A virtuoso collection by one of the finest film critics currently active... His passions are unusually diverse... There's nothing here that won't enrich the reader in some way. If you have seen the film already, you will see it better. If you haven't seen it, you will want to. The Times of London 2004 Rosenbaum's passionate, thoughtful, and richly informed ... Read moreadvocacy of the films he cares about earns this book a place on any cinephile's shelf... Rosenbaum, an enormously erudite and deeply reflective viewer unbeholden to academic norms and taboos, is ideally positioned to propose a canon of great works... An essential guide. Boston Globe 2004 Accessible without being dumbed down... Filled with perceptive insights and fascinating juxtapositions... A closing list of 1,000 favorite films is sure to spark debate among cineastes while offering a long checklist of films to watch. Publishers Weekly Every essay demonstrates Rosenbaum's fervent dedication to the cinema and, more important, that he has the knowledge and insight to support his impassioned opinions. Booklist Jonathan Rosenbaum is one of the most invested voices in writing about movies. When there's a subject he's spent decades thinking on, he's nonpareil. Newcity 2004 Essential Cinema... is a chance to enjoy a bunch of reviews from the best long form critic on the planet. Memphis Flyer 2004 Rosenbaum is one of those rare film critics who isn't too cool to tell us when a film gives him excitement, pleasure, and hope... Sometimes Rosenbaum becomes so strident about 'the lies' that Hollywood films and their publicists feed us that you want to whack him on the head with a copy of Entertainment Weekly. But, we need to hear about film lies from someone. And besides, there's no such thing as Jonathan Rosenbaum lite. Jewish Herald-Voice 2004 [Rosenblaum's] canon is not exclusively Western, goes beyond purely aesthetic considerations, is a process of selection rather than reportage, and sees cultural criticism as valid. Reference and Research Book News This is a road map for anyone who cares about discovering new cinematic terrain. Choice 2004 Rosenbaum proves he is an essential critic, one we mustn't fail to read. Senses of Cinema 2005 Important book.
Steven Peacock Film Studies 2005 His observations on film composition are astute and thought-provoking... Essential Cinema is essential reading for the movie buff.
Rebecca Oppenheimer Howard County Times 2008 Show Less