Video Movie Guide

by Mick Martin and Marsha Porter

Book Overview

This video movie guide aims to steer the reader towards the winners and warn them about the losers. Alongside the blockbusters are B-Westerns, serials, and made-for-TV movies. Each alphabetized entry... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345420942
• ISBN13: 9780345420947
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 1600 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 5.2" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Video Movie Guide 2001

Won't say that I am God's gift to movie reviewers, but feel that I have a B+ (why not rate movies this way?) ability. I've owned several editions of this book, along with a few others. First, this book uses a (5) star rating system, which is appealing. With only (4) stars, and assuming (1) and (2) are probably not really worth viewing, this leaves only two categories. More categories gives a clearer rating. Think about it, schools grade on a (5) category system, A-F; why not movies? This book is a convenient size and is cross referenced very well. Not all reviews are perfect, but I never really disagree by more than one rating category. Other books seem to get very artsy in their commentary, which is fine, but I really only want to read a brief clever review with flim facts and a rating. That is what this book is about. See a title, find it quickly in the book and you will know pretty fast and accurately as to whether or not it is worth a view. As to the fact that it only covers films on video, yes, I would like it to cover all films; however, there are not really many films that are not on video that I will be able to view anyway, so not a big issue. So, anyway, being an above average viewer - not a university professor teaching video 101, and wanting simplisity and accuracy in review, I would highly recommend. A very good all around publication.

Everything I want...almost

I never rented a video until 1998! Honestly. Now, I qualify for a gold card at Blockbuster. However, after a few months of renting the obvious must watch films, I found myself reading box covers and renting bow wows. The people at Blockbuster tried to suggest films but were less than helpful ( do they ever watch anything but new releases?) and I pretty much stumbled around mumbling and grabbing anything with a cast member I liked. That leads, as we all know, to some pretty bad films. Then, VOILA, I found this book. At first, I just checked on movies I was considering but, later, I went through ALL the listings, marking films that seemed interesting and -are you ready? - making a list which I took to the video store!! Now, I am happily finding movies I would never have considered before and also rerenting some that deserve a second look. No longer do I rent four movies (I do get 2 free with my card) and only enjoy one. No longer do I spend an hour in the video store. No longer do I come home discouraged that no one makes interesting movies (try American Strays, Goodbye Lover, and October 22 if you want something different). If this book could only fix popcorn, I'd give it a 10.

O.k. I gave it a 5 stars, but ......

A huge effort sure stands behind this wonderful book. It's simply amazing, handy and very useful besides being great fun too. But I think the authors should consider the following: 1. Like dictionaries, they should consider having alphabetical letters on top of pages with guide words as a hint for the alphabitical sorting. 2. They should focus on the film story rather than giving their own opinion out of their own point of view. I think it would be more helpful this way. 3. Some films I was surprised not to find like Forrest Gump for example. I think if these points were added. The book will be the best ever on the market. But as an overall look, I think it's already the best on the market. It's simply Unmatched.

Excellent and Easy to Use

I own a video store and use this comprehensive book as my bible to assist customers in researching videos, or finding a movie when they can only remember the name of one actor, a part of the title, or the director. Indexes are excellent. Love the use of a turkey symbol when the reviewers don't like the movie! You may not agree with all of their ratings (that's why they make chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, folks), but will enjoy the concise yet full descriptions of movies. Highly recommended!

Great comprehensive guide good for cross-referencing

I've been getting this guide since the mid 90's due to its sheer amount of listings and how you can look up movies by title and you can look up actors and directors to see which movies they acted in and directed, respectively. It is also helpful due to the fact that the videos listed are videos available for purchase. Generally, if it is not available for purchase, then it does not find its way into the book. If like to see which actor was in which movie or which director directed which movie as well as a great movie guide, then this is your book!