Reel Views 2: The Ultimate Guide to the Best 1,000 Modern Movies on DVD and Video

(Note: this review assumes that you are not terribly familiar with James Berardinelli. If you are, skip to the last two paragraphs.) Growing up in a Dallas suburb, there was nothing much to do but to get a ride over to the local multiplex and catch the latest flicks. Early on in my preteen years, of course, almost anything would catch my interest (save for something like Jane Eyre), but after awhile it became apparent that my time would be better spent going to movies that were actually decent. So, this led me to peel open and dog-ear the "Guide" section of the Dallas Morning News, always skimming the review snippets before deciding to which movie I would beg my mother to take me. However, while this system proved adequate early on, it became apparent that I was still spending time watching alot of terrible movies, movies that had been given such wonderful critical catch phrases as "Two Thumbs (Way) Up!" (which I'm sure must be trademarked or something similar by now) or "Four Stars! One of the best movies of our time!" Which, of course, led me to a gradual disillusionment and the growing belief that all critics were cash-mongerers being paid off to write catchphrases to be used in advertisements. I still think that about many critics. But eventually, I discovered rottentomatoes.com and it proved to be a good, brute force way of finding quality movies to spend a hard-earned 8 bucks. I came to notice, however, that one reviewer in particular kept standing out for well thought out, well-read (and well-seen) reviews, many of which corresponded to my tastes and interests. It was in this way I came to find James Berardinelli. His name was a bit of a pain to remember at first, but it soon became synonymous to me with pure, intellectual and quality reviews. Very few critics, I feel, are able to properly enunciate precisely why they feel a movie is good or bad. I've read many a four star review of Pulp Fiction, for example, that was filled with vague assessments and ephemereal praise; namely, that the critic had realized they had just seen something wonderful, but couldn't quite express why. And sometimes this enunciation can be done in overkill; however intelligent a review from the New York Times or the Chicago Tribune may be, sometimes they seem a bit *too* intelligent, a critic trying too hard to maintain an image or trying to be Faulkner when Hemingway would suffice. It is, however, this precise skill of putting down in words that certain "je ne sais quoi" many of us may feel when watching the latest masterpiece that makes Berardinelli brilliant. It is his irreverant attitude to the worst of movies, and his superbly insightful and analytical approach to even the most untouchably brilliant of movies and his refusal to reduce his thoughts to a catchphrase that makes every read an enjoyable one. I never read reviews in my free time for fun before, but now I pour over Berardinelli pages as if looking over a great literary tome. And in

I have been visiting James's site since its beginning, and although I have never met him in person I have emailed him on several occassions - I've found his replies to be informative, well though out, and pleasant in nature. His book is an excellent addition to the insites offered on his website. Well done James.

I have been visiting James website for 4 years or so now. I haven't wasted my money on a bad movie ever since. His writing is crisp (and its clear that he likes writing) and to the point with no rambling. He is an articulate guy and the way he cross references other reviews or events shows the amount of forethought that goes into his reviews. This book fits my bookshelf like any good reference should.

The one absolutely essential charasteristic of a reliable movie critic is that they share one's own impeccable taste. After looking for years and disagreeing with Ebert on almost everything (he nearly always gives one star more than a movie deserves and almost never warns you that the movie is a real turkey you should not waste your money on), I finally found JB and lived happily ever after.

Movie critics review movies, we read reviews and we pick good movies. Sounds easy enough? Far from it! The problem is that critiquing a movie is subjective and there is no right answer. Not only that, but there are hundreds of movie critics all with different opinions. So how exactly do you find a good movie? Well find a movie critic with similar tastes, that easy. Of course finding him or her is the problem. For me is James Berardinelli, there is no movie we go see without checking out JB's Rating. He is great; sharp writing, knowledgeable, funny but to the point, without being pretentious. I highly recommend him. But since his website is free, why buy the book? Well for a couple of reasons: 1. Easier to browse: I hate the frames and the retro look of the website. 2. Easier to access: That way you can easily grab the book and check its review for movies on TV or On-Demand. 3. Tighter, Shorter Reviews: Which online sometimes go a bit too long. For the record, I wasn't paid for the book review. I am just a thankful reader who has saved hundreds of dollars and thousands of hours thanks to James Berardinelli.