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Leonard Maltin's 2010 Movie Guide
Features more than seventeen thousand movie reviews--including three hundred new entries since the 2009 edition--more than eleven thousand DVD listings and thirteen thousand video listings, newly updated indexes of leading performers and directors, exact running times, and much more. Simultaneous.
- GenresNonfictionReferenceFilm
1664 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 4, 2009
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About the author
Leonard Maltin
183 books73 followersLeonard Maltin, is an American film and animated-film critic and historian.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 17, 2015
short review / longer review / “is Maltin your reviewer” exercise
The Short Review
Leonard Maltin is a well-known movie reviewer and critic in the U.S. This book is one of an annual series which he publishes, each of course being updated with movies from the previous year. There was a time early on when the books were allowed to grow like Topsy, but at some point pruning was begun.
This is a very good guide to movies if you need one. Each movie is given a very brief sentence, or two description, a rating from **** down to *1/2 in half star increments. The rare “one star” rating is simply denoted BOMB.
Do you need a movie guide? How the hell would I know. I suspect if you do need one, you have one. But if you think you need one, but don’t have one, read on. Else, thanks for stopping by. ;}
More info
The reason I need a Movie Guide is, I like to occasionally watch one on TV, and I’ve seen so few that I want a little guidance. (However, I do read movie reviews (not but Leonard Maltin) by the dozens.)
But before going further. We all know that the movie reviewer for us is the one who judges movies as we do. So here’s an exercise to help you determine is Maltin your reviewer?
These are nine of the Academy Award winners for best picture from 1990 up to 2008. Maltin rated only three of them as **** movies. The rest he rated *** (one even ** 1/2). (All others in this period he rated *** 1/2, which is too close to the other ratings to try to make distinctions.)
2008 – Slumdog Millionaire
2004 – Million Dollar Baby
2002 – Chicago
2001 – A Beautiful Mind
2000 – Gladiator
1994 – Forrest Gump
1993 – Schindler’s List
1992 – Unforgiven
1990 – Dances With Wolves
OF these nine movies, which three did you like most? Maltin’s are at the bottom of the review.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back to the book. Here’s a typical entry, to illustrate what info is here.
The [symbols] are there to notate the type of home video available: Up to three symbols may appear, denoting DVD, (retro) tape, and laserdisc. There may be additional symbols used in newer editions than mine. (By the way, this particular entry is probably longer than average by a dozen or two words.)
Okay. Now second, I’ve selected three pages at random, and show below all the movies on those pages grouped by Maltin’s ratings. Here’s where you might get some idea of whether your tastes jibe with his.
****
***1/2 Gate of Hell (1953-Japanese); Gates of Heaven (1978); The Gay Divorcee (1934); Rocky (1976); Roger and Me (1989)
*** Arabesque (1966); Arabian Nights (1974-Italian-French); Arachnophobia (1990); A Gathering of Eagles (1963); Gattaca (1997); Rocky II (1979); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975-British); Rocky Mountain (1950); Rogue Cop (1954)
**1/2 An Arabian Adventure (1979-British); Arabian Nights (1942); Ararat (2002-Canadian-U.S.); The Architect (2006); Arch of Triumph (1948); The Gauntlet (1977); Rocky III (1982); Rocky IV (1985); Rocky Balboa (2006); Roger Dodger (2002)
** Arabian Knight (1995); Arctic Tale (2007); Gator (1976); The Gaucho (1927); Gaudi Afternoon (2002-Spanish); Rocky V (1990); Rodan (1956-Japanese)
*1/2 Gate II (1992); The Gatling Gun (1972); Gator Bait (1976); Gator Bait II: Cajun Justice (1988)
BOMB
Okay, no **** and no BOMB ratings on those pages.
So here’s the first five BOMBs I found (randomly): Pootie Tang (2001); The Curse (1987); The Concorde – Airport ’79 (1979); On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who ,,, (1968-Italian); The Stranger Returns (1968-U.S.-Italian). Here’s the thing … If you’ve seen any of these, you definitely need a movie guide; and if you’ve seen more than one (a) you desperately need a movie guide, but (b) you wouldn’t use it, and (c) I’m amazed that you’re reading this review, because (d) surely you’re late for a movie!?
Okay, back to those nine best-picture winners.
The three movies that Maltin gave his highest ranking to were: Slumdog Millionaire, Schindler’s List and Dances with Wolves. Forrest Gump got the **1/2
The Short Review
Leonard Maltin is a well-known movie reviewer and critic in the U.S. This book is one of an annual series which he publishes, each of course being updated with movies from the previous year. There was a time early on when the books were allowed to grow like Topsy, but at some point pruning was begun.
This is a very good guide to movies if you need one. Each movie is given a very brief sentence, or two description, a rating from **** down to *1/2 in half star increments. The rare “one star” rating is simply denoted BOMB.
Do you need a movie guide? How the hell would I know. I suspect if you do need one, you have one. But if you think you need one, but don’t have one, read on. Else, thanks for stopping by. ;}
More info
The reason I need a Movie Guide is, I like to occasionally watch one on TV, and I’ve seen so few that I want a little guidance. (However, I do read movie reviews (not but Leonard Maltin) by the dozens.)
But before going further. We all know that the movie reviewer for us is the one who judges movies as we do. So here’s an exercise to help you determine is Maltin your reviewer?
These are nine of the Academy Award winners for best picture from 1990 up to 2008. Maltin rated only three of them as **** movies. The rest he rated *** (one even ** 1/2). (All others in this period he rated *** 1/2, which is too close to the other ratings to try to make distinctions.)
2008 – Slumdog Millionaire
2004 – Million Dollar Baby
2002 – Chicago
2001 – A Beautiful Mind
2000 – Gladiator
1994 – Forrest Gump
1993 – Schindler’s List
1992 – Unforgiven
1990 – Dances With Wolves
OF these nine movies, which three did you like most? Maltin’s are at the bottom of the review.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back to the book. Here’s a typical entry, to illustrate what info is here.
Pushing Tin (1999) C-124m. **1/2 D:Mike Newell. John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Jake Weber, Vicki Lewis. Seriocomic slice of life about the high-pressure world of air-traffic controllers. Best-of-the-best Cusack gets caught in a macho competition with the new guy, Zen cowboy Thornton. MASH-like ensemble film starts off extremely well, with strong performances and snappy repartee, but crash-lands in its second half, becoming a dull domestic romantic comedy about Cusack trying to win back his estranged wife. Blanchett’s quite good in an underwritten role as a Longuyland housewife. First feature script by Cheers creators Glen and Les Charles. Super35. [R] [3 symbols]
The [symbols] are there to notate the type of home video available: Up to three symbols may appear, denoting DVD, (retro) tape, and laserdisc. There may be additional symbols used in newer editions than mine. (By the way, this particular entry is probably longer than average by a dozen or two words.)
Okay. Now second, I’ve selected three pages at random, and show below all the movies on those pages grouped by Maltin’s ratings. Here’s where you might get some idea of whether your tastes jibe with his.
****
***1/2 Gate of Hell (1953-Japanese); Gates of Heaven (1978); The Gay Divorcee (1934); Rocky (1976); Roger and Me (1989)
*** Arabesque (1966); Arabian Nights (1974-Italian-French); Arachnophobia (1990); A Gathering of Eagles (1963); Gattaca (1997); Rocky II (1979); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975-British); Rocky Mountain (1950); Rogue Cop (1954)
**1/2 An Arabian Adventure (1979-British); Arabian Nights (1942); Ararat (2002-Canadian-U.S.); The Architect (2006); Arch of Triumph (1948); The Gauntlet (1977); Rocky III (1982); Rocky IV (1985); Rocky Balboa (2006); Roger Dodger (2002)
** Arabian Knight (1995); Arctic Tale (2007); Gator (1976); The Gaucho (1927); Gaudi Afternoon (2002-Spanish); Rocky V (1990); Rodan (1956-Japanese)
*1/2 Gate II (1992); The Gatling Gun (1972); Gator Bait (1976); Gator Bait II: Cajun Justice (1988)
BOMB
Okay, no **** and no BOMB ratings on those pages.
So here’s the first five BOMBs I found (randomly): Pootie Tang (2001); The Curse (1987); The Concorde – Airport ’79 (1979); On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who ,,, (1968-Italian); The Stranger Returns (1968-U.S.-Italian). Here’s the thing … If you’ve seen any of these, you definitely need a movie guide; and if you’ve seen more than one (a) you desperately need a movie guide, but (b) you wouldn’t use it, and (c) I’m amazed that you’re reading this review, because (d) surely you’re late for a movie!?
Okay, back to those nine best-picture winners.
The three movies that Maltin gave his highest ranking to were: Slumdog Millionaire, Schindler’s List and Dances with Wolves. Forrest Gump got the **1/2
September 2, 2016
Não é possível, Leonard Maltin tem titica na cabeça.
November 9, 2010
I always enjoy Leonard's updates, even though some of them baffle me. Four stars for Benjamin Button? And only 2-1/2 for Wall-E? The angels are weeping.
September 24, 2010
The standard movie review source. Indispensable for any kind of movie fan.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews