The Great Movies III

September 1, 2010

In this third collection of Ebert's Chicago Sun-Times film essays (after The Great Movies II), he compiles an entertaining selection covering classics such as Cool Hand Luke, new films like Pan's Labyrinth, and many foreign films by Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, and others. In each piece, he gives a brief analysis, plot summary, and original insights on why he feels the film is great. The lively text and subject matter is a winning combination. Also included is a list of movies covered in the first two volumes of this series. Many of the films can be found in other books, e.g., 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die; however, Ebert's role as a critic rather than a film historian provides a different perspective on the merits of a particular movie or director. VERDICT For all movie fans as well as anyone looking for a good film to watch. An essential addition, especially for those owning Ebert's first two collections.--Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2010
Ebert, indisputably the nations most prominent and influential film critic, returns with a third collection of brief essays on 100 movies worthy of further examination. As before, he balances his selection among classics from Hollywoods golden age (Top Hat, The Band Wagon) and modern era (Godfather: Part II, Groundhog Day), silent movies (Phantom of the Opera, Safety Last), foreign masterworks (Fanny and Alexander, Late Spring), and a smattering of documentaries (Crumb) and animation (three Chuck Jones cartoons). In every case, Ebert offers informed critical appraisals, as well as background on the movies making and significance, that make these pieces rewarding for film buffs and ideal introductions for first-time viewers. Ebert views his role as one of education and enlightenment: Citing readers who accused him of snobbery when he disparaged the Transformers sequel, he wagers in his introduction that no one could start out loving that misbegotten effort, experience the films in this book, and end by loving it. While few might share his belief that todays moviegoers can be steered away from Michael Bay and toward B'la Tarr, his populist-based optimism is commendable. High-Demand Backstory: Ebert is the most popular movie critic for the average Jane and Joe Citizen, and public libraries need to stock his collected reviews.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)