Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide presents nearly 16,000 movie entries, including over 300 new capsule reviews and more than 25,000 DVD and video listings, to assist readers in discovering films and identifying edited versions for recording. The guide covers a broad spectrum of cinema, from summer blockbusters and independent sleepers to classics by directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese, and comedies from the Marx Brothers and Buster Keaton, to animated features and foreign films. It includes essential details for each film, such as release date, running time, director, stars, MPAA ratings, and format (color or black and white).
The guide utilizes a four-star to BOMB rating system for reviews of theatrical and video releases. It provides precise information on films shot in widescreen format and includes symbols for DVDs, videos, and laserdiscs. An updated index of leading actors is also featured. The book offers comprehensive coverage from 1965 to the present, alongside essential older films, from box-office smashes to cult classics and forgotten gems.
Key concepts
- Capsule movie reviews — Short, concise assessments of films, with over 16,000 included in the 2015 edition.
- DVD and video listings — Information on where to buy and rent films on DVD and video, with over 25,000 entries.
- Four-star to BOMB rating system — A scale used to review films, ranging from excellent to very poor.
- Widescreen format information — Precise details regarding films shot using widescreen techniques.
- MPAA ratings — Official motion picture code ratings, ranging from G to NC-17, provided for each film.
Popular questions readers ask
- Beyond merely listing movies, what fundamental problem does Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide aim to solve for a film viewer, and why is a comprehensive, curated guide like this valuable even amidst abundant online resources?
- The guide intentionally includes everything from "masterworks" to "forgettable bombs." Explain the editorial philosophy behind such broad inclusion, and what purpose this serves for the reader beyond just identifying "good" films.
- Select any two specific features mentioned (e.g., running times, rating system, DVD listings). How do these distinct pieces of information, when combined, help a user make more informed and personalized decisions about *which* movies to watch and *how* to experience them?
- The 2015 guide covers films from 1965 to the present, alongside older classics. How does Maltin balance the need for up-to-date information with comprehensive historical coverage in a physical publication, and what inherent challenges does this present?
- If you were explaining the value of this guide to someone unfamiliar with film criticism, how would you simplify its vast content and highlight the most essential information a beginner could use to explore cinema effectively?