10 Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed& Other Surprising Movie Lists    by Richard Roeper Order:  USA  Can Hyperion, 2003 (2003) Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson The author, co-host of Ebert & Roeper shares with readers a broad perspective and specific insights on movies, which he calls 'dreams set to music'. He dedicates his book to its reader, 'the person who loves great films - but also loves hating bad movies.' Like the movies themselves, it's not to be taken too seriously, but is a lot of fun. Take the title piece on sure signs a movie character is doomed (the Galaxy Quest extra who knew he was a goner immediately springs to mind). The veteran cop with retirement a week away, wise old-timers, the pregnant loving young wife; all of these and more have short life expectancies. Regarding the author's 40 worst movie picks, I have to say that I disagree on Godzilla, but second his take on Battlefield Earth. The porn titles based on legit movies are hilarious, as are stupid habits of movie people. Roeper hit the nail on the frog's legs with the comment about school lab dissection, but how dare he give a thumbs down to The Fellowship of the Ring? That reaction apparently resulted in a high water mark volume of hate mail. Like me, you won't agree with all the author's list, but you have to chuckle at comments like one on Harrison Ford in 'actors-in-chief', that the terrorists didn't realize that president was 'Han Solo and Indiana Jones rolled into one!' Fascinating insider details include the fact that Goldie Hawn's pet cause is that of circus elephants; that R2-D2 is attached to the alien spaceship in Close Encounters of the Third Kind; and that many movies set in Chicago (including the recent Chicago) were filmed in Toronto and it shows. There's indeed a great deal for movie fans to chortle over in Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed. If you like the movies and quirky books, don't miss it. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews