Movies Books

I started buying products in Amazon this year and i'm very satisfied with your service. It's easier and cheaper than our products here in Portugal. I'll be back soon on amazon!

Lázaro Silva

São Mateus, Terceira Island
Azores, Portugal

i am writing this for the benefit of non US readers especially those from my country india which makes 900 films every year.i am in the process of writing a book on screenplay in my native language Telugu and i have been devouring every book that's available.I was thrilled to read about the 'belatedness' Bordwell describes as i share the same dilemma.his summing up of the film writing & film making arts is very usefully informative and inspiring,too.Tollywood( Telugu film industry) churns out around 200 films every year,but nobody here treats screenwriting as something one could learn, and excell if one had the creative talent.I am glad Mr.Bordwell applauds the value of screenwriting books in helping keep the narrative standards from falling.wish guys from my film industry read this book.

David Bordwell is one of the most widely read film scholars around, and not without reason: he writes with ease and ellegance, his insights are often deep and almost always relevant, his starting points are usually essential for better understanding cinematic art. Is he always right?
Of course not, he is not a religious profet or Jacques Lacan (Oops!).

However he usually describes the area of his study quite well, cites references and data he would like you to check in order to see whether he is right and, well, does serious scholarly work. Not a small achievent in a fastly globalizing (and fastly "mcdonaldsizing") academic community of cultural gurus who know everything about everything... Therefore, when you disagree with him (as I sometimes do), you usually know what your are disagreeing about and why.

This book is another Bordwell's insightful contribution to the study of American and global cinema (styles in cinema are basically more international/global than in literature; probably less than in classical music or jazz), explaining how contemporary cinema develops from older stylistical patterns. From the era of silent movies or Slavko Vorkapic's experiments for Frank Capra to modern-era (greatly digitalized) blockbusters, Hollywood's manners and procedures of telling a story can be compared with quite a fruitfull result.
Ofcourse, simple description of stylistic trend or procedure does not directly serve as a proof of aesthetic value, but the subject of this book is, basically, style, not aesthetic value or anything else that can be connected to (and is intertwined on many levels with) style.
This book is equally useful for scholars, teachers and (thanks to his nice style and clear argumentation) students of cinema and all other educated art lovers.

Like the author's other works, this is a highly meticulous and empirical study of the way contemporary Hollywood films function. Paying close attention to selected films by intensive frame analysis, Bordwell calls into question many contemporary "sibboleths" concerning the status of "post-Hollywood" which he reveals as having more connections with its classical counterpart than most critics believe. His attention to fine detail and references to "American Cinematographer" and screenwriting manuals reveal that he has really done his homework. He challenges his contemporaries to do likewise before they engage in problematic "post" judgements whether they be on the realm of postmodernism, post-colonialism, and post- anything which may become academic equivalents of those formerly fashionable platform shoes or flared trousers that often date episodes of the 1970s British cop series THE SWEENEY.

The references to contemporary Hong Kong cinema and analysis of films such as Johnny To's A HERO NEVER DIES are also valuable components of this book. Like DRAGNET's Sergeant Joe Friday, Bordwell insists that we supply facts based on viewing the evidence ourselves. We should not ignore important empirical aspects before we begin to make meanings that may eventually prove to be non-substantial. Those who choose to avoid the well-researched findings of this book should be issued with speeding tickets and forced to attend a scholarly version of "community service" or "boot camp" involving the detailed viewings of as many films as possible, reading interviews with film directors, and studying important journals such as AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER. This is equally important for those newly converted "film experts" in English Departments of postmodernist persuasion who recently discover Laura Mulvey's 1975 essay on "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" and regard it as a "gospel" truth which remains unaltered today! These feelings are more akin to non-linguistic theological studies and not the highly textual, linguistic based explorations of biblical and near eastern studies that relay on studies in pre-semitic studies, Canaanite, Aramaic, and Arabic studies to reveal key empirical structures influencing "holy writ."

This is another indispensable work by an important scholar that every serious professor and student should learn from even if it only involves better interpretation and a more professional "making of meaning."

I have found this to be one of the clearest, most concise books on Jungian dream interpretation that I have ever found. It is also perhaps the best introduction to Jungian analysis itself, for such analysis is essentially educating people to hear their inner voice and follow it with the help of dreams.

As for those who dismiss dreams as trivial things that reflect their own wishes, or worse yet, mere static and ephemera from their daily lives- why then do so many dreams deal with what we hate hearing? Why do dreams carry eternal archetypical symbolism of which the conscious mind has absolute ignorance? No, dreams have a superior intelligence to them that goes far beyond that possessed by the conscious mind.

Dreams take us into mysteries of nature absolutely strange to our rational mind. Thank God, that they do, for our hyper-rational, materialistic, mass-statistical worldview is killing us- both as individuals and as a viable civilization. Dreams are the way that our inner center, our Self, can make connection with our ego consciousness. This connection is always an attempt to tell us how we are off-balance. The central message is always what path that we need to follow to balance and stabilize our personality.

The basic fundamentals of Jungian theory are fully explained in the text: the basic archetypes of the shadow, the anima, the animus, the Self; the concept of complexes; the goal of individuation, etc. The greatest part of the book is involved in case studies of actual dreams, however. While there is a danger of applying individual case studies to other unique cases this danger is pointed out. Every dream is unique, because every dreamer is absolutely unique.

If you're looking for an introduction to the symbolic life lived close to the unconscious, it doesn't get much better or more concise than this. In a question and answer format, you'll find an easily accessible introductory guide to analytical psychology and Jungian dream analysis.

"The Way of the Dream is based on an extraordinary series of films made by Fraser Boa, who collected first-person accounts of dreams in street interviews with ordinary men and women in various parts of the world. He then asked the eminent psychoanalyst Marie-Louise von Franz to interpret these dreams on film, just as she would in a private analytical session. The resulting text is a primer explaining and demonstrating the art and science of dream analysis for the general public. The material covered includes dreams of men, dreams of women, what dreams tell us about ourselves and our relationships, the historical significance of dreams, and dreams about death and dying. Dr. von Franz concludes that one of the healthiest things people can do is pay attention to their dreams: 'Dreams show us how to find meaning in our lives, how to fulfill our own destiny, how to realize the greater potential of life within us.'"

This book was a very interesting, readable, understandable introduction to Jungian psychoanalysis. Reading like the transcript from Boa's documentary film, it introduces von Franz' comments between quotes from everyday people about their own dreams. Fascinating dialogue and question/answer format makes this easily understandable and prompts an appetite to learn more. For everyone who ever had a dream and wondered about its possible meaning, this book is a treat and can set you on a journey of self-discovery that is both fun and challenging.

Extremely pertinent, extremely easy-to-read, extremely helpful - and a superb introduction for persons learning about the importance of dreaming to our daily lives.

We absolutely love this book along with every other Charlie and Lola book and movie!!! ABSOLUTELY!

Christmas gift for my 9-year old niece...Easy order process and quick delivery!

Thanks!

My son who is 3 1/2 loves Charlie and Lola. Perfect content for this age.

My 2 and a half year old LOVES this book!!!!! Charlie and Lola are favorites of hers and this episode always brings giggles galore! Now that she has the book at least once a day she "reads" it herself. It has traveled with us everywhere and I am going to have to get a spare just in case something happens to the one that she has... it is a keeper!!!!

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.

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

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.

"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.