Loads of reviews!
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There are about 15 reviews per page over about 1200 pages. Most of the films you've ever seen, from Satantango to The Santa Clause 3, will probably be included here. The guide also includes:
- Two top 100 lists
- A short essay on film today
- A list of significant new special edition DVD releases
- A list of movie-related websites
- Reviews of films from the last Cannes festival
- Director filmographies (it appears that every director who has a film reviewed in the guide is listed, but some minor works seem to be omitted)
- Prominent actor filmographies (less comprehensive than the directors' section and some odd choices, e.g. Sandra Bullock is included, but Gary Oldman is not)
Another buyer commented on the cynical nature of the reviews. This is partly true, the quality and tone does vary and they have a habit of giving away plot 'spoilers', but there must be reviews here from over a hundred critics so they are bound to vary. I'd personally rather read someones skewed opinion on a film than a promotional blurb. If you make a mental note of the author it's possible to take this into account when reading their comments.
The only guide I'm able to compare Time Out with is the Virgin Movie Guide, which it easily trumps on both sheer volume and diversity. Not to mention that the two guides are in the same price bracket. Highly recommended to any committed movie fan.
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The film lovers bible returns
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Every year one or two new film guides are presented to compete with the time out guide & every year they fail. There are some good ones out there but if you are a lover of the big screen and want an honest appraisal of a film then this is the guide for you. It isn't of much use if you're trying to remember a certain film by a given actor or director as it is not intended to be an A-Z of every actor. Neither is it a comprehensive listing for every naff 'part 2, 3 or 4' of every film as lets be honest,it's a rarity when a sequel is worth bothering with,(yeah I know there are exceptions but they are rarer than hens teeth & for every Aliens there's a police academy or saw),.
It's simple really, if you're into films & want to see what a review has to say about it, this is all you need. You may not agree, but then that would be a bit of a bore wouldn't it?
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The best of its kind
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Contrary to what the previous comentator has said, this is not a guide famed for it's index of actors, or for including as many titles as possible.
What this guide is about is providing intelligent criticisms and comments (no star rating system, thank God) for the best world cinema has to offer.
If you're looking for an early silent classic or for the last Kiarostami production, you'd find it there.
Very comprehensive, this is the best guide for the serious cinephile.
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Comprehensive but cynical and lacking
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I was looking for an interim film guide before indulging in the Radio Times guide to films and picked this one up as it looked pretty comprehensive. It is very comprehensive and includes (as claimed I think about 17,500 reviews. Each with a comprehensive list of actors, directors and producers etc.
One thing I will bring to your attention is the actors index is awful.
They seem to have chosen only key actors, (Robert de Niro, Harrison Ford et al) but seem to have missed virtually all supporting roles and other actors that I consider to be very important in films, no Takeshi Kitano, no Nick Frost.
They also seem to miss a few films (I don't know what criteria they use to decide what films to include) despite featuring Battle Royale, they do not include Battle Royale 2.
I know these are only a few examples but I think its worth making a big point of it. One of the things I use my Radio Times guide for is when my wife and I are watching a film and we see an actor we recognise, using the actor directory you can see all the films this person has been in.
This is virtually impossible with the Timeout guide. I do have to say that the directors index is excellent though.
I will be buying the latest Radio Times version as well as I feel the combination of the two will provide a very powerful resource about films. The Timeout edition on its own just doesn't quite hit the spot.
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