Movies Books

Face/off

FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) knows how to stop elusive terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). He'll become him. Archer undergoes a futuristic surgery and has troys face mapped onto his, then infilitrates the terrorist's world to discover his deadly secrets. But as much as Archer looks and a acts like Troy, he dosen't really know him. He never figures Troy will retaliate and force doctors to transform him into Archer. Now the agent faces a shattering nightmare: his archrival is living with his family. The Travolta/Cage starpower comes on strong and so does the exitement in this roaring thrill machine of a movie directed by John Woo (Broken Arrow). So buckle up it's gonna be a furious flight.

Face/Off gets my vote for an action-filled novel. The plot is well written and gives readers the same realism as if they were watching the motion picture. I love the surprises I have read throughout the book and wish every book could be written with such an appealing plot.

This book will interest any movie fan from the general Philly area. There is a summary of each movie. But the best part are the antecdotes that accompany each movie. Also, the list of which movie people were from our area is impressive. (Steven Speilberg has Haddonfield connections)

The outstanding book "Filmadelphia" by Mr. Irv Slifkin is a must have for not only lovers and fans of film in Philadelphia, but all over the world. It is amazing how many hit and acclaimed films were conceptualized and executed in the Philadelphia area, even as far back as 1940. The real blessing of the book is how Mr. Slifkin gives equal credit and acclaim to smaller films that have great merit just as much as the big budget studio onces. Mr. Slifkin really did exceptional and thorough reseacrh to make sure he gave the complete panoramic overview of film, filmmakers, actors, etc. of the motion picture scene in Philadelphia and close surrounding areas. I was also happy that he didn't give much ink to one of the worst films ever made in Philadelphia in "State Property." The original and the sequel did nothing to benefit the Philadelphia blossoming film scene but marginalize it. The stereotypes in that truly horrible and self-destrutive film were an embarrassment to Philadelphia and anyone who wanted to be a part of the film scene from the city. I honestly believe that film has made the crime crisis in Philadelphia worse. I tell people all the time that that film wasn't shot here even though it was. I'm so glad Mr. Slifkin gave space in his resplendent book to other noteworthy films in all genres that deserved the notice, the acclaim, and the ink. This book will have a cherished place in your library because it's truly an original and necessary piece of work. A compelling and very entertaining read from the very first page to the very last.

This Author's popularly known as "Movie Irv." I never heard of him, but what do I know? Evidently he's way big in Philadelphia, and if he had his way the whole city would be known as "Filmadelphia," rather a tongue twister if ever I heard one, catchy to a certain degree but I don't know if it will ever supplant the good old reliable "Philly." I was in the Penn Bookstore looking around for a souvenir, and my eye lit on this book which I bought and read on the plane on the way home to San Francisco.

Movie Irv knows his subject inside and out! Off the top of my head, I could name a few pictures laid in Philadelphia, from KITTY FOYLE with Ginger Rogers to 1776 to TRADING PLACES, and all those movies by M. Night Shymalanyan (or however you spell it). But this guy has details on all of them, and plus he can tell you which scenes were shot on Hollywood soundstages (like much of the classic PHILADELPHIA STORY with Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant) and which shots were actually filmed on location.

I know in San Francisco it's sad looking at some old movies shot here and noticing how much is changed! And that must really be true of Philly, for Movie Irv's piece on Hitchcock's MARNIE shows that almost every location shot Hitchcock took is of a place that's now been shut down or torn down. MANNEQUIN with Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall takes place at the old Wanamakers Department Store but alas, there is no more Wanamakers he says! I remember THE BLOB and DAVID AND LISA and EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS but I didn't know any of them were set in Filmadelphia! BLOW OUT I did know, for it's all about Bicentennial Fever and how it turned John Lithgow into a Satanic killer for hire, and the big ships on the Schuylkill, sails flapping under skies shot through with fireworks, red, white and blue.

I also enjoyed THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE by Walt Disney, the last movie Disney personally approved. Movie Irv says that not one foot of film was shot in town, and indeed cheap Mr, Disney just re-used the sets from MARY POPPINS! What he doesn't know about this topic you could fit onto a cheesesteak.

But why put on the back of the book that Philadelphia is where they filmed the legendary box office flop IN HER SHOES with Cameron Diaz? It's like, who cares!

You may think that Bobby D is the man, and you'd be right. But do you really understand WHY he is the man? Douglas Brode does, and in this project, he lays out all of the reasons De Niro has become one of the most prolific actors of his time. Informative and entertaining, The Films of Robert De Niro is a must read for fans of the actor and his movies.

This series of books is always outstanding for the bunch of pictures it contents. But the text equals the image, there's a lot of research for each movie De Niro's done -critic-guru Pauline Kael's comments among others-, and a few insights on the flaws of some of his movies, that may give you the right impression that this author knows some things about craftsmanship.

Robert De Niro is without a doubt one of the best actors of all time. This wonderful in-depth book covers his film career, from his early student films of the 60's with Brian De Palma through 1998's "Ronin". It briefly mentions his roles after "Ronin" and ends with "Meet the Parents" and "Men of Honor". As this fourth edition was published in 2001, an updated fifth edition is badly needed. But, even the most hardcore De Niro fans like me must admit that he hasn't had many memorable roles since "Ronin", although "Analyze This" was very funny.

When looking through this book I'm surprised at how many De Niro films haven't been released yet on dvd. With each of his movies, the author lists the cast, gives a plot summary, and tells how the critics and public reacted to each movie upon its initial release. There are hundreds of great photos from his movies (including a nice color section in the middle of the book) that fans will appreciate. I was already a major Robert De Niro fan before I bought this awesome book, but reading it helped me discover many more of his great movies. This book is an absolute must for any De Niro fan!

This book is a great resource about the history of the Mediterranean. Attenborouh does a good job in telling about the geological as well as human history. He has to lose the accent though. Get it if you get a chance. Only...

David Attenborouh does not have an accent, though I can understand that a colonial might think he does. It was a truly great TV series for those interested in history.

Whether or not Sir David has an accent is missing the point (in reference to previous reviews). David Attenborough is one of the most unique individuals and does exemplary performances on his productions no matter if it's a television documentary or publishing a book. He surely is an inspiration to any naturalist, or any person interested in life itself. His passion for the natural world is evident in any of his work and it surely does not fail to guide him in this book, which focuses on the natural history of the Mediterranean. It may be hard to recommend any resource simply assuming its quality based on the reputation of its particual producer or author, but David Attenborough is an exeption.

I've not seen the movie yet, but I wanted to read the bok anyway. I loved it. I can't wait to go see the film this weekend!

Also, this is the second movie novelization I've read by Terry Bisson. I believe Bisson also wrote the novelization for The Fifth Element. I really must check out Bisson's work unrelated to film. I heartily recommend this bok.

It was a great book to a great movie. I read it in less than a day

My Family loved Galaxy Quest ... It was so funny on so many levels... Great writers and a Outstanding cast....

Paris truly has an affection for Garbo, which sprung from researching his subject matter. The most entertaining bio of Garbo, honest, but not trashy.

Paris has done a great job in shedding light on the reclusive Garbo. It probes into her life, but is not needlessly intrusive. Endlessly fascinating.

Barry Paris' life of Greta Garbo is an extraordinary biography in many ways. First, it tells the story of one of Hollywood's most enigmatic and legendary icons without resorting to hyperbole or the sort of highblown psychobabble so many other, lesser writers would have stooped to. Second, it is meticulously researched and tells Garbo's story honestly, responsibly and thoroughly, including her mysterious days as New York's Most Famous Recluse. Finally, it delves deep into the heart of what made, and continues to make, Garbo one of the enduring figures in 20th century popular culture. Paris reveals the woman behind the dark sunglasses--and she turns out to be much more interesting than one might think. Garbo, it seems, was a woman of vast contradictions, who ultimately became the victim of both her own compulsive need for privacy and her vast emotional ambivalence. This is the biographical art at its finest, and highly recommended.

Nothing short of pleasurable! Marchant has a sharp and studied eye for the cinema, and his lists of titles in this examination of movies from the conscious creation perspective reads like a who's who of best flicks, making his presentation quite palatable. I wanted to immediately set up a wishlist (and will, through my local library) for virtually every film mentioned! I particularly enjoyed the chapters covering the themes of "Self-Actualized Cinema", "Storming the Castle", and "Connecting the Dots". Though there are a few tough to find titles scattered throughout, a vast majority are readily available. Even with little experience and knowledge of the conscious creation movement made popular through the writings of Jane Roberts and Seth, it was not difficult to understand the connections the author makes with their teachings, and its relevance to the analysis of movies included in Get The Picture. Marchant is a wonderful writer, and he shines as a film critic and reviewer. Includes endnotes and an index.

I had always loved going to the movies and then analyzing them from a psychological prespective. However, my current worldview is a metaphysical perspective of the world. Brent Marchant's book, "Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to The Movies" is a great stimulator of thought on both movies and some of the concepts involved in reality creation in our lives.

I often have been in need of examples of metaphysical concepts, in order to grasp events in my own life. Marchant's book helps to show us how movies can aide us in our personal quests. The wonderful news is, we no longer have to read dry or abstract writings to learn, we can simply buy some popcorn and go to the movies! Marchant's writing is clear, witty, personal and delightful to read.

Though entertaining, Get the Picture has its own brand of philosophy. Early on, while discussing the movie "A Beautiful Mind", Brent Marchant credits Jane Roberts and Seth with that unique view of reality when he mentions probable selves and probable realities. What better way to demonstrate how conscious creation really works, than by example. The author examines in depth more than sixty movies and shows us how the characters' feats and pitfalls illuminate the underlying thoughts and beliefs that have created them in the first place. A wonderful read and a movie lover's delight!

I thoroughly enjoyed the great photos, and the interesting stories in this book. It's rare to find a golf book this entertaining, and well-researched.

I loved the photos, and thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Hollywood's elite. For golfers like me who play the local municipal course, I wish I could tee it up on these great courses, and swing away with the stars!

Terrific. A sleeper. Full of intriguing Hollywood golf lore and L.A. land history. Captivating photos, but what kept me up late was the text that brings the pictures alive. I found this a surprisingly substantive, well researched piece of work: a topical history of L.A. from an oblique angle--the conception, building and peopling of the city's great golf courses and golf clubs. On top of that it's an eyeball on the entertainment world through the leveling prism of golf: Stars, producers, directors striving to shine or at least //look// good at the maddening game. Easy, amusing writing. Who is the scratch-handicap actor who plays with his shoelaces untied so as not to overswing?

I read this one only in Japanese,but it has been one of my best storys. I think this is not as perfect as "Other voice,_" but,or therefor,I can feel something that I used to have,and now gone enywhere,from this novel.

I ESPECIALLY LIKED IT WHEN SISTER IDA CAME INTO TOWN.HER 15 CHILDREN NEEDED TO APPEAR MORE OFTEN.I WAS IN LOVE WITH THE CROSSED EYED TWIN

The Grass Harp is a perfect and beautiful piece of American fiction. I have read this novel at least ten times, and each time it moves me. The language is rich and textured, the characters are real and true, the story is simple and touching. To read Capote is to fall in love with an American South that is no more- a time and place that can only exist in the imagination.

Chick flick is just that, it's a night out with the girls, the movie is picked the food is picked and the discussion questions are picked all you need to do is gather a few volunteers to set up and invite the girls over!

This is such a fun and easy way to plan a Girls' Night Out! You get detailed meal ideas to go with your movie and decoration ideas as well! A must have!

Chick Flicks 2 came just in time! We've used nearly every movie in the original Chick Flicks book, and these Dinner and a Movie resources from Group have us spoiled. I've been asked several times "what movie would you suggest we use for a movie night?" and I always wonder why someone would want to choose a movie first and then create an event around the movie when it's already completely done for you. Great movies, great planning, great fun!