Movies Books

Superb book.

No really, this may very well be the book I have enjoyed the most, ever (though principally these kind of judgements are bollocks and nothing more, of course).

If you have the slightest acquaintance with psychoanalysis (the Lacanian field, preferably), the book should be read with Zizek's "The Fright of Real Tears". Here Zizek has some really perceptive discussions on Kieslowski the filmmaker and on charachters in the Colour Trilogy - without too many forced obscene jokes, I might add.

He wanted his audience to be interested in his films....and so we are. He wanted to stir people to something...he does. He wanted to inspire us...and that he did. Fans of Krzysztof Kieslowski, film buffs and aspiring filmmakers alike will get as much out of his story told in "Kieslowski on Kieslowski" as through his cinematic works of art.

Although not a very long career, due to his untimely death, it certainly was an illustrious one. And how fortunate we are to have had the filmmaker who brought us the beautiful and moving films "The Double Life of Veronique", the "Three Colours Trilogy" and the unbelievably intuitive "Decalogue", tell us in his own words his views on life and what he was thinking during the filming of these works.

The book, wonderfully edited by Danusia Stok, takes in Kieslowski's early years as a child, his film school years, his early short films and finally the feature films. Kieslowski is open and frank about his life and his work. He didn't see himself as a genius at all(we fans may tend to disagree on that point),quite the contrary he tends to point out what he feels were mistakes and his shortcomings. He talks of working in Poland, having to skirt around the political upheaval around him, films he made that were never shown to the public, and his quest for trying to make the stories as authentic as possible.

He discusses each and every film. He gives much of the credit to the cast and crew and although he touches on what the films meant to him,he usually speaks more of the technical aspects of each than the analytical.He talks of what was going on in the world, his life and his mind during the making of each film. The feature films are given more time and one whole chapter is devoted soley to "Three Colours"(these films were still in the editing stages at the time this book was written).

Included are many still photos of working on the sets, and personel pictures with his family, the actors and his collaborators. There is a section devoted to notes on many of the names and events, and also a complete filmography with a brief summary and list of credits for each film.

"You make films to give people something, to transport them somewhere else and it doesn't matter if you transport them to a world of intuition or a world of the intellect"....Krzysztof Kieslowski

Kieslowski lets us know in this book that we don't have to analyze each scene...just enjoy it for what it is. This book is a must read for fans and filmmakers alike!...So...enjoy...Laurie

Three Colors Trilogy (Red / White / Blue) [Import](All-region)(Remastered)

In his own words, Krzysztof Kieslowski tells you about the agony and the ecstacy of the independent filmmaking process.

The late Polish filmmaker is up to the challenge, delivering his characteristic frankness nestled within the pages of this short retrospective work, narrated in his own words, and magnificently edited (translated, too?) by Danusia Stok.

The book is tailor-made for "idie" filmmaking buffs, and supplies a glimpse into the enticingly magical personality which was Kieslowski's. Eschewing a typical rote autobiographical style, Kieslowski divulges key details about himself via the device of his extensive filmography -- revealing things about his thinking process and the high value he places upon delicate human emotionality through a step-by-step examination of his long filmography.

Spanning his early years as a prominent documentary filmmaker during the stifling years of Polish Communism and state censorship -- especially during the imposition of Marshal Law in Poland during 1980-1 when Kieslowski couldn't work for half a year -- and ending with his magnificent trilogy "Barwy" (Three Colours: Blue, White, Red), we're subjected to a feast of Kieslowski-isms regarding his thoughts pertaining to such diverse notions as:

** casting for acting talent.
** Kieslowski's penchant for making his ENTIRE crew a part of the idea-generating process for his films.
** the nature of artistic filmmaking in Europe compared to commerical filmmaking in the US.
** the demands of time on a filmmaker's personal life.
** the differing range of skills between Western and Polish filmmaking crews.

A right pity Krzysztof Kieslowski is no longer with us to share to a burgeoning generation of up-and-coming filmmakers what might very well some none-too-optimistic viewpoints on the state of today's "international" filmmaking.

The book is written in Kieslowski's typical unassuming style -- par for the course from the Polish master. The late director doesn't bowl you over with how much he knows about film history, or about the complicated craft of filmmaking. Kieslowski doesn't tell you that he's better than you or me. Rather, through a detailed accounting of his past achievements, Kieslowski's emphasis is always upon that which is most human: the wellspring of all his works, and the central reason why filmmakers must indeed make films, in his esteemed opinion.

Still, I found the book ended suddenly.

Not shockingly so, just that the work might have gone on for much longer than its seemingly scant 227 pages. There's so much to know about this magnificent paragon of the film community, and if anything, it will be a primer for further reading on the man, the legend, and his favourite subject: films.

Five-stars.

-- ADM in Prague

Reading the book was like watching another wonderful Kieslowski film. His casual authentic narrative throughout the book gives it a touch of a documentary almost.

I appreciated every page of his life story, as he tells it so that his personal story as a director - from his childhood through filmschool, his first films right to the Three Colours trilogy - is combined with the situation in Poland, with the Communist times, the censorship, the hopes and the fights with the system, the fears, the communication with the public through hidden messages, and the victories when succeeding to outsmart the censors.

All wrapped up in one, sprinkled with wit and natural story-telling style, the book is all you ever wanted to know about Kieslowski and the background of his life and filmmaking.

In the interviews throughout the book, he not only talks about the films, he also explains why he had to do them the way he did - both, the story and the style - about his personal beliefs, about his life and work in the Communist Poland (in which I could see similarities with the former Czechoslovakia, where I was born, as well), and about how it shaped his views.

Real reading pleasure, educational and entertaining, this book is one of the best I have read lately! And, I believe it gives another dimension in understanding of his films as well.

Kieslowski is one of my favorite film directors, maybe because I can identify with so much of what he shows in his films... So I was very happy to read "Kieslowski on Kieslowski" and learn about his years in the Film School and the events and memories connected with the making of many of the movies. The autobiography, edited by the director's friend, Danusia Stok, is very good and a must-have for his fans, but it is an autocreation, not a katharsis! It cannot be forgotten that Kieslowski was an artist also in his life so this book is not just a collection of facts.

The book also contains sharp comments and a very good background on the situation in Poland and how difficult it was to push one's own vision. The collection of photos is a valuable addition as well.

This is a great read for people interested in Bollywood. It not only tells the tale of one of the most popular actors in the film industry, ShahRukh Khan, but it also puts his history in the context of Bollywood's history. It is a great combination of in-depth information and socio-cultural analysis of Bollywood and ShahRukh Khan's life. It is extremely well written-interesting, poignant, and funny. For those who already know a lot about Bollywood or for those who are completely new to it, this is a great book for both kinds of people. I loved it and I highly recommend it. :)

If you are starting to get interested in Bollywood cinema and/or Shah Rukh Khan then this book will not dissapoint you.

I fell in love with the Bollywood cinema in August 2005. After watching hundreds of movies I felt a hunger to know more, to understand what makes it tick, what lies behind the colour, drama, music and obsession with Indian movie stars. I was looking forward to "King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the seductive world of Indian cinema"-it sounded most promising. When I got hold of the book (thanks to Amazon)I couldn't put it down. I devoured every page, every bit of information-loved everything about it. I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in Indian Cinema, you will find it to be a fascinating insight into what makes the industry so alluring and powerful.

Title: King of Bollywood
Author: Anupama Chopra
ISBN: 978-0-446-57858-5
Publisher: Warner Books
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Packed with scrumptious lesser known facts of one of, if not the top Bollywood actor of modern day, Shah Rukh Khan, King of Bollywood is a fun book to read and fun book to share. Being one of the most talked about personalities in the world today, SRK is a legend already but King of Bollywood feeds the hunger of his fans globally on what is the man like behind the mask of superstar.

Although it shies away from some of the less flattering aspects of the actor's life and lifestyle, it does deliver some notions of challenges faced, failures along the way and allows readers to travel from his days as a penniless boy traveling to Bombay on a whim to the grand master of marketing and box office smashes. His story is so extraordinary and almost bigger than life, but Anupama Chopra tells the story in a way that allows fans to follow along and relate their own personal struggles to those of the actor's. Expertly written, King of Bollywood puts SRK's life into chronological order while recalling old memories into current day stories for insight into his physiological make up. Chopra really works on getting the actor's words into the book and calls on friends and family to help build the story from outside his prospective.

There is no doubt that Shah Rukh Khan is a master at the game of Bollywood and the art of persistence. King of Bollywood tells the tale of a boy, turned into a husband, who becomes the actor he always dreamed of being and then remaining the man he always was at heart. This wonderfully written book will provide entertainment to Bollywood lovers around the world and for ages to come.

Bollywoodmania is an addiction. For Westners that will discover and appreciate it in the next years (and be sure they will!) it is the disclosure of a fairytale world of moviemaking that was there all the time but that we simply didn't know. Well, when this will happen the first and probably most important gateway will be the actor and the movies interpreted by Shahrukh Khan. And after having seen some of these, no one will be able to resist curiosity on this great actor.

Anuparma Chopra is a member of the Chopra family that makes up the establisment of Bollywood and is also an estimated journalist. From her priviledged point of view she has written this biography of the still young King Khan integrating his personality with the history of Bollywood cinema in the last 20-30 years. Naturally, the biography is authorized and as such may not contain episodes that are not consistent with the image modern Bollywood and Shahrukh Khan want to convey. All the less, there is a sincerity that transpires throughout the book and allows the reader to connect with the actor and his environment.

The first part on the youth of the actor is full of episodes and sometimes takes on a mythical aspect, but that is a common feature of all biographies. The chapters on the later years are a little sketchy and skip many well known facts. But we must not forget that this book has and will have a different impact on Indians or the Indian-culture public and "Westner's". The Author wanted to write about something new or at least not well known to her main public, that practically reads at least two or three articles a day on Shahrukh Khan. Reading the Indian reviews of the book that criticize the small amount of new information this aspect is very evident.

The book's point of force is the analysis of the reasons for Shahrukh Khan's success, that trascend the actor's talent and are deeply rooted in the transformation of Indian society and how modern Indians envision themselves in these years. An important weight is correctly given to the directors (Chopra and Johar) that have created Shahrukh's winning image and cinema personality, while some movies and directors he also worked with are only mentioned.

The bibliography is quite extensive for a short biography such as this and cites many interesting books on Bollywood cinema. A filmography of the actor is missing and I would have appreciated a brief comment on his less well known movies.

I suggest to read this book even if you are not a Shahrukh fan just to be updated on modern entertainment and on the reasons and pulsions that contribute to create our "collective imagination".

'Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies' is a great resource on the career of 'the boys'. The making of each film is covered in detail and there is quite a bit of biographical information sprinkled throughout. This was one of those books that I found hard to put down once I got started. Kudos to the author for providing a very informative and entertaining book!

Randy Skretvedt produced a highly entertaining and thought provoking work with the release of this work on two of the cinema's greatest comedy legends,Laurel and Hardy.
Most volumes up until this point had approached their careers in similar styles by focusing first on their backgrounds,early entries into showbusiness,their early careers,then into their most popular times and from there into their declining years.All filled with andecdotes either from friends,colleagues or the comedians themselves.
This book though giving a brief overview of the Boys careers examines each of their films starting with their silent shorts right through to their last film.What makes it different is that Randy examines each film from more of a production angle than any other book before has done.He explains in many cases how and why a particular film came into being and compares the original idea or storyline/script with the end product.It's a fascinating departure from the usual and gives a more detailed and informative look into the men behind the comedy,up front and behind the scenes.
I highly recommend this book to all students of film but especially to all fans of Laurel and Hardy.This is one book along with all of John McCabes' books,William K.Eversons' "Laurel and Hardy",Glenn Mitchells' "The Laurel and Hardy Encyclopedia" and Wes Gehrings' "Laurel and Hardy-A Bio-Bibliography" that should form the basis of your collection on the Boys.

Almost to good to be true. If you want to know anything or everything about Laurel & Hardy and all their movies and films, you can find it here in this wonderfully written book.

For years.Many film history books have tried to give some insight into the creation,development and the successful appeal of Laurel & Hardy's film work.With the exception of Leonard Maltin's"Movie Comedy Teams"and"The Great Movie Comedians!".No book seemed to show the readers how these classic comedies came about.Until now.Film historian,radio interviewer and musical entertainer:Randy Skrevedt's book"Laurel & Hardy:The Magic Behind The Movies!"finally gives us all a chance to see how these two great performers created and presented their cinematic clowning on screen and onstage.With the use of extensive research,interviews with the boys colleages,family members,friends and with staffers from The Hal Roach,MGM,Fox Studios and With Mr.Hal Roach Himself.The book shows us the creation of the team's films from their first effort:"Lucky Dog"to their earliest films at Roach to their glory days at:"The Lot Of Fun!".The book also tells us the true story of what finally lead to the duo's departure from Roach and the unsuccessful efforts to give the boys creative freedom at MGM & Fox.Where they made alot of forgetable films.And additionial info.L&H were slated to make ten features at Fox.Not six as many film history books have stated over the years.There is also some insight into the boys stage performances overseas in Music halls and cabrets during the late 1940's and into the early to mid 1950's.And a large collections of Photos from private collections.Plus in the updated second paperback edition.Info about the recently discovered spanish verison of"Chickens Come Home".Which features some never before seen footage(The newly found footage has little or bearing on the film's storyline.But it's interesting to read about it).These features plus some insight into the boys lives(Which does not get ugly)makes this a fun and informative manuscript and one that's long overdue.Bravo Randy! Kevin S.Butler.

To me, the Laurel and Hardy (L&H) team was easily the best comedy team of the first half of the 20th century. I realize others may have other favorites (Three Stooges, Our Gang, W.C. Fields (another of my personal favorites), Abbott and Costello (not one of my favorites), Marx Brothers, etc.) But the L&H team was beyond these other comedy teams. Randy Skretvet did these men proud with this book that traces them from the very beginning to their eventual demise. If one appreciates L&H and the comedy of the early 1900s they should appreciate this book.

I have not read the book yet but I have a question about one of their movies that I hope someone can answer. I cannot remember
the movie this skit was in but it was the skit where Groucho, Harpo and Chico are sharing basically a tiny room on board a ship. First the cleaning ladies come in to clean, then the steward delivers food, then the mechanics come in to adjust a pipe valve and finally the room is packed head to toe with all
of these people and they all pop out of the cabin door and spill out onto the ships floor. It is hilarious! Please, someone, which movie is this scene from. It's making me crazy that I can't recall the movie title. HELP!!!

The answer to your question is A Night At the Opera and is considered one of their most famous scenes.

Wonderful book full of trivia for even the most expert Marx fanatic. Revised edition is well worth the investment for info such as the butchering of "Night at the Opera"...which is the film with the stateroom scene asked about previously.

This is the most detailed book on the Marx Brothers I've ever seen.I highly recommend it.Every single movie they ever made,together and alone,is so fully detailed.Plus every actor and actress the brothers ever worked with(including the legendary Margeret Dumont of course)is also fully reviewed.

This book is a must for any Marx fan!

Actually, I think I saw the sink somewhere in the book too! ;)

It's everything you could possibly want to know about the Marxes. I like the A to Z format, it's very easy to navigate your way through the book. I use it all the time for reference. A well-researched, well-written book. Get this one.

Our sub six year old children enjoy Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel, so we purchased this DVD for road trips. The TV show and DVD compliment one another like you would expect.

I ordered this for my son who is 21 months old. He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and knows all the characters. The book is very short and keeps his attention long enough for us to practice counting. He loves this book.

As a homeschooling mother, I have a difficult time finding readers for my 4 year old. He is eager to learn, but there isn't much available reading at his level. Dick and Jane are horrible, but these books, featuring his favorite Disney characters are perfect. There is a great deal of repetition, and pictures that give clues to what the words say. No, at this point it isn't really "reading", but kids need this kind of book to encourage a love of reading. Otherwise they get bogged down in the nuts and bolts of phonics, and "learn" that reading is all work and no play. As it is, my little guy brings me these books every few hours, and reads them to me. He reads them to everyone he meets. He is excited to read, and even feels ready to tackle harder books.
My older son never had any of this type of book. At the age of 6, he is well advanced in phonics, and can read any word you put in front of him. However, he is intimidated by books. He doesn't enjoy reading them at all. He is catching on, as I have been introducing him to these readers however, since they are so easy, they guarantee success.

I highly recommend these to parents whose children are "ready to read" but need easier texts than most early readers (or easy readers) provide.

My son LOVES Mickey Mouse and loves this book! It's a fun counting book with great, colorful pictures!Plus they learn about locations as well.
"Are we at the beach yet? No, not yet!" Then they show pictures of the desert, a rain forest, a regular forest, Antarctica, etc. Perfect for the Disney fan!

I bought this book for my 3 year old daughter who is a fan of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse t.v. show. This book did not grip her attention in the slightest, and she has not wanted me to read it again. It is not a bad book in terms of early reading skills, but it does not follow the pattern of the t.v. show. I find "Over the River" in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Early Readers to be a better book.

What a great book! I was anxious to read Miscue and I wasn't disappointed. If you love reading a book you don't want to put down, this is the one. I began reading Miscue one evening, and didn't put it down until I finished it. Great work, Glen!

I am looking forward to Glen's next book!! I am not a big reader but I loved Miscue!! I found myself falling asleep and still wanting to read, "just one more page"!! Great book!!!!!!Good work, Glen!!!

Having read Miscue twice and being a discerning fan of mysteries of every ilk, I feel qualified to say that Glen Allison's first book deserves a place on every bookstore's best-selling mystery/thriller shelf. Excellent writing coupled with fascinating characters make the book a stay-up-late-to-finish-it-even-if-I-have-to work-tomorrow kind of story. In spite of his problems (or maybe because of them) Al Forte is a guy you just have to root for. Miscue is an enjoyable read and, hopefully, the first of many Forte novels.

Wow, what a ride. I have read this book twice already and still weeks later, I find myself wondering what case Mr. Forte is working on now. All the characters seem so real, that I find myself thinking about them. This is a great MUST READ! Thank you, Mr. Allison. I can't wait for the next book!

I took Miscue to Hilton Head Island and found myself lost in the sounds of the waves and the twists of fate for Frank Forte. This quick adventure kept me entertained and wondering what Forte would come up with next. The plot thickens as Forte's character comes out into the open and the mystery of the murderer/kidnapper is revealed. A great read for any beach!

This book was really great i loved how indepth it got with Connor and Angels relationship. I also thought it had a little bit comic in it to lighten the mood just like the show. (I thought it was hystererical when Connor was putting up a distraction so wesley could get by the monolith and Lorne,Cordy and Fred saw it on the news. (Cracked me up) Gunns tourist distraction was funny too. Great you shoukld definatley pick it up!

Driving in Los Angeles is always problematic, but when a giant monolith suddenly appears in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard to signal yet another impending apocalypse, things quickly come to a standstill. Except for Angel and his teammates. They know right away that it's time once again to stop sipping the pig's blood and get to work.

When an ancient demon bamboozles a failing actress into carrying out an ancient ritual that will open the portals to hell, Angel faces a series of ugly problems. Not the least of which is that neither he, nor Wesley, nor anyone else have a clue what is actually going on. They know it must be bad, since every demon in town it headed out, but what kind of bad, or how bad, is still a mystery. Everyone goes into action, but the clues are slow in coming. And time is running out.

As I've noted elsewhere, John Passarella is a natural storyteller. This time he takes a high-tension story line and fleshes it out with two of the show's most complex relationships - that between Connor and Angel (who last buried Angel in the ocean) and that between Gunn and Fred (who seem caught in a web of interlocking guilt and obligation). The result is an action story with moments of poignancy and depth.

In fact, the story has a bit of everything. Demon dogs, creepy wizards, dark soldiers, and wild chase scenes populate the narrative. The characters, who have come through some rough times, are rebalancing their interplay, and Passerella captures the increasing maturity of the cast as well as the high tension of a summoning to end all summonings. One of this year's best Angel books.

Great book!!! I loved it!!! Excellent story about Angel and Connor as well as Cordy, Lorne, Gunn, Fred and Wes.

I really loved this book! I cant seem to put it down!

A chilling stone monolith carved with two demonic faces has arisen in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, leaving many interpretations of it's actual cause. Some believe it is nothing more than an elaborate publicity stunt for a new horror movie, while religious extremists believe it's the sign of an upcoming apocalypse. The Angel Investigations team though come to truly understand the full extent of the threat that the monolith poses to mankind. And with Hyconian demons causing havoc through the streets of L.A., it soon becomes clear that differences will have to be set aside if they're to come out victorious.

Angel: Monolith is a heart pounding, thrill-packed, adventure in Joss Whedon's Angel-verse as seen through the observant eyes of the Bram Stoker Award-winning horror author, John Passarella. Passarella has seamlessly handled the tricky task of bringing life to these characters and situations within the pages of his novel while adding his own unique sense of style to make an instant lasting impact. What makes this novel extra better is the fact that it's written through the pen (or PC) of a fellow fan who has obviously paid serious attention to the way the characters behave down to the even slightest of details.

The action is cranked high throughout but really takes an epic turn in it's final pages in which Angel and co. can't seem to stay six feet away from danger. This isn't the only brilliant factor though in this outstanding novel. The character involvement is far superior to that of any other Angel novels as Passarella has cleverly placed his story in a complex time for it's characters during it's fourth season. This leaves a much stronger plot for the author to develop his story around, one in which relationship triangles and un-easy bonds between characters are tested to their furthest limits, especially that of the two central characters, Angel and his demon-hunting son Connor.

The plot that Passarella has cleverly weaved within the current situation with the Television show is unlike any other previously experienced and you're guaranteed not to read anything like it anywhere else.

Novels by John Passarella always leave a strong sense of satisfaction behind long after you've passed the final pages and undoubtedly, Angel: Monolith is no exception of this. Passarella has perfectly struck the right balance between thrilling action and a strong story making this Angel novel much more widely appealing as a whole than any other, action-heavy, novels.

Angel: Monolith is an essential purchase for every Angel fan's collection.

Highly recommended. Buy it now!

It is a good book to read and has interesting facts about the movie industry. Came in good condition. Would buy it again.

This is an absolutely fantastic book. It is a series of essays from very well known industry professionals and will help anyone to better understand the perspective of the other people you're working with on the set.

I had the great good fortune of studying for a summer with Jason Squire. Quite simply, the guy gets the goods in this book. Great interviews, covering every subject of the biz from A to Z. Especially wonderful was how easy to understand this book was - biz books can be so dryyyyyyyy...this one was fun, informative, helpful. In short, a great read.

When I saw this was featured on Amazon, I had to throw in my two cents.

I have recently bought over ten movie business making books, all starting with this one. I would have to say that out of all of the books I have read thought, this would have to be the best out of them all. Not only do they have chapters written by different people, they are all people that are in the business. They break down hollywood lingo and include a basic pay structure. This book is the most informative of the film books I have read. This is the book you buy if you want a break down of movie careers, but not for how to personally make it yourself into the business.

My wife and I are movie fans...though not like those hard core guys who hang out at independent film festivals...and we love this book.

It's a wonderful introduction to all the ins and outs of the movie business. The writers talk about film as a business and how the business side of film influences their creative choices. Revenue streams, copywrite issues, and how to "make it in Hollywood" are all discussed thoroughly in this book.

The authors were obviously choosen because of their expertise, but most of them are surprisingly good at conveying information in a way non-industry people can understand. I was expecting that each chapter in this book would be filled with Hollywood jargon...like when you read an article in Variety, but that is not the case.

If you love movies and REALLY want to understand how they work, this book is a must. Other books are great at explaining the artistic side (for example, How to Read a Film is a great title), but The Movie Business Book is wonderful since all of its contributors understand that modern film cannot be fully understood as a work of art unless you understand how the economics of Hollywood influence how the art is shaped.

Sklar has combined 100 years of film and history to present a cultural portrait of the United States.

I have only read the first 3 or 4 chapters so far, but the editor has no linear stream of conciousness. He meanders along in his thought process with no logical structure in mind. Interesting take on the history of American movies.

The author shows how movies not only reflect our society but influence it as well.

Are you a film buff, a history buff, or both?

Then this book will fascinate you from start to finish.

This is a must read in the social and cultural history of American cinema.

This is a great book that was required reading for Steven Ross' "Film, Power, and American, History" course at USC. Not only was it very relevant and well organized, but genuinely interesting too!

I don't have much to add to the excellent reviews already made of this book, but it's been 4 years since this edition came out; we desperately need a new one as in a few weeks we will have seen every movie in this tremendous book. There are so many bad movies out there and this book (and netflix) has helped us to miss most of them.

What a great book! It's wonderful to have on hand for reference and would make a really welcome gift for someone (with "like interests") at Christmas or any other gift giving opportunity. In addition, it's just plain fun to read. Movies I have never heard of, and/or wish I'd seem are there by the dozens. Anyone with a "mail" subscription to a movie outlet would be very happy to get it. I'm getting a couple more for "gifting".

I'm not sure I consider myself a film buff. Friends often ask me to recommend a film or DVD, claiming I see "everything" which is hardly the case. Some even call me a film buff but I believe I've never earned the title. Friends of mine who can name any actor/actress/director in films well known and obscure, as well as release dates, studios, and quote Pauline Kael the way some people quote scripture or Shakespeare are in my estimation film buffs. I'm only a dabbler in comparison. Yet when I purchased NEVER COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU, I realized how many wonderful films I have seen and became even more appreciative that I live in a major metropolitan area that still has a few good small theatres and a theatre that shows great independent films.

NEVER COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU will be enjoyed by anyone who is an enthusiast for film and anyone who wants to watch great films that were critically acclaimed and loved by audiences, albeit smaller audiences than the blockbusters. Most are easily available on DVD/video. The book is a collection of film reviews by Kenneth Turan, a critic for both NPR and THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. Turan does not use the book to lambaste the state of Hollywood or criticize the quality of the most popular films released today. Instead, he gives readers the opportunity to read reviews of films that are of good quality but may have been overlooked when they were released.

Most of the films included are contemporary independent and foreign films. Turan focuses on these films rather than the better known releases believing that reviews of these films, including reviews penned by Turan himself, are readily available. Most of the films he reviews in the book were released during his tenure as a critic though he does include a section on classics that were panned by critics but in time were deemed brilliant. He also includes some writings about miscellaneous film topics such as Yiddish films, films released by Hollywood before the code, and Chinese martial arts films (I haven't acquired a taste fro these as of yet).

This is a book I wished had been penned about ten years earlier, when I began building my video and now DVD collection. It will be a great guide for anyone interested in film or who is beginning to develop an interest in film or for anyone who loves a good story and enjoys being pleasantly surprised when discovering a worthy film in a video store.

This is a book that highlights movies that we, as a society, desperately need. They cover a wide range of emotions, topics, times and places and yet they all have one thing in common - they make us think. I could have added a few myself (Memento, Contact, Facing Southwest, etc) but the listed movies are enought to keep even the most avid fan busy.

Divided into four parts.types - English language, Foreign language, documentaries and Classics, each is interesting not only in its own right but how it relates to the culture from which it sprung. Thus, VERTIGO, originally panned and dismissed, has emerged in the running as one of the greatest movies of all time. Some of the descriptions are artistic statements in themselves - I am thinking of the almost poetic notes on Glenn Gould's 32 Variations or the Decalogue's Polish origins & interpretation. The author is quite catholic in his tastes, eschewing well-worn political or religious labels. THis is a good book, an important one and deserves a wider audience.

I live sort of in the sticks--nothing plays at the local theaters except the big blockbusters. So this books serves as a great resource to all the movies I missed: independent films, foreign films, and (my personal favorite) documentaries. After reading this book, I now have many more movies to add to my Netflix queue. I have already seen quite a few of the films Turan reviews in this book, and I enjoyed them all, so I feel I can trust the other reviews in this book.

The "retorespectives" section at the end of the book is also valuable, and will serve as a good introduction for me to several genres and oevres.

I do have one complaint about the book, in that it is already a couple of years out of date. I hope Turan comes out with an updated edition soon.