Books? Yes, Books.
If you’re truly a movie fan then you have to make sure you’ve tapped into every possible movie that has ever held any form of acclaim. And what better way to compile a “watch list” then to compare notes from some of the best movie reviewers around? Here are some books you may want to take a look at to compile your list of “must sees” before the list gets even longer after next year’s releases.The Greatest Movies Ever: The Ultimate Ranked List of 101 Best Films of All Time (Gail Kinn, Jim Piazza) contains full-color, three-page sections celebrating each film on the list, which has been carefully compiled by two expert critics to include films from every decade, every genre, and a wide variety of cultures. Classics include Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and Star Wars; international films include Rules of the Game, The 400 Blows, and Rashomon; additions to the list since publication of the hardcover include The Lives of Others, City Lights, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Groundhog Day. Each section includes cast lists, plot synopses, biographies of the director and key actors, Oscar nominations and wins, “behind-the-screen” anecdotes, and more. From a century of great comedies, dramas, musicals, romances and more, Kinn and Piazza have selected and ranked the top 101 films worldwideand provided insightful commentary, facts and figures, behind-the-scenes info, and lush photographs that bring each film to life on the page. Call it a celebration of movies, a peerless guide to the best of the bestor call it the best checklist ever compiled for movie lovers.The New York Times Guide to the Best 1000 Movies Ever Made, Updated and Revised (The New York Times) contains uncut, original reviews of the most popular and influential movies ever made — from the Talkies to blockbuster megahits like Chicago and The Wizard of Oz; from timeless classics like Casablanca and Notorious, to beloved foreign films by Truffaut and Kurosawa, Fellini and Almodovar. Covering every conceivable genre, from comedies, dramas, and science-fiction to foreign films, musicals, and others, this book provides the student with an essential resource.How were Psycho or Fantasia originally received?For movies that are often subsumed in their own legends,the original review is a corrective lens for a hindsight that is often anything but 20/20.This volume also includes and introductory essay by Janet Maslin and modern postscripts to movies that survived their original trashing to become classics. In addition, this essential volume includes full cast and production credits for every movie;the ”10 Best” lists for every year from 1931 to the present; and an index of films by genre, and an index of foreign films by country of origin.1001 Movies You Must See before You Die (Stephen Jay Schneider) is packed with virtually everything movie lovers need to know about the films they simply must see. Stephen Jay Schneider and his team of writers have brought the book up to date by including the most memorable movies released during the past five years. Among their new additions are The Queen, The Lives of Others, Brokeback Mountain, and several more recent movies that have attracted worldwide attention. Covering more than a century of filmmaking and dating back to silent-era sensations such as Edwin S. Porter’s The Great Train Robbery and Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, this book describes musicals, dramas, screwball comedies, experimental “New Wave” films from 1950s and ’60s Italy and France, major films noir, classic westerns, action and adventure films, and even memorable documentaries. It lists each film’s director and cast, presents a plot summary and production notes, and cites interesting, often little-known facts relating to the film’s cast, storyline, and production. For students of cinema, discerning film buffs, DVD collectors, and readers who enjoy thumbing through and reminiscing over cherished screen moments, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is the place to start reading. Filled with 800 movie still shots and actors’ photos.