Movies Books

While I had to use this book for a class I particularly wasn't interested in - Western and Cowboy Art - with this book, I have actually began to appreciate its contents for what they are. The book has some amazing paintings and sculptures included as well as details about the artists and information about the art included within the book as well as some other art by the artists. It has a good sampling of Western art from George Caleb Bingham to Frederick Remington and has a wide variety each artists work so the reader can get a good idea of how the artist worked and what sorts of pictures they favored. I only gave it 4 stars because of the subject matter, but all in all, a very good book.

An outstanding work by an outstanding scholar. I too am a former student of Dr. Goetzmann -- twenty years or so ago. His work really changed the way I look at America -- American history and American landscape. Try to rent or buy the PBS television show this book went with....

I first read this book as a student in Dr. Goetzmann's undergraduate class at the University of Texas at Austin. Although not an Art History major, this is the best course I have ever taken. The book is an excellent compilation of the influence of History/Culture on the Art of the American West. There is also a PBS series which accompanies this book. I highly recommend both. I keep this book on my coffee table, and enjoy reading it regularly.

As of this writing (Aug. 2002) this fine book is out of print, and shouldn't be. It is an informative and well illustrated survey covering almost 200 years of pictorial representations of the American frontier.

Because of my interest in the mythology that developed around the cowboy, I found the chapters on Frederic Remington, Charley Russell, and Buffalo Bill Cody especially absorbing. Magazine illustrators who further developed imagery of the "wild west" are represented here in discussions of N. C. Wyeth and Maynard Dixon.

On a parallel track, the authors give a chapter to the early silent Westerns, highlighting the careers and contributions of Tom Mix and William S. Hart (a precursor of Clint Eastwood). Another chapter is devoted to the Hollywood Western during the sound era noting similarities between Remington's imagery and that of director John Ford. There's also a discussion of the evolution of western movie themes from "The Virginian" (1929) to "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" (1969).

This book is a rewarding study of the American West as its visual artists inspired the imaginations of people around the world. Definitely worth having.

An excellent way to savor the brilliance of the television show. Witty, insightful, intelligent dialogue...pristine story structure.

It begins with the idea, the vision, then the words go down on paper. Without the words, all an actor can do is stand there and emote, maybe. Without the words, all the crew can do is sit around and play with their equipment and watch the money fly away. Without the words, the studio has nothing to offer. It's the words first. Always.

This is an easy review, a simple review.
Buy this book to see how the words made the show.
Buy this book to see how a television script looks.
Buy this book to read excellent television scripts that became excellent television in the hands of a cast and crew of talented people.
Buy this book to get a taste of the wider political times out of which the series came and to which the series spoke volumes. It is all here in the words.

This is as good as a Master's Class in writing screen plays. Style, form, manuscript format, plot, character, how the background of the set can become a character itself, how the sum of the parts can definitely become greater than the whole. Great companion to the DVDs. Read the script first then watch the show. Then watch the episodes with the script at hand to see what went up on the screen. Annotate your copy, make notes, study and there's your class.

Tuition? $13.57 plus shipping (or not - could be free.)

Other ideas: The West Wing Script Book


Enjoy. It's the Words first.

Excellent service. No complaints. Product looks great! Exactly what I expected.

"The West Wing Seasons 3 & 4" is a must for fans of this show. With eight scripts accumulated from the third and fourth seasons, not to mention black and white photos from the set, the biggest fan of the show will be in paradise. If the pace of the show is too fast for you, reading it at your own speed will clarify what went on in the episode. If you own "The West Wing Script Book" then you must get this with it. I recommend.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

If you want to engage in a meaningful dialogue with your child, buy "What Kids Really Want to Ask". I had this book in the car when my 13-year-old daughter and I were driving to pick up my nephew. She began reading the questions in the appendix and at first thought they were a bit silly. When she realized they were questions kids like her had asked, she became a bit more serious. She began reading the questions aloud and when she paused, I knew it was a question she really wanted answered. It was a fun, light-hearted way for us to have a meaningful conversation. Other times she would voice how sad it was that a child had to ask something like, "Do you love me and would you ever give me up?" This opened another level of dialogue and brought out a sense of empathy in my daughter. She recognized many of the movies discussed in the books, and we are going to re-watch them and use the book as we do. A great book for helping your child through those difficult middle-school years!

As the mother of an 11 1/2 year old boy, I loved this book. I loved the basic parenting of pre-teens advice in the beginning. Honestly, nothing was new AND I was grateful for the reminders as they helped me remember what I already knew and believe in. I loved the reviews and all the detailed information provided about the movies they recommend. For the movies I have seen, they were very accurate. And for the movies I have not yet seen, I appreciated the information the authors provided...very relevant to what I would want to know about a film I was planning to watch with my son for the sake of a deeper conversation about ourselves and what he was curious about. Probably my favorite part of the book was the research about the 12 basic themes that youth this age are interested in. Some I wouldn't have imagined...like that he'd be interested in our extended family or about me as a child. I always thought I was supposed to ask the questions about him...show I was interested in his world. This was a different perspective. I like that they chose movies as a way to relate...but even if someone didn't want to watch any of the films...there are great questions/prompts for richer conversations. And if someone has already seen the films with their child...it might be a way to begin talking about some of the themes. The other things I like is that by just having the book in my home, my son sees that I am wanting to have meaningful conversations with him...my guess is that he'll pick up the book himself and probably ask to watch some of the films we haven't seen together.

I'm grateful that I heard about this book and read it while my son was still entering into this period in his life. I know I will re-read it and use it throughout our relationship during this time.

Thank you, Margaret adn Rhonda for connecting the dots between film, pre-teens, questions, and parenting!

A very clever approach to opening up important conversations with kids that's based on solid university research and written by two seasoned Moms with stellar educations and backgrounds. Each chapter focuses on questions from one theme, and gives lots of points for discussion based on a movie selected to bring out that theme. Both kids and parents are given lots to think about and share with one another. Chapters end with great suggestions for creative activities to further facilitate conversations.

As a psychologist, as much as I love getting paid to have deep, meaningful conversations with kids, I much prefer kids to connect with their own parents in that way. This book offers a fun and practical way to do that in a busy family.

Any and all chapters can be used in any order. Also a great quick reference for numerous topics bound to come up between parents and kids because each chapter begins by answering many questions parents may really want to ask about kids. Even after years of counseling families and kids, I was surprised and delighted by some of the questions kids had. It's worth the price of the book just to read the 450 questions printed out in the appendix.

Robin Hardy and Anthony Sheffer, The Wicker Man (Crown, 1978)

The emergence of a rabid cult following for the film version of The Wicker Man prompted the publication of the novel on which it was based. And a good thing, too. As fine as the film is, the book has its own special charm.

If you've been living in a cave the past thirty years, the plot of The Wicker Man goes as follows: Neil Howie, a Scots police Sergeant and fine upstanding Christian fellow, receives an anonymous letter saying that a girl has gone missing on Summerisle, a small island only barely under Scot protection, thirty-eight miles west of the last of the Outer Hebrides. Howie goes out to investigate, and finds that, while all the inhabitants of the island are seemingly quite forthcoming with what they know (save the none of them acknowledge the missing girl so much as exists), Howie is torn between his desire to see the case through and his offense at the various heathen goings-on on the decidedly non-Christian island.

The movie does an absolutely lovely job in detailing the various conflicting emotions of Neil Howie throughout, and in this it lies faithfully close to the book. Where the book does the movie one better is in the expanded opening (even the opening to the 104-minute version of the film, rarely seen, leaves quite a bit unanswered about the whole mess) and allowing us to get inside Howie's head for a few of the harder-to-understand decisions he makes over the course of his time on Summerisle. The downside of it all is that the same strengths one can get from a book opens up its weaknesses, and while The Wicker Man does handle sudden emotional changes with a more deft hand than most novels of its ilk, there are still some embarrassingly jarring ones (from offense to affability in an instant simply isn't convincing, no matter how you dress it up it still looks like an ogre). Still, it's obvious Hardy spent a lot of time thinking and plotting this one out before coming up with a final draft, and what finally got released is a pleasure. This is not at all easy to find these days, but whether you've seen the film or not, this is definitely one to pick up. **** ½

Based on the marvelous film of the same title, this book is a must for those who've seen the movie, whether the long or short version. Beyond filling in the gaps of the background and true personality of Sergeant Howie, it is, quite simply, a great read! Rather than a novelization of exact dialogue and events, this gives a more complete picture of Howie and Summerisle, why he feels so adamant about his Christianity and the need to mission to the "poor pagans." Unfortunately out of print in the US (I purchased my copy used), it was available from Amazon UK last time I checked.

I won't bore you with details since someone has essentially given you most of the plot. The film as well as the book adaption are absolutely brilliant, a believable Horror story hasn't been done better before or since. Get ready for the American film remake/reimagining starring Nicholas Cage/aka The Wooden Indian, The man who acts the same, sounds the same(monotone) in everything he's ever made and it will probably have a rap or hiphop soundtrack even though it takes place on an island off the coast of Scotland, EEWWWWW!...God! I dread it. This is almost guaranteed to suck s#!t out of a Horses A$$!!, read the book or see the classic original movie before the new one spoils it for you.

The book makes for enjoyable, easy reading. I've never seen the movie, so I cannot comment on its resemblance to it. The plot is interesting and moves fluidly. The books only weak points are its somewhat lackluster prose and the main character's self-righteousness, which becomes nauseous at times. Also, I wish the author would've delved a bit deeper into the pagan rites. Overall, its a good read.

You've seen the show, now you can read the books. It's always a new story in this crazy family and you never know what will happen. If you like the show, you will love these books.

You've seen the show, now you can read the books. It's always a new story in this crazy family and you never know what will happen. If you like the show, you will love these booka

This is a great book and Lucy has to face a lot of dicisions about doing something illegal but will she do it? read to find out. This book is great for unger readers because it has a great
moral.

I got my daughter this book for Christmas and she had finished reading it by 8 that night. This book is great for younger kids because it tells about how Lucy must make the decision on whether to go with the crowd or stand up for her beliefs on a decison that could be life threatning and illegal.
If your kids like the show I would really suggest the book.

ISBN 0439365554 - Little Suzy's Zoo has a surprisingly large following, and it exists for a reason. These characters are adorable and often seem very much like the young children who are the target audience.

Witzy is very curious and wonders about a lot of things: What does Boof dream about? Why does Lulla like to watch the clouds in the sky? Witzy has so many questions! All of the questions in the book relate to one of Witzy's friends and each friend - and Witzy - can be found on the tabs. On the final page, Witzy sits with all of her friends and just wonders.

Sturdy board book tabbed pages stand up to much handling and the tabs are surprisingly strong. While the characters are cuter than cute and Witzy's questions are a reflection most kids will recognize - all those questions, all the time, about everything! - the negative is that there are no answers. This allows for some conversation, so it's not entirely bad, but it is a little weird.

- AnnaLovesBooks

This is an adorable little board book. We fell in love with "Witzy" as we were searching for "Duck Items" for our expected grandchild. Suzy Spafford has done a wonderful job in creating loveable characters that children and adults alike will enjoy reading about. Many items have been discontinued, however the desire for them has not. If you find a good deal on one of these treasures - pick it up quick!

Witzy is the most adorable duck ever. Old and young will fall in love with him, instantly! Read about him and his friends in this and all the other Witzy Books. A guaranteed hit!

This book is a perfect mix of adorable characters, cute and cuddly illustrations, and simple (but sweet) ideas. It beautifully captures the inquisitive nature of little people. My 3-month old daughter smiles every time we open this book. It is fun to look at, and even more fun to listen to. I'm ordering the other Suzy Spafford books to hear more about Witzy, Patches, Boof, and their friends!

This is my all-time second favorite Wolverine novel right behind Wolverine: Weapon X (Wolverine (Mass)), which is another fantastic Wolverine novel, but that is best left for another review.

This story jumps back and forth from the present time to the 1940's during World War II, where Logan, who goes by James "Patch" Howlett, a Canadian fighting with the Americans in a joint special services group. Logan ends up breaking into a concentration camp in order to fulfill a promise to a dead comrade's girlfriend.

The story I found to be the most interesting when Logan was back in the concentration camp under the Nazi regime. The present day portion of the story was well-done only in the sense that it had a direct link to his days in the concentration camp and a very vile Nazi villain that most comic book aficionados should recognize.

Now I am not going to tell you much more about the story because I would really hate to give away too much that would end up ruining the story for you, but I would like to add that the ending was especially sweet and I really take my hat off to the author for that awesome twist at the end.

I would also recommend the other Wolverine novels that are available, such as;

Wolverine: The Nature of the Beast (Wolverine (Mass))

Wolverine: Weapon X (Wolverine (Mass))

Wolverine: Election Day (Wolverine)

Wolverine: Road of Bones (Wolverine)

Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Typically I pick up this kind of book as a "filler" until another book I'm more interested in comes along. A good summer read (even though it's the middle of winter), but nothing to write home about.

I was really surprised by this one. It follows Wolverine seemingly after his Xmen days, though I haven't followed the history so I'm not sure. At any rate, he doesn't know who he is but finds some interesting hints at the library. The book is full of flashbacks and shows a younger version of Wolverine from back in WWII. More surprises, the action and taste of the WWII stuff really rang true, and clearly the author knows a lot about the era.

Well written, good characterization, overall very well done. Maybe the ending broke down a little bit, but it's a minor quibble over a very well written novel.

I loved this book. Wolverine is definitely one of the more interesting characters that Marvel has to offer. Wolverine, since he has basically no knowledge about his past, can be used for countless story ideas.

This particular story idea was set back in both a Nazi concentration camp as well as in the present. I felt that the flashbacks from the story both moved the story along and filled in the gaps. The writer of this novel had obviously done some research on Nazi concentration camps as well as the Nazi's themselves, as well as some Psychological factors as well.

I always enjoy reading about Wolverine's healing factor, and about his claws, and I felt that the author of this book did an exceptional job with both of those. However, the book did have its drawback, Wolverines healing factor does not make him immortal, if he aquires an injury that is severe enough, he can die. Even though that was in the story, and it may not have been exactly true to Wolverines character, I felt that it was very well done, and it rang true to the Nazi's saying that there was a certain power in the blood. The life giving power just so happened to be Wolverines blood.

Even though I gave this book 5 stars, I have to say that the action scenes in the book didnt last for very long, although the book had the "Wolverine" feel to it, it just didnt have that great of an action scene in it. I was expecting something that I could read that showed the extent of Wolverine's healing factor, as well as his ability to fight, afterall, that is what he does best.

I would suggest, even if you are not a fan of the comics, that you pick this up. This book has a certain insight into Wolverines past, as well as an incredible job describing Wolverine's healing factor. This book would be a good read for anyone who just wants a little insight into Wolverine's past. I felt that this book could be enjoyed by someone who was and still is a fan of the comics, and that the book could also be enjoyed by someone who has no prior knowledge of Wolverine.

I thought the book was well written, and surprisingly accurate in its portrayal of Nazis. The author has clearly done quite a bit of research for this book. By coincidence, I saw a show about the ideology of Nazis, and their occult beliefs. One of these beliefs was the life giving power of blood that could bestow immortality. It was connected to the story of the holy grail and to their quest to create a race of ubermench through breeding the purest bloodlines of Aryan stock. The author of "Wolverine: Lifeblood" seems to have tied this idea neatly to the healing factor of Wolverine, and how Nazi researchers would have loved to examine exactly how it works...no matter how Wolverine might feel about that. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, it was impossible to put down, and made me curious about the other books in the series.

It's 2005 and finally, finally an American woman film director has written her memoir, "The Woman Director: The Adventures of a Really Independent Filmmaker, Ages 6-36;" and brother, is this one REALLY independent filmmaker! This is one of those rare books - like John Sayles's "Thinking in Pictures" - that really lays out the difficulties of shooting on low budgets. It's both inspiring and, at the same time, will probably make a lot of women think twice about going for the director's chair. Jurgen Vsych survived physical attacks and unbelievable harassment. If things in Hollywood are better now than in 1973, it's because of women like Vsych, who gained ground by sheer artistic excellence. If nothing else, this book explains why there are so few women directors. This is one tough dame. Her nickname is "Rommel," and not for nuthin' - this woman is a tank, taking missile fire and staying on course. She'll probably be the first woman to win the best director Oscar.

She wrote, directed and produced "Ophelia Learns to Swim" (which you can get on Amazon.com) and the shorts "Pay Your Rent, Beethoven" and "Ralph Nader Crashes the Two Parties (they're only available on TheWomanDirector.com) - pure dead brilliant! She was obviously inspired by Buster Keaton and the great silent comedians, but dialogue is her true strength - she has a great ear (she's a professional musician, and her scores and sound effects are top-notch). She obviously likes actors (she even got a good performance out of Ralph Nader!), and she tells great stories about working with John Gielgud, Max Von Sydow and Dudley Moore.

The cover photo, like the book, is both funny and sad - a woman who has spent all her money on an Arri 35mm camera and has no money left over for a proper dolly, so she's forced to use a shopping cart. If Vsych were a man - or the daughter of a famous director - she'd be as famous as Steven Soderbergh, Alexander Payne and Sofia Coppola. I hope this book will help her get the recognition - and the budgets - she deserves.

This is the only memoir I've ever read that was written in present tense, which does really put you in the rollercoaster alongside Vsych (pronounced "Vy-zick," according to the handy pronunciation guide on her book cover); it makes the story seem like it's happening as you read it. My only beef is that it's way too short. Her diary at the time she wrote this book was 17,256 pages long. I hope she'll publish the rest someday. She's written a book about Nader's campaign - I'm counting the days 'til it comes out!

I hope Vsych one day writes a book about film technique - it would be The Missing Manual for young filmmakers.

The writer-director-producer-credit-card-goddess of the cult classic "Ophelia Learns to Swim" and 29 other films is the first American woman director - and only the third woman director ever -to write her autobiography. This is a historic book, a classic which not only describes her personal struggles, but illuminates the climate from 1973 - when women were unable to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and there were virtually no women directors - to 2003, when women were still only making 73 cents to a man's dollar and women directors were still viewed as an oddity.

Vsych was born in Hollywood, but never went Hollywood. Growing up in the worst place on earth for an independent film maker, she eventually escaped and made films in Scotland, England, Seattle and New York (she's now based in Washington DC, having worked as Ralph Nader's 2004 campaign videographer - she wrote and directed the brilliant "Ralph Nader Crashes the Two Parties," a mock debate with Nader debating Bush and Kerry [as portrayed by GI Joe dolls]). She did whatever it took to raise money for her films - digging for food in trash cans, living in her car, working as a bookseller, a butler and a bagpiper.

"The Woman Director" is written in the rarely-used present-tense, which puts you smack inside this most unusual brain. Vsych edited 17,000 pages of journals into 226 fast-paced pages - let's hope a publisher one day publishes the entire diary - it will be the Pepys Diary of its day.

Vsych is a true Renaissance Woman. Unlike many other memoirs, there is nothing whiney, self-pitying or self-indulgent in her book. Vsych will stand with Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Olivia DeHavilland as one of the great women artists and role models in cinema history. I can't wait for the sequel, "The Old Lady Director: The Adventures of a Really Wealthy Filmmaker, Ages 37-97."

(Incidentally, I display this book on my bookcase facing out - the photo of Vsych in her shopping cart dolly is a great metaphor for women; no matter how high we climb, we always get stuck doing the shopping.)

"The Woman Director" is an insider's journey through the triumphs and tragedies of film-making for the love of the art - rather than for the love of the money. Our tour guide is the archetype-incarnate of a female Don Quixote, jousting with and jutting at the windmills of Hollywood.

Along the way she has encounters with several characters you will recognize, several prima donnas, a gaggle of weasels and even a few decent human beings.

Her travels to Scotland and Seattle, attempts at finding more supportive environments for her film-making, make for interesting travelogues and could have each stood alone as fascinating peeks into the veiled culture of the independent cinematic arts community.

But it is in Hollywood where our author, Ms. Jurgen Vsych, is able to show us the biggest obstacles in the way of the independent film maker as well as giving us a look we can not get anywhere else into how "indies" are made.

Ms. Vsych brings to her story the same combination of sharp - even piercing - social commentary and zany comedy as we find in her films. This is one not to miss if you are "in to" indies or wonder why there are so few women in that field. Oh, and by the way, this book reads like a novel; each page has something to titillate your fancy and keep you reading on to the end.

Jurgen Vsych must be the best-kept secret in independent films. Her memoir is just as original, funny and idiosyncratic as her movies. The writer-director-producer of the cult classics "Ophelia Learns to Swim" and "Pay Your Rent, Beethoven" is the first American woman director to write her autobiography. You don't have to have seen her films to enjoy reading about how she made 30 movies on shoestring budgets, under often nightmarish circumstances and against major parental objections.

This book is amazing work of art, with vivid details (and no wonder - Vsych had over 17,000 pages of diaries to jog her memory). It's also funny as hell. The photos and illustrations are great (most of them are by Vsych herself).

It has some hilarious stories about her encounters with Sir John Gielgud, Dudley Moore, Dr. Jonathan Miller, Terry Gilliam, Gene Hackman, Guy Green, John Sayles, Brian Cox, Spike Lee and Max von Sydow. I'm not surprised Ralph Nader hired Vsych to be his 2004 campaign videographer - a crusading director for a crusading presidential candidate.

Vsych's a fine role model. "The Woman Director" is a must for film buffs and students, and any girl who aspires to succeed in a male-dominated profession.

The book x-files "voltage" by Easton Royce was very well written and had many issues and events to deal with including suspence. The story starts off in a small Oklahoma town when a 17 year old boy is struck by lightning and is able to tame electricity...
A must read book for all ages that will get you hooked!

This book is written extremely well throughout. It is the kind of short book that you feel you want to and should just read all through, from front to back. I almost did (if it wasn't for starting it late at night!) It is almost exactly as the episode on TV portrayed it, which is also a good point. Well worth a read even if you're not an x-phile, if you are, then it's a must-read book.

This book is rally good because it has a good climax. The story they give is expression because Darin loved Mrs.Kiveat and he wanted to show her how he feels.Darin has power to make ligthing strike any time he wants.The book is good I recamended.

How is lightning so accurate to kill residents in a small Oklahoma town every time it strikes? Lightning can't do that...can it? Ask Darrin Oswald, a big video game wiz, but a big geek who has a crush on Sharon Kiveat, married to Frank Kiveat. His crush won't go too far...will it? Does he have any paranormal powers? Naw...that's Mulder talk, a boy can't make lightning. Right?

This book is about little Dalmatian puppies that get dognapped. Their parents sound the alarm so the other dogs will look for their puppies. The people stole the puppies so they could sell them to the circus and get rich. The lesson this book teaches is that if you loose something and you look hard enough you will most likely find it. The book is good especially if you like dogs.

This was a great book for childerent to read. i recomend it for all childeren.

This book is one of the best and most adorable children's books I have ever read! "101 Dalmations" was already one of my favorite movies, but now I have a travel-size tale to carry with me! Kids of all ages will love this remarkable story! A Real Classic! Exceptional Illustrations! A Very Good Book!