Many of these books comprised of a collection of essays are often only of interest when you are researching a specific subject which happens to be included. Smith and Neale's book is a little more useful though, as there are several excellent essays on very important, but more general, aspects to Hollywood and Contemporary cinema. Of course there are some more obscure, highly specific topics and a few border on being pointless. Most of the essays are very accessible and it's an excellent source of reference.