Movies Books

Once you get started you'll find it very hard to put this book down. Written from a first hand inside point of view, numerous stories and "quick peeks" of hospital reality afford the reader numerous opportunities to laugh until the onset of tears. A comedic gem spun around a hilarious cast. I eagerly await Season Two.

This book was recommended by a friend. I thought it was a very good story and quite funny, but I think it could be offensive to some people.
There is some disturbing dialogue and references that I wouldn't recommend for everyone. For those of you with a twisted sense of humor... READ ON!

If only it were actually ON TV... no network could show it but I would love to see this done on cable.

Interesting script, ferocious read... Spicy meatballs like this are exactly what is missing from TV.

Gimme season 2, with a tall glass of milk to wash it all down.

This is the Office Space for hospital workers. I never enjoyed pissing myself until I read this book! Stock up on Depends and laugh away!

This is the funniest book I have ever read. I can't remember that last
time I read a book that made me laugh out loud. A MUST READ!!!

I grew up near Detroit in the 1940's when those dazzling movie theatres exerted a magical allure on the streets, and inside were often a better show than what was on their screens. Authors Hauser and Weldon have done a wonderful job bringing it all back and I truly got lost in this book. Many thanks for this labor of love.

For some of Downtown Detroit's old theatres, thunderous applause is just a memory. For others, the ones which have been restored, it is still a reality. Also a reality is my applause for this book, and no, not just because I know co-author Mike Hauser personally. It is a thickly illustrated delightful read, a fun and informative way to spend an evening, and invites repeated referring-to. Having visited a number of these theatres myself in 1995, I may have an advantage, but even if you're not from Detroit or have never visited, here is a tasty introduction to one of the finest locations for surviving classic theatres anywhere.

When I reflect back on my years as a child growing up in marvelous Detroit, some of the strongest images are of the movie houses I used to frequent downtowm. This book evokes many of those sweet memories as it is loeaded with pictures, and written histories of those fabulous palaces. When it came to grandiouse movie houses Detroit was second to none. This book helps you trace the history of each theater from its building to - in some cases - it deomltion. Some of these grandious auditoriums were actually built by motion picture companies such as the Fox (Twentieth Century Fox) and the Untied Artist (United Artists), Many were not merely theaters but also were part of large office building housing industry related businesses such as booking agents and the likes. Many were build as vaudeville houses and later converted to movie theaters. Some have survived and hosts different venues today. Few are still showing first run movies as the characterless multi screen matchboxes of suburbia have taken over that venue.

This book is a joy. Before the '67 riot Detroit was always a big movie town. In the 40s there were more than 50 theatres in the city. A few of the neighbourhood theatres were quite extrodinary such as the Rivera or the Algiers but the downtown theatres were wonderful places to be. Back in the 40s, 50s & 60s just to go downtown was exciting with Hudson's & all the wonderful stores & restaurants & to top off the trip with a movie in one of the downtown theatres was, indeed, a treat. If the movie didn't please the theatre always did. The Fox, State, Music Hall, United Artist & Opera House (formerly Broadway Capitol/Grand Circus among other names) still stand. Some just barely. So it's wonderful to see photos of those that are gone. Photos which show just how lovely & unique they were. Each theatre had it's own character & aptmosphere. Most of all it's wonderful to see the Michigan Theatre in all its glory. She was the undisputed queen of the downtown movie theatres. She was the only place in Detroit where you could sit & actually feel you were in a real palace. It's lovely to have this book.

This book reviews the history of the movie palaces that have graced downtown Detroit since the late nineteenth century. I found it hard to put this book down once I started to read it. The photographs are wonderful and are often one of a kind dating back over a century. The narration ties together the history of films, architecture and the story of formal entertainment in Detroit for over one hundred years. Although it is of particular interest to people interested in Detroit's past, it is equally significant for non-Detroiters who will find that Detroit's story parallels that of most other cities in North America. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and often find myself browsing through it.

Discovering The Maltese Falcon And Sam Spade is a tribute to the novel by Dashiell Hammett featuring the hardboiled detective Sam Spade and his involvement in the doomed quest for a mysterious artifact, as well as the three film noir movies based from it including the classic that made Humphrey Bogart a star. Chapters tell of Hammett's days as a detective, his publication in pulps, the making of the classic novel, critical views of the movies, the reverberations of The Maltese Falcon in popular culture, and much more. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, selections of Hammett's pre-publication material, copies of news articles and other primary sources, and much more, Discovering The Maltese Falcon And Sam Spade is a "must-read" for mystery movie trivia buffs and anyone else curious about the history behind a legendary 'hard boiled PI" adventure story.

DISCOVERING THE MALTESE FALCON AND SAM SPADE is the complete book for the fan of Sam Spade in both film and fiction. Fortunately, a very detailed index is provided which allows the reader to choose from among an array of tantalizing topics.The latter includes an account of Dashiell Hammett's days as a Pinkerton detective as well as his work for BLACK MASK. The author also gives us much information about THE MALTESE FALCON in the movies and on stage and radio.The book represents an admirable effort by Layman and it will be enjoyed by anyone captivated by the lure of this enduring tale.

I love the story of THE MALTESE FALCON, not only as it is told in Hammett's novel but also as it is portrayed in John Huston's movie. I can never read enough about Dashiell Hammett, Joseph Shaw, Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Gladys George, Sydney Greenstreet, Elisha Cook Jr., Mary Astor, Barton MacLane, Robert and William Pinkerton, John Huston, Lillian Hellman, the Knights of Malta, BLACK MASK, San Francisco after World War I and Raymond Chandler.

This book has enough anecdotes and background material to satisfy even the most ardent enthusiast. My own favorite piece is an account by Mary Astor of her experiences while filming for her role as Brigid O'Shaughnessy in the 1941 version of THE MALTESE FALCON.

Dashiel Hammett is one of my favorite authors, I have all of his stories, including a couple of biographies. I'm also a fan of Noir stories and movies. This is a great book to add to my collection.

"Discovering the Maltese Falcon and Sam Spade" is an amazing collection of materials related to Dashiell Hammett, his greatest novel "The Maltese Falcon", the film adaptations of the book, and other spin-offs assembled by Hammett biographer Richard Layman. Layman states in his introduction, "The purpose of this volume is to provide researchers basic materials useful in studying 'The Maltese Falcon'." Not everything ever written about "The Maltese Falcon" is here, but the contents of this book are remarkably varied. The collection is probably too dense for casual fans of "The Maltese Falcon", but it's indispensable for Hammett scholars and aficionados. The only fault I find is that reproductions of newspaper and other type-written materials are sometimes poor and would have benefited from enhancement.

The book is organized into five parts. The first part, "Detective Days", provides biographical information on Dashiell Hammett, a history of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, an interview with a colleague of Hammett's at Pinkerton, excerpts from books on criminal investigation that Hammett studied, and some non-fiction pieces that Hammett wrote about his detective days. The second section, "The Pulps and the Making of the Novel", includes a history of "Black Mask" magazine, the historical basis for the Maltese Falcon statuette, comments by "Black Mask" editor Joseph T. Shaw, some reviews of Hammett's mystery fiction, and many excerpts from Hammett's stories that later inspired characters and events in "The Maltese Falcon".

"Magazine and Book Publication" begins with a copy of Hammett's book contract with Knopf and correspondence with publisher Harry Block. There are covers of "Black Mask" issues that serialized "The Maltese Falcon", examples of text that was revised between magazine publication and book publication, early book jackets, many favorable reviews of the book, Dorothy Parker's tepid review of "The Glass Key", articles about Cecil Henderson's plagiarism, and sales data for the novel. The forth section, "Critical Views of 'The Maltese Falcon'", is seven pieces of relatively recent literary criticism that explore American individualism, Sam Spade's vernacular, the novel as introverted romance, as allegory of international politics between the wars, and the pursuit of tangible wealth, among other themes.

The last section, "Movies, Stage, and Radio: Hammett's Novel in Popular Culture", follows Hammett's life after the publication of the novel, followed by discussions of the script, budget, and reviews for the first film adaptation at Warner Brothers in 1931. More letters from Warner Brothers, title suggestions, correspondence with the Breen Office, and reviews of the second movie adaptation, "Satan Met a Lady", in 1936. For John Huston's 1941 adaptation, there is a letter from Joseph Breen citing Production Code violations in the script, a budget, letters about filming, Mary Astor's recollections of the film, 3 movie reviews, and 4 critical analyses. There is a bit about an abortive stage play and the legal challenges over "The Adventures of Sam Spade" radio show. There is a list of selected publications of "The Maltese Falcon" in the back of the book as well as an index.

Ijust have to say that I love this book!! Also the movie is Awesome!!!!

DragonHeart was a great movie, and this book is even more! It is about a dragon, Draco, but it is also about morals, codes, ethics, choices, and it was a story that makes you think. It also adds onto the movie, because the book goes much more into depth about the characters and their histories, thoughts, and dreams in a way I think the movie only touched on. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, adventure, dragons, or the stars.

When I first saw Dragonheart in the theatre my first thought was "I want the soundtrack!" My second was "I wonder if it's a book?" Many things from the movie are more thoroughly explained in the book(like what the things on Bowen's shield are) and at an earlier point in the story. Sometimes its hard to make things clear in a movie without getting too graphic! This book provided me with a lot of good reading because I was able to read it many times over without getting bored. I just hope Mr. Pogue does more work of this calibre in the future

I read this book because of an article I read in which Charles Edward Pogue claimed that his screenplays for Dragonheart & Kull were savaged by their Directors. To give the man a fair shake, I read his Dragonheart Novel. I can see why he was so upset! Wherever the film takes a wrong turn, the Novel goes in the right direction. Everything that is wrong about the film is RIGHT in the Novel. The writing, while now and then a little spare [which is better than overwriting] and a little too modern, is, overall, exceedingly literate [some of the dialogue is close to Tad Williams level]. The characters are believable and involving. The story explains itself and it's world. I HIGHLY recommend buying a copy of Dragonheart!

I am a hugely ardent fan of the movie... and I think I have to admit that is even better. It goes into a lot more depth, and it is darker - this is apparently what Pogue really wanted to do with the screenplay but couldn't. You get tons more about character here too and the whole story is filled out. There are some very funny bits (Gilbert's first encounter with Draco par example...), and some haunting dark passages - a lot of Einon's thoughts... It's just a beautifully written, very emotional story. In the end it's good vs evil, but heroism is never simplistic here. The main characters are incredibly strong, memorable... not to mention working wonderfully as dramatic foils for each other :)

And everything describing Draco and his thoughts is just beautiful. There's a bit near the end where he wants a last flight and sunshine which breaks my heart every time.

I used to get this book out of the library on a regular basis until I finally tracked down a second-hand copy. The sort of book I will gladly stay up all night reading, and have done.

(Note: this review was written about the book, not audio cassette edition...)

The appeal of Andy Mac is simple: he's down-to-earth, amiable, ambitious, and loves skateboarding for the natural high it gives him. This autobiographical book makes me believe he would still be skateboarding even if his sponsorships had been cut off and he was working in a greasy spoon flipping burgers. Andy is the consummate competitor: focused, extremely hard-working, and dedicated to a sport he loves. The beauty of skateboarding as presented here is that the athletes compete against themselves as well as the other participants. Seeing rivals competing with a respectful comraderie is refreshing. I can relate. Playing basketball all my life has made me realize that part of the love of the sport comes from pushing yourself to exceed your limits. It's a blast competing, but it's more fulfilling when you respect your opponent and his skills. Laughing in admiration when someone knocks down a three-pointer in your face (even though you did your best defensively) or completes a perfect 360 spin off the vert ramp is what makes the sport endearing. Andy Mac is a fierce talent, but he also learns from his peers. He sets a good example for aspiring young skateboarders and makes me want to learn a kick-flip, even though I'd probably snap my coccyx in the process. This book is loaded with personal anecdotes and insights into this exciting, acrobatic, and often punishing sport. Professional sports would be more appealing if all the athletes were as good-natured as Andy. Instead of thinking about the next thousand-dollar bling jewelry he will purchase after winning an XGames competition, he's happy he can fill his cupboard with jumbo boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. That says it all.

There are many great things about this book. It's humorous, gripping, and you just do not want to put it down. I rely enjoyed this book. I give it our stars. It is a must read . Even if you do not like sports you will like this book.

My 9 year old son loved this book. He learned a lot of good values from someone he really admires. I highly recommend this book.

Dropping in with Andy Mac is a really good book. It is about Andy Macs life. If you dont like skateboarding dont read this book because every page mentions skateboarding at least twice.

Here's an awesome book that will have you reading non-stop from beginning to end. Have you ever had the dream of becoming a professional skateboarder? Andy MacDonald has fulfilled such a dream. Dropping in with Andy Mac The Life of a Pro Skateboarder, is by far the greatest cant stop autobiography ever! I fell in love with this book from he start. It's a quick fun book to read.

The book tells you about the life of Andy Mac with great detail, starts with Little Andy getting constantly poisoned, I'm sure you are wondering what I mean but I guess you are going to have to read it to believe it! From the day he started skating his life was changed forever, when he got better he began to discover new places to skate, such as his buddies back yard which had a 9 foot half pipe.

There are plenty of reasons why anyone would enjoy this book. The book has less than 200 pages, but the font is decently sized. Not only is the story short but also there are plenty of pictures to give you a good idea of what he is talking about.

Yes! I love this guide! Let me give you a few reasons.
1.It comes with a big pimp poster!
2.It's got pimp pictures!
3.I like the cover.
Yay!

I Just wish Prima had put out a Guide for Enter the Matrix, Brady Games' guides are offen confusing and of sub-standard quality. This one isn't that bad, it has all the basic info and even insights in to the hacking System. But here's were it goes bad:

* The Pre-Walktrhough Chapter has no more info that the Manual

* The Walkthroughs lack maps, and sometimes that's all you need.

* Numerous Typos in the Encoded messages make decoding them in the Hacking a nightmare.

* The Dificluty estimates are way off.

* They forgot to show you how to make the HoverCraft MOVE!

* Enter the Matrix is one of those games were the path is pretty clear and in MOST(not all) cases you don't even need the Strategy guide.

* On the Plus side, even with the typos, it makes the Hacking System MUCH easier to figure out.

My Advice? Don't order it here, go to a store and flip through it a bit to see if it's what your looking for, and make your own decision.

Brady Games has done it again. Their Enter The Matrix Official Strategy Guide has got it all. It's broken down into The Construct (game play, weapons, vehicles, etc.); Characters (Ghost, Niobe, and the others they interact with); Hacking (into the game console); Jacked In (complete walkthroughs for both Ghost and Niobe); Glitches In The Matrix (unlock multiplayer, find 4 mini-games, etc.); and Behind The Game (interviews and concept art). The 190+ page book even comes with a double sided poster (Matrix Code Rain and a Matrix Universe Timeline). Also hidden inside are over 50 codes for you to find and decipher. Are you red or blue on this?

This game guide helps. Alot! Great to have because of the time line it comes with that teels the history and events of the Matrix which
includes the Anime. Also it gives a walkthrough on how to hack into the game using the hacking system, which will unlock alot of secrets. So go out and get cuz it's the best guide out there.

This strategy guide is a necessity for anyone with the game. The walkthrough might be helpful to some, although you can usually figure things out on your own. The best parts of the guide are the extensive sections on Hacking, as well as the storyboards and the spiffy timeline. Even if you're not into walkthroughs you should get the guide for all of the extras in it. This guide will definitely take you deeper down the rabbit hole...

No need to say a lot. If you like to read Hemingway, you just have got to hear him read his own words. It's so very strange when you press the play-button the first time...

I've seen the old film clips of Hemingway, read the novels and articles, and can call up the images of Papa Hemingway on his boat, or on safari, or just sitting on a chair... but nothing compares to actually hearing what he sounded like - how he would read the words he wrote - this is not only a MUST for any fan of Hemingway - this should be required listening in any American Literature 101 class. Wonderful.

This may be the only recording of Hemingway reading his own works. It is not of the best sound quality. And the works he reads from are also not his best.
My remarks relate to the Nobel Prize Speech. Hemingway known for his bluster and braggadocio reveals a surprising and quite touching humility in the speech when he refers to all the great writers who were never given the prize. He also speaks about the loneliness of the writing craft and the challenge to with each work aim at something new, and provide a creation to the world which has not been here before.
Here is an excerpt containing some of the most telling remarks of his speech.

"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer's loneliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day. For a true writer each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed. How simple the writing of literature would be if it were only necessary to write in another way what has been well written. It is because we have had such great writers in the past that a writer is driven far out past where he can go, out to where no one can help him. I have spoken too long for a writer. A writer should write what he has to say and not speak it. Again I thank you."

ASANTE! { thank you in Swahili } Papa for your neat readings!

Go to Billings, Montana.

Get a room high up [ south side ] in the 24 floor Sheraton Hotel.

From there watch the train pass by. Hear it's whistle and the clatter of the wheels as the train rolls along the tracks that lie between the historic Montana Ave. and Minnisota Ave. - the infamous " sporting district " of old Billings.

Papa's whorehouse still stands.

Look over it's roof to the Big Horn Mountains in the distance - and Cody, Wyoming and Red Lodge, Montana.

Then play ERNEST HEMINGWAY READS ERNEST HEMINGWAY.

Listening to Papa tell his story, " Saturday Night At The Whorehouse In Billings Montana ", will then be something special.

Very well done chap. Probably could not have done better myself. There were some soft spots in it which caused me to look at it poorly for a moment. If I weren't so nice, I might have given it a 3 star rating. Don't get me wrong, it was well written and I enjoyed it dearly. I do rate books rather harshly sometimes. Only cause I want people to understand that they and we or all of us can do better.

easy to read and follow. Great food and nice rating.

I have had this book for a number of years now and everyone who comes to my house asks about it. Finally, I decided to buy a bunch of them and hand them out as gifts.
I have tried many of the recipes - all work great. Even the African recipes - my Peace Corps friends said the food tasted just like it had in Africa. I have been all over Greece and I can attest for those recipes' authenticity. I made a French Tart - great. I make the Tira Misu recipe a lot. You won't be sorry. I have Alice Waters, Williams Sonoma, books on Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Cuban you name it - but this is the book I use the most.

I agree with Shawn, this is hands down my favorite cookbook. I spent my early childhood in Italy and fondly remember the the incredible meals I had there. This cookbook has really taken me back and given me new recipe ideas that I have gotten to share with my parents. Everyone I have cooked for using this book has been impressed and it is a joy to reference. I often take time to sit and thumb through this book to look at the wonderful pictures and get inspired.
Everything I have cooked out of this book, even recipes that I was initially unsure about, has turned out delicious. My boyfriend won my heart forever when he bought me this book.
Anne

This is a fantastic book. Everything from the 6 page listing of the key ingredients in a Mediterranean pantry, complete with color photos of the items, to the explanation of the different types of olive oil make this a very nice book. I like to know how a dish should look and this book delivers. There are color photos on every page.

Recipes are divided into regions, as noted in the previous review, and there are also special sections on such topics as antipasto, making pizza, making pasta, dressings and sauces, tapas and preparing olives. Recipes cover everything from soups, salads, breads, main dishes, and desserts.

I agree, it is a shame that Amazon doesn't do a "Look Inside" feature for this book. It is beautifully done. I expect to get a lot of use and enjoyment out of this book for years to come.

This is, by far, my favorite cookbook. The design and photos are so well done you can't help but to page through it time and time again, wanting to try every recipe in the book.

The recipes are broken up by country/region: Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. There are even a few recipes that are shared in each of these regions, and the differences between them are plain to see. Fortunately, this doesn't happen so much that you think you're being cheated out of variety. There are quite a few dishes for you to try.

It also has several other sections such as making your own pasta, dressings and sauces, etc, as well as little asides about many of the ingredients you will use. I can't stress enough how much I like this book. I only wish amazon would use the "look inside" feature so people could see exactly what I mean.

This is a wonderful book in the series with wonderful reproductions of the posters of the decade. Makes a wonderful gift for someone who loves movies as well as a great coffee table book. Highly recommended

Excellent... add it to your book collection! If you are a Star Wars fan check this out!

When I first looked at this book, it was like going back to my childhood, well, sort of, it was so neat to see posters of some of my favorite films from back then and a lot from movies that I never knew they made. The artwork on those posters is most certainly something to see and admire!!! If you love art and or movies this is THE book to get you won't be disappointed!

back in the day this was the best visual present.if the poster was cool then the movie would get Love.a picture can tell a thousand words.and the 70's had the coolest posters and arguable the best films in Movie History.before video tape you walk to the movie house and see the poster and the reaction you felt led you or back the other way.a solid must have book.

Like the other decade books in this series Film Posters of the 70's is a sensational buy. You could either keep it intact as a collection of posters in a book to show and discuss with friends, or cut the book up and actually have a vast number of posters up on your wall. This book is about a third the size of your standard film poster and most movies are full page colour. Any of them would look great up on the wall.

The 70's gave the world Star Wars, Grease, The Godfather, Mad Max, Alien, Taxi Driver, Texas Chainsaw Massacure, Halloween, Rocky and a very blood thirsty shark who changed human perception of sharks for decades to come named Jaws. These films along with other greats fill this book. Roger Moore also took over from Connery as James Bond and Clint Eastwood made a heap of Westerns. Find them here as well.

This gives you tips for differentiating between an anhinga and a cormorant (pointed or hooked beak) or snowy egret vs American egret (black vs yellow beak). Also shows chicks, immature birds, breeding plumage and females that vary in coloration.
The photos are large (some even full page), colorful and a real help in identifying the birds. It is a good browsing book as well, to just enjoy the birds flying, eating, swimming, etc.
Only 60+ pages, but the oversize format makes it a great souvenir of a trip to Florida or a resource for bird lovers or Florida residents. Actually it is useful to anyone living in the South or the Gulf coast states where these birds can be seen.
It includes coots, ducks, egrets, flamingos, frigatebirds, gallinules, gulls, herons, ibis, kingfisher, limpkins, osprey, pelicans, sandpipers, skimmers, spoonbills, storks and terns.

This gives you tips for differentiating between an anhinga and a cormorant (pointed or hooked beak) or snowy egret vs American egret (black vs yellow beak). Also shows chicks, immature birds, breeding plumage and females that vary in coloration.
The photos are large (some even full page), colorful and a real help in identifying the birds. It is a good browsing book as well, to just enjoy the birds flying, eating, swimming, etc.
Only 60+ pages, but the oversize format makes it a great souvenir of a trip to Florida or a resource for bird lovers or Florida residents. Actually it is useful to anyone living in the South or the Gulf coast states where these birds can be seen.
It includes coots, ducks, egrets, flamingos, frigatebirds, gallinules, gulls, herons, ibis, kingfisher, limpkins, osprey, pelicans, sandpipers, skimmers, spoonbills, storks and terns.

This was a wonderful book. I had to buy it for an ecology class on the Everglades, but it was well worth it. It has beautiful large color illustrations, and descriptions of the various water birds of Florida. A great investment whether you plan to visit, like I did, or just to enjoy the book by itself. Really useful in identifying birds, especially wading, in the cypress swamps, as well as the entire Everglades water shed. A must buy.

This is an awesome book with great fun facts. The pictures are beautiful! If you are a fan of Florida and the waterbirds, you will love this book and want to display it for others to see.

NOT the book for experienced birders. Absolutely perfect for the dabbler as you will always be able to easily and quickly find your bird in this book. Though the book does provide a limited number of facts and descriptions of each bird, it should be used more as a visual guide to help you learn the name of each bird species.