@3 THE EMPIRE MAGAZINE REVIEW by Papa Legba@1 No, not a review FROM Empire magazine, but a review OF Empire magazine. In order to get the most from the movies, you need to be able to rely on a good film magazine for the latest news, reviews and previews. As you've probably gathered by now, Moviezone more than fits the bill for a disk-based magazine, but which to choose from the many periodicals available at the news-stand? I have been reading Empire since 1992, and consider it to be the best film mag I've ever read (you can tell this will be a biased review), and certainly is a must for anyone with the slightest interest in cinema. Here, then, is a breakdown of the magazine, split into its many different sections, each reviewed and rated according to Empire's own ratings system. Read on... @5HOW MUCH IS A PINT OF MILK?@1 This is a fairly new section to the magazine, in which a particular star or director is interviewed in standard Q&A format. The questions, which always include the title question, are usually varied and more interesting than the standard you find in most generic interviews. @3Rating: * * *@1 @5FRONT DESK@1 THE place for all the latest movie news. If it's not in here, it hasn't happened. Sectioned off into various sound-bite articles, this features information on new and forthcoming releases, as well the occasional oddity (e.g. a man who built his own mini-cinema in his spare bedroom). Particularly good for finding out the latest happenings in Hollywood and the rest of the USA. Also includes the cinema & video charts for the USA and the UK. @3Rating: * * * * *@1 @5NEW FILMS@1 The definitive guide to the month's movies. Features everything from the Hollywood blockbusters, to the European art films. Empire employs several different reviewers, the most notable being Kim Newman, Angie Errigo and Steve Beard. Depending on the type of movie, the reviews range in length from several columns to a few paragraphs. The ratings uses a star system from one (tragic) to five (unmissable). As with all reviews, the ratings given depends on the particular reviewer, but Empire tries to be fair by giving certain types of films to certain reviewers. For instance, Kim Newman,a cult movie fan, usually reviews the SF, horror and other genre films. This method usually gives a fair represenation as to the quality of a film. @3Rating: * * * *@3 @5Q & A@1 The section that answers reader's questions on movies past and present. Subjects range from particular actors, release dates on forthcoming films, advice on how to make your own movies and just about anything else you can think of. Similar to Moviezone's Ask The Papa, but magazines can only answers a few questions per issue, whereas we intend to answer all the questions sent to us, if possible, since space is less limited than paper publications. So get writing! @3Rating: * * * *@1 @5WHERE ARE THEY NOW?@1 My least favourite part of all the magazine, this focuses on fallen stars and also-ran actors who have ended up in movie limbo. Where possible Empire tracks them down, to talk about how life was at the top, their demise from showbusiness, and their plans (if any) for the future in moviedom. The magazine also used to do a filmography of each actor, but sadly have now stopped. @3Rating: * * *@1 @5PROFILES@1 A one-page, condensed article taken from interviews with actors, directors and anyone else connected with the movie industry (they even featured a studio fireman once). The subjects of Profiles usually relate to current movies released that month. Works best with up-and-coming personalities who don't yet warrant a full interview. @3Rating: * * *@1 @5THE EMPIRE INTERVIEW@1 Usually featured once a month, this gives those lucky scribes at Empire the chance to interview a really BIG movie star. Once again, the interviewee depends on whoever stars in the blockbuster movie of the month, and such past subjects have included Jack Nicholson, Brad Pitt and Jeff Bridges. The humorous and entertaining style of of interviewing that Empire has adopted ensures that the interviews are never dull. @3Rating: * * * *@1 @5FEATURE ARTICLES@1 Empire usually carries three or four major articles per issue, and these can vary widely in subject. The usual bases are covered, but so too are other topics such as Violence In The Movies, Sex In The Movies, Summer Previews, Movie-Related TV Programmes, Oscar Specials and Do Movies Fry Your Brain?, as well as a whole lot more besides. The diversity of subjects makes for essential reading. @3Rating: * * * * *@1 @5THE EMPIRE DIRECTORY@1 Recently revamped, this is the essential guide to films on TV (terrestrial & satellite), videos (to rent and buy) and the latest film books. Usually consists of capsule reviews, short but informative, with the occasional longerdescription. The same ratings system is employed as in the film reviews. Soundtrack albums has recently been added. Be warned, though - the TV listings have a tendency to be way off the mark sometimes. @3Rating: * * * *@1 @5LETTERS@1 The forum that allows Empire readers to discuss, argue, pontificate, moan, bicker and joke about anything they want, as long as it's to do with the movies, naturally. A genuinely interesting read, with some serious, hilarious and downright crazy letters from a wide range of readers. @3Rating: * * * * *@1 @5SPINAL MESSAGE@1 Every month, Empire print a line from a particular movie, and it's the readers job to guess which film it comes from. These range from fairly easy to impossible, depending on how well-know the film is, or how obscure the line is. Always connected in some way to the issue's cover. For example, the line in the September 1994 issue comes from Piranha II:Flying Killers, which was directed by James Cameron. Arnold Schwarzenegger and True Lies was on the cover, and since Cameron also directed that movie, there's the connection. Easy, huh! Readers who think they know the answer can write into the letters section and possibly win a T-Shirt. Wahey! @3Rating: * * * *@1 @5CLASSIC@1 A classic scene from a classic movie. However, some movies are more classic than others. There's no doubting A Night At The Opera, but Basic Instinct? Hardly. Still, interesting enough, with good script extracts and information on the film being focused upon. @3Rating: * * * *@1 The Verdict... Well, I said it would be a biased review, but I don't care. The fact is that Empire is essential reading. It's thick, meaty, jam-packed with movie-related fun, and at £2.25, good value for money. I read it from cover to cover as soon as I get it. It takes me several hours to get through it all, and I'm no slow reader by any means. You cold do worse than take out a subscription, as I have, which entitles you to a free gift, which may be a T-shirt, a CD, a book or Empire's own "Recommends" booklet featuring reviews for four and five-star rated films since 1989. Empire - Buy It Today! Or failing that, buy it, er, tomorrow.... @4(Note To Empire Publishers: Can I Get Paid Now, Please?)@1 End.