Movies Books

I bought this book, along Kael's 5001 NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES (capsule reviews) and its sister collection DEEPER INTO MOVIES as a used book b/c it's out-of-print(!), after getting into an online discussion about movies...and realizing the "critics" being bruited about were Red Reed and Ain't It Cool News! When I mentioned Kael, who I'd read in THE NEW YORKER from the mid-Seventies through the Nineties along with owning copies of all her collections up to REELING from my college days, I got a lot of "Who's she, anyway?" Since my college collection of Kael paperbacks had long since succumbed to age or being lost while moving, I realized it was past time to start repurchasing them.

Simply put, Pauline Kael ranks alongside James Agee, Manny Farber, Dorothy Parker, Andrew Sarris and Frank Rich as one of the greatest American critics of the Twentieth Century. Unlike too many "movie reviewers" who think a snappy quip is all that's required, Kael gave intense analysis even to films she disliked intensely, so that her judgements were highly nuanced and thought through. Her insight into the shift in filmmaking and film consumption in the mid-late Twentieth Century, coupled with understanding of earlier movie eras, helps clarify the Sixties American switch from "movies" to "cinema"...and back again during the Reagan Eighties. She was a lifelong "movie lover" with the intelligence to comprehend the meaning of nonmainstream "cinema" - and the wisdom to know when its praise was earned, and when it was just pseudointellectual cliquishness.

This first collection is, in many ways, Kael's most "critique-y", containing a series of long articles on topics like the growing "cinerati" fondness for films with oblique narratives like LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD or LA NOTTE ("Zeitgeist and Poltergeist"), the "deep cinema" movies that were in their way as fraudulent as Hollywood's worst ("Fantasies of the Art House Audience"), and even a lengthy swipe at McCarthyism's corruption of Hollywood which should be required reading for Ann Coulter and every other "HUAC apologist" ("Morality Plays Right and Left"). There are also witty and thoughtful reviews of both "arthouse" and popular films of the mid-Fifties through mid-Sixties.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and I urge some US publisher to reprint her entire ouerve, and Amazon to "Kindleize" her work so that a new generation can appreciate the greatness of spirit that was Pauline Kael.

Pauline Kael was a prophet of the times: she knew that people would eventually be addicted to the movies. But she was perceptive enough to realize from the onset that this addiction went beyond the inescapable, because grippingly overwhelming, magic of storytelling. She understood that movies were addictive because not only do they take on a life of their own, they also created a world of their own --- cult worship, technology wizardry, critical discourse, the vagaries of box-office results, and all that jazz. These Ms. Kael grasped, and armed with her stylish wit and whip, she rallied on to the cultural battlefronts of what would turn out to be our multi-media age. This book is therefore a must-read, because beyond the disparate individual movie reviews, Ms. Kael allows us to appreciate the intellectual and moral landscape of our times. She shows us that behind things are the more important scheme of things. For her, the reel is for real. And these days, who can say it isn't so

I grew up reading Pauline Kael's reviews, mostly by walking to the public library in the small town where I grew up -- I'd snag the New Yorker off the shelf and immerse myself in what she had to say about movies, many of which would never come to my town. But I was enthralled.

I love her reviews now for the same reason I loved them then -- she makes me want to see the movies she writes about. And more than that, she makes me want to see movies, period. Her passion for the medium -- even when she doesn't like a film -- is contagious, and she expresses it beautifully.

Surprisingly to me, in these early reviews she frequently quotes the reviews of other critics and then mercilessly takes apart what they have said. She particularly has it in for the New York Times' Bosley Crowther, but she doesn't let others off the hook easily, either.

Kael is fun to read, even if you haven't seen the movie she is talking about. I've never seen "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone", though I have seen "Suddenly Last Summer" -- both based on works of Tennessee Williams. But Kael's 1961 review of "Mrs. Stone" is a hilarious read. In one part, she says:

"The men who filmed 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone' seem to think the idea of an aging woman seeking companionship and love so daring and unusual that they fumble around with it almost as much as the doctor in the screen version of 'Suddenly, Last Summer', who couldn't seem to cope with the simple facts of Sebastian's homosexuality and kept saying, 'You DON'T mean THAT?'-- 'No, it CAN'T be THAT?' -- 'WHAT are you saying?' -- 'What do you MEAN?' I assumed the youngest child in the audience would get the point before he did. By trying so diligently to make Mrs. Stone so sympathetic and understandable the director and writer, Jose Quintero and Gavin Lambert, kill all interest in her. We could accept a woman buying love, but why make her haggle over it?"

Kael is hilarious, maddening, and most of all, thought-provoking. And if you love movies, she'll make you love them more.

This book was fantastically entertaining! The man is as chaotic, eccentric, and strange as you would probably guess but did you know he was funny as well! Of course it is a bizarre sense of humor and some of it very nonsensical but it is interesting nonetheless. I couldn't put it down and since it is not written as an autobiography but snippets of interviews on a variety of topics--you can pick it up and begin reading on any page. I loved this book. A huge book for a huge personality and the pictures are amazing! Black and white rare photos of actors and scenes from his most memorable movies. Many of these are worthy of framing.

This book arrived in perfect condition and I received a very warm e-mail from the seller acknowledging my order and the shipment. Perfect!

This deluxe edition of what renowned Fellini specialist Tullio Kezich describes as the Maestro's "spiritual testament" (in his superb foreword to the book) is bona fide Fellini-esque. Hilarious anecdotes are squeezed in beside a number of very moving meditations on old age, sex, LSD, unemployment, Trivial Pursuit, God, Dante, death and the Hereafter. The newly restored black-and-white photos capturing the Italian director's surreal world are well-served by an excellent English translation. The final entry in the lexicon is a fairy tale titled "Zio Lupo" or "Uncle Wolf" and it pretty much defines Fellini's insatiability. Highly recommended.

I gave this book 5 stars because it has to be at least 20 years since I read it last (read it over and over and over then) and I still remember it with a great deal of fondness. My personal favorite has to be his descriptions of spending the summer in Scituate Mass--my mother was great friends with Tommy and his family and this is one of those books that just gives lots of laughs and reflections.

I ran across this book and was compelled to read it. This stunning portrayal of the life of Tom Sullivan and how he overcame adversity in a world that he was unable to see, opens the eyes of the reader. He takes his darkened world and livens it up with color and animation taking you on a journey that surprises and delights. This is a must read.

I'm stationed overseas in bosnia, and it can be very boring. this book gave me hope that my life will be better when i get back to the world. we'll see.

The best thing about this book is that it tips you off to sites you never knew existed and would have never found otherwise. I consider myself pretty web savvy, and yet I discovered sites that are fun and useful and whose existence was a pleasant surprise. Also, the book is very funny and has a great attitude.

The iFilm Internet Movie Guide by IFILM.com editor-in-chief Lew Harris is a trailblazing, comprehensive guide to the best films, film sites, review sites, celebrity shrines, and movie-related gossip on the Internet. Perhaps most unique of all, it reviews and directs websurfers to short films that are available 24 hours a day on the Internet for all to see, for free! An absolute "must" for movie buffs and have access to the Internet, The iFilm Internet Movie Guide may be the first book of its kind but it certainly won't be the last!

I got this book as a gift from a friend. I had very low expectations. I pride myself on having a rather large list of entertainment url bookmarks. Boy, was I surprised!! And impressed. The book starts off with the best 50 short films to watch on the Web--for FREE. There are the best in animation, spoofs, sci-fi, celebrity stuff, comedy, drama etc. I especially liked the "underground" sites, hip review sites (rotten tomatos), Sexiest sites, and other movie stuff. The interviews were fairly irreverent and fun. There is even a professional Appendix of the best screenwriter sites, filmmaking sites, producing sites and other somewhat professional places to go. It is just my guess, but there are probably close to 500 or more legitmate entertainment sites described in this book--way more than I ever imagined or have time to fully check out. very browsable. Thanks for the gift--I've had hours of pleasure. Broadband makes this book much better

I read this book, and it totaly helped me! I started my film, and learned so much from this book.

The author must be some sort of g-d! He anwered nearly everyone of my questions. It actually changed the way i've been shooting.

Thanks! If only you'll write some more books!

I found Mr Garon's book to be direct, informative and easy to read without losing any of the details. This had all the information of a definitive text while being an easy read. I was eagerly awaiting his book, it did not disappoint.

Filmmaking is a leap of faith. A lot of people assume someone else will solve all the paperwork problems when distributions is locked. Unfortunately, if your paperwork is not in order and you can't furnish deliverables, you run the risk of losing the distro deal. Deliverables- what you provide to a distributor so they can do their job of marketing your movie- begin at the screenwriting stage.

If you are totally do it yourself and willing to make investments on yourself, why would you leave legalities to the VERY end when you have no choice (at least at the start you have the option of NOT hiring someone if they won't sign an actors release, avoiding a location if the owner won't sign. There's no "getting away" with anything.) This is stuff you hear about in film school, but it doesn't sink in until you experience the limitations caused by putting off the paperwork.

Author Jon Garon provides a legal book that is inclusive of all filmmakers, including no budget guerilla filmmakers. Even books that deal with guerilla filmmaking tend to gloss over the pertinent details that relate to Do-it-yourself-ers. He has some beautiful words of respect for guerilla filmmakers, too. That this is a law and business guide makes it a must have for anyone thinking about making a movie, be it for no money or millions.

This is the first book I've read that goes indepth as to the protections of a sole-proprietor vs. sole-Proprietor LLC (if your state allows it). I set up the LLC today, following his instructions. Took 10 minutes, online. Even went to the irs.gov for the employer id Number. He explains the risks of partnerships, and how you can unwittingly enter a partnership if you and your pals don't set forth an agreement at the start.

Financing is everyone's biggest complaint. This book explores the conventional and alternative financing models (investors vs. disposable income vs. debt financing/credit cards), and goes one better as to compare the risks and rewards of each. The golden quote is "I have never heard of anyone who has gambled her house on a film and won."

He even breaks down setting up your company and chain of command, running your company, working out deferrals and how those are paid back, and all sorts of issues you need to know but otherwise wouldn't think of. This book also includes info on contracts, actor and location releases, and music permissions.

Granted, this doesn't include a lot of boiler plate. But Mark Litwak has books for that. However, this book bests Litwak in the realm of detail and why certain provisions really matter. This book empowers the filmmaker to understand business and contracts, what to ask for, what to avoid, and so much more. This is a critical book to own. Particularly if you're broke. So get it!

"...nicely drawn fun, with lots of cheesecake." -- Bud Plant Comic Art

"Recommended Reading!" -- Parsec, the Canadian Science Fiction Magazine

The Invisible Dirty Old Man was a scream. It's definitely good for a lot of laughs -- and almost as many trips to the bathroom. I'm getting in line for the movie Now!

I was amazed at the super rich colors and terrific drawings done on heavy weight supergloss paper. I hope all comics look like this in the future. A multilayered treatise reminiscent of early Stan Lee. Bottom line: my senses were titillated; yet my morals were not offended.

I just purchased my first iPod this year. I bought the manual to be sure I would get a good understanding of how to the use the iPod. I'm glad I did because the user guide that ships with the iPod is minimal.

The authors explain all the features in all the iPods currently available - the Shuffle, the Classic, the Nano, and the iTouch. At times it is a little confusing because each iPod does some things differently, so you have to skim over things to find the instructions for your model. However, these side by side comparisons are helpful for current iPod owners who are thinking of upgrading and for first time buyers who want to know which iPod best fits their needs.

The manual's instructions are great - I went from being a newbie to using most of the features of my classic a few days after it arrived.

Once the features of the iPods are explained, the authors move on to show how to use iTunes. Because iTunes is the same for all kinds of iPods, this section is easier to follow.

Although I had not had an iPod before, I'd used iTunes to listen to songs on my laptop for over a year. I knew my way around iTunes and the iTunes store, but this manual showed me some things I didn't know.

I recommend this manual to everyone who wants to get the best out of their iPods, anyone who is considering buying an iPod for the first time, and veteran iPod owners who are thinking of an upgrade. For the asking price, this book is really worth it.

"IPod, the Missing Manual, Seventh Ed.," is an update and improvement of a book which has already distinguished itself for excellence in providing guidance for iPod users. It is one of Pogue Press's Missing Manual series which itself is a benchmark for computer books of its type. This edition of "iPod"covers the latest and greatest iPods, the iTunes software, and accessories for the iPod as well as further polishing the presentation formula of the "iPod Missing Manual" editions.

The book is lavishly produced in glossy paper and full-color graphics. There are graphics on nearly every page. The well-designed layout has nicely contrasting headings, body type, sidebars, and illustrations, which make it easy to read and understand the well-written material. The content is covered thoroughly and comprehensively. It covers nearly everything an iPod user needs to know to utilize the machine to its fullest, from using the iPod within minutes out of the box, to learning all of the applications, menus, synching options, and connection options to the Internet. The ending chapter discusses troubleshooting.

There are chapters devoted to each function of the iPod - music, photos, videos, productivity applications, games, and Web access and e-mail (for the Touch). Throughout there are useful and interesting Notes and Tips. The book covers all of the current iPod models - Mac and PC -and highlights recommended connection hardware for using the iPod with a TV, external speakers, radio, streaming over wireless devices, and in the car.

Much of the newer content deals with the iPod's flagship, the Touch, which supports Web surfing, e-mail, and numerous third-party applications available for downloading from the Apple Store. The chapters and segments are organized in such a way that you can selectively read only those parts which apply to your specific iPod model, but the whole book is an easy read.
There is plenty of information and suggestions on customizing the iPod to suit your needs and tastes, both software wise and with hardware accessories. The issues of digital rights management and legal workarounds are well explained.

The only way this book could be better would be if it included a coupon for a free iPod.

A very worthwhile handbook. I learned everything I needed to know to use the software to load music into my computer, create playlists and transfter the music into the iPod. Well written and easy to understand.

I've owned about every other iPod model, now with an iPod Touch 2nd gen. A one point, I worked for Apple, so I'm an ardent consumer of most things Apple. I found this book a quick read (2 days), lighthearted, and full of good info. I've known most of the iPod features as well as iTunes. For me, this book was about the Touch.

I thought the quality of the paper and images were going to be poor, for the cover is sort of cheesy. I was wrong. The paper is a high quality matte that holds the sharp graphic images. The writing style is mostly straightforward with a little dry wit, consistent with Pogue's podcasts, which I also enjoy.

The first few chapters start a little slow, but I came into this book with an iPod-savvy background. Chapter 5, iTunes Power Moves, started sparking my interest. After so many years, a refresher is, well, refreshing, brushing up on my knowledge and seeing if there's anything new I may have overlooked as being useful for the way I presently using my tools/toys. For instance, there's a page about changing the song's file format. The iPod Touch doesn't support mp2 format, the encoding in which I found one of my music files to be.

Then there are the myriad of tricks and tips pertaining to the Touch, my primary interest. LOTS of valuable info. It really re-energized my interest in the device. He shows how to view lyrics as the music plays - something not possible in iTunes. It's a feature I really like and now use most of the time.

Other interesting chapters were 8 and 11. Chapter 8 is about getting video onto the device, video settings on iTunes and the Touch. Chapter 11, Surfing the Web, may have had the most new information for me. For instance, I learned that touching the top of the browser window brings you to the top (insta-scroll). And the keyboard - wow! I didn't know there were so many gestures to rapidly enter characters. For instance, I found numeric entry awkward, flipping to the numeric keyboard. The book showed me another, quicker way to enter numbers and never leave the alpha soft keyboard. What a time saver. Where did he find this stuff was the question that often came to mind. I even got inspired to sync bookmarks with the Touch Safari. I hope some day URL Manager - my preferred URL manager - will sync with the Touch. Last, this chapter shows references for mobile-aware websites.

There's also a chapter on additional devices like power adapters and car chargers, if you don't have your own already! Overall, this book was well worth it, if for nothing more than to get the full value out of the Touch. Good job.

The subject of this book is fascinating. While I was reading this well written book, I kept thinking, 'this would make a great movie bio'.

This was a good book and easy and fast to read. It mainly focuses on the very early film making of Jackie, and then goes into his later years. The only thing that makes me wonder about authors of these biographies (of which I read MANY), is when their information is not correct, and then I wonder a bit what else might be not quite the truth. In this respect, I refer to a couple of references which the average reader might say "who even cares", but what I am saying here is that if this information is incorrect, then what else hasn't been researched thoroughly or completely and happens to be wrong? Are we getting the real truth? My questions here refers to when Jack Coogan died, and the author says that he was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Culver City. Calvary is in East L.A. (where Jack is), and Culver City is where another Catholic cemetery is located. So we have not good research here. Then, after Jackie died, the book says he was "laid to rest at Holy Cross Mausoleum, near the crypt that held the remains of Jack Coogan Sr." But before it says he's at Calvary, now it's Holy Cross. And I do happen to know the truth. Jack is at Calvary, but Jackie is at Holy Cross. So, maybe trivial to some, but like I say, whatother information may not be the real truth. Another bit of the book that disturbed me was when the auto accident happened that killed Jack and injured Jackie. She says that after the accident the mother was notified at 5 PM, and that immediately his stepfather chartered a plane in Los Angeles, which consisted of his mother, their doctor and 4 other people and when they arrived in San Diego they were led by police escort the 59 miles to the acident area. She makes it sounds like this was accomplished in a very brief time period, but honestly, chartering a plane and getting 6 or more people to the airport and flying to San Diego and then driving 59 miles of rugged road would take an awfully long time, many hours I would think. They would have arrived at 2 in the morning or something. This isn't very believable. But it's a good book and I liked it. Jackie was fortunate to live out his life and die a natural, as he lived some pretty fast years.

Diana Serra Cary was once know as Baby Peggy in the 1920's. Mrs. Cary must have done exhaustive research into the life of fellow child star Jackie Coogan. She also reveals a crime that was committed during Coogan's college years. Jackie Coogan: The World's Boy King is aptly titled. Coogan's parents were Vaudeville actors. Charles Chaplin was searching for a child to work in one of his pictures. Adorable 6 year old Jackie got the part. Until he hit the awkward age, Jackie was making millions of dollars. There were no laws during that era about child labor or whether the child would benefit in adulthood from a working childhood. Jackie was mobbed all over the world. Since the pictures he made were silent, the subtitles could be changed for every country. Naturally, this greatly effected the child. During his teenage years he was in an automobile crash with 3 other people. Jackie was the only survivor. His father had died.
When it came time for Jackie to inherit his trust fund he discovered that he had no right to it under the law. His Mother, now remarried met Jackie in court to fight over his childhood earnings. The public was horrified to learn that Jackie under old fashioned laws was not entitled to one red cent. This is how the famous Coogan law was brought into effect. At this time Jackie was married to Betty Grable. He was terribly cruel to Betty. Continuously drunk one night he urinated all over his wife. Unable to find work because of being black listed by Mayor, Coogan enlisted in the military. Later in life he would become known as Uncle Fester on the Adam's Family.

They finally put out a good edition of James Bond movie posters in a calendar that is both comprehensive and esthetically pleasing. Most of the interpretations of the cinematic James Bond are represented in this new calendar. There are some great iconic posters reprinted here. This is a good collection. This calendar is very colorful and dynamic. The YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE Teaser is one of the best. This is a exceptional calendar!

The many facets of James Bond are represented here. There are some great iconic posters represented here. This is a good collection. This calendar is very colorful and dynamic. Good one!

The James Bond Movie Posters 2007 Calendar is an improvement over 2006. There is a better choice of posters selected for this calendar compared to the 2006 edition. The selection here is attractively assembled. They are more striking and evoke the essence of the James Bond films. The 2006 edition seemed to focus more on the obscure posters. The obscure are not always esthetically pleasing. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN British Quad, the ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE one sheet and the YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE teaser one sheet are beautifully vivid and colorful. Good calendar here.

I've read many books about Katharine Hepburn and this is one of the best. She is a very interesting woman. So, besides that, the thing that makes this book good is that the author actually new Katharine Hepburn and spent a fair amount of time with her.

The book covers their relationship between 1968 (when they met) and 1992. Mr. Prideaux wrote some screenplays especially for Great Kate. The book tells about their working relationship and their friendship of sorts.

Mr. Prideaux also writes about his meetings and work with other stars such as: Elizabeth Taylor, Dame Wendy Hiller, Judith Anderson, Patrick Duffy, Julie Harris, Jean Stapleton, Ryan O'Neal and Burt Reynolds.

Oh, how fascinating the 'STAR' quality is. It is amazing how some 'stars' feel superior enough to walk all over people and others are as nice as can be, no matter how famous they are. They are just people after all... no better and no worse than the rest of the world.

A most excellent and intrigueing book.

If you'd like to see the human side of the great Katharine Hepburn, then you've come to the right place. This book is informative, entertaining, a breeze to read, and above all, where Kate is concerned, honest. This is definitive Hepburn.

Very few books on Hepburn have been written by people who even met her, let alone those who knew her personally. James Prideaux has been a close friend for many years. In his book you'll find a portrait of Hepburn that has not yet emerged: human, warm, eccentric AND egocentric certainly, but always, always, ALWAYS fascinating. You'll find here the star, but also the woman-complete with warts. If you want to find a Hepburn not available elsewhere, don't miss this one!