's various film reference sources (e.g., Film Annual; Survey of Cinema).AAnthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ., TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative, but...,
By Franz Noel Isler "britelites77" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Videohound's Epics: Giants of the Big Screen (Paperback)
Overall, a very informative book...most of the time (thankfully) right on the dot in its analysis but sometimes inaccurate. Some glaring examples: In "The Right Stuff", it correctly makes the statement that the film risked making President Johnson into something of a caricature, when mentioned he was throwing fits over little annoyances. On the other hand, in "55 Days at Peking," it depicts in a photo caption 'Charlton Heston (playing Marine Major Matt Lewis) eyeballing a German Baron (Kurt Kasznar) while his lover Natalie (Ava Gardner), the Baron's wife, looks on' which is incorrect. In the movie Kurt Kasznar was playing the Russian Minister to Peking (not as a German Baron) and Ava Gardner plays a Russian Baroness who's husband, (and certainly not Kasznar's wife) committed suicide because of her affair with a Chinese general. Other mix-ups and some annoying inaccuracies occur in different parts of the book, which could have been avoided with proper research and perhaps, more time?But overall, a good read and guide for films which you might otherwise just pass up.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good overviews of some great films,
By A Customer
This review is from: Videohound's Epics: Giants of the Big Screen (Paperback)
The first review posted on here about this book is a little harsh...it does appear that the book was put together quickly, but considering that, it is an enjoyable collection of reviews, trivia, and other information on "epic" movies. The book looks good, the reviews are for the most part interesting (particularly in the way they relate the films to the idea of the "epic"--they're not just your standard "thumbs up, thumbs down" reviews), and the trivia and quotations are nice touches. All in all, better than many of the "movie" review books out there.
5.0 out of 5 stars
accuracy,
This review is from: Videohound's Epics: Giants of the Big Screen (Paperback)
I don't see how anyone could say there are inaccuracies in this book. Glenn Hopp knows film like the back of his hand.
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