Movies Books

Really interesting story. Loved seeing a side of "Angel" that I'm not use to. Recommend to all, especially fans of the show.

Close to the Ground is now my favorite in the line of Angel books. Mariotte managed to combine true greed with the supernatural in a well-thought out manner. After Angel has accepted the job of bodygaurd over a hot-shot director's daughter, Karinna, weird (as usual) things began to happen. What does an ancient Celtic sorceror want with Angel? How does Karinna mesh with the Celtic man? Angel has to figure out those two questions, as well as save Kate Lockley who has become hostage to a group of nasty bank robbers. Nothing like a good old cops and robbers plot. Especially one which is splendidly done and meshed in with a supernatural tale. I do have one tiny complaint; Mariotte made Angel a bit too sarcastic during his battles with the Celtic sorceror's minions. But other than, Close to the Ground is a very good novel.

I just finished reading "Close to the Ground" and I must say that so far, it is my favorite. It started out as a magician named Mortractus tried to bring back Balor, the one-eyed giant, from another dimension. But he was aging with every spell that he performed and was looking for a way to live forever. Which was what brought him to LA. Meanwhile, Angel had troubles of his own: what with having to be a bodyguard to the daughter of a big movie company, whom he thought was spoiled and only helped her because Doyle had a vision. I really liked the book because even though Angel was not around Kate, the writer still had a story for Detective Lockley and her and Angel seldom crossed paths until close to the end. The best part was right after that when the whole story took a quick turn and Angel finally figured out how to save the girl from Doyle's vision. This is a great book and I think that anyone who's an Angel fan should pick this one up.

This book matches and surpasses most of the big bestselling mainstream suspense thrillers. It is not just for the fans of the tv show about the vampire detective. If it had been relaesed as a hardcover with a different character's name, it would be a bestselling hardcover. SHAKEDOWN, and HOLLYWOOD NOIR are particularly great other volumes in this series. If you like James Patterson, Tom Savage, Jonathan Kellerman, Jefferson Swycaffer, Joe L. Hensley, Tami Hoag, Wilson Tucker, John Sandford, David Wiltse (or not) add this to your pile to be read.

Somewhere in Ireland an old mage is getting older faster. He is in danger of dying before he can complete his he plans to resurrect Balor of the Baleful Eye and conquer the world. Naturally, the solution is to move to Los Angeles and make life miserable for Angel. In the meantime Doyle has a flash, and Angel finds himself defending Karinna Willitts, a beautiful young woman who happens to be the daughter of Hollywood's most powerful studio head. Trust Cordy to immediately parlay this fortunate moment into a studio job, while Angel is offered the opportunity to become Karinna's permanent guardian. The young lady has a nose for trouble, and loves to be in it.

As Mordractus (the mage) begins to weave his plans to turn the unsuspecting vampire into a health food drink there is action on another front entirely. Kate Lockley is hunting a group of bank robbers who make a habit of tunneling into vaults and popping up with the money. Only this last time they popped up the killed three people who happened to be in their way. In other words, business is as usual in the city of stars.

Jeff Mariotte is a change of pace in this fourth volume in the Angel novel series. For a change, the story stays in the present, and the plot is full of complex twists and turns. Mariotte is good at developing characters through action, which means that those characters who play big roles (Angel, Kate, and Cordelia) develop considerable dimensionality. The walk-on parts (and in this case Doyle doesn't get much of a part to play) are always a bit sketchy, but Mariotte's pace is fast enough that it never really becomes an issue.

Cordy's adventures in studio land are a characteristic satire of the countless facades of Hollywood life, as Mariotte works to build a cynical view of the industry that, after all, has provided some of cynicism's greatest moments. One has to sympathize with Cordy, who would either like to get paid or become famous, and never seems to manage to accomplish either. Angel, wizards, demons, thieves, Hollywood, and the FBI - who could ask for anything more?

A very complete list of costume designers and the movies they worked in or designed the costumes for.
The preface and intruduction have some very interesting data and information although the book in itself lacks in any of these, it's just succession of names, dates and movie tittles.
In any case, the pictures published are very good and the general information very constructive.
The author did a great research and this book serves as a encyclopedia for costume designers.

One of my favorite things about watching classic films is seeing all the amazing fashions! This book is a great collection of photos of classic stars wearing classic costumes. Lots of stars are in here including Bette Davis, Norma Shearer, Carole Landis, Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, and Irene Dunne. You will learn who designed each outfit and there is a little biographical information about the designers too.

Excellent reference book with biographies of the most famous designers at the different studios. Nominations and Academy Awards are also referenced. There is an index that makes it easy to look up a film and find out who designed the costumes. I use it frequently. In some cases more than one designer worked on the same film. There are photographs of the designers and also their designs, however, I would like to see even more photographs...especially for the period 1930 through 1970. I would rate this book 4.5. It is also a good value for the price.

Good book! Lots of black-n-white photos of famous movie stars wearing wonderful designer fashions!

This book was originally written in 1988,thus,the 157 famous Hollywood Fashion Designers listed in this book are all here --- from the very beginning of Hollywood's Fashion movie Era , and then all the way up to 1988.

(NOTE: The reason the copyright on this book is 1991, is because the author added an information page in 1991. However, this book was really written in the 1980's).

Anyhow, this book lists all the Academy Award Fashion winners and also all British Award Fashion winners (in regards to Hollywood FASHIONS), from the late 1800's up until 1988!

I love fashion & many great designs were done by the designers for the old movie studios. It was interesting reading about how designers came up with ideas of an outfit to cover flaws or accent a movie star (i.e. Barbara Stanwycks low butt, Crawfords shoulder pads).

If you take away all the hype and circumstance of the film coming out soon, this was a pretty good novel. It's fast-paced and gets to the point which I liked.

All the props in the world to author Denene Millner for taking the screenplay and turning it into a hugely readable novelization.

It is nearly an impossible project to pull off successfully, since the author typically cannot deviate from material written for the big screen. Millner surely was limited to the number of words for the book and - because of that - my only criticism is the chapters needed titles to better transition the fast forwarding of the years/settings.

But she aptly covers the racism, rivalries, heartbreaks and redemption brilliantly depicted in the movie. This is a story as much about family as anything else. And if you can't love family - as difficult as that may be at times - how can you love anyone else?

It was a quick read, and a great story! The story behind Dreamgirls as we all know, its a "disguised" version of the story of the original Supremes, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Florence Ballard. This book brought tears to my eyes (seriously) because it ended happily. It was very good. I trully wished that the true story of the Supremes had a happy ending, wish we all know it didn't, and the only original surviving Supremes Diana Ross and Mary Wilson are still at each other's throats. If they only realized how much they are loved by millions, what they mean to their fans, and once and for all end their feud and bring their story a happy ending! Please ladies, don't leave us on a sour note forever. Think about it. It is still not too late!

This was such a great read. Millner did an excellent job of penning this story. As many have said if you are fan of "Dreamgirls," you will definitely enjoy this book. I found myself singing along with the words on the pages i.e., Cadillac Car, Dreamgirls, And I am Telling You, and One Night Only.

Dreamgirls is a story that will make you laugh, cry and oh so very angry during some parts of the story. I was able to visualize the characters, feel their joys, pains, ups, downs, successes and struggles.

If you've seen the play or plan to see the movie, get the book. If you haven't seen either the play and will be unable to see the movie ... you better hurry and get the book! A book everyone should have in their collection of stories.

This is a highly-engrossing, easy-reading novel based on the play and movie "Dreamgirls." This is loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, and even if you're seeing the movie first, the book will not disappoint. However, it's exactly the same as the movie, so don't expect any different plot twists.

If you like sing-alongs and remember the tunes, you will be happy to see the lyrics here in the book. It won't be a spoiler to tell you that this has a happy ending, which is not the real-life story of Diana Ross and the Supremes. But the twist of having Deena take over as lead singer is clearly taken from the idea that Flo Ballard was supposed to be the lead singer of the Supremes (and had the best voice) until Diana Ross grabbed opportunity by the hand (specifically, Berry Gordy's hand) and took the lead spot.

Light, easy, fun reading for the plane as you travel for the holidays or relax after too much partying.

I read Syd Field's Going to the movies. It's a great experience because not only does he teach about what makes a good/great screenplay, he also talks about his time in Hollywood and how difficult it was for him to find a job. It is a very realistic, yet hopeful, book. I am working on the English version of the Different Flags script and it's helped me a lot. Eugenia RenskoffDifferent Flags

Going to the Movies is a wonderful journey with Syd Field trough decades of living history of movies. Syd Field writes in such a way that you almost hear him talking to you. His precense is wonderful.

Let's start by saying this book is not for everyone. Going to the Movies is the story of how and why Syd Field learned to analyse scripts. As such, it's introspective at times and personally revealing at others.

I especially loved two things about this book. First, Field's honesty is quite endearing. He discusses his failures as well as his triumphs, and writers need to see failures, too. It's how we all learn.

Second, I loved the tips I got from this book. Field discusses the importance of midpoint--how to hang your story around a centerpiece event. Later he explains closed and open stories. In the former, the protagonist knows what's happening (like Chinatown). An open story is when the audience understands what faces the protag., but the protag. doesn't (Hitchcock movies, usually). And Field reminds us that a good story isn't a good story unless it's executed properly.

One thing annoyed me a bit. Field has an "Uncle Sol" who helped him get started by finding him jobs in Hollywood. Well, frankly, I sure wish I had an Uncle Sol. BUT--in fairness--Field did his own homework, worked hard, and learned important lessons which he shares with us. Uncle Sol or no Unlce Sol, Field understands what makes a script great. He deserves his success.

You don't have to be a screenwriter to learn from this book. I'm a novelist, and what he says about story works regardless of medium. I think beginning writers will probably learn more than advanced writers, but that may or may not be true. I've been writing a long time and still picked up invaluable tips.

So, this book may not be for everyone, but you'll love it if you sincerely want to learn basic techniques for better writing.

This is a pretty good book. While Field has been touched by beneficial timing, and influential relationships, he has developed through diligence a perspective and vision for film, screenplays in particular.
While the book begins as an autobiography: school, wanderings, discovering film, school, early work, etc., it developes into a book of analysis and technique. In that way it went from good to okay. His working at Wolper Productions, his relationship with Jean Renoir and Sam Peckinpah all are interesting views of film making and film makers. I wish there was more of that. In fact, after a half chapter plus on Citizen Kane, in a following chapter Field talks about working at Wolper on a series hosted by Joseph Cotton. But there is no regarding of Cotton's involvement in the most influential of films.
Through script reviewing at Wolper Productions he developes a style and level of efficiency which begins to translate itself into a writing career. He survives off of optioned scripts for several years before he begins teaching. From this point on he becomes more of an advisor, and leads up to his place today as a formidable screenplay expert.
Within this arc, from autobiography to technical manual there is interesting and insightful writing on film, it's brilliance, influence, form and power. A decision on whether or not to make this a technical book about writing a screenplay or a memoir about a life in the film business would have improved this book.

Field is probably the country's current best analyst of screenplays and teacher of the theory and mechanics of screenplay-writing, and I own all his previous books. This one was a bit of a disappointment, though, being heavy on self-conscious, egocentric autobiography and light on analysis of the films he discusses as being "turning points" in his development. (And he uses that phrase way too often.) Though he purports not to believe in luck or coincidence, he does seem to have been in the right place at the right time far more than most of us -- a crawl-on role in _Gone With the Wind_ as an infant, nephew of one of the great cinematographers, student at Berkeley when Jean Renoir was Writer in Residence, buddies at the UCLA film school with the niece of Sam Peckinpah, first job at David Wolper Productions when it was just beginning, and so on. Oddly, in between the fits of ego and overwriting ("this is how I invented/discovered . . ."), there's also a lot of "aw shucks, little ol' me"-ness. For this kind of thing, I think William Goldman's two (so far) volumes of Hollywood autobiography are much better.

Clever, innovative twists on the Zombie genre. Lots of great historical/biographical fun thrown in. Haven't enjoyed zombies this much since watching the 1940's Zombies on Broadway.

I was expecting a lot from the originality of the subject of this book: zombies might have come and gone, but they have always been around mankind in history. Being fond of both History and zombies, I found the mix of these themes quite appealing and I was looking forward to receiving the ordered copy of this book. Upon completing my reading of it, my disappointment was proportional to my earlier expectations. For the most part, it's an empty shell, a collection of hastily written short stories, with perhaps one or two key exceptions. I am thinking about "Pegleg and Paddy Save The World" (by Jonathan Maberry), which is like gold in the middle of mere coal. The story, in terms of both humor and theme, cracked me up like nothing else, bringing tears of laugh to my eyes. Read for yourselves the story about these two hardcore, poisonous whiskey-making rednecks from Chicago and their cow, their aunt Sophie and their not-so-reliable customers... A pure gem! In a different style, "The Hell Soldiers" by Juleigh Howard-Hobson, is also interesting. The setting (US Civil War), the main character and the unfolding of events is quite good, as is the overall atmosphere of the scene. This short story would deserve a longer, book-sized version to become meaningful.

As for the rest of the stories, it is simply appalling. There is no lesson, no underlying message, action is almost non-existent and some of the stories are just neither entertaining nor pleasant to read. At no point in the reading did I feel involved in the subject. One of the bugging things is that, depending on authors, zombies are described so differently from one story to the other that this collection of mini-stories shows a lack of cohesion and homogeneity. Some of the story plots are also laughable, edging on pathetic: this story about stage comedians turning into zombies is one such boring example. Some others are so poorly written that whatever message -or any action for that matter- they contain gets lost in the reader's struggle to grasp the author's verbose intent.

Quite simply put, there is very little entertainment or value in this book. Looks like it was hastily produced, written and released, whereas the theme of the book could have been a real hit. To be avoided, or to read with a reduced level of expectation.

My question above really explains it all. After reading this anthology, all I could think to myself was, wow. It was amazing overall. There were stories that annoyed me (by making me think about them in the middle of the day), and there were stories that were just fun as hell to read. All in all, KP did an excellent job of sorting and building a great book of great authors.

Anything else to add?

Yes! When is History is Dead 2 supposed to come out? Because I'll have that ready for preorder.

Blue.

I am usually not too keen on short stories; they tend to leave me feeling unsatisfied. But, after reading "Dying to Live" by Kim Paffenroth, I had to get my hands on "history is Dead"! The first story starts out with prehistoric man and the zombie influence. The stories just travel through time from there. From Vikings, Jack the Ripper, the great Plague, the Chicago fire, and so many more creative twists and turns, you just don't have a chance to get bored by this book! I love apocalyptic/end of the world stories, and naturally zombies would fall into that category. If you like zombie stories, you can't go wrong with this book. It is so well put together, with a funny little "About the Authors" at the end. The cover is so creepy, I had to put it face down on my bookshelf at night!

A remarkable study of the zombie-condition traced back to its original vector, an infected mammoth, that unwittingly shambled across the primeval hunting grounds of our ancient ancestors and into infamy, History is Dead tracks mankind's most gruesome affliction as it spreads, raising our dead across the continents, bridging cultures, and shedding light on ancient mysteries, like the Celtic peat bog-mummies in "The Gingerbread Man", and crossing paths with iconic greatness, in "The Loaned Ranger" and "The Summer of 1816". The zombie proves itself to be an effective weapon of war, in "The Barrow Maid", as well as a lover worth dying for, in Carole Lanham's wonderfully necrotic zombie-romance, "The Moribund Room".

A brilliant theme and an outstanding collection, History is Dead may arguably be one of the most noteworthy horror anthologies of 2007, and surely a contender for this year's Stoker Award nominations.

Great overview of a genre much looked down upon by many "serious" cinephiles; the trashy, sexy, bloody sex-and-horror Euroflicks of the 1950's through the early 1980's. With the advent of DVD's, many of these classic (yes, I said "classic" and I mean it!) films can now be seen by the genre fan, especially if one happens to own a DVD player that can play Region 2 European-issue discs. The Euroexploitation movies of this period adumbrated the "slasher" flicks of 1970's and 1980's US cinema, and in many cases, IMHO, were better-assembled with sexier actresses and a more uninhibited approach toward the mixture of sex and horror. Lots of fine B&W pictures, but, I have to say, not a lot of color pictures (a 16-page insert). NOT a "safe for work" type of book (but then, neither are the movies reviewed herein!) Not for everyone, but recommended for fans of "trash" cinema, horror, and the beauties of classic Eurofilm.

I got this about a year ago and I still read it! It goes into some detail about the Horror scene from day one in Europe so to speak which I thought was very cool.. It also talks about the differance in Directors in Europe, which I thought ok but why talk about so of there most terrible movies instead of the great ones?

Easily one of the most entertaining books I have read on the sex/horror movie subject(although most don't concentrate solely on sex/horror). The problem is that it's so well written that I ripped through it in no time at all. I suppose when you look at it it really isn't such a small book, it just felt like it. You can't really criticize something that makes you want keep reading, but I just wish there was more.

A well-researched but light hearted look at the often kitsch always entertaining horror/sexploitation flicks of the period. My husband (...) thoroughly enjoyed Tohill's nostalgic treatment and so did I.

An instant classic, Messers Tohill and Tombs (and with a name like that you've got to go into horror or undertaking) lead the reader into the bizarre realms of European horror and sleaze cinema with verve and style. The movies they describe aren't for everybody, and neither is 'Immoral Tales', but if you enjoy poetically choreographed gore, naked chicks with too much mascara, and sheer oddball exotica, this volume's your unholy bible. The book's as slick, garish, sleazy, playfully pretentious, and exquisitely tasteless as its subject is apt to be (though not nearly as cheap-looking!). It's easy to forget in the age of the DVD how alien and obscure much of this was when 'Immoral Tales' was first published a decade ago, and its authors deserve kudos as authentic pioneers, just as you owe yourself a copy of this book you sick little cine-phile!

This book is a delightful childrens book about a little polar bear who loves adventure. Lars spends the day fishing with his dad and then they go off to sleep. During their rest the ice cracks and father and son become separated. Lars drifts away, arrives in a new land and is suddenly met by a huge hippo...read on to find out what happens to Lars and if how he meets back up with his dad. Short and sweet, aand a nice book to intorduce children to polar bears and the north pole.

Little Polar Bear is a very cute story, of a young polar bear named Lars, who was out with his father learning how to hunt. But as the night went on he drifted off to sleep, and something unexpected happened. This thing that happened to Lars taught him about new surroundings, and taught him new things he didnt know. He met some new friends, that he will never forget.

Yes, I would recommend this book becuase of the amazing things Lars goes through with the help of some new friends. There are some parts in the story that will make you smile and laugh.

After now knowing Lars the little Polar Bear for more than 10 years in Germany, was I more than delighted to find also an English translationg to give to my cousins 2 year old daughter in CA.

What wonderful stories these are, about nature, friendship and courage.
The coloring is extraodinary, like each book from the north south publishing company. Each edition a treasure.

A great book to share a new story with your children.
Though sadly enough the new movie starring Lars the Polar Bear seems to be not available in the US.

I love reading The Little Polar Bear ~~ it's a darling story about a little polar bear who gets separated from his dad while learning how to hunt. And Lars ends up traveling halfway around the world before he landed on a tropical beach.

For the first time in his life, he sees something different from his icy homeland ~~ trees, different animals and even a chamelon. He makes friends with Henry, the hippomatous. And through Henry, he finds his way home.

The illustrations are among the best. I just love looking at the pictures (so do my babies!) and the story is fun to read. It's a true adventure story guaranteed to get your kid's attention.

1-12-04

I love this book!! The illustrations are wonderful and they always captured my attention. The story is of a little polar bear, Lars who goes on an adventure away from his clean, white home in the North Pole. He makes a new friend, who helps him on his adventure.

I still love this book. I take it babysitting with me sometimes, and all the kids have liked it too.

I have only read the first 3 or 4 chapters so far, but the editor has no linear stream of conciousness. He meanders along in his thought process with no logical structure in mind. Interesting take on the history of American movies.

Sklar's Movie Made America was assigned as my textbook for a film class I just finished here at UCLA. At first I thought it to be a bit boring, especially because I thought it was just repeating what the professor had discussed in class. However, when I truly began to appreciate this book and take the time to read every word, I realized that Sklar not only presents the facts, but synthesizes the history of American cinema in innovative and interesting contexts. He discusses the way that film, from its start, has changed America as a social body, as a political body, as an economic body, and as a body in of itself.

Certain chapters were intriguing because they took standpoints different than any other author. And while the words are a bit dated, last revised over 10 years ago, it still has a spooky sense of relevance.

Overall, a wonderful book. If you're interested in the history of American film, here you go. I'm not selling this one back to the bookstore during Buy-Back time. That's for sure.

The author shows how movies not only reflect our society but influence it as well.

Are you a film buff, a history buff, or both?

Then this book will fascinate you from start to finish.

This is a must read in the social and cultural history of American cinema.

This is a great book that was required reading for Steven Ross' "Film, Power, and American, History" course at USC. Not only was it very relevant and well organized, but genuinely interesting too!

That's right, I said it... or wrote it, rather. All it is, is a buncha pretentious & self-important actors, producers, and directors who take themselves too seriously givin' out awards to other pretentious & self-important actors, producers, and directors who take themselves too seriously. Then there's alla the hullabaloo over who's wearing what, and the puff-piece red-carpet interviews that I could give less than two doots about. The whole overdressed, softball-question-slinging, self-congratulatory affair can stick it where the sun don't shine! And why the #ell did Chris Rock agree to sign up as the emcee of this year's sad affair?! Thanks to the U.S. government's crackdown on their fuzzy definition of "indecent broadcasting", combined with most of the attending celebrities' general lack of a sense of humor `bout themselves (like Sean Penn's response to Rock's cracks about Jude Law, for example), it was a given that the SNL alum's little spiel was gonna be very watered down, inoffensive, and without any b@lls whatsoever... and who wants to see that! On the upside: considering the string of turkeys he's been in over the years, this event's probably the closest Chris Rock will ever get to holding one of those little naked statues...

But I digress. All I can say is, thank God there's an "awards" show that showcases the kinds of movies I like: monumentally bad ones that are oddly watchable in spite of their absolute hokiness! And the Razzies™, which celebrates 25 years of "The Best of Hollywood's Worst" this year, is the awards show that wallows in the same pool of cheesy goodness that I like to dive into from time to time. Nowadays, however, I don't usually take the plunge before I leaf through this "navigation guide"-- authored by Razzies creator John Wilson-- to find just the right bad movie to spend my evening with. Between the covers are synopses of the 100 most watchable cheeseball flix (according to the Raspberry Awards Academy chairs) ever made, along with a DVD chapter stop to each movie's best bad part (if the movie's available on DVD of course), as well as a bit o' "Dippy Dialogue" from each awful offering. Each of Mr. Wilson's synopses lets ya know what to expect (bad acting, plot holes, implausible moments, unintentionally humorous moments, etc.) in a somewhat acerbic yet oddly gentle manner, layin' out more'n a few witty put-downs and/or beautifully smart-@$$ remarks here `n' there that got me laughin' like a mental patient off his meds. One of his best shots he takes is at the "soft-lensing" techniques in "Xanadu" that "was so soft that many audience members may be concerned they've suddenly contracted glaucoma." Another is his recommended Chapter Stop for "Showgirls", where the flick's big star "reenacts a sex-ed film for dolphins"(and how!)...

Needless to say, this book is a quintessential read for the refined (?!) cheeseball cinema connoisseur. It's also a fairly compelling advertisement to check out a few hokey mo-pics I haven't yet gotten to... like "Battlefield Earth" (the 2000 Worst Picture winner; a Terl (John Travolta's character) action figure "accepted" the award), "Anaconda" (don't know why I haven't gotten to this one yet), "Xanadu" (that "soft-lensing" crack got me curious), "Barbarella" (er, for its artistic merits, `natch), and several other ill-fated titles. Oh, my aching Blockbuster Video rental card...

BTW: Also included is an appendix showcasing a year-by-year listing of all the Razzie winners & nominees (Including "Worst Movie", "Worst Actor", "Worst On-Screen Couple", etc.) from the ceremony's inception in 1981 all the way through to 2004. One of my fave "winners" is Pauly Shore, the 1992 "worst new star" for his performance of "Encino Man". Talk about a harbinger of Shore's scary-talented film career, hmm? Heh...

`Late

If you appreciate movies that "rank" as So-Bad-They're-Good, this book is a MUST. Razzie creator Wilson names his 100 favorite amusingly awful movies, listing cast and credits, original (often hilariously vicious) reviews for each, as well as a pithy essay on what makes each one such fun to watch. For once, someone has written a bad movie book that's about enjoying bad movies, as opposed to just trashing them. For titles available on DVD, Wilson even gives "Choice Chapter Stops," for those who can't wait to go straight to the crux of each clunker's most laughable low-lights. At the back of the book, there's a listing of where and how to buy, rent and/or catch on cable the 100 films listed -- As well as a complete history of The Razzies' first 24 years. Anyone who loves laughing at bad movies will love this book!

I have been a dedicated bad movie aficionado for a long time now, and always pride myself on finding obscure and utterly wretched movies to roll my eyes at. As such, I have seen many of the films in this book, and generally am in wholehearted concurrence with the author and his appraisals of these movies. My favorite bad movie book has always been "The Golden Turkey Awards" by Harry and Michael Medved, and it still is-but just barely. This book is certainly more up to date than The Turkeys, and is of the same general ilk and demeanor.

What I love about this book (and the Razzies in general) is the ability to skewer not only small, insignificant films like "The Creeping Terror" and "Devil Girl From Mars", but to take on hugely bloated yet unspeakably bad tripe like "Glitter", "Exorcist II: The Heretic", and "Spice World".

Truly, this is a treasure trove of bad cinema and has given me many good (bad) suggestions for future viewing, as well as helping me plan future gifts for fellow movie lovers.

If you have any interest in movies, especially if you love the bottom of the barrel so-bad-it's-good film, this book is a must.

If you have ever had a friend who tells you stories that should stand on their own, but instead must continually prop them up by reminding you how funny they are and how funny other people thought they were, then you have an idea of this book. You are told in each synopsis that each movie was so bad it was funny, but rarely does it come across as to why this is so. This may be more a fault of the format than the author, but as someone else stated- you're expecting something livlier from the creator of the Razzies. Still, I enjoyed it, and would give it a nod because of the sheer number of bad movies it lists, and the information it gives. However if you are looking for less of a reference book and more of a humor book, you'll probably want to keep looking.

My previous favorite trashy movie guide "Cult Flicks and Trash Pics" by the Videohound (see listing elsewhere) has just been superseded by Wilson's Razzie guide. Written in tongue-in-cheek fashion and filled with lots of juicy tidbits about each film it discusses, this is a great read. The originator of the Raspberry Awards IRazzies) given to the worst movies of the year, at around the same time as the Oscars, got his start in 1980. Although not all Razzie Award nominees are covered here, for that matter not even all the winners are represented, Wilson does a great job with the ones he does cover.

He even goes back into Razzie pre-history, digging up such wonderful gems as 1977's mondo horror joke "The Car", and several exploitation films from the drive-in scene of the 1950's, "Glen or Glenda?", High School Confidential", etc. And Ed Wood, that maven of bad movies is represented here on more than one occasion (although "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is missing...too easy a target?)

There are even a couple of Oscar winners that get the Razzie treatment. Ubiquitous Easter movie, "The Ten Commandments" is torched, and deservedly so. Not because of it's message, its just that some of the character actors and actresses in that movie are just plain ridiculous. (Why does Edward G. robinson play every character the same way in every movie?)

To my shame, I saw some of these movies when they first came out, originally thinking they were great movies, but to my credit I was young and naive. I have seen "Xanadu" and "The Jazz Singer" in recent years and wondered "What the heck was I thinking?" I intend to see more than a few of the movies in this book now just for the laughs.


All-in-all a very good read. Besides any book that manages to mention the greatest drive-in movie critic of all time, Joe Bob Briggs, deserves a look. Anybody with that kind of taste gets my vote.

Despite the title, there is not much info on Wicca and the only moment when all things Wiccan were mentioned, is also when Piper not-so-subtly ridiculed and mocked the somewhat odd things practicing Wiccans believe. If Wicca is what you're looking for, this is not for you.

However, this book is average, nothing special or different, but at least they focused the attention on innocents as fellow Wiccans. The plot is intriguing and edgy enough to make you want to turn the page to find out whats next. Also, there are plenty of twists and turns that is certainly unexpected, as one thing leads to the other NOT. But what I find a great disappointment was after all that they went through, the "bad guys" were vanquished by Piper's molecular combustion power??? Thats it?!?!?!?!?! On the other hand, the evil enitity may not be as powerful as it seems, but its just not satisfying. Other than the ending, this book is worth a good read to whet your Charmed appetite. Enjoy.

this book is okay it's title mimics that of the very first pilot episode. other than that there are no major flaws in it otherthan the more recent books seem to be more frequently set out of san fransico, which is okay but makes the books less connected to the tv series. the story itself is good with some excellent twists.

How gratifying to find an author who is obviously quite familiar with the world of "Charmed"; the powers & personalities of the Halliwells (& their friends & lovers) are depicted perfectly. While this should be mandatory for any author entrusted with a "Charmed" novel, it is, sadly (& infuriatingly), the exception in recent novels (the worst example being "Shadow of the Sphinx"; see my review of that book). "Something Wiccan..." has two main failings: one (I'll get to the other later) is that there is a paucity of humor--either situationally or in the witty dialogue that makes the TV episodes sparkle. However, the plot is complex and multi-layered, and filled with surprises; the ending features not just one, but two, surprise twists, neither of which I saw coming.
The biggest disappointment of the book (and what I consider the 2nd major failing), is the lack of insight into Wicca as a religion, and the differences between Witchcraft and Wicca (no, they are not synonomous terms or practices). The plot centers around a Wiccan retreat, which Paige is eager to attend in order to learn more about Wicca, while Piper & Phoebe reluctantly accompany her in the hope of catching whoever is kidnapping members of covens. While the book presents a reasonably good picture of a typical Gathering, and the diverse types of people who practice Wicca, it fails to give any real information as to just what Wiccans actually believe, their religious beliefs, holidays, rituals, etc. This plot presented a golden opportunity to enlighten readers who are understandably confused about Wiccans vs Witches, and a skilled writer (which I think this author is) could have slipped at least some basic info in among the action without sounding preachy.
A more general complaint (not aimed at this book exclusively) is that ever since Paige became a Charmed One, every subsequent novel has focused on her as the main character, with the main plot centering around her & told primarily from her viewpoint. In the earliest novels, the sisters seemed to take turns at center stage (e.g., Phoebe gets sent to the past, to old Salem; Prue's photo assignments have unexpected--and magical--ramifications; Piper volunteers her time with troubled, homeless teens, little knowing that the shelter is run by a warlock who brainwashes the teens to do his bidding) but they still functioned as a team, each of equal importance (i.e., The Power of Three, not Paige and her back-up group the Charmettes). Another stereotype the writers seem to be clinging to is Grouchy Piper and her Reluctance to Accept Paige as either a sister or a responsible adult (despite the fact that Paige, at approximately the age Phoebe was when they became the Charmed Ones, is obviously more responsible & goal-oriented than Phoebe was at that age). Granted, Piper is perhaps too anxious and even obsessed in her new role as the eldest sister, but since Piper & Paige now seem to be close on the TV series, showing mutual affection and respect, it's time that the books also reflected their current relationship. But ever since Paige's arrival, the writers seem mostly interested in her, content to sketch the other sisters as shadowy two-dimensional background figures. Phoebe has been the one most relegated to the background (though to be fair, this DOES reflect the trend on the TV show); it's natural that her divorce & new job have made her more serious, but the books haven't yet caught up with the tragedies in her life (e.g., in this book, she's still happily with Cole). Yet it's as if her role as the carefree, optimistic, effervescent free spirit has been arbitrarily re-assigned to Paige, while Phoebe has become a workaholic in her newspaper job.
But despite these flaws, the book does do a good job of portraying the Charmed Ones' powers and methods, without any embarrassing errors (at least, none that I caught). The dialogue rings true. And the plot is sophisticated and absorbing, a magical who-dunit, and I defy you to not to be surprised at the surprise double twist ending. (On thinking it over, I think that the ending was actually a little improbable--and more than a little confusing--but when I first read it, it had the wonderful quality of being both a total surprise and yet seeming perfectly logical in retrospect. Maybe any confusion I feel in looking back over it will be cleared up on a more careful second reading--which I definitely look forward to.

This is one of my favourite Charmed book. The dialogue is funny and the story is interesting. If you're a Charmed fans, this book is a must.

Anything about charmed is a must!! Charmed is the best series in the whole world! noone can beat it not smallville, not the ex-vampire slyer,buffy! No one!!! Charmed is the best!! this book is a must for all charmed lovers and also for magic lovers......
This is such a great book!! Its funny and cute and....exciting!

CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED
THE B.....E.....S.....T SHOW ON EARTH!!!