Leonard Maltin Movie Guide for iOS adds movies and features

I looked at the Leonard Maltin Movie Guide a couple of years ago, and found it complete and easy to use. Current owners of the US$1.99 app will find a free update today, with more than 300 recent movies added. Other new features are weekly automatic content updates, improved integration with IMDb, and your movie lists (favorites, recommendations, want to see, etc.) are now backed up/restored via Apple's iCloud.

The app has 24,000 film reviews available, and, as before, you can connect to the iTunes Store for a purchase or add a film to your Netflix queue, either disc or instant.

Trailers are attached to many of the entrees, and the app is now optimized for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5.

The only drawback to this app is that it is not universal. That means you have to enlarge it on your iPad, and it only works in portrait mode. I mentioned this weakness in my earlier review in 2010, and I am surprised it hasn't been fixed.

Still, this is probably the best and most complete guide to movies you can put in the palm of your hand, especially with direct links to IMDb. You get the benefit of the incisive Maltin reviews, and all the detail IMDb collects.

I use the app all the time as a reference for movies old and new. If you have the app already, grab the update. If you don't have it yet, and you love movies, you won't be disappointed.

The app is a 14 MB download and requires iOS 4.3 or later.