Customer Reviews

Videohound's Epics: Giants of the Big Screen

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

 

 

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.

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.

I don't see how anyone could say there are inaccuracies in this book. Glenn Hopp knows film like the back of his hand.

A great videohound book is one where you enjoy reading the reviews of even the movies you either haven't seen or don't like. This book falls into this catagory. It is informative and also intellegently written. I have little tolerence for ignorance so when I say a book is good it is. Don't be afraid to spend the money on this one. It is a good purchase.

I found the book most informative. In My opinion Mr. Hopp did an excellent job in selection and explanation of epic films.

The fact that Saving Private Ryan is one of the movies reviewed in this book shows you how much of a quickie it is. There are many grammatical errors, the reviews for each movie are short and dull, and most of the time the whole damn story is told. Don't make the mistake I did. What a waste of 20 bucks.