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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Piffle, October 24, 2004
The book sounded like a great idea. And, incidentally, it has glowing endorsements on the back cover from people of the caliber of John le Carre and Joe Morgenstern.
Unfortunately, I have the impression that the people who endorsed this book either never bothered to look into it or were doing a favor to the publisher. In either case, they should be ashamed of themselves.
The texts dealing with 650 of the author's favorite films are 80% plot synopses. In the age of the Internet and IMDb you hardly need to pay $30 to get that ($50 in hardcover). The short paragraphs dealing with "critical" appraisal are so inane I had some difficulty believeing that anyone would want to publish such piffle. I am going to provide samples or the author's insights:
The film deals with the incompetence of the commanders and their refusal to accept responsibility for their ill-advised actions and needless sacrifice of lives... It is Kirk Douglas' best acting. It is also one of Kubrick's finest films.
PERSONA is one of Bergman's most difficult films. One of his perennial themes is accentuated - the difficulty of meaningful communication between human beings... One of the best acted of Bergman's films, Ullmann handles a difficult role well and conveys everything with facial expressions and body movements. Bibi Andersson is also excellent.
This masterpiece is beautifully photographed with a poetic quality.
The film is well acted.
The direction, as always, is very straightforward.
There is beautiful cinematography by *** and magnificent acting by ***.
Anthony Hopkins has never been better. He captures every nuance of a butler who devotes his life to his master... Emma Thompson does equal justice to her part. The rest of the cast, especially ***, *** and ***, are also very good.
It is an extremely well-made film with superb performances, imaginative use of color and well-researched script.
There is fine acting by the entire cast.
James Garner, a fine actor especially in light comedy roles, is very good.
Etc. Please bear in mind that these examples do not take things out of context. There IS no context, no development, no further insight. This, unfortunately, is IT. So if you want to know which particular cast members are "very good" in this film or that, then certainly go ahead and buy this book. Unless, of course, you are put off by generalizations like "the entire cast is excellent". No, here's another example I cannot resist, about STALAG 17:
Otto Preminger... gives a superb performance. Neville Brand... is first rate. STALAG 17 is also a very good comedy, and Sig Rumann, Harvey Lembeck and Robert Strauss are perfectly cast. William Holden, a distinctively American actor and one of the best of his generation, finally received his due in this role.
And this is the way the author covers his ground. I literally ransacked the book in an attempt to find one critical sentence that wouldn't be a platitude. So far I haven't managed it, but the book is over 700 pages, so I suppose there is still a faint chance I may stumble upon it some day.
I'd have given it zero stars if such option had been provided.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Superb Book, June 15, 2004
My Favorite Films is an ode to the old writer's adage: write about what you know. The result is a book that is not only as good a reference guide as exists but a highly enjoyable and sophisticated journey that informs, stimulates and provokes. What makes the book truly unique, however, is that, on top of his encyclopedic knowledge, the author has a passion for his subject. It is that passion that all movie buffs-young and old alike-will find irresistible. It quite literally exudes from every line of this highly erudite but unpretentious review of the author's favorite six hundred and fifty films.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Superb Book, July 28, 2004
My Favorite Films is an ode to the old writer's adage: write about what you know. The result is a book that is not only as good a reference guide as exists but a highly enjoyable and sophisticated journey that informs, stimulates and provokes. What makes the book truly unique, however, is that, on top of his encyclopedic knowledge, the author has a passion for his subject. It is that passion that all movie buffs-young and old alike-will find irresistible. It quite literally exudes from every line of this highly erudite but unpretentious review of the author's favorite six hundred and fifty films.
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