ISBN 0-00-255905-6 (Paperback, 594 Pages)

Not a book to sit down with and read from cover to cover but rather Leslie Halliwell and John Walker's work is a comprehensive reference to the world of cinema and movies. The first 450 pages of this book, which is in total nearly two inches thick, is devoted to a complete list of the world's film industry personalities. Actors, actresses, directors, opera singers and even animals such as "Champion the Wonder Horse" are all present and each one gets a short paragraph describing them and listing their work.

There are other sections listing such things as technical terms, movie studios and production companies. My Own Private Idaho gets a brief mention whilst discussing the subject of homosexuality in movies but is not to be found in the section about incest - the 1997 film U-Turn, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is one of the movies referred to instead. There's also a listing of movie resources on the Internet, a short history of Cinema and a section listing the Academy Award winners from 1927 through until 1997.

ISBN 0-06-273655-8 (Paperback, 594 Pages)

Very rarely, a quotation or two is included at the bottom of a record. In the case of one particular entry though, quite frankly we wish they hadn't bothered.

Phoenix, River (1970-1993) American young leading actor. He also played guitar and sang with his own rock group, Aleka's Attic. Died outside a Hollywood night-club after overdosing on heroin and cocaine. His final performance was in Dark Blood, a film which was abandoned three weeks from completion. Explorers 85. Mosquito Coast 86. Stand By Me 86. Little Nikita 88. A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon 88. Running on Empty (AAN) 88. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 89. I Love You to Death 90. Dogfight 91. My Own Private Idaho 91. Sneakers 92. Silent Tongue 93. The Thing Called Love 93, etc. TV Series: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 82-83. "I don't see any point or any good in drugs that are as disruptive as cocaine. - R.P. There wasn't a false bone in his body. - Sidney Lumet

Also with entries of their own are Joaquin and Rain Phoenix. Which, if nothing else, rather shows that this book isn't quite as comprehensive and complete as it first appears.

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