Movies Books

Lots of good recipes and that means GOOD EATING!!! A+ for the book...has lots of pictures too!

Who knew there was a right meal to eat with a certain movie? For people who like good movies and great food, this is the cookbook to have.

As another reviewer has said, this is the companion book to the tbs dinner and a movie weekly show. I am a big fan of the show and will actually make these recipes to watch with the movies. Some of my favorite movie and recipe combinations from this book are: The Cutting Edge, The Breakfast Club, The Outsiders, Fargo, Groundhog Day, and too many more to count. Hopefully, in a few years they will release another edition featuring even more of their wit, movies, and recipes.

Chef Claud Mann has turned cinematic cuisine into a television art form on his popular TBS Superstation weekly program, "Dinner & A Movie". Now with Claud Mann's TBS Superstation Dinner & A Movie Cookbook, he has brought together 100 of his favorite recipes in this third edition of an enduringly popular cookbook. From Beetlejuice - Dearly Departed Sole; Sleepless in Seattle - An Eclair to Remember; and U.S. Marshals - We always Get Our Manicotti; to Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Can't Go To School, I Falafel; Tootsie - What's Under Your Skirt Steak; and Conspiracy Theory - It's All In Your Headcheese, the individual recipes are served up with an on-air wit and an in-kitchen wisdom. If you like to combine watching movies with great do-it-yourself cooking, then Claud Mann's TBS Superstation Dinner & A Movie Cookbook is the one for you!

Being a fan of some Bette Davis movies, I purchased "Deception" and was stunned by the performance of Claude Rains. Since then, I have purchased as many Claude Rains performances as I could. Here was a man who overcame a childhood of abject poverty, little education and two forms of speech impediments. He became a performer of such intensity it is difficult to notice anyone else in the scene. Although his height, or lack of it, usually kept him from getting the girl, Miss Davis admitted that he reeked of sex appeal. What Elvis evoked with a wiggle, Claude was able to do with that left eyebrow and that voice. Naturally, after seeing some performances, I definitely wanted to find out all I could about Mr. Rains and "An Actor's Voice" did not disappoint. This is a penetrating book about a brilliant. irreplaceable artist.

This book is exactly what it says, it is comprehensive (it covers his whole life in great detail). It's Illustrated (it has pictures and photographs throughout the book). It can most definitely be used as a reference to many things, Drama, The Arts, Claude rains, life in british poverty. Overall this is a very good book.

Another great biography from John Soister. Mr. Soister wrote the definitive book on Universal horror films from the 1930's a year ago, now he publishes the definitive biography of one of filmdon's acting giants, Claude Rains. A book on this wonderful actor was way overdue. Soister proves it was well worth the wait! Each of Rains' films is recounted in detail, with Soister's well informed opinion on each film, and Mr. Rains' performance. If you are a fan of Claude Rains, or Hollywood's Golden Era, THIS is a must book for you! He may have been short in physical stature, but Claude Rains was a towering giant when it came to talent, style, and film presence. You won't be disappointed in buying this great work!

As a life-long film buff, I've long regarded Claude Rains as one of the finest screen actors in movie history. He stole every scene he was ever in and enlivened even the worst of his movies. His voice was incomparable, like "honey with a little gravel thrown in." In addition, there was his formal manner, the way he moved... the whole package was quite mesmerizing. Prior to this book, I had to glean my information on Claude from various Hollywood books and many interviews with the inimitable Bette Davis, who adored "my gorgeous Claude." I have to agree with Bette, Claude Rains was everything in a man that discerning women want: sweet, brilliant, a gentleman and sexy as hell. If you're a Claude-besotted soul, this book will please you enormously. The photos alone are worth the price, as are the all-too-brief recollections from his daughter. Excellent work on an essential actor.

This is a wonderful book, it helps with your relationship with God. I would like to recommend this book to anyone. On a scale of 1to10 i would give this book a 10+,so run to your local christian bookstore, and ask for this book by Robin Jones Gunn!

This book really helps you with your relationships. It helpsyou realize what being a true frien really is. Especially with God.

This series turned my life around. I loved the way everything about Sierra was everything I was going through. The way Gunn relayed God's Word meant so much to me and I want to thank her.

The Sierra Jensen Series helped me to be comfortable with Christianity as a daily part of life. These books opened my heart and mind spiritually and will have a positive affect on anyone who reads them. Recommendation: Read them in order.

I've bought this book many, many times, because I always recommend it and people always keep it. Put the movie out of your mind. This is a gritty, hilarious, tragic story about what it means to make your living poisoning others and spend your spare time poisoning yourself. Redemption is available, but it's not cheap, and maybe not even wanted.

The worst movie of the 1980's is actually the funniest book of the 1980's.

Read this book. Despite the time it was written, it is not dated. I read this 10 years after it was printed and I howled with laughter. Gould has a way with words, a keen sense of observation and a breakneck pace.

A former bartender myself, I found the book to be very insightful, and humerous as it followed the life of a career bartender trying to make the most out of his situation. This book gives a very truthful look at the life behind the Neon of the bar.

Although changed for the movie, the original book, "Cocktail" dipped into the near psychotic ravings of a middle aged bartender who had seen one too many last-calls. Each page is riviting with the colorful dramatization unique to Gould. Having been a world traveled bartender for 10 years now, I was amazed and thrilled to see an incredibly accurate insight into the thrilling yet seedy existance of a part-time job gone career. A must read for anyone who has ever looked at a clever, hot-shot bartender and thought that he had it made. Change the names and list this novel under non-fiction. Two thumbs up from bartenders everywhere!

I have used this book since I "found" a copy on book stand in NYC back in the 80s. Worth the purchase price.I use it all the time. The 1992 version should be better.

This review refers to the original volume that I have sitting by my TV. In these days with cable and satellite available many vintage TV shows are aired all of the time. A quick thumb through the book not only gives excellent overall view of the show but the cross reference of stars and other shows is suburb.

Used in conjunction with the Prime Time Stars book, this makes an excellent cross-reference of TV programs and stars for the period covered. My hopes are that the authors write a update for both the television shows and stars. The format is excellent showing all aspects of the shows including dates televised, stars and their roles, and interesting facts about the production.

I purchased this book when it was first published over a dozen years ago and still refer to it several times a week. Not only is it comprehensive but Tim Brooks often gives short biographies of the stars, listing other shows and related areas for which a particular actor or actress might have been known. I'm sorry that it is currently out of print because I would like to have an updated version of the book.

This is one of the few books that I have laughed out loud until tears streamed down my face!!! When trying to share the funniest entries, I can't even read them without laughing again. From analyzing the famous "Yeti on the lou" Pertwee phrase to including a table of contents containing only the letters of the alphabet, this is humor and wit at its best. I have never found a funnier Doctor Who book and I am hard pressed to name a funnier novel in general. If you do not have this book you don't know what you're missing!!! A++++

This book is an incredible collection of phrases and Whoisms that have appeared throughout Doctor Who's many years on the air. The authors have managed to poke fun at the good Doctor while assuring the reader that they're really on our side. It's a lot like making fun of your family - only another family memeber can get away with it. If you're not family, watch out! From "AAH" to "ZORG AND ORG," it's all there - every last tasty fun morsel that makes Doctor Who a worldwide institution.

This text is the funniest book I have ever read... Poking fun at not only Doctor Who, but the fandom of Doctor Who, this book is a laugh-riot from the introductory debate over stories' names, to the final index page which lists simply the letters of the alphabet and the Dedication to Godzilla. My favorite parts: the description of Season Eighteen as an "amusing omission from The Doctors: Thirty Years of Time Travel" and the description of Lazar's Disease as a syndrome whose main symptom is removing one's clothing... Lyons & Howarth are to be commended for such a devistatingly funny work.

Hilarious & irreverent, the useless encyclopedia looks unflinchingly at the schitzophrenic british fan base, the shoddy "classic" episodes, the ludicrous "new adventures", and just about everything and anything "Who" and useless. Written by fans for fans.

Arts/Entertainment

An Insider's Tale
Book Review by Denise Cassino

Betty Jo Tucker is in love. She always has been. From early childhood, Betty Jo has been smitten with the silver screen. Her love started as an infatuation and grew into a mature study of film and renown as a world-class movie critic.

In her book, Confessions of a Movie Addict, Betty Jo takes us through those early childhood memories of movies, covering her eyes at the scary part, acting out the roles of her favorite stars. Then she landed herself some real jobs as a film critic which gave her a pass into all of the biggest movie events from premieres to the Academy Award Presentations.

This book takes us through many of the hilarious adventures of a movie critic, from embarrassing moments to dining with the stars. Betty Jo shares with her reader many of her best and most clever interviews, sometimes with animated characters! Betty Jo also includes a plethora of reviews on dozens of movies giving the reader a critical, but fun summation of everything from box office hits to cult sleepers. This is a real insider's tale of seeking, meeting and interviewing many of the hottest movie stars ever to flash across a marquee.

If you want to know what it's like to dish and dine with the Hollywood crowd, this book will do the trick. A great gift for any movie lover, Confessions will make you green with envy at Betty Jo's inside access to the stars.

Whether she be recalling a mishap at an X-rated film, admitting she laughed out loud during 'Cabin Boy', or taking an imaginary film festival trip, film critic Betty Jo Tucker's novel 'Confessions of a Movie Addict' will have you envisioning her tales of a life at the movies as if she were talking directly to you. Betty Jo's stories are vivid, enthralling, and quite often amusing. Not only does it provide one wonderfully detailed story after another, Betty Jo's book comes with several of her to-the-point film reviews, a collection of celebrity interviews, a photo gallery, an index of movie-related books and websites, and a checklist to see if you indeed are a movie addict. I have read 'Confessions of a Movie Addict', and as a critic myself, I can proudly assure you that Betty Jo Tucker is one of the finest critics out there and a person who flat-out loves the movies, from the good to the bad. 'CoaMA' is an excellent slice of cinema life.

Reviewed by Jill Cozzi,

Recently I received a press release announcing a Malcolm McDowell retrospective at the Walter Reade Theatre. I forwarded it to a friend, along with a message:

"Gee, do you think I should go to this, walk up to
Malcolm McDowell and say, 'I saw A CLOCKWORK
ORANGE at my college auditorium and three weeks later
was deflowered by a guy who looked an awful lot like
you did then?'"

Now, of course I would never do such a thing, because such an occasion would reduce me to a babbling idiot. But then, I'm not Betty Jo Tucker.

If I WERE Betty Jo Tucker, however, it wouldn't even be an issue, for she would just walk up, make her confession without batting an eye, and two hours later walk away with notes from a truly killer interview. That's just the way she is.

Tucker is arguably the most unique presence among the many film critics on the Web today. In a world dominated by snarky teenagers and twenty-something self-anointed cineastes, Betty Jo Tucker is a gleeful, unabashed movie-lover; not a film buff, but someone who loves the experience of filmgoing. At seventy-plus, she retains the same joy in moving pictures projected on a screen as she did that first time she walked into the "picture show" to see FRANKENSTEIN -- in its first run. A critic who came into the business late in life after raising two children, one divorce, one remarriage (to the same husband), and a distinguished academic career, she is an anomaly among Web critics in that she does NOT subscribe to the Alice Roosevelt credo of "If you can't say something nice, come sit by me."

In her new book CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT (Hats Off Books), Tucker shares her infectious joy in the moviegoing experience with the rest of us. It is truly "a life story with everything but the movies edited out." Written in a breezy tone, CONFESSIONS is truly a snark-free zone. Tucker, who has set herself up as the premier lobbyist for the Return of the Movie Musical has even managed to find the good in such crap-fests as the Britney Spears vehicle CROSSROADS. She doesn't love everything put on film, but you've got to love a critic who's eligible for Social Security but can still laugh her way through the likes of the surrealistically sophomoric CABIN BOY and who reacts to the ghastly THE PRINCESS DIARIES by remembering to call her granddaughters and tell them how terrific they are just as they are.

Where CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT falls short is in Tucker's underestimation of our interest in the journey of a woman through academia, homemaking, and into film criticism at an age when most of us have long since given up our dreams. This may be "a life story with everything but the movies edited out", but many of us would love to see what's left on the cutting-room floor.

As a recently retired college professor who can go to more movies now, I was delighted by this substantive insiders tale told with such happy and light-hearted grace, candor, and humor. The sophisticate and the novice, young and old, will find Betty Jo Tucker's "show-don't-tell" approach solid, informative, and entertaining. She charmed the socks off me! Betty Jo takes us into her fascination with this dimensional art form, with her life story deftly stitched into the background. "Because confession is good for the soul," she tells us, "I admit enjoying films mostly for their escapist entertainment qualities. But I also love to be enchanted by cinematic artistry, enlightened by a great story, and inspired by memorable performances." We grow together with this unpretentions, knowledgeable professional hooked on movies as she moves from going it alone, to being mentored by the best, including the famous "UK Critic" Ian Waldron-Mangani--who, she tells us, could have been her grandson. I found "Confessions" to be a great three-in-one deal: HerStory, terrific interviews, and crisp reviews. We meet some of the greatest names in film from the U.S.--directors David Lynch and M. Night Shyamalan, Oscar winners Anjelica Huston and Angelina Jolie, and the legendary Debbie Reynolds, along with top international figures, including British actor Sir Ian Mckellen, French actress Judith Godrech, Japanese filmmaker Masayuki Suo, and Oscar-winning Czech director Jan Sverak. Stellar interviews include those with Annette Bening, Willem Dafoe, Tony Shalhoub, and Aidan Quinn. Among her top reviews are "Chocolat," "Bridget Jone's Diary," "Mouline Rouge," "Planet of the Apes," "Legally Blond," and "Scary Movie." Along the way, she tells some delightful stories on herself: great gaffs--foot in the mouth, clear to the knee, as Josh Wise, one of my former students, once wrote. After enjoying "Confessions," you'll never read a review the way you used to!

From the first page to the last you will feel like a kid again .The silent posters gave me a chance to see the stars who stared in early westerns.Then it goes into early talkies.What a sight young GARY COOPER in his first western.Then it goes into the era that i saw on tv .HOPPY,JOHN WAYNE,GENE AUTRY,and others.And covering JIMMY STEWART, GREGORY PECK. To CLINT EASTWOOD and KEVIN COSNER.Each photo 100% quality.Made me go through the basement at my parents house to see if i could find my GUNSMOKE holster and gun, or my RIFLEMAN rifle i had as a kid. At least i found RIO GRAND on DVD .Dont miss this book

Much as we loved watching those black-and-white movies, the colorful posters that drew us to the boxoffice were even more appealing. You'll treasure this collection of superb reproductions.

This excellent collection of poster images from close to 100 years of Western movies was originally sent to me as part of a "grab bag" collection of poster books from Mr.Hershenson. (For the uninitiated; Bruce Hershenson bills himself as "The Largest Movie Poster Dealer in the World". Considering the incredible energy he devotes to the hobby, the quality of his service and his merchandise, it's a tough claim to dispute.)I was never a huge fan of posters from this genre, but this book made me a believer. The images, especially from the pre-1940 movies which comprise much of the book, (movies right up to the publication date are covered), are absolutely mind-boggling in their lush coloring and craftmanship. The printing quality is easily as good as humongous art books that cost 4 times as much as this reasonably priced tome. I now buy all of Bruce's books, regardless of their subject matter, as there are always images that interest me, and I was especially excited about the second volume of COWBOY POSTERS, which is also highly recommended by this reviewer. The problem with Bruce's books is that as I keep falling in love with all these new posters, I keep spending more money on acquiring the originals for my collection. Fortunately, Bruce has these weekly auctions on eBay where I can get them at reasonable prices....hey, wait! Do you think there's a connection here? Hmmm... A great volume in a grand ongoing series that belongs in the collection any fan of movie poster art or cinema in general.

There's only one word to describe this book: Incredible!!! It contains some of the most beautiful movie poster artwork you've ever seen - especially all these western classics from the thirties. This book shows us how bad the movie poster artwork is today.

Uwe Reber

Thomas Berger's first novel and the first in The Reinhart Trilogy, its main theme is contradictions: between appearances and reality, honesty and betrayal, guilt and innocence. Carlo Reinhart is an army medic serving in post-WW II Germany, of German descent, he feels guilty for what just happened in Germany, but at the same time isn't sure why he should be. He meets others caught in similar contradictory binds: an anti-Semite who protected his Jewish wife from the Nazis; a Russian army deserter who becomes a capitalist and is protected by an idealistic communist; a Russian intellectual, tortured by Stalin, who is now a fascist. Even at the end of the book, after Reinhart has killed a man to protect another man (the man he's protecting is killed anyway), Reinhart enters a mental hospital - where he contemplates becoming a psychiatrist (another contradiction). The book is not an easy read as the characters engage in much dialogue regarding politics, philosophy, and nationality. Reinhart untangles himself from the contrariety he experiences and goes home to America. Berger established himself as an important writer with this first novel; though it's not my favorite of his (LITTLE BIG MAN is), it's obviously a major achievement.

I agree that the Reinhart series should be in print. I have read all of the Reinhart series and most of the rest of Thomas Berger's novels. Inspired by the Oprah Magazine section "Books That Made a Difference to ---", I am compiling a short list. "Crazy in Berlin" was in the top 5, with two other Thomas Berger novels and two volumes of "The Diary of Anais Nin". The Rienhart series compares very favorably to Updike's "Rabbit" series, and is similar. The other two Berger novels in my top 5 are "Little Big Man" and the neglected "Regiment of Women", a terrific science fiction of a society with gender role reversal. Women rule. If I am not mistaken, this book predates the women's liberation movement of the 60's.

I am amazed that "Crazy in Berlin", "Reinhart in Love" etc. are not in print even in a trade paperback edition. We need to show more respect for the works of our talented authors. As I remember "Crazy in Berlin", it was a comedic look at postwar Berlin and its denizens. "Reinhart in Love" and "Reinhart's Women" continue the life story of the main character in "Crazy in Berlin". Those who appreciate John Updike and John Irving owe it to themselves to read some of Thomas Berger.

This out-of-print novel is almost impossible to read, with its academic style and endless German syntax. In fact, I had to listen to it (Books on Tape) because I frequently lost interest. Only the tape player kept it alive.

Nevertheless, little parts of this novel stand out as some of the most powerful images I've ever read. The setting of post-WW2 Berlin has always fascinated me, and Berger speaks with great authority. Seemingly anachronistic references ("famous German blonde pussy") ring true. They talked like that in the 40s. Trudchen is convinving and erotic as a whore. Schatzie's execution by firing squad is too real and too detailed to be imaginary; I reember it at odd times, like when I'm falling asleep, and it still disturbs me.

I think that this book accurately reports postt-WW2 Berlin, which is a lot more than you can say about most WW2 books. History is written by the victor. Berger's novel is history written from the conquered's point of view. It is depressing but I recomend it for its veracity and its occasional powereful writing, well worth the time.

CDS

This book is a hybrid of interview collections and workbook exercises, designed to help filmmakers with their creative processes, not using the dumbed-down how-to-manual approach that so many filmmaking books employ, but in an intelligent and subtle way that engages and challenges the reader. These authors have assembled a formidable list of filmmakers -- the brains and souls behind The English Patient, Toy Story, E.R., Boys Don't Cry, many more -- and asked them more than the usual-suspect kind of questions, and by doing so have managed to go deeply into the creative process. The book interweaves the interviews with anecdotes, proverbs, and a group of creativity exercises which are several levels above the kind of artists' self-help books that have sometimes insulted our intelligence in the past. Ever wonder how Anthony Minghella thought of the opening shot for The English Patient? Or how Merchant Ivory get those stellar casts? This book actually tells you things you want to know, and then challenges you to go out and make a movie.

Inspiring! This book reminds you that the most important thing you have to contribute as an artist is already within you. Essential reading for anyone in any creative endeavor. Buy this book and fly!

I teach a seminar for teenagers in digital video. When I started designing the curriculum, it was mostly a "how-to" kind of thing. After reading this book, I changed the whole focus of the seminar. I asked the kids to look inside themselves and think about what they, personally, had to say. I said, "You are like kids who have been given a big box of crayons. Do you want to scribble on the wall, or do you want draw something special from your heart?" When they turned in their treatments for their video projects, they had taken the ideas of this book to heart.
This book should be required reading for anyone who teaches filmmaking or is starting out as a filmmker. It will get them on the right track!

"Creative Filmmaking From The Inside Out," is a brilliant book! This book utilizes industry experts, who through their own experiences and examples, explain the creative process of filmmaking from concept though completion.

At the end of each chapter, the authors outline suggestions and exercises to evoke the reader's own creativity and abilities.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is either interested in filmmaking or is already involved in a film career, as it is always fascinating to see how successful people approach their own creative problems. Creativity is the one commodity which Hollywood is always looking for, but for which there are no formulas.