Movies Books

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.

"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.

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.)

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!

I love the pictures! This is a must for 24 fans, or anyone who likes Kiefer.

This is such an Awesome Show, It's nice to actually see what's behind the cameras and this book does it well

If you are a fan of 24 then this book is a MUST BUY! Tara goes very in depth for each season, hour by hour. It is put together perfectly and is LOADED with information on the show and the behind the scene stuff as well. GREAT book for the 24 fan in your life! Tara also wrote a companion guide for Seasons 1 and 2 also and again...you must get that one also. She interviews all the stars of 24 on a regular basis and that, along with her gift of writing, makes this book stand out. Again, you HAVE TO BUY THIS BOOK if you are a 24 fan!

Sophie Aldred was the last companion for the longed lived Doctor Who program. She and special effects wizard Mike Tucker give their thoughts on the last three seasons of the show. The book is filled with pictures from the show and behind the scenes. It also contains quotes from various people including Sylvester McCoy, AKA the Seventh (and final of the series) Doctor. It really is a good read, whether you like Sophie or just like Doctor Who in general. It also contains mainly behind the scenes antics, even the infamous tank scene, where Sylvester became an actual hero.

This really is a perfect companion book to go in any collection.

If the cover of Sophie Aldred having dealt the Black Dalek with her aluminum bat doesn't convince Who fans that she's the toughest companion since Leela of the Tom Baker era, nothing will. Sophie is well-placed to tell her experiences in Doctor Who, as she was the series' last companion. She came in the wake of a tough transition in Doctor Who's history--following the dismissal of Colin Baker and the installing of Sylvester McCoy, Sophie was chosen to succeed Bonnie Langford as the new companion.

Mike Tucker, her collaborator of this work, was the visual effects designer during Doctor Who's dying days. He too provides his point of view and remembrances with equal aplomb.
In each of her nine stories (Dragonfire, Remembrance Of The Daleks, The Happiness Patrol, Silver Nemesis, The Greatest Show In The Galaxy, Battlefield, Ghost Light, The Curse Of Fenric, and Survival) she provides vivid commentary and detail from her diary of her experiences. There's lots of behind the scenes photographs in B&W and colour, early design sketches, listings of the cast and production team, director, story number, number of episodes and date broadcast--it's pretty comprehensive.

And yes, the famous incident of her while shooting Battlefield is included. Basically, she was in a water-filled tank and was to be pulled up. Sylvester McCoy noticed the glass bulging and then... CRACK! Sylvester shouted for the crew to lift her out, which they did, before anything happened to her. She also tells about this in the More Than 30 Years In The TARDIS video.

Considering how she was one of the few ex-alumni of Who to come out in the More Than... video, it shows how much she loved the show. She was very heartbroken when Sylvester McCoy told her that there wasn't going to be a 27th season, and that too is included in the book.

At the end of the book are photos and text of some of her post-Who efforts, including More Than A Messiah, an episode of the Stranger, the short-lived Colin Baker series, and Shakedown, a Who-spin off that not only featured the return of the troll-like Sontarans but paired her with Carole Ann Ford, Dr. Who's first ever companion. Then there's an interview where she tells what her favourite story was, plus her favourite Doctor. I have to commend her on her answer--she has good taste.

This is a splendid companion-piece after watching any of the 7th-Doctor/Ace stories. If you can find this book--get it. Break through hoardes of Daleks to get this treasure.

This book has it all; full colour pictures, many from the private collections of Sophie and SFX creator Mike Tucker, the technical working of the show, and witty, genuine commentary from Sophie herself. By reading this book you get a real understanding of how episodes in the Ace era were produced, what the cast and crew thought of them, and what they got up to on set. Sophie is full of information, and you'll want go back and watch all your videos again and go "Ah! i know how they did that!"

This Book Rocks! This is for anyone whos a fan of Adventures from the Book of Virtues.

My children enjoy listening to a story, poem or two during lunch and on car rides. We especially like "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde and the selection from "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens. I am definatly going to invest in the first volume! These stories are entertainng and educational in a way no lecture on virtue can ever be.

My children enjoy listening to a story, poem or two during lunch and on car rides. We especially like "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde and the selection from "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens. I am definatly going to invest in the first volume! These stories are entertainng and educational in a way no lecture on virtue can ever be.

If you love the stories of Robin Hood then you'll love this book.It's some of the many stories of Robin Hood with Wishbone as your guide.It's good for young kids because Wishbone is right there explaining things like what is chain mail armor.I don't think I could give this book any thing but 5 stars.

I read a book called: WISHBONE THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. It was really good.A funny part was when little John tricked the sheriff that he was bad.I liked it a lot. The author is Joan Mattern.The book had a lot of bow and arrow shooting and a lot of fighting so if you like books with kings and knights and outlaws you'll like this one!

This author is truly wonderful,because he/she uses action, horror, fantsy and suprise.

My son loves this book. Thankfully we found it, because there isn't anything else for the true sharkboy fan to own. no costumes or action figures, etc...
great addition to the movie

My son loves anything shark boy so to find this book just made his day. He has brought it to show and share at preschool twice and although only four years old already knows if we have skipped a page when reading it to him.

This book follows the movie word for word. My daughter loved the movie and is fascinated by the book. She has me read it to her almost every day. It has picture illustrations throughout the whole book that match up with the movie also. Very good book for anyone that loved the movie.