Movies Books

Here is a helpful tool for Christian parents of teens who ask the question, "What movie do you want to see tonight?" It also helps to answer the question, "Why?"

"Movie Nights" is edited by Bob Smithouser, of Focus on the Family's "Plugged in Magazine." In his introduction, Smithouser writes, "Parents, you have a wonderful opportunity before you. Aside from the simple pleasure of spending time together and discussing films over a big bowl of hot-buttered popcorn, there are teachable moments in these modern parables and character studies. We have a brief window, usually when our children are between the ages of 13 and 18, to watch and discuss mature-minded movies *together*, before they're out on their own."

In this helpful introduction, Smithouser states that the pitfalls of a legalistic approach "often breeds rebellion" and the other extreme, permissiveness "inevitably leads to indecent exposure." He goes on to say, "the answer lies somewhere in between. That's because teaching discernment inspires critical thinking based on clearly defined boundaries, bonds families, and gives adolescents life skills they'll carry with them into adulthood."

He makes clear that Focus on the Family does not necessarily endorse the films suggested in this book. The 25 titles range from G to PG-13 ratings, with the majority of titles made since 1990. I personally think the list is a wonderful selection (based on the films I've seen).

Here's the complete list, in alphabetical order: Apollo 13; Chariots of Fire; The Count of Monte Cristo; Ever After; Fiddler on the Roof; Galaxy Quest; Groundhog Day; Hoosiers; It's a Wonderful Life; A Knight's Tale; Life is Beautiful; Little Women; The Mission; Mr. Holland's Opus; October Sky; The Princess Bride; Quiz Show; Remember the Titans; Searching for Bobby Fischer; Sense and Sensibility; Sergeant York; Shadowlands; To Kill a Mockingbird; The Truman Show; and Unbreakable.

The section for each movie gives the rating, mentions themes, the running time, stars and the director. Then the body of each chapter discusses cautions; story summary; things to do "before you watch," Bible bookmarks with related scripture references; talking points, follow-up activity and "just for fun" information about the film.

There are two appendixes. The first, called "Hollywood and the Bible," provides some topics for discussion "across the dinner table" on things like character, despair, discernment and human nature. The second appendix discusses "the power of story" by analyzing the classic Jimmy Stewart film, "It's a Wonderful Life." This chapter alone would be helpful for any student studying literature in a high school English class.

It might also be added that Plugged In Magazine has many more reviews that can be found on the Focus on the Family web site. But a book like this is helpful for pointing you in the right direction at the outset, as opposed to wading through reviews on this and other sites (or in other books) until you find an acceptable film you all will like.

Do you like old movies? Do you wonder how the whole movie industry got started? Want to see a picture of a naked (young) Peter Fonda?

Now that I got your attention, let's go to the matter of this wonderful book. It's a large "coffee table" type of book, all the pictures are in balck and white - even the wonderful close-up of Liz Taylor in "Reflections in a Golden Eye" and it is quite marvelous to look through.

The book starts off the invention of the "moving pictures" by Edison with the help of his assistant Dickson. It moves from Penny Arcades or Peep Shows (didn't the meaning of that phrase change over the years?) on to kinetoscopeand George Melies. There are scenes from everything from "The Great Train Robbery" as well as "Midnight Cowboy" with many stops inbetween.

There are stills from films of the Nickelodeon age - "Gertie the Dinosaur". one of the first animated films, as well as "The Fighting Roosevelts". There are the reports of the public reaction to "Birth of a Nation" and Griffith's answer to such reports. I was amazed to learn that Harold LLoyd's "human fly" stunt (in "Safety Last", a great film if you can find it) was done with no trick photography, no stunt doubles and onaly a net netween the star of the movie and the street below. That makes that scene seem totally different when you know there wasn't much room to make a mistake.

Of course, the book has many stills of the movies of the Marx Brothers, postwar musicals as well as features on such stars as Eliazabeth Taylor, Sidney Portier and Marilyn Monroe. Various movie styles are featured with stills of the more famous (and not so famous) actors of that type. It is basically a visual encyclopedia of film history.

If you like older movies and want the information on how various effects were accomplished or you want to see pictures of Joan Crawford from various stages of her career, this is the book for you. You can use it as a reference or just look through it on those days and nights when there seems to be nothing good on tv or at the movies. Find it and enjoy it.

This is one of the best books to tackle the subject of Hollywood. Ever since the beginning of motion pictures, Hollywood has made movies critisizing, and complimenting itself. The movies range from musicals, to comedies, to deep drama. This expertly written book covers movies such as Singin' In the Rain (a musical comedy about two stars making the transition from silent films to talkies), What Price Hollywood? (The first talking picture to tackle the subject of Hollywood- later remade as A Star is Born), Sullivan's Travels (a hilarious comedy about a comedy director who wants to make dramas), and Sunset Boulevard ( a deep Billy Wilder drama about a crazed silent star who hires a screenwriter to write her a comeback script). It is a must have for any fan of old Hollywood!

I read this book for a history and gender studies class in college. I learned so much about American history, film history, and the history of gender roles and portrayals. It is an easy read with engaging articles and extensive bibliographies for further reading.

I'm a writer, was looking at this book for research....found it a curious mix of fact, movie lore, and psychology/psychiatry. It's not an in depth analysis on any one kind of mental illnes, but think anyone interested in these topics would find the book readable, interesting, and thought provoking.

I used this book with a class of 13 year old boys. Finding their powers of perception sharpened after only two sessions, their excitement in viewing old movies was incredibly palpable. Interestingly, black and white movies took on a new dimension with Sam Spade and "The Maltese Falcon". Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, who liven up "The Philadelpha Story", made romantic comedies a new interest for the young men. While watching "The Music Man" they boys were introduced to "Trouble with a capital T" and the memorable "76 Trombones" which they still reference to this day. As a teacher, I learned a great deal of insight about these movies and my class has been trained to watch these old classics in a new thought-provoking way.

Regardless of the era , some business sectors seem never to receive a fair shake in the movies . Their seems to be an internal process of restriction in which the movie is simply evasion and it does not exist the power of will to go beyond the message exploring just only the boundaries .
The authors present us an interesting set of movies related with the Management . Undoubtedly you may argue the proposal is not enough and you are right but the important is the first step , because never before no one saw the enormous world of possibilities hidden a simple movie ..
Hoosiers, Wizard of Oz , The Bridge on the River Kwai and Moby Dick were in this case the selected ones .
This initial release might be well the enormous gate to explore another items in different topics .
I would suggest from hawk gaze three different sets of them .
First set : Bounty mutiny , Rashomon , King Lear (believe or not , there is a huge lot of issues) the authority never be delegated only the responsibility and Tunes of Glory
Second set: Master and Commander , Twelve o clock high , Command decision and Das Boot .
Third set : China Syndrome, L'argent des outres (The money of the others) , Blow up and Character .
The idea is extraordinary and very original . In my personal case i `ve shown some particular issues who illustrate widely different approach to teach the organization in different levels , specially the High , Media and Low Management .
Excellent initiative which I expect keeps and acquires a major impulse and importance to the Managers because if it is certain the movies do not reflect the same life , this reasoning may be valid for films with low scope but never can be accepted to foot letter .

What makes a cinema classic? I would answer: Popularity! Especially present-day popularity. That definition puts "Citizen Kane" top of the heap. With critics and fans, this myth-busting movie has rated number one for many years. 2008 is no exception. Movies that likewise have always enjoyed a considerable cult following but have lately gained in recognition include: "Algiers", "All That Money Can Buy", "The Westerner", "Bird of Paradise", "Blithe Spirit", "Blood and Sand", "Body and Soul", "Stars in My Crown", "Cover Girl", "Strike Up the Band", "Dixiana", "The Women", "A Double Life", "Five Graves to Cairo", "Thief of Bagdad", "Spellbound", "Sullivan's Travels", "Gaslight", "George Washington Slept Here", "The Grapes of Wrath", "The Great McGinty", "The Harvey Girls", "Hello, Frisco, Hello", "Henry V", "Holiday Inn", "The House on 92nd Street", "Johnny Eager", "Key Largo", "Lady Be Good", "The Late George Apley", "Leave Her to Heaven", "Lloyds of London", "The Yearling", "The Love Parade", "The Mask of Dimitrios", "Million Dollar Legs", "Winterset", "Monte Carlo", "Rebecca", "Pinocchio", "Movie Crazy", "My Gal Sal", "Nob Hill", "Phantom of the Opera", "Philadelphia Story", "Reap the Wild Wind"... I could go on and on, listing titles in this book, but you get the idea. All the movies are not only reviewed but detailed with full cast and behind-the-camera credits, plus release and other background information. Of course, one of the reasons for the continuing or new-found popularity of these films lies in the fact that many have lately been televised or have been re-issued on DVD. Indeed, DVD has proved to be the decade's greatest boon to movie buffs, although the studios involved do seem to be concentrating on certain genres--fantasy, science fiction, film noir, musicals, cult movies, slapstick comedies and westerns--to the exclusion of others. However, while not to look a gift horse in the mouth, I do detail a few must-see classics that also deserve to be re-issued so that we can all enjoy them again.

This is a futher volume of Taschen's Movies Series now covering seven decades up to the 90's.This volume like the others contains fine quality still photos from the films selected printed on good quality paper. It is a superb aide memoire to other film reference books in my collection....

This book gives a great overview of the most well known silent films of the period. The movies that are considered true classics have their own page. It is well written and includes a bio of the most beloved stars of their era, and a complete fimography. Highly recommended for the silent movies buff.