What is Cinema?: Volume 1

Bazin's obsession with realism is a bit annoying, but he was also writing in a particular time and place. Overall, the writing is fine and none too difficult. The only essays that left me cold (cold enough I skipped through them) were the two comparing the cinema and theater. As with most film theory/criticism books, this book is most enjoyable when you are reading about films or filmmakers that you're already familiar with.