Leonard Maltin’s 2009 Movie Guide (Plume Book, a member of the Penguin Group, 1644pp, RRP: $24.95).
By RAMA GAIND
Leonard Maltin’s 2009 Movie Guide is an indispensable manual not just for the film buff.
Regarded as the most authoritative book of its kind, now with more entries, updates and revisions for 2009, it has more than 17,000 capsule movie reviews, from blockbusters to little-known sleepers, foreign films and there are also some rarities.
Also included are more than 300 new entries and more than 10,000 DVD and 14,000 video listings. Not only is there an updated index of leading directors and performers, but camp classics and a list of 50 movies you may have missed.
Compiling the book annually has, no doubt, become an onerous task, but Maltin is proud of this all-purpose handbook.
He fondly recalls when he first got the assignment to work on the first edition of this book – 40 years ago – when it was called TV Movies.
Maltin notes that updates are constantly made to ensure a superior product.
Ably assisted by a team of dedicated contributors, Maltin has added many facts and corrections to last year’s book including accurate details on running times, changing certain terminologies, but raises questions about the reliability of online information about movies.
Never one to sit on his laurels, there is also a spin-off book – Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide – where you’ll find many pre-1960 films that once appeared and 1100 more which have never found a spot.
If you love the classics than keep this handy – as well.
