Leonard Maltin loves talking about movies -- and admits that, sometimes, his critiques change over time. He initially found 1979's <strong>"Alien"</strong> (with, from left, Sigourney Weaver, Yaphet Kotto, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt and Ian Holm) "upsetting." He changed his mind when he saw the rerelease 25 years later. The film gets 3½ stars in the "Movie Guide."
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
Leonard Maltin loves talking about movies -- and admits that, sometimes, his critiques change over time. He initially found 1979's "Alien" (with, from left, Sigourney Weaver, Yaphet Kotto, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt and Ian Holm) "upsetting." He changed his mind when he saw the rerelease 25 years later. The film gets 3½ stars in the "Movie Guide."
Paramount
On the other hand, Maltin's opinion of 1951's<strong> "A Place in the Sun,"</strong> with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, has dropped. "Outdated," says the "Movie Guide's" three-star review, though "everyone gets an A for effort."
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
On the other hand, Maltin's opinion of 1951's "A Place in the Sun," with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, has dropped. "Outdated," says the "Movie Guide's" three-star review, though "everyone gets an A for effort."
Courtesy Everett Collection
The "Movie Guide" doesn't always agree with the consensus. "Batman" fans generally rate <strong>"The Dark Knight"</strong> (2008) the best of Christopher Nolan's trilogy, but not Maltin's book. "(Heath) Ledger is a vivid Joker but his character is so sick it's difficult to derive any pleasure from watching him," says the review, giving the film two stars. Both "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight Rises" rate higher.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
The "Movie Guide" doesn't always agree with the consensus. "Batman" fans generally rate "The Dark Knight" (2008) the best of Christopher Nolan's trilogy, but not Maltin's book. "(Heath) Ledger is a vivid Joker but his character is so sick it's difficult to derive any pleasure from watching him," says the review, giving the film two stars. Both "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight Rises" rate higher.
WARNER BROS.
One aspect of reviewing that Maltin enjoys is calling attention to underseen films.<strong> "Mud"</strong> (2013) was Maltin's favorite film of last year. "Beguiling" and "fablelike," says the 3½-star review in the "Movie Guide." The low-key film, starring Matthew McConaughey and Tye Sheridan, did OK upon release but received more notice as McConaughey's star kept rising.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
One aspect of reviewing that Maltin enjoys is calling attention to underseen films. "Mud" (2013) was Maltin's favorite film of last year. "Beguiling" and "fablelike," says the 3½-star review in the "Movie Guide." The low-key film, starring Matthew McConaughey and Tye Sheridan, did OK upon release but received more notice as McConaughey's star kept rising.
Jim Bridges/Roadside Attractions
The "Movie Guide," unlike a sizable chunk of critics, didn't mind the first <strong>"Transformers"</strong> film. The 2007 work earned 2½ stars and was called "surprisingly well done." However, 2009's "Revenge of the Fallen" is critiqued as swapping "size and volume for a sense of fun," and 2011's "Dark of the Moon"? "Deadening."
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
The "Movie Guide," unlike a sizable chunk of critics, didn't mind the first "Transformers" film. The 2007 work earned 2½ stars and was called "surprisingly well done." However, 2009's "Revenge of the Fallen" is critiqued as swapping "size and volume for a sense of fun," and 2011's "Dark of the Moon"? "Deadening."
Jemal Countess/Getty Images/File
<strong>"Fading Gigolo"</strong> (2013), starring Woody Allen, left, and John Turturro (who also wrote and directed), was another film that stayed below the radar. "One of the nicest treats of the year," wrote Maltin.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
"Fading Gigolo" (2013), starring Woody Allen, left, and John Turturro (who also wrote and directed), was another film that stayed below the radar. "One of the nicest treats of the year," wrote Maltin.
Jojo Whilden/Millennium Entertainment
The <strong>Harry Potter</strong> movies, starring Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, generally rate well in the "Movie Guide," with the worst (2½ stars) being the first two Chris Columbus-directed entries, and the best (3½) noted as "Goblet of Fire." "Goblet" is "by far the most intense installment of the series," the "Movie Guide" says.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
The Harry Potter movies, starring Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, generally rate well in the "Movie Guide," with the worst (2½ stars) being the first two Chris Columbus-directed entries, and the best (3½) noted as "Goblet of Fire." "Goblet" is "by far the most intense installment of the series," the "Movie Guide" says.
Warner Bros.
"Captain Phillips" got all the press, but the Danish film <strong>"A Hijacking" </strong>(2012) -- also about Somali pirates -- is well worth seeing, Maltin says. It "haunted my thoughts for several days after I saw it," he wrote.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
"Captain Phillips" got all the press, but the Danish film "A Hijacking" (2012) -- also about Somali pirates -- is well worth seeing, Maltin says. It "haunted my thoughts for several days after I saw it," he wrote.
Magnolia Pictures
Many critics admire Martin Scorsese's <strong>"New York, New York"</strong> (1977), with Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. Maltin isn't one of them. "Some people consider this film extraordinary, but we're not among them," says the "Movie Guide," awarding it 1½ stars.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
Many critics admire Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York" (1977), with Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. Maltin isn't one of them. "Some people consider this film extraordinary, but we're not among them," says the "Movie Guide," awarding it 1½ stars.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
Dennis Hopper's <strong>"The Last Movie"</strong> (1971) is also considered intriguing by many -- a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fnews%2Fdennis-hoppers-last-movie-shown-699229" target="_blank" target="_blank">remastered version got a showing</a> earlier this year -- but it's not worth it, says the "Movie Guide." "Fatally pretentious," it says. "You've been warned."
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
Dennis Hopper's "The Last Movie" (1971) is also considered intriguing by many -- a remastered version got a showing earlier this year -- but it's not worth it, says the "Movie Guide." "Fatally pretentious," it says. "You've been warned."
alta light
The first two<strong> "Godfathers"</strong> get the "Movie Guide's" highest rating -- four stars. The 1972 film is "pulp fiction raised to the highest level. ... Absolutely irresistible," while 1974's "Part II," with Al Pacino, above, is "a sequel that's just as compelling." The 1990 "Part III" rates three stars.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
The first two "Godfathers" get the "Movie Guide's" highest rating -- four stars. The 1972 film is "pulp fiction raised to the highest level. ... Absolutely irresistible," while 1974's "Part II," with Al Pacino, above, is "a sequel that's just as compelling." The 1990 "Part III" rates three stars.
Paramount Pictures
Oh, Adam Sandler. The "Movie Guide" is kinder than many -- even <strong>"Jack and Jill"</strong> (2011), above, escapes "bomb" rating and the review gives kudos to Al Pacino -- but the "Guide" continually laments the actor's struggle "to find a happy medium between the raunchy bathroom humor for which he is known and the family-friendly fare he'd like to create."
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
Oh, Adam Sandler. The "Movie Guide" is kinder than many -- even "Jack and Jill" (2011), above, escapes "bomb" rating and the review gives kudos to Al Pacino -- but the "Guide" continually laments the actor's struggle "to find a happy medium between the raunchy bathroom humor for which he is known and the family-friendly fare he'd like to create."
columbia pictures
The "Movie Guide's" pithiness gets honed to a fine point for some films, such as 1974's <strong>"Mame,"</strong> starring Lucille Ball. The musical was panned upon initial release and the "Movie Guide" hasn't changed its opinion. "Will embarrass even those who love Lucy," it says, giving it a "bomb" rating. Kirby Furlong and Bea Arthur, center, also starred.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
The "Movie Guide's" pithiness gets honed to a fine point for some films, such as 1974's "Mame," starring Lucille Ball. The musical was panned upon initial release and the "Movie Guide" hasn't changed its opinion. "Will embarrass even those who love Lucy," it says, giving it a "bomb" rating. Kirby Furlong and Bea Arthur, center, also starred.
Courtesy Everett Collection
<strong>"Friday the 13th"</strong> (1980) spawned several sequels and even a TV series, but you won't find many kind words about it in Maltin's "Movie Guide." "Rates higher than a bomb due to an admittedly bravura finale and because it's slightly better than 'Part 2,' " says the 1½-star review. Four of the films in the series do get the uncoveted "bomb" rating.
Leonard Maltin: See this, don't see that —
"Friday the 13th" (1980) spawned several sequels and even a TV series, but you won't find many kind words about it in Maltin's "Movie Guide." "Rates higher than a bomb due to an admittedly bravura finale and because it's slightly better than 'Part 2,' " says the 1½-star review. Four of the films in the series do get the uncoveted "bomb" rating.
Paramount Pictures