Movies Books

By the Grand Master of American Historians, the late Bruce Catton and his son William.

In "Two Roads to Sumter" the Cattons brilliantly analyze how the Kentucky roots of both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis molded their character and their Allegiance to the Union, but also why those two great men chose to walk down different roads in the quest of keeping the United States united.

Always thought of as a kind, gentle man - which he indeed was, Lincoln nonetheless emerges from the Catton work as someone in the Sam Waterston (himself a Lincoln admirer of great standing) lawyer role on "Law and Order" - passionate, yet a pragmatist - and someone who was willing to compromise as he was to stand firm on principle. Lincoln detested Slavery, and was willing to do all he could to preserve the Union - but he chose to be pragmatic in those crucial, fatal months between the outcome of the 1860 election and the firing on Fort Sumter - staying quiet up to the inauguration, and appearing to be uncertain in those last two months before Beauregard gave the order to open fire. David Detzer in "Allegiance" has criticized the great man for this approach, submitting to the reader that a Jacksonian approach to the South might have prevented war.

But - it might have forced the "war hawks" hands much sooner, and that point is well taken by the Cattons. Their premise is that the South was ready and willing to go to war - and might have felt that way from the Kansas-Nebraska Act on. Unlike Detzer, the Cattons applaud Lincoln for staying the course, and being the brave and true man he was.

By contrast Jefferson Davis - who was described by Sam Houston as being as "ambitious as Lucifer" - and with his pointed beard even bore a sad resemblance to him, comes off better than he has at the hands of other historians. The Cattons were among the first to show that while Davis was uncompromising in his views on Slavery and state's rights, he was a fervent believer in the Union who unlike Lincoln had actually shed blood in battle for this nation. They describe his outstanding tenure as Secretary of War in Franklin Pierce's administration; his role in the Gadsen Purchase, in establishing the Camel Corps, in urging the building of railroads across the country. In all this Davis took the high road of country first, region second, even if he was also bettering the South.

When push came to shove however, Lincoln chose the Union, while Davis eventually became an uncompromising acolyte of secession and the south as a separate entity, even if his initial decision to leave the U.S. Senate and declare for a Confederacy was a reluctant one.

An immensely readable history of the story of two Americans - Lincoln and Davis, and the events leading up to the Civil War. To be placed alongside the three great titles on Secession and Fort Sumter - Detzer's "Allegiance"; Swanberg's "First Blood", and Klein's "Days of Defiance".

And put it back together again.
There are many good books on the market that specialize one or two aspects if films and/or the film industry. However this book "Understanding Movies" by Louis Giannnetti, takes you from near ground zero to a good understanding of such aspects as:
Photography
Mise en Scène (pronounced meez on sen, with the second syllable nasalized)
Movement
Editing
Sound
Acting
Drama
Story
Literature
Ideology
Theory
The films used for examples range from classics to contemporary. You will have seen most if not all of them. The author did not go off in some mission to describe some weird out of the way movie. This helps you focus on the subject being discussed.
A side benefit is that this book is a great picture book to remember your favorite movie and occasionally the one you missed.

I have used this book in the past and found it to be a wonderful resource. The gentleman who wrote the book used to work there and it is filled with fantastic tips on which rides to go on first etc. The only problem with this book is that it does not include Islands of Adventure. Since I am hoping to go there again I looked to see if he had written an update, unfortunately that was not the case. However, if you plan to skip Islands of Adventure this is THE book to own.

This book is not likely to be a best seller, for the subject matter is geared toward the fans of Bela Lugosi. Lugosi has a very strong fan base, despite the actor's death in the middle 1950's.

This book chronicles Lugosi's last big tour in the play that was has claim to fame, and also the play that typecast him, 'Dracula'. It also tells the story of Lugosi's three films made in England, 'The Mystery of The Marie Celeste, Deads Eyes Of London, Mother Riley Meets The Vampire'.

There is much detail of the English tour of 'Dracula', and for Lugosi fans there is a lot of information about him and his life that will interest them. For the Lugosiphile, this book is a must read.

For such a short, little book (just over 90 pages), I was really impressed by the detail and thought put into it. Jamie Russell is a terrific writer and shows some real insight. I don't agree with his anlysis of some films, but he offers sound arguments that are difficult to rebut.

Almost all of the Vietnam War films you can think of are given worthy review here, and certainly many you would'nt immediately think of as well (e.g., Taxi Driver, Forrest Gump, Tigerland).

Beyond the Intro and Conclusion, there are 5 chapters to this book, reflecting Russell's demarcation of the major themes of the Vietnam War Movie genre: "Hard Core, Man": The Vietnam Combat Movie, "This Is This": The Vet Movie, "Charlie Don't Surf!": Drugs and Surrealism in the Combat Zone, "Hell No! We Won't Go!": The Counter-Culture & The Protest Movement, "Do We Get To Win This Time?" The 1980s Return To 'Nam, and finally "When Heaven and Earth Collided:" Telling a Differnt Story.

This book is more than just a synopsis of each movie. It is a thoughtful and intelligent look at a cultural phenomenon, and well worth the price.

War Movies: Journeys To Viet Nam, Scenes And Out-Takes is Wayne Karline's personal story of when he returned to Vietnam as a scriptwriter and actor in the award-winning Vietnamese film "Song of the Stork". A moving memoir that chronicles the connection between film and reality, as the author researches a war of the past even as a new war in Iraq rages during the present. Especially powerful in its contrast between younger and older generations of Vietnamese and Americans, War Movies is a skillfully told, highly recommended, insightful narrative.

This is an excellent work for people interested in the major
movie productions. The book is written from the perspective
of a consortia of movie directors associated with various films.
i.e. The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Blazing Saddles and a host of
other important films

The Graduate is described as a groundbreaking film. The character
of Dustin Hoffman is portrayed as the classic "clean cut kid of
the 60s". The work is helpful in providing needed perspective
from the professional directors who authored these types of films. This presentation would be helpful for students studying
the art of film production in college or graduate school.
Students seeking to produce their own film would find this
work helpful.

You'll see no atrocities here, but you'll feel the effect of the greatest atrocity, the Nazi regime. This is also the story of friendship, accomplishment, courage, and ageing.

I found the product after ordering for $.99 in my local drug store, but it still wasn't a bad order considering shipping.

The back cover says it all "Youth and movies go together like popcorn and soda." This 1999 ninty-seven page paperback from Abington Press is a terrific resource for youth ministers, priests and teachers to provide a fun filled retreat experience for youth in their church, school, or youth group. This "how to" manual provides leaders with everything necessary to conduct 14 different theme retreats using videos of recent popular movies. For example, movies such as "Plesantville" "Dave" "Big" are used to reflect on "Innocence Lost" Everything is included from copyright issues and movie passes to cautions about specific issues on adult situations in the movies themselves. I reviewed this book in my seminary class and came right home and ordered one. No sense in doing extra work when God and the Abington Editorial Team headed by Wm. Eric Skinner have handed you a "ticket" to success in organizing youth retreats.