Movies Books

Lucy Chase Williams, where are you? Have you written any oher books besides this splendid tribute to Vincent Price?

OK, maybe you were a little harsh on BACKTRACK, but I admit it is not a film for everybody. Jodie Foster was in her adventurous period then, and making a film by Dennis Hopper was probably a mistake, but give her credit for trying something different! As for Price, he is terrific in the movie, and the whole thing is defnitely a more worthy picture than many which you,
But in the main what can I say, you've done an excellent job, not only interviewing the obvious co-stars and producers, but also some obscure ones. I was thrilled to find an interview with the late Alexander Knox in your book. Knox, who played WILSON in the eponymous 1944 Fox historical epic, gave this interview only a few days before his own death, and reading his words gives the avid reader a new insight into the way Vincent Price saw his own function as an actor, an entertainer, and a man of public policy. I wonder if it's true that Price was a victim of blacklisting; certainly his career changes radically during the McCarthy Era and when it was over, he was firmly typecast in a series of profitable, some very successful artistically almost in spite of himself, B pictures. Did he regret going the horror route? You could never really tell. This book dips a little into Price's resentment at the way Sears ruined his credibility as a collector and art historian.

The book makes us long for the release of more of Price's 1940s films on DVD! How about MOSS ROSE or THE WEB or THE EVE OF ST MARK

The photos are unbelievable, especially the bare-shouldered, long-haired beefcake shot that begins the book (London, 1935, with a pervert behind the camera) or the December 1964 shot in which Elsa Lanchester, Vampira, and Carroll Borland pose with Price at the opening of THE TOMB OF LIGEIA. All these different generations of horror stars frozen forever in one frame: it's like a white version of A GREAT DAY IN HARLEM.

I know that Vincent Price's daughter wrote a biography about her father, but I found this book much more interesting. The beginning of this large soft cover book does give a nice biography of his life. The second half of the book though cover every movie Vincent ever appeared in, whether as a star, a co-star, cameo or just voice. It gives information about each movie and even a review. There is also a nice picture or two to go with each. This was very informative and a great wealth of information about all of his movies. A nice forward from Vincent is also included.

The first part of this coffee-table sized book gives an overview of Vincent Price's life, as well as his career. Obviously not a believer in reincarnation, this section concludes with a quote from Vincent Price himself. "You only get one time around, so why waste a minute of this glorious life?" The remainder of this book discusses every feature film connected with Vincent Price, whether he was the star, co-star, narrator, had a brief cameo or did the voice of an animated character. All 100 entries give the release date of the film, the film studio that made the picture, the running time, whether it was filmed in black and white or color, the cast, the director, the producer, the writer, etc. The next section gives a synopsis of the plot, sometimes followed by quotes from the man himself or other actors appearing in the film, and all concluding with contemporary reviews of the movie. Each entry has at least one photo from the actual film or a candid picture taken on the film set or, at the very least, the accompanying movie poster. Two things struck me while reading this book. One, Vincent Price was a versatile actor who excelled in every genre of film he appeared in, not just horror movies. Two, every actor quoted mentioned his wicked sense of humor, how great he was to get along with, and his professionalism. Of the latter, Gregory Peck summed it up best. "You get a bad piece of material, you do everything you can to improve it...That's what you're supposed to do. That's what Vincent did. I'm sure that he never, in his life, phoned it in, so to speak, or did less than his utmost best..." If you're looking for a book that dishes dirt and recounts gossip, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a comprehensive book of all of Vincent Price's movies, look no further.

Forget the biographical portion of this book - it's short and general, though sufficient to the purpose of what this volume really is, which is a celebration of Price's life and films.

What sells this book is the pictures. Gorgeous stills from all of Price's movies - and quite a few from his life and stage plays, as well - plentifully stuff this beautiful coffee-table offering, on every page. Each film is discussed briefly, along with notes on its place in Price's life and ouevre, and accompanied by comments from his directors, producers and co-stars, and even Price, himself. Each picture is worth a thousand words, and some of them are really remarkable - for instance, cartoon cells from characters Price voiced for Disney studios and Miramax (The Great Mouse Detective and Arabian Knight) and Hanna-Barbera's The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo. There are photos of him with famous seemingly unlikely latter-day admirers, like Alice Cooper. Caricatures and print-ads abound, such as Price selling Tuaca liqueur and Emba minks. Even his image on a long-forgotten Milton Bradley "Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture" kit is on display.

If you're a fan, or looking for a Christmas or birthday present for someone who is, you just couldn't beat the bargain of this book at twice the "price"!

on page 252-253 there's a great picture of Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine in 1983 during a photo session for the film "House of the Long Shadows", a movie that i like {however, i hate the character that Arnaz, Jr. played because of his cynicism and lack of respect for traditional horror}. the pictures, incidentally, make up for the lack of coverage of Vincent's other careers! there's pictures of his cartoon characters from Disney and Hanna-Barbera. there's posters for the "Butterfly Ball" project plus numerous print ads for products that appeared in magazines. a picture of him with Alice Cooper is also shown! the rest of this book highlights all 100 of Vincent's FEATURE films, which are anything that is shown in movie theatres. i think the book is great! seeing the pictures and movie posters are like walking through time...i wouldn't have added any negative criticism about the movies because it dampens the mood of the book, which is to be a celebration of his career in movies...but there are several harsh criticisms of his films from critics and Vincent himself, who himself was a critic: of art! the book also contains Vincent's now-legendary comments on his own profession just after wrapping up the 1987-released film "The Offspring". in brief, Price announces that he's tired and bored talking about horror films. it's then explained that the film he just finished maybe caused him to be a bit testy with the reporter. Price had realized after his scenes were complete that the producers/director were filming extreme gore and slasher elements to be aired around his narrative parts and it made him furious that his name and image would be grouped with that TYPE of film once again {1984's "Bloodbath at the House of Death" was pretty gory and Price's appearance clashes with the sadistic storyline}. "The Offspring" was a Tales From the Crypt meets Twilight Zone anthology in which Price plays a town historian in rural Oldfield. a picture from that film (a shot of Price at a desk) is here. GET this book!!!

It was a very curious novel. It actually surprised me along the way. It looks like an innocent bystander becomes the center of a war that no one dared to start. As the clones get the necessary stimulus from Andrea, all hell breaks loose. This book will leave wishing you bought the whole trilogy at once.

This book was a fantastic read! It had a terrific plot, great characters, and many thrilling moments!
When I first heard of the book, I wasn't very interested(I'm not a big Sci-fi fan). But it got great reviews, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so happy that I did! This book wasn't like any other book I had ever read. It was better! It had something for everyone: action, suspense, romance, adventure, and mystery.

This is hands down one of greatest, if not THE greatest, books I've ever read or ever hope to read!

When Andrea Flores's husband and daughter are killed in a terrorist attack, she is taken aboard the Jod starship Tyker to heal and recuperate. The Tyker's captain, K'Rin, who witnessed the aftermath of her family's murder, gives her the opportunity to join his elite and mysterious house guard, the Tenebrea. Trained as an assassin, Andrea finds herself on a special mission to the planet Cor, where she must gather information about a rumor of NewGen clones that are supposedly being grown for war. What Andrea seeks is vengeance, but her plan is slightly sidetracked in a new search for answers, and what she ends up getting involved in is something neither she, not the Jod, could have imagined.

This book was fabulous! I really didn't know what to expect, since the back cover is kind of vague, but what a wonderful surprise it was to find myself immersed in a truly gripping story of heartbreak, betrayal, acceptance, friendship, love, vengeance, secrets, lies, and loyalty. There are also some key points of humor, and plenty of tense and exciting action. Andrea's story is not as cut and dry as you might imagine in the beginning, and the plot twists and secrets that are revealed along the way make for a wonderful page-turner that teases the mind and leaves you begging for more.

The world building was wonderful, and the characters were rich and multidimensional. There were times when I really wondered, who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? ... and I'm still wondering about some of them, even at the end of the second book (Tenebrea's Hope), which was just as amazing as the first. The plot is woven together with such expertise that I was doomed to read the entire book in one sitting, never once having to skim over a dull spot ... and that is very rare indeed. I highly, highly recommend this book!

When Andrea Flores's husband and daughter are killed in a terrorist attack, she is taken aboard the Jod starship Tyker to heal and recuperate. The Tyker's captain, K'Rin, who witnessed the aftermath of her family's murder, gives her the opportunity to join his elite and mysterious house guard, the Tenebrea. Trained as an assassin, Andrea finds herself on a special mission to the planet Cor, where she must gather information about a rumor of NewGen clones that are supposedly being grown for war. What Andrea seeks is vengeance, but her plan is slightly sidetracked in a new search for answers, and what she ends up getting involved in is something neither she, not the Jod, could have imagined.

This book was fabulous! I really didn't know what to expect, since the back cover is kind of vague, but what a wonderful surprise it was to find myself immersed in a truly gripping story of heartbreak, betrayal, acceptance, friendship, love, vengeance, secrets, lies, and loyalty. There are also some key points of humor, and plenty of tense and exciting action. Andrea's story is not as cut and dry as you might imagine in the beginning, and the plot twists and secrets that are revealed along the way make for a wonderful page-turner that teases the mind and leaves you begging for more.

The world building was wonderful, and the characters were rich and multidimensional. There were times when I really wondered, who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? ... and I'm still wondering about some of them, even at the end of the second book (Tenebrea's Hope), which was just as amazing as the first. The plot is woven together with such expertise that I was doomed to read the entire book in one sitting, never once having to skim over a dull spot ... and that is very rare indeed. I highly, highly recommend this book!

The first book of a projected trilogy, Entering Tenebrea is not a truly great read, but it shows increasing promise as the story unfolds, especially for readers willing to cut a pair of relative rookies some slack.

Earth belongs to the Alliance, a largely alien planetary union now debating membership for the Ordinate, a human civilization found on the planet Cor some years ago. Little is known about the secretive Ordinate, except that it arose from an ancient alien experiment to study the impact of advanced Alliance technology on humans, and it now relies extensively on cloned slave labor-illegal in the Alliance. Alliance governments see cloning as the only issue. To a few scattered individuals, however, the Ordinate poses a deeper threat.

For Terran Andrea Flores, a perfect life is derailed when her husband and daughter die in a terrorist attack. Witness to the attack is Jod Admiral Hal K'Rin, on the outs with his planetary Council for continuing his father's anti-Ordinate crusade. K'Rin takes Andrea under his wing, eventually offering her a chance to join his Tenebrea. The Tenebrea have long been Clan Rin's household guard, but also serve as an elite special force for the regular Jod militia. One Tenebrea function is riding herd on Ordinate agents among the Alliance worlds. K'Rin knows, and Andrea learns, that the alleged terrorist attack was really an Ordinate operation. K'Rin also heard recently that Cor is developing a new order of highly dangerous clones. His source is clone escapee Eric, who's seeking aid for his fellow old-order clones, now being phased out. Can K'Rin trust such a source?

The Roman Catholic "Tenebrae" (misspelled by the authors) is a rite of mourning and darkness, commemorating Christ's crucifixion. Why an alien military group is named after an old Latin word is never explained, but for Andrea Flores "entering Tenebrea" describes a state of mind as much as a series of events. Considering herself as dead as her family, she wants only to kill as many of the killers as she can, commemorating her own loss. She must earn her commission, though; after rigorous training, only the best candidates become Tenebrea, with a commitment that's absolute and life-long. Her first mission is to infiltrate Cor, join the renegade clone underground, confirm Eric's claims, and escape with proof in hand.

Much of the early set-up to Entering Tenebrea is too contrived to ring true, grating against the willing suspension of disbelief that makes for a successful novel. Once past the troublesome set-up chapters, however, the characters, social systems, and situations are absorbing enough to help the reader focus on action, not analysis. Some later plot elements still don't pass close scrutiny, and there are occasional chronology and continuity errors, but it becomes easier to ignore them. The writing style is serviceable if uninspired, with only the average assortment of basic writing errors. By story's end, the patient reader will almost certainly want to see how the remaining two installments of the trilogy shape up.

This book is about a hot bed of baketball in inner N.Y.C. namely Bklyn in the mid 70's When the King wasn't called Lebron James, but King Albert (Albert King) averaging 44 a game in H.S. he was hailed & christianed the greatest ever to come out of New York City (although his pro career did not live up to the billing Albert & brother Bernard will always be fondly remembered). This book is about Albert and his come up through Bedstuy and so forth. It also gives you an inside look at some of BK'S playground legends circa 1970's and some of their tragic downfalls. The best N.Y.C. ball-book ever written will always be "The City Game" by Pete Axthlem, but this is a close 2nd.

Rick Telander brings all together all the great themes of basketball in this unforgettable book. He stays true to the sport and never strays too far from it (or its many characters). With great books, readers say they never want to see the characters potrayed in the movie because it will never live up to the image/character they've envisioned. In "Heaven Is A Playground", I never want to see Fly Williams or Albert King play ball because I'd rather keep the court wizardry, provided by Telander, permanently embedded in my brain.

This is the best book on basketball I've ever read. First read it when I was a kid in the late '70's, and it still rings as true today. Just about the best sportswriting ever.

I read this book around '93, just after having read the "white version" in both Larry Bird's biography and autobiography. What was interesting was these two very similar yet distinct experiences and how they related to my own experience, growing up it what would seem like a very safe and socially adjusted rural town.

Heaven is a Playground was a departure for me in to a world where basketball had the utmost symbolic and cultural meaning - where legends were born and died and everybody else was willing to take the gamble. Was basketball more a sacrifice of a better future (missing school) or a one shot escape from certain poverty? Telander would probably argue the latter. What I found interesting was that only a few of the characters in the story actually had the potential for professional basketball, yet all the other young men seemed (unconsciously) willing to sacrifice their own futures for those players. Not so much blinded by their dreams they were living them.

Certainly some other reviewers have me beat in the department of basketball-related literature, but I count "Heaven Is A Playground" amongst the many social science books that I have read. And indeed, it matches up quite well with the best reads of the past few decades. On the surface, the book seems to be about inner-city basketball, but within the pages, it is a complete dissection of the (one segment) inner city African-American man.

The amazing book "Tally's Corner" managed the same feat in its analysis of street corner men. Both have achieved great feats with their respective works. For basketball fans like myself, "Heaven Is A Playground" not only reads as great/sad/true/mystifying social commentary, but also as plain sports entertainment. Rick Telander, as a sports writer, was really able to hit home with the writing, really giving readers a feel of the 1970s game - which has many similarities and differences to the game of today.

Another great aspect of the book is that it reads as if you there. Telander makes only the necessary analysis in the pages about what went on, and basically leaves the facts as they are. The book could have easily become a textbook lesson on sociological concepts, a lofty preaching on the ills of inner city life, or a rambling 200+ page play-by-play. Fortunately, the easy going style of writing is great journalism. Telander's style fit me well.

Thanks Rick for a great read.

A lot of info that a lot of people did not know about those little darlings. Very interesting, good reading, very well done. Thank You.

Excellent book....Leonard really digs deep to document and convey all things "Rascal". It's worth the purchase price.

Revised in 1992, Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann's "The Little Rascals" is a must for anyone who has enjoyed the antics of Spanky and the gang. The authors' exhaustive research and warm-hearted nostalgia is evident as they chronicle the history of these enduring comedy shorts. Along with biographies of the ever-changing cast and crew, the book offers a detailed critical analysis from the golden Hal Roach period (1922-38) to the sad decline at MGM (1938-44). It's the ultimate Our Gang celebration, with a treasure trove of rare photographs and publicity material.

I have been looking for this book for ages.Answers so many questions about all the Little Rascals.Some didn`t live long and very few are still with us.Being from Long Island I watched them on CH.11 on the Officer Joe Bolton Show every day after school.Kids today have nothing like them on TV.The facts in this book are fantastic and the pictures are great.If you love the Little Rascals buy this book.

The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang is the most comprehensive book available about the popular short series. Leonard Maltin, longtime fan of both Hal Roach comedies and the Our Gang series itself, writes both intelligently and lovingly about the series with the help of Richard W. Bann.

This book opens with a short history of the Hal Roach film company and the Our Gang series.

Then, it leads to a collection of all of the shorts made for the series including the cast, release date, and highly effective synopses and analyses of each short. These are listed chronologically and noted according to ownership and distributor and silent and sound. Some of the silent have been lost, but they are not neglected. Instead, Maltin has used reviews from the time period to give the reader a sense of the short and an idea of its quality. Opinions are used, but they are obviously separate from the factual information and are supported by facts. They add to the effectiveness of the synopses and paint a more vivid picture of the shorts that are unavailable. What is also unique about this book is the listing of the MGM shorts that are often regarded as the worst quality episodes of the series. Skipping these films, although understandable, would have made this book far less complete.

Next, the spin-offs and pop culture effects of the series are addressed, including the Saturday Night Live spoofs of Buckwheat and the cartoon versions of the show.

Last, the book includes a brief history of all of the major stars of the series and a few sentences about the more minor players. Sadly, this section needs to be updated because of the deaths of the cast members after this second publication. However, the information that is included is accurate and valuable, as much of it cannot be easily found anywhere else, especially interviews.

One must also comment on the abundant photographs utilized in the book including rare publicity stills.

Overall, this is a high quality history of The Little Rascals.

The Munsters was one of the greatest shows on television. It brought together fans of both the old Universal Monsters and situational comedy. Why it only lasted two seasons is anyone's guess (even the author questions this perplexion).

This book brings together the history of The Munsters. From concept to filming to cancellation. It even features the continuing history such as the theatrical and TV movies, along with the reinvention of "The Munsters Today." It contains biographies of each actor, an episode guide/summary, and a brief biography of its arch nemesis, The Addams Family. Not to mention great photos too...

If you are a Munsters fan, then this is the holy grail. If you are a passing fan, then I still recommend this book.

P.S.-Pushing all debates aside as to which series was better (although the Munsters take the prize), I would like to see an Addams family book of this nature.

This was a terrific book and provided detailed information about the show that took a lot of research. It was equally as entertaining. I would highly recommend that Munster fans (young and old). Illustrations are wonderful.

WOW, what an incredible book. This is just everything you need and want to know about the Munsters TV show. It has it all and doesn't skip a beat. The things you will learn about the tv show is just awesome. Wanna know about the makeup? It's there. Wanna know about the cars? It's there. What the cast has and is doing? It's there. Get the point.

Let me also say what a fabulous job of how the book was designed. Color photos and behind the scene shots thru out the book. These are just some of the most spectacular photos on the tv show I have seen. Nice Rare stuff. You will love it.

What a remarkable update to Mr. Cox original book. This is definately a whole new book. Get one before you can never find one like this again.

A TRIP DOWN MOCKINGBIRD LANE is exactly that: a compilation of recollections from cast and crew that more or less leave a good feeling about the show and is akin to an album a family might collect in time for a reunion. There are no major revelations in this publication; stories are repeated throughout and must be fan favorites that folks enjoy being told again and again.

There are hints about Patrick Lily (better known as Butch Patrick) and his behavior on the set. There is mention of Fred and Al's constant bickering with the powers-that-were, but nothing concrete. Someday I would like to read a biography that would focus on Patrick's experience as a child actor. I do not believe he was born in 1953, he looks nine (at oldest) when the show first premiers. I think his age was lied about so he could get into makeup and be on the set longer than a younger child would have been allowed (I surmise this because he still looks no older than 12 in 1968 when he does "The Phantom Tollbooth"). Although I love "The Munsters" television series, and generally believe a good experience was had by all, I would be interested in reading Lily's story; I think we would find that his grandmother used acting as some use modern-day foster care.

As for this work, it is rare that a television series receive such a loving treatment: the color photos are vivid, the black and whites are brillaint, there are several trivia features that are fun, but would not have been thought of by a lesser biographer. It is a terrific keepsake for Munsters' fans and television adhearants in general.

Having recently acquired this wonderful book by author Stephen Cox titled "The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane", as well as the recently released Two Seasons of the classic series on DVD, I once again never fail to marvel at this brilliant and totally original series that ran from 1964-66. Part domestic sitcom, part tribute to the Universal Monsters of old, and part satire on the "then", state of society as we perhaps knew it, "The Munsters" were really one of a kind, a sort of ghoul's version of "Father Knows Best". Produced in what I still firmly believe was the most creative decade on television, the swinging 1960's, "The Munsters", entry into the television schedule was perfectly timed and this most unusual of families slotted right in with the fantastic and totally "out of this world", programming of the time that featured beautiful suburban witches, talking horses, multi-millionaire hillbillies, bumbling spies, and sexy Genies.

Stephen Cox's loving tribute to this classic series makes first rate reading, chock full of terrific and highly informative information and dozens of truly stunning photos never before seen that will delight the heart of any reader. It truly is essential in the book collection of any devoted "Munster", fan like myself. In a similar vein to his other writing efforts that explored such much loved series from the 1960's as "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres", Mr. Cox here explores everything to do with the show in a easily read format. Everything "Munster" is here from the original ideas that formed the basis for the eventual series, to information on the series' incredible cast and production crew, to a detailed look at the show's lavish attention to detail in terms of sets, costumes and makeup. Discussion is also given by Mr. Cox on the still mysterious reasons for the show's cancellation after only two years and then examines the amazing after life of "The Munsters", that continues on as strong as ever after 40 years when many of the more "realistic", sitcoms that replaced it are now only hazy memories. In short it's the perfect book for "Munster", lovers and anyone who has a real interest in how television was produced in that golden decade of the 1960's.

I think Spielberg's a genius. There, I've said it. He takes simple men, surely John Miller, Captain, 2nd Ranger Battalion is just that, a simple man, and paints a canvas of such detail of Armageddon, putting these simple men all over the painting. Hell. The end of the world. Good versus evil. Call it what you may. "I'm a history teacher," he says in the movie in one extraordinarily tense scene. "I teach history in a small high school in Pennsylvania. . . .when I'm done here I don't know if I can go back to it."

I'm reminded of another 'simple man' that came from Pennsylvania in novel lore. Lieutenant Harry Brubaker, the lawyer who flies F-9 Panther Jets in Michner's brief story about the carnage in Korea, 'Bridges at To Ko Ri.'

But the point is Spielberg tells us that they were all simple men and we don't believe him at first. We keep looking for Arnie Schwarznegger or Chuck Norris or The Rock. But they are and were normal guys, guys from Brooklyn New York and Brooklyn Michigan. Guys from towns you never heard of in Iowa, where Jimmy Ryan and his brothers came from. Just guys in the greatest carnage the world ever knew. And Spielberg shows us what they did. They changed the world.

The five Sullivan brothers all went down with their ship in the middle of the war and after that the powers that be would not commit one brother in a theater of combat where another brother was also serving in harm's way. So here, one of Jimmy Ryan's brothers is killed in the Pacific and one brother is killed in Anzio Beach. And Sean Ryan is killed in the landing at Omaha Beach. And Captain John Miller and a squad of men he picks are asked to find him to send him home.

A wonderful book to compliment a movie that should be preserved forever about an ubelievable body of men and women. "Was I a good man," asks James Ryan 50 years later? My Dad asked me the same question a few years ago. Five stars is not enough. Larry Scantlebury.

This Movie Is Great It Has The MG-42 Bullets Going Right Through The Water On The Beach.The Blood,Gore,Gun Realism Is Great.It Also Is A Heart Touching Movie.The Action Is Great,The Guns,The Cool Guys,And The Nazis....

This Movie Is Great It Has The MG-42 Bullets Going Right Through The Water On The Beach.The Blood,Gore,Gun Realism Is Great.It Also Is A Heart Touching Movie.The Action Is Great,The Guns,The Cool Guys,And The Nazis.If You Like SPR(Saving Private Ryan)Than Play The Game MoH:AA(Medal Of Honor:Allied Assault)For PC It Has The Same Weapons And The Same Missions Like The Real WWII.Good Luck

I think this story is a very good story it really shows how the war really whent. my favrit character in this story was mellish well i'v seen the movie and i think he is the cutest i also like capazo he was really cool i think uhpum was a bit of a wimp but apart from that i think it was really cool.If i was to give this movie/book a raiting out of 100 i would give it 100 becaust it is so good.

Saving Private Ryan and The Triumph and the Glory have sparked an interest in me about WWII. The novel isn't quite as good as the movie but anyway this book is a great behind the scenes look at the making of a terrific movie.

I have been wanting this book since it came out a year or so ago. It did NOT disappoint. There is so much in this book that doesn't come from the show. I remember writing a thesis on this show in college, stating that the website actually becomes a supplement to the show and by doing this, it actually pulls the viewer into the show, breaking the fourth wall. This book does that times two. Are the Sopranos based on actual people? Is it truth or fiction? By the time you get done reading this, you won't care. This is a must read.

A stellar examination of the past, present, and portents of "The Sopranos"! Wow! From the die-hard Soprano fans to all those interested schlumps, this book is the must-read needed on their bookself. An entertaining, voyeuristic, and compassionate look at the Sopranos' lives that mix reality and myth into a remarkable anthology of today's most famous mobster family. The show earned its Emmys and then some; the book compliments the show with its photos and commentary on what will become the most talked about series for years to come. In my opinion, there are only a handful of shows that truly deserve such an in-depth perspective as this one does- and this one hits the mark! Two enthusiastic thumbs up and a congratulations going toward the talented and witty writer, Allen Rucker, the only one who made this fantastic book possible for all Soprano aficionados to thoroughly enjoy. Rucker brings an unique standpoint to the Sopranos' family and lifestyle that I never knew existed. I hope he writes the next updated version! If not, "I have friends, you know!"

I loved this book. I poured over it so many times that I have just about worn it out. It has been like a Bible of sorts to me. Very interesting. Anyone who is a true Sopranoholic like I am will love this book. I just wish they would make an updated version of it. I am going to be so sorry to see the season end and just thinking about the series ending is too much for me to comprehend.

Think of this book as one big Soprano History/Dictionary/Vocabulary book and that is what you can expect. Worth every cent.

Great book to have if you are a die hard Soprano fan like myself. Gives you great insights on the Soprano family tree and it also gives Soprano fans a guide on things that you might have missed out on. Overall, a excellent book! Don't keep this book too far away when you're watching the show because it comes in handy

I'm a big Opera fan, and my grandmother bought me this book because she thought it was about great Italian singers. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized this book was about the characters from a TV show focusing on the Mafia. I don't have a TV, so I'd never seen the "Sopranos" show. Reading about something I had no knowledge of, or interest in, seemed dumb at first, but I had the book so I thought "What the heck! I'll read it". Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It is a very entertaining read, and I would recommend it to anyone, even people with no TVs like me, who enjoy a fun book. Highly Recommended! (Note: I have since seen the show at a friend's house, and frankly I must say I liked the book better than the progam.)

This is an easy to read guide to crafting a story for the silver screen. An introduction to enneagrams is unique to this particular screenwriting book.

I found the list of 36 Dramatic Situations incredibly useful. I'm going to begin to memorize them now.

I'm sure the second edition will earn 5 stars from me.

First, a disclaimer: I'm not entirely impartial. I picked up this book after taking Jeff's workshop, where I had the good fortune not only to learn these tools in person but to see them tried out on my script, which was the example script for the weekend. So I came to "Writing a Great Movie" with a particular familiarity with the tools that it contains, and my experience may not be typical.

All that being said, I give this book my highest recommendation. Jeff's background is in playwriting and dramaturgy, and the meat and potatoes of these tools come from Aristotle and Price. Aristotle's unequalled analysis of Dilemma, Crisis, Decision/Action, and Resolution is presented here in a contemporary and eminently practical style. But the real treasure here is the stuff from William Thompson Price, a former lawyer who applied the principle of legal argument to the problem of dramatic construction about a hundred years ago and came up with the Central Dramatic Question and its extension, Sequence-Proposition-Plot. This tool is just an absolute workhorse. Whether you use it on the whole script or just a scene, whether you're at the crude outline stage or on your twelfth draft, it will give you a quick X-ray of your script in dramaturgical terms and help you jack it up.

There are also some great brainstorming tools for character and situation, and a particularly incisive analysis of theme. Jeff lays all the tools out in the first half of the book, then walks through the process of assembling a script from scratch using the tools. It's a very practical approach, though you may have to hunker down with it, and naturally you won't properly understand the tools until you start using them.

If you are a beginning writer, "Writing a Great Script" will not teach you how to write. It doesn't replace basic stuff like Syd Field, Lew Hunter, or Richard Walter's superb "The Whole Picture". I would say Jeff's book is a palette of extremely robust and versatile tools for the journeyman writer. You can use it like a roadmap if you want and use the tools to methodically assemble your script, but more likely you will mix these tools with whatever your preferred methods of working already are. I can guarantee that if you're sitting down to write and your intuition is on vacation and the muse left without leaving a forwarding address and you can't figure out just what the hell to do with your second act, reaching into this book for your tool of choice will get your car back on the highway. Not to mix too many metaphors in there, but you get the point.

In my experience, these are not tidy tools. These are practical tools, the sorts of things that can get you through a garage full of disassembled engine parts or a kitchen full of unfamiliar ingredients. You'll find yourself using several of them in parallel as you work back and forth from the level of the whole script to the beats of individual scenes.

As far as I can recall, all of the information in Jeff's class has been recreated in the book. The transmission of ideas is always more effective in person, but it's all here. I haven't seen any of his DVDs but I suspect the DVD/book combo would be a great way to get started with these tools. They certainly worked for me: I gave my script a total overhaul using these principles and the resulting draft was a quarterfinalist or better in four out of the six competitions I submitted it to.

I also see that Jeff has written "Script Analysis: The Godfather, Tootsie, Blade Runner" which breaks down the three scripts using the tools here. I have not read it but he uses these scripts as very helpful examples in "Writing a Great Movie" so I imagine that a more in-depth approach combined with re-watching the films would also be a great supplement.

I enjoyed reading the book, though I haven't put it to test, yet. It's clear, passionate, well-structured, and interesting to read. Its shortcoming, for me, was that the author concentrated primarily on action movies. Yes, "Tootsie" was included, but most of the examples, including the "tutorial" at the end, focused on quick action movies. I think the principles do apply to a broader range of movies, and I wish the author had reviewed also some more reflective movies in the vein of "Searching for Bobby Fischer," for example.

I'm a novice screenwriter and found myself completely encapsulated in this book. I wish I had it a year ago when I started my journey into screenwriting. The book in itself is the best classroom for getting at the core of your story and characters. I followed all the strategies and worked them through my script. What happened in the process were all my neurons firing with new ideas and twists. I was coming up with many versions of my script. It was exciting!

Far to technical to be useful for the beginning writer (im sure there are the exceptions out there). This seems to be broken down for the experienced writes struggling with their current projects. It has dozens of schemes to create characters and their scenes. In depth but lacks the simple straight forward inspiring tips and goals to send the new writer a' writing instead, it sends them scratching their head...or hiding under the cover depressed about themes and persona's.

This book is a novelization of three episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The first Teacher's Pet is a homage to the big bug movies of the late fifties. Inca Mummy Girl revives the curse of the mummy and Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered explores the magic of love. In each story Xander falls in love with dire consequences. His heart is pure and his intentions good but the results are both frightening and humorous. I recommend this to all Xander fans. It could be a dating manual for the new century.

The book is AWESOME.It's a must have 4 all BtVS fans.It is from Xander's point of view and has his thoughts and feelings about what's going on. It's divided into chapters/sections-here is how it goes starting after the Acknowledgments: Tonight,Part1;Teacher's Pet(6 chapters); Tonight,Part2;Inca Mummy Girl(7 chapters); Tonight,Part3;Bewitched,Bothered,And Bewildered (7 chapters);Tonight,Part4.There are also great pictures in the center of the book.I hope I haved helped you out!

Just like on the TV show Xander delivers scarcasm and humor that only he can do. He tells 3 tales of his strange supernatural romance (Teachers Pet, Inca Mummy Girl, and Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered)and proves that Buffy isn't the only one with a twisted life. I liked reading about Xander becasue he's pretty much the typical male, except a whole lot wittier, and the occasional vampire slaying. I reccomend this to any Buffy the Vampire Slayer and/or Xander fan!

Only recently have I become a buffy fan (but boy, when I fall I fall hard) This was the first buffy book I read, but it was definately worth it! Especially the last story Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered made me laugh so much I have the stiches to prove it. This book made me stop thinking Xander was boring. Definately a must to read for any buffy fan!

In order to understand the entire buffy novels,one needs to understand Xander.This book details probably the most intimate things anyone will be able to get with the character.From his feelings for his best friend Willow to chrush unfulfilled Buffy,dating and romance in Sunnydale is truly humerous.....for Xander it's the most harzardous thing to do. Full of laughs and deep thought,to understand buffy,you need to understand why she does'nt just crumple from the pressure of slaying. Because Xander will always be there...laughing at the world.

I've never been so satisfied buying a product than when I purchased this book. Being both a Pirates of the Caribbean movies fan and moviemaking artbooks collector, I savor every inch of artwork featured in this book. I love all the artworks depicted here, but my favorite is the Kraken part, as well as most artworks done by Crash McCreery. A superb collection that any of you, movie artphiles, dare not miss.

This is a treasure-trove of fantastic (and often quite grotesque!) drawings, paintings, digital artworks, and more from the creative people that made the "Pirates" movies. It's a hefty book and makes for a great conversation piece on the coffee table.

If you are a fan of the Pirates Movies this is a must have book! The art work in this book is amazing how they show them bringing the characters from conception art work to the big screen. Some truly amazing pictures in this book very vivid like you walked into the film. Love the Book and would highly recommend it.

This is a fantastic book! I can't say enough about how well this book was put together. It's oversided quite like the "Book of Codes" from the movie with splendid artwork throughout. Needless to say I am quite pleased. If you enjoy great production artwork this volume is for you.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1VN63BDC37HHA This is a humongous book. In one photo below, I've put my number-pad-less keyboard for comparison. The hardcover has a leather type treatment and slightly spongy to make it feel like an ancient book. The paper stock is thick and there are several fold out pages.

This book contains concept art for the 3 movies for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

There are sketches, paintings and some storyboards. The focus of the book is on set and character design. The concept paintings have so much detail that will be lost if not printed on a book this size. To zoom in even closer on the paintings, there's where the fold out pages come into play. The portraits for Captain Barbossa and his decomposed skeletal crew are draw at life size!

There are also numerous paintings for the ships, creatures, harbour and the seas.

Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean should find this book very interesting. Character designers too.

There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.