Rating: 
Summary: Best Hollywood people guides ever -
Review: Some of the people who have rated this low do not understand the book's mission. This is a book of biographies of most all important Hollywood movers and shakers. It is sorted by the last name of the person, not by film. So put this next the LM's movie guide (sorted by film) and you have the ultimate cross reference set.
Bios are well written and relevent. Details of minor roles are included that are missed in many other books. Inludes actors, directors, writers and a number of other significant people.
One of the best features of this book is its historical nature, that it does not throw flash in the pan actors like Leo and JLo in until they show some legs. Once a star is truly established, they are added. I like this a lot in that it keeps the clutter out.
P
Rating:
Summary: An excellent refrence book!
Review: The film encyclopedia is a wonderfull book for both film lovers and film students. I use this book constantly for my own personall refrence and I'm never disapointed. The book has enough depth for all the characters mentioned.Everything you would want to know about film and significant people involved in film , you'll find it all in this book. P.S.- for those who have complained about the book not having enough Indie and International info, that is impossible to get all on a single book . If you want to know about that , well then buy an encyclopedia which directly deals with those topics. Otherwise , no other book has this amount of depth in a single edition! An excellent buy , definately worth all the money!
Rating:
Summary: At last! The bible of the film industry has been updated!
Review: The Film Encyclopedia is one of my most important references. Any question one has, large or small, this is the place to go. It's admirable--and enormously useful--that this edition really is updated. The most recent films, awards, deaths, and hot new actors, directors, and producers are listed. The analyses are pertinent, the descriptions rich and accurate, and I could find no mistakes at all. A bravura performance!
Rating: 
Summary: need Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide ISBN: 0452281237
Review: This film encyclopedia is great for looking up people. I keep it next to the TV. When "The Deadly Mantis" (1957) ASIN: 6302763916 came on I looked up William Alland. I knew he also produced "It Came From Outer Space" (1953) ASIN: 6303046436. What I did not know was that he was a stage manager for Orson Welles's Mercury Theater.This book is like "Connections." You can follow the producers and actors. What you can not do is follow the films. The title on this book is misleading It should be "The Actor and Producer Encyclopedia." You still need Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide ISBN: 0452281237 to find the person to look up in this book. sorry for the four stars but there is not even an index.
Rating:
Summary: need Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide ISBN: 0452281237
Review: This film encyclopedia is great for looking up people. I keep it next to the TV. When "The Deadly Mantis" (1957) ASIN: 6302763916 came on I looked up William Alland. I knew he also produced "It Came From Outer Space" (1953) ASIN: 6303046436. What I did not know was that he was a stage manager for Orson Welles's Mercury Theater. This book is like "Connections." You can follow the producers and actors. What you can not do is follow the films. The title on this book is misleading It should be "The Actor and Producer Encyclopedia." You still need Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide ISBN: 0452281237 to find the person to look up in this book. sorry for the four stars but there is not even an index.
Rating:
Summary: Great but not so complete
Review: This is a great reference guide to the international cinema, but unfortunately the editors have forgotten some important actors. I could not find any reference on Penelope Cruz, Joaquin Phoenix, Fernanda Montenegro and many others.
Rating: 
Summary: impressive, but neglects international & indy production
Review: This is a very impressive work regarding Hollywood film culture and technical topics, but it lacks information and accuracy on recent (post 60ies) international & indy productions. It also overstresses the biographical side of individual entries, to the detriment of style description.
Rating:
Summary: A treat for the inquisitive
Review: This is an extremely entertaining book. I am just dissapointed some of my faves were omitted.
Rating:
Summary: A treat for the inquisitive
Review: This is an extremely entertaining book. I am just dissapointed some of my faves were omitted.
Rating:
Summary: If you love movies, you gotta love Katz!
Review: You'll go to look up one name and you'll end up browsing through this mesmerizing book for hours! Lists not only movie stars, but also directors, producers, writers, studios, etc., and movie terms. I like silent films and lesser known films from the early thirties, and I can usually find entries for long-ago forgotten stars within the pages of this venerable volume. Yes, some entries are regrettably small, but you'll never find so much information in one volume anywhere else. Take it from me, a film buff who is also a librarian--this is a reliable, informative, affordable and entertaining reference source.
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