Bill Pullman Books

This book is loads of fun! I bought it for my third grader, who is taking a field trip to see "Romeo and Juliet." I wanted him to have some familiarity with the storyline so he wouldn't be yawning cluelessly by the end of Act I. He loved it so much he wanted to discuss it! Even my husband who hates to read the stuff enjoyed it.
In short, the book is well done. It shortens the plays into a very long story-summary without the dramatic language that can be somewhat of a distraction. We're not talking Cliff's Notes here folks. This is just a handful of pages per play written on a level anyone can understand and enjoy. The book is not long so it's not intimidating. (Have you seen any books containing Shakespeare's complete works, lately? Mine could be used for a doorstop! It's huge!)
We paired this book with the comedy of "The Reduced Shakespeare Company's" version of Romeo and Juliet. My son is actually looking forward to the trip!

Romeo and Juliet

Felipe Gravier and Lorenzo Schiavo review:

We think that Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two star-crossed lovers whose families are in a terrible fight which prevents them from coming together. How far the couple will go to be together becomes the focus of the story. Of his richest poetry. The opening and closing choruses are some of his most outstanding work. Romeo's It is a brilliant love story but not much more. It still possesses however some wooing of Juliet is fabulously written. The Friar gets the best lines. Mercutio is one the best friends of Romeo. It is not as good as Shakespeare has written but it's still a fabulous book and up there with his best work. One part of the play we didn't like was that for the tow families get arrange there two kids had to die.
The English language wasn't finally finished so Shakespeare had the liberty to create words and play with the language, as he liked. That's why It was so difficult to understand what each character wanted to express so the teacher had to explain us each of that words and teach us all the words in that age and told us which were the words in the English of today.

Shakespeare is for kids and adults in E. Nesbit's creative mind. I always liked fairy tales, but I couldn't read Shakespeare very well. In Children's Shakespeare E. Nesbit turned his work into fairy tales without changing the story and morals. This book is not much like Nesbit's other books because it was written by Shakespeare, but I bet there are some simularities.

This book was a overall well writen book and I beleive E. Nesbit put a lot of hard work into her books in her life-time. I'm sure if she were alive now she would still be writing good books to this day.

This book provides lots of Shakespeare's Storys like "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and "Hamlet" with a children's fairy tale twist. The storys are the same as Shakespeare's, but easier for children to understand. My favorite story was Hamlet because I had just seen the play. A while after we read Children's Shakespeare and it helped me to understand Hamlet better.

I read and reread this book as a youth. The stories read much like classic fairy tales with tragedy, irony, and moral lessons. The writing is very accessible and encouraged me to seek out the full length "stories" in their original (play script) form once I was old enough (6th/7th grade) to really read them.

For a child who has a love of literature, these retellings of the great plays may start a life-long interest in Shakespeare's art (as they did for me).

This show is by far the best of the Law and Orders. The characters are appealing and the actors who play them are really good. The chemistry between them is truly riveting. I often watch only to see the charectersl relationships develop and put away the bad guys. Five Stars all the way!

This series continues to addict this viewer with realistic developments and intriguing plots. The growth of the main characters continues each season and I consistently watch to follow the issues they each stubble upon. One of the few series with any quality. Reality TV requires no brain function whatsoever!!!! When will they all stop?????SUV I

Fast shipping and delivery. It's not what i was expecting, but was pleasantly suprised anyway. Thanx.

I could never understand why this film flopped. I saw it opening weekend in the theater and it was packed. Everyone there was really into it. I went back twice more while it was in the theater, and while it was never as full, most of the seats were occupied. And people were just as enthusiastic. It is still great at home, although not as fun. The music expresses what simple words couldn't, it sets the mood. I wouldn't sit around and listen to it away from the movie, but it works. It's really too bad that fox animation went under. I hate the way that Disney "disnifies" every film they get their hands on, and it would have been nice for them to have some competition.

I saw this movie in theater, obviously it's cool.
But wondering, the story in the video seem like... it had a little bit different over the movie in theater although when I search in deleted scene, that missing scene had never found.

My sons and I love this movie, so do the neighbor kids.
It's got a great story, wonderful characters, and impressive
graphics. It'll be in our Sci-Fi movie collection for years
to come.

I've seen where people put this movie down a lot but let me tell you I really enjoyed it. If your one of those people who likes to sit back and pick apart a plot, then any movie is hard pressed to make you happy. If you let yourself be immersed in the universe this movie takes place in, you'll really enjoy it. I am a big fan of the post apocalypse genre and this movie is a refreshing new take on it. I'm not going to give you a synopsis of the movie but it is a good epic space opera worth seeing.

Interesting book and although factual description of Pullman travel. The Pullman car would not have been sucessful with out the Pullman porter.This book seems to imply that service in the cars was provided by the entire train crew while in fact the train was sucessful only because of the porters. A blunder on the part of the author.

This is a wonderful book! Very thorough, excellent photos/graphics, well written text. Absolutely a must for anyone interested in overnight train travel; what it was, and what it could be.

This book shows diagrams and real advertisements from the Pullman company, named after George Pullman. To address legitimate concerns about the African-American employees who helped make the service what it was, I suggest the DVD video, made by Showtime Productions, called "10,000 Black Men Named George." It tells the true story of how employees at first weren't paid a salary, as Pullman figured they would make great tips. The riders thought they made great wages and were skimpy with tips unless the service was particularly great. The movie goes into detail (available from amazon) about A. Phillip Randolph and his efforts to unionize the employees. Employees were expected to look clean and sharp at all times despite the sparce sanitary facilities for the employees on the trains, and they could be transfered anywhere in the country on a moment's notice.

Otherwise the reader will get a real feel for what it was like to have a "hotel on wheels." The Pullman Company operated most of the sleeping car service for the railroads until 1968, even providing the repairs for the cars, which usually carried the host railroad logo and paint. The exit of the Pullman Company, and the railroads loss of the Postal Service contract to haul first class mail, were among the many death knells for the passenger train run by individual railroads, and led to the formation of Amtrak in 1971. Ironically the first generation "Superliners" were built for Amtrak by Pullman-Standard. Enjoy the ride and pleasant dreams!

Although this book has some interesting photos and a bare bones history of the Pullman Car phenomenon, it is truly deficit in any mention and documentation of the Pullman Porters. How can a history of any sort be written about the Pullmans without talking about these hardworking porters and their service, which, by the way, sold the seats? In fact, much photographic documentation of these men exists, as Pullman used many photos of them in the corporate image advertising and some exists also from the porters' own historic unionization efforts. The fact that there is not a reference in even the index, and that less than a handful of pictures including these men can be seen in these pages makes me wonder about the author's grip on the material. After all, the berths did not lower and make themselves! For me, this book represents a simplification and sanitation of some very important American history.

This movie is smart, fun, and funny. I'd never heard of it before catching it on TV a few months ago, but I couldn't change the channel! It's got great lines with great delivery. Smart, fun, and funny. I just don't know how else to describe it. Travolta is excellent from the start, and Bill Pullman, though he only arrives halfway through the movie, is hilarious. Tim Roth and Lisa Kudrow are also very funny in their roles. The dialogue is easy to follow, but sometimes the humor is quick and subtle, so pay attention! Here are a couple of my favorite lines, but believe me there are a bunch:

Jerry the bookie: I mean Jesus Christ himself can't rig the state lottery...unless, unless Jesus had a buddy down at the TV station.

Crystal: And I want that ticket back. And I want Dick Simmons dead, you hear me!?
Gig: Fine, fine.
Crystal: And I want his head cut off so I can hang it from my rear view mirror!
Gig: Now that's just your anger talking.

We watched about half before losing interest and going to bed. No laughs and very generic characters that are boring, unrelatable, and pathetic. Poorly defined, a total waste of time.

This is a great John Travolta comedy that was probably inspired by a true story in Pittsburgh Pennsyvania back in 1980,when a local popular television celebrity "Nick Perry" was allegedly involved in a televised lottery fix and had to serve prison time.Anyway,it's an interesting must see movie !!!!!

I don't know why this movie didn't do better, and why some reviews are ONE STAR reviews. It is certainly much better than ONE STAR. Nevertheless, I found this to be up with GET SHORTY, very dialogue driven movie, which I personally love.

Very funny moments, characters and story. Tim Roth, Michael Rapaport, Ed O'Neil, Bill Pullman and Michael Moore all add great funny performances. I generally don't like Travolta, but both this and GET SHORTY is the exception.

This, like 29th Street is an underrated movie that I think people had too high expectations and therefore the possible disaapointment. I laughed almost through the entire movie. What people will do for money!

Dear Quentin,

How are things going, man? I heard about the new film with Uma. Sounds great.

Did you see my newest film "Lucky Numbers"? I play Russ Richards, the local celebrity weatherman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Russ has adoring fans, his own table and omelet at Denny's, and a snowmobile dealership. Due to uncommonly warm weather, his dealership is about to go under, crumbling his entire financial empire. Out of desperation, he pays a visit to Gig (Tim Roth), the owner of the local strip club. Gig suggests that Russ and his `friend' Crystal (Lisa Kudrow) rig the state lottery. Crystal works at the same station and pulls the numbers out for the lottery. Crystal is all for the idea. She has also been dating Dick Simmons (Ed O'Neil), the station manager and he has been neglecting her. Her share of the winnings will help her break free. Everything, of course, gets complicated.

Funny, huh? It has it's moments.

Quentin, you know that I like to work with people I know. It makes me feel comfortable. Acting is hard, man. I need comfort to help me create my characters. Nora Ephron directed the film. She and I worked together on "Michael", which was pretty successful, so I was hoping lightning would strike twice.

I really enjoyed reading the screenplay. Basically it combines elements of dark comedy and farce. People act weird, some people die, people are mean to one another. But they also act really silly. I haven't done a lot of farce but I laughed when I read the screenplay. My track record with comedy is spotty, but if someone has the $20 million and a decent script, I'm game.

Lisa and I are great together. She plays someone that is very different from her well-known persona on `Friends'. Crystal is very different from Phoebe. Crystal has an edge, a determination that makes her very interesting. Crystal has a few moments that also make her seem real, a very important factor in a farce. If the character doesn't have at least a tiny grounding in reality, the farce doesn't work. Lisa gets this and makes it work. I get it, too, and made it work during the scene in the Denny's... In the scene in the snow mobile dealership... In the scene at the television studio when they reveal that someone was killed... In the... Well, I know I made it work somewhere. I'm no film historian, but it works.

The supporting characters are top notch. Michael Moore plays Crystal's dimwitted cousin. He is very funny. Tim Roth is good, but doesn't have a lot of laughs. But that's OK. He's primarily a dramatic actor anyway. Actors should play to their strengths. Michael Rappaport plays a local thug. He's all over the place. Hell, most of the supporting cast is all over the place. That's OK, because this is a farce, right?

I know reviewers will pick up on the fact that everyone in the film is greedy, unlikable and they really don't like each other. There isn't really anyone to care about. That's OK. These characters are based on real people. They don't need to be likable. They need to be funny. They are funny. Aren't they? Sometimes? Yes. They have some funny moments.

Nora is a great director. She has a good hand at comedy, especially farce. Every farce I have ever seen has too many laughs. You're laughing when another joke happens. You can't keep track of it all. Thankfully, Nora has slowed everything down... Quite... A... Bit. Her pacing is glacial. But I like that. I have the ability to laugh at the jokes.

Quentin, I'm just not sure. I've had a string of dogs lately. I'm not a good actor. I'm a movie star. I am a persona that draws people into the movies. They shouldn't expect my performance to be subtle or even well-modulated. If I'm playing a local celebrity weatherman, I'm going to play it for all the smarminess I can. I'm going to mug and grin at every character that recognizes me. I'm going to wear the local fame on my sleeve and when things start to go wrong, I'm going to shake, rub my head, run around in circles, really frustrated. I can play characters. But lately, people haven't been coming to the films. "Battlefield Earth" was a disaster, but to save face, I told some news people that I thought it was good and will make a sequel. I am a powerful star, a member of the $20 million dollar club. I can't go back to the under $10 million club. I just can't.

Quentin, you are the king of creating comeback vehicles. Can you start thinking of another comeback vehicle for me? I know you can. I think that I may need another comeback in a year or two. Start watching the old videos, OK, pal? For me, Quentin?

Thanks, buddy.
John

This movie is smart, fun, and funny. I'd never heard of it before catching it on TV a few months ago, but I couldn't change the channel! It's got great lines with great delivery. Smart, fun, and funny. I just don't know how else to describe it. Travolta is excellent from the start, and Bill Pullman, though he only arrives halfway through the movie, is hilarious. Tim Roth and Lisa Kudrow are also very funny in their roles. The dialogue is easy to follow, but sometimes the humor is quick and subtle, so pay attention! Here are a couple of my favorite lines, but believe me there are a bunch:

Jerry the bookie: I mean Jesus Christ himself can't rig the state lottery...unless, unless Jesus had a buddy down at the TV station.

Crystal: And I want that ticket back. And I want Dick Simmons dead, you hear me!?
Gig: Fine, fine.
Crystal: And I want his head cut off so I can hang it from my rear view mirror!
Gig: Now that's just your anger talking.

We watched about half before losing interest and going to bed. No laughs and very generic characters that are boring, unrelatable, and pathetic. Poorly defined, a total waste of time.

This is a great John Travolta comedy that was probably inspired by a true story in Pittsburgh Pennsyvania back in 1980,when a local popular television celebrity "Nick Perry" was allegedly involved in a televised lottery fix and had to serve prison time.Anyway,it's an interesting must see movie !!!!!

I don't know why this movie didn't do better, and why some reviews are ONE STAR reviews. It is certainly much better than ONE STAR. Nevertheless, I found this to be up with GET SHORTY, very dialogue driven movie, which I personally love.

Very funny moments, characters and story. Tim Roth, Michael Rapaport, Ed O'Neil, Bill Pullman and Michael Moore all add great funny performances. I generally don't like Travolta, but both this and GET SHORTY is the exception.

This, like 29th Street is an underrated movie that I think people had too high expectations and therefore the possible disaapointment. I laughed almost through the entire movie. What people will do for money!

Dear Quentin,

How are things going, man? I heard about the new film with Uma. Sounds great.

Did you see my newest film "Lucky Numbers"? I play Russ Richards, the local celebrity weatherman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Russ has adoring fans, his own table and omelet at Denny's, and a snowmobile dealership. Due to uncommonly warm weather, his dealership is about to go under, crumbling his entire financial empire. Out of desperation, he pays a visit to Gig (Tim Roth), the owner of the local strip club. Gig suggests that Russ and his `friend' Crystal (Lisa Kudrow) rig the state lottery. Crystal works at the same station and pulls the numbers out for the lottery. Crystal is all for the idea. She has also been dating Dick Simmons (Ed O'Neil), the station manager and he has been neglecting her. Her share of the winnings will help her break free. Everything, of course, gets complicated.

Funny, huh? It has it's moments.

Quentin, you know that I like to work with people I know. It makes me feel comfortable. Acting is hard, man. I need comfort to help me create my characters. Nora Ephron directed the film. She and I worked together on "Michael", which was pretty successful, so I was hoping lightning would strike twice.

I really enjoyed reading the screenplay. Basically it combines elements of dark comedy and farce. People act weird, some people die, people are mean to one another. But they also act really silly. I haven't done a lot of farce but I laughed when I read the screenplay. My track record with comedy is spotty, but if someone has the $20 million and a decent script, I'm game.

Lisa and I are great together. She plays someone that is very different from her well-known persona on `Friends'. Crystal is very different from Phoebe. Crystal has an edge, a determination that makes her very interesting. Crystal has a few moments that also make her seem real, a very important factor in a farce. If the character doesn't have at least a tiny grounding in reality, the farce doesn't work. Lisa gets this and makes it work. I get it, too, and made it work during the scene in the Denny's... In the scene in the snow mobile dealership... In the scene at the television studio when they reveal that someone was killed... In the... Well, I know I made it work somewhere. I'm no film historian, but it works.

The supporting characters are top notch. Michael Moore plays Crystal's dimwitted cousin. He is very funny. Tim Roth is good, but doesn't have a lot of laughs. But that's OK. He's primarily a dramatic actor anyway. Actors should play to their strengths. Michael Rappaport plays a local thug. He's all over the place. Hell, most of the supporting cast is all over the place. That's OK, because this is a farce, right?

I know reviewers will pick up on the fact that everyone in the film is greedy, unlikable and they really don't like each other. There isn't really anyone to care about. That's OK. These characters are based on real people. They don't need to be likable. They need to be funny. They are funny. Aren't they? Sometimes? Yes. They have some funny moments.

Nora is a great director. She has a good hand at comedy, especially farce. Every farce I have ever seen has too many laughs. You're laughing when another joke happens. You can't keep track of it all. Thankfully, Nora has slowed everything down... Quite... A... Bit. Her pacing is glacial. But I like that. I have the ability to laugh at the jokes.

Quentin, I'm just not sure. I've had a string of dogs lately. I'm not a good actor. I'm a movie star. I am a persona that draws people into the movies. They shouldn't expect my performance to be subtle or even well-modulated. If I'm playing a local celebrity weatherman, I'm going to play it for all the smarminess I can. I'm going to mug and grin at every character that recognizes me. I'm going to wear the local fame on my sleeve and when things start to go wrong, I'm going to shake, rub my head, run around in circles, really frustrated. I can play characters. But lately, people haven't been coming to the films. "Battlefield Earth" was a disaster, but to save face, I told some news people that I thought it was good and will make a sequel. I am a powerful star, a member of the $20 million dollar club. I can't go back to the under $10 million club. I just can't.

Quentin, you are the king of creating comeback vehicles. Can you start thinking of another comeback vehicle for me? I know you can. I think that I may need another comeback in a year or two. Start watching the old videos, OK, pal? For me, Quentin?

Thanks, buddy.
John