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colonel2sheds's review against another edition
5.0
If only there were more hours in the day to watch all these films right away. Films I probably would never have thought much about I am now dying to see.
nateisdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
As all of his later writing, the short essays in here are insightful, philosophical, as well as tender and personal. Short love letters to some movies that Ebert loves, written perhaps more as diary entries than critical studies (don't get me wrong when I say that -- Ebert was a professional critic, so they still have great criticism, just of a personal rather than objective nature). I've returned to this book over and over again. I'm very eager to read his other two in the "great movies" series -- this second one just happened to be the only one in the bookstore.
P.S. As an avid film watcher, it is insanely fun to watch a movie then read his writing on it immediately after. My girlfriend and I are always excited when we rent something, then find it in this book. (Favorite essays in her of mine include the ones on My Neighbor Totoro and Jasques Tati)
P.S. As an avid film watcher, it is insanely fun to watch a movie then read his writing on it immediately after. My girlfriend and I are always excited when we rent something, then find it in this book. (Favorite essays in her of mine include the ones on My Neighbor Totoro and Jasques Tati)
bachtalking's review against another edition
5.0
The second of Ebert's Great Movies series, part II continues the tradition carried in the first book, with Ebert contributing his knowledge and passion about another 100 films that have impacted him as a critic, academic, and general lover of cinema. Paired with the first book, essential reads.
theresidentbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I've reached a place where I'm not sure what I think of Roger Ebert. I know that he was a powerhouse in film review. Hell, he even won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. There's a reason for that; his reviews are well-done: thorough, analytical, and full of love for film even when he does not love the film he's reviewing in particular. Still, I do have to think about the fact that he is a straight, white man who views film through a different lens than I do. He's very old school, and some films he has praised I think are absolutely dull and dated.
At this point, I read The Great Movies collections for the insights into film and its history. Ebert does his research, and I do love to learn about movies even if I am not going to see them. I don't think a good and thorough study of film can be done without Ebert's work. I do think, however, that it needs to balance with other perspectives and newer voices.
This collection includes films I've heard of and ones that are new to me. I've seen a couple and wanted to watch at least half of the list before. If you're aiming to do a watch of all these films, be warned that not all are easily available to find. Recommended for film geeks and aficionados.
At this point, I read The Great Movies collections for the insights into film and its history. Ebert does his research, and I do love to learn about movies even if I am not going to see them. I don't think a good and thorough study of film can be done without Ebert's work. I do think, however, that it needs to balance with other perspectives and newer voices.
This collection includes films I've heard of and ones that are new to me. I've seen a couple and wanted to watch at least half of the list before. If you're aiming to do a watch of all these films, be warned that not all are easily available to find. Recommended for film geeks and aficionados.
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