Video Books

It's Friday night, you're tired after a long work week, and you're wandering the aisles at Blockbuster looking for a good family film. No need to go through the brain damage of reading millions of obscure DVD sleeves when you have Michael Booth's fine book, which recommends some little-noticed but still-great films appropriate for the schoolkids in your house. Screenit.com is OK if you have a specific idea for a rentable movie, but Booth's book is much better when you need recommendations (and for the fun writing, too).

This book is both helpful and enjoyable to read. The commentary addresses its audience with insight and intelligence. Best Family Films has been really helpful - particularly with concerns on the wide range of whether PG-13 movies are more of a PG or an R rating. This book has taken away parental angst.

Booth has a great feel for which movies work for which audience/age group. His recommendations have been 100% when selecting movies for our family.

Michael Booth is the thinking person's alternative to that other Michael (Medved) who professes an interest in family films. Booth's reviews are informative, helpful, witty, and a real pleasure to read. Highly recommended!

This guide's succinct reviews are really useful. Every review is on one page, with an entertaining tidbit, age-appropriateness and run-time on the facing page. I found several of my all-time favorites, but what's better is that I found a few gems that weren't on my list yet.

I don't normally write reviews, however in this case I felt compelled to do so. If you're looking into the topic of family films, let me save you some time. Get this book. As others have noted, Mr. Booth's reviews are entertaining, informative and spot on. His selections include films off the beaten path. Good stuff!

This book really is the definitive source of all things Disney by the keeper of its archives. It is fascinating and complete, containing information about theme parks, characters, movies, television shows, music, and more. It is the must-have reference for Disney fans like myself.

This is a must have for Disney fans. Everything from ABC's LOST to the Alice Comedies and from Steamboat Willy to Meet the Robinsons is covered here. Some articles are more detailed than others but everything is covered. Makes an interesting read just on its own. Film historians and students will find a wealth of connective material here to jump start them on research and fill in the dots on hard to find questions. A beautiful display of pictures is included with this volume. If you can't actually visit the archives (and I certainly would like to) then this is the next best thing.

"Disney A to Z" is an awesome book that a true Disney fan cannot live without. It is a great book that will help you find out about old Disney movies, that you might have not seen. "Disney A to Z" encyclopedia is also an essential source for those that love to play the "Disney Seen it" board game. It gives a short description of ALL Disney movies including the short ones that came out after the World War II. I LOVE IT!!!

This is a great gift for any Disney fan. Many listing bring back great memories and coll trivia.

This book is a great resource for all Disney fans. All the characters, all the movies (unfortunately, the Mephisto movie made in collaboration with Salvador Dali is not in the book) and all the attractions, parks, properties and influentials employees are mentioned. Maybe just not as exhaustive as I would like it; it is, however, a great resource.

This book is an awesome book. I remember reading Famous Monsters of Filmland back in the 60s. The quality printing of this book is incredible. I love that they had printed a hard bound version. It's well worth the money. The color of the paintings pop right of the page.

I'm in agreement with another reviewer that mentioned the book could have been better written. That being said, it is well worth the price for all the fantastic paintings and drawings. A must for every fan of horror and sci-fi art.

Even without text, this book would've earned 4 stars, just for the impressiveness of Gogos' work. Within this book are large, crystal-clear repros of his most famous monster cover paintings, as well as samples of his illustration work.
The only setback for this book is its lack of depth in the text. It seems that whoever was sent to interview Basil didn't ask too many questions, didn't want to really know too much about him except for his general acheivements, and didn't ask him for a demonstration of how he works. Among all of the great pics, some candid ones of the artist would've been nice, most notably a pic of his studio.
Still, the images are so rich in color and character. Worth it!

First of all...Like so many reviewers before me have said; almost every boy that grew up in the '50s & '60s anxiously collected our 35 cents every month so we could go to the local candy store & buy the latest issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland. This magazine became our bible & 4E Ackerman became our surrogate father. More than 45 years have passed; but I can still remember those magnificent covers as though it were yesterday. Basil Gogos painted the cover of the Gorgo issue which had a blue background & also the Vincent Price issue which had a white background,etc. This Book displays all of Basil Gogos outstanding cover art which graced the cover of FM for so many years. Don't take my word for it...ask Stephen King, Rick Baker, George Lucas, Stephen Spielberg, John Landis, Rob Zombie & a host of others..This book is an absolute delight for the senses & like fine art is meant to be treasured,

this book is great.Very happy to included this one in my collection.Already have a tattoo planed of bride of frankenstein.

I've only read about half of this book for my History of American Film class this semester at Century College,and I must say that the books Bruce writes are just as cool,calm,and collected as he is in person!Anyone who would like to get a better understanding about film in general should think of this book as an overview;it's full of interesting vocabulary terms,tidbits about some of the best films ever created,and just the way the material is presented:slow-paced with humor to keep your mind involved in the material.If you want to learn how to accomplish more at the movie theater or in your living room than sitting and watching,get this book;soon you'll be thinking about films the way the director intended!

For people who want to go beyond Hollywood and explore the real world of film, this is a great starting place. Here is a book that covers the whole gamut of film study. Concise and precise, this book is eclectic and bold. It is hard to put down. If you are at all interested in film, or if you are tired of the Hollywood offerings, then this is the book to begin with. It includes all the essentials, but in a compact form. I loved reading the author's way of writing and opinions. Not just facts, but passion is displayed in this amazing book. I look at films differently now. I appreciate them more, and feel much more comfortable talking about them because of this book. A great introduction to the cinema from an academic point of view, as well as offering a wealth of recommended films that are very up-to-date and historically important.

This is exactly the book you need if you are at all interested in films. It covers everything, is short, easy to read, well-written, and fascinating. A wonderful introduction including lots of film titles, opinions, vocabulary, history, art, and genres. There is information on film history, techniques, and artistic evaluations. Also, the appendix includes a list of great films organized by date, by foreign and American films. A marvelous book about films and art.

Being a movie buff,I love the fact that this book helps you to be a critical viewer as well as a fan.Written for experts & the lay person alike, you find concise definitions & explanations of all movie terminology & nomenclature.It literally teaches you how to be a film critic and familiarizes you with the technical aspects as well.A highly recommended read.

Being someone who ordinarily uses movies purely for escapism & entertainment value,I was a little skeptical as to the notion of film as art.However, after reading Mr. Hinrich's book,I am forced to rethink my sensibilities on the subject.Because now,I am able to enjoy films on multiple levels, and appreciate the way he was able to cater to the layperson and the expert alike.This book (if comprehended properly) literally teaches you how to critique movies & films from both the film student and casual viewers standpoint.Mixing both professorial as well as easily understandable terminology & nomenclature,Film & Art hits the mark accurately.If Gene Siskel were still with us, I'm sure he'd give it a well deserved thumbs up.

If there was only one book I could recommend about firefighting, this would be it. It is filled with easy to read, interesting, and quite possibly life saving tips and techniques based upon the real world experience of Chief Norman and the many other leaders in the fire service that he has learned from. I had the first edition, then the second edition, and now the third. If there is ever a fourth, I'll probably buy that too.

THIS BOOK HAS TO BE A CLASSIC AS FAR AS FIREFIGHTING IS CONCERNED. IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER, THIS BOOK SHOULD BE IN YOUR LIBRARY. YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND UPON IT.

It is widely discussed in fire service circles that this text is an amalgom of FDNY tactical bulletins and other internal documents, such as Ladders 3 and Ladders 4. If so, it offers useful information for fire problems most of us routinely encounter. The 3rd edition has hideously tiny print and is over run by wordiness, but does have additional chapters on WMD issues as well as townhouse/garden apartment fires. There is new text intersprised all through out the book. Norman is a tough read - passive voice, run on sentences and double negatives - but the material is still worth digging through. And hey, the bulding classification codes from the 1st and 2nd editions got corrected.
A must for any working firefighter.

I found this book to be very informative. It helps answer the "what if this happens" questions that every firefighter ponders when they have time to reflect. I definitely recommend picking up this book whether you are an actual officer or firefighter.

I bought this as a text for a class but I'm finding it very thorough and easy to follow with tons of good info.

what are the ideal set of properties that effective market segmentation should possess. Why this element are necessary in global marketing process.

This update edition offers the best insight into various aspects of the Asian financial crisis and how Asian companies are developing their competitive strategy. Truly a great insight on how strategic trajectory differs from country to country. HP

Kotabe/Helsen team has really set the standard for the international marketing textbook market. I have read three other similar textbooks, but there is no other book measuring up to this one. They offer an excellent analysis of market converging and diverging forces adding to the complexities of global marketing and how to cope with them. Although I am not an academic, this book provides great conceptual foundations so useful for me to use in preparing my own presentations to the executive board at my company. They have plenty of excellent, well thought-out real-life examples, and those examples are so well built in along with conceptual frameworks that I come away with a lot of useful, and more importantly, usable knowledge.

I am a doctoral student and have taught international marketing at a state university for a couple of years so far. Among several books I examined, Kotabe&Helsen book stands out in the crowd. It is a joy seeing my students actually enjoy reading the book and learn from it. This book is full of useful insights and timely examples. It is a must reading if you want to be a true professional in the international marketing area. Great!

I teach Global marketing and I think this textbook is the best. It is not full of anecdotal stories about global marketer's failures or successes but very analytical with straightforward methods students can try out. The cases are excellent and support the theorical lectures very good. From my experience with the research literature it is state of the art.

I'll admit I picked this because of the title, GOING NOWHERE FASTER. Aren't there times when we all feel that way?

Stan Smith has more problems than you can shake a stick at. One problem is his name - "Stan." Who names their kid Stan? But then his parents aren't exactly your normal, run-of-the-mill parents. They are another one of his problems. His dad is a crazy inventor and his mother is an over 6-foot-tall Amazon vegan who attempts to run an organic food market.

Another sore spot in Stan's life is Prarash, his mother's smelly yoga and meditation partner, who practically lives with them. There's also Chopper, the family dog who produces more "gas" than the oil fields of Kuwait. The only normal one in the family is Stan's little sister, Olivia. She's the one bright spot in his existence.

Stan should be thinking about college, but instead is working a dead-end job at Happy Video. It at least gives him the chance to watch endless videos in an attempt to prepare for what he hopes is a future in writing movie scripts. In the meantime, he is stuck riding his ten-speed, helping out in the family business, and hoping for a chance to date the girl of his dreams, Ellen.

As if Stan doesn't have enough problems, he believes he has a stalker. The victim of high school taunting and bullying, he was threatened by Ellen's ex, Chad Chilton. Now the evidence is mounting and points to Chad as the probable driver of the speeding car that almost ran Stan off the road one dark night, as well as the twisted mind that left a mutilated Barbie doll on Stan's steps. These acts of terror, plus slashed bike tires and vandalism at the Happy Video store, are sending waves of fear through the frustrated Stan.

Sean Beaudoin uses witty dialogue and hilarious descriptions to grab readers and get them cheering for poor Stan. The first person style helps readers understand Stan's above-average intelligence and his passion for movies and scriptwriting. This is definitely one I found difficult to put down once I started reading.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Going Nowhere Faster
by, Sean Beaudoin

Little, Brown
2007, 300pp
ISBN 0-316-01415

Going Nowhere Faster, by Sean Beaudoin is an excellent book. Its theme is about growing up and finding out who you are. The main character's, Stan, best friend is the most popular kid in his grade. Stan falls in love with a girl who will kiss anyone, any where. She just happens to kiss Stan's best friend, while she is on a date with Stan. These are only a few of the many problems that Stan run's into, while on the journey of growing up.

This is a funny, yet touching book. After you get to know the characters, they are easier to understand, but, despite that, there are still unexpected twists. I think this is a great book, and I highly recommend it.

*ANB*

Going Nowhere Faster
by, Sean Beaudon

Little,Brown
2007, 300p
ISBN 0-316-01415

Going Nowhere Faster, by Sean Beaudon is an excellent book. Its theme is about growing up and finding out who you are. The main character's, Stan, best friend is the most popular kid in his grade. Stan falls in love with a girl who will kiss anyone, any where. She just happens to kiss Stan's best friend, while she is on a date with Stan. These are only a few of the many problems that Stan run's into, while on the journey of growing up.

This is a funny, yet touching book. After you get to know the characters, they are easier to understand, but, despite that, there are still unexpected twists. I think this is a great book, and I highly recommend it.


A.N.B.

stan smith makes weird lists, has a weird house, a weird mom and a weird dad. it's no wonder stan himself is weird. i look up to stan's mom and wish i could be her with all of her convictions.
the characters in this book are well written from the main to the peripheral and you can't help but love them.
the mystery element in this book is shockingly funny. it makes fun of stereotypes while being a stereotype. i laughed out loud and i'll be recommending it to everyone.

1) Stan is hilarious and truly going nowhere faster than anyone I know.
2) Stan's precise descriptions of Ellen make her oh so edible.
3) It's amazing how in touch Beaudoin is with his adolescence.
4) Does there really need to be a 4 when the next step is buying this book?

I bought this book, because I'm a big Halo 2 fan. I play Halo 2 all the time. And let me just tell you, this book is the greatest.

Don't let the name Halo 2 Hacks fool you, the first half of this book shows you plenty of Easter Eggs, techniques, glitches, and awesome stuff in the game. The second half shows you modding tools, where to get them, and how to use them. It does absolutely nothing to show you how to cheat on X-Box Live, which is good. I'll bet you didn't know that you can mod a map so when you crouch, you get an ariael view of the sky. You can jump a bazillion feet into the sky. You can put a Scorpion turret on the back of a Warthog. You can even make your shotgun fire dozens of plasma grenades, and this book shows you how to do ALL of those.

See people with interesting textures on their modded maps? This book shows you programs you can use to make those. You can inject meta (I bet you don't even know what that is, but this book will show you!) to make a picture of George Bush apppear over the map. Now I don't know why you would want to, but you can!

I bet you had absolutely no idea before that the Scarab gun is in the form of a Plasma Pistol on Metropolis. This book shows you how to get it. There's a giant soccerball on Metropolis, also. This book shows you how to get it. There's a skull that changes the physics of the game and makes everything explode bigger. This book shows you how to do that. This book shows you EVERYTHING!

In overall, I give this book a 11/10. It is the best guide book I have ever read.

A good book for those who love Halo 2 and those to need a little help gettin' the edge on the enemy!!!

Do you want to know the type of work that is currently being done by the Halo community? If you do, you're in luck! Author Stephen Cawood, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that will show you how to explore the new dimensions of Halo 2 games and some of the most interesting Halo 2 mods that you can create on a modded Xbox.

Cawood, begins by showing you some of the more interesting Halo 2 jumping techniques. Then, he covers the most mysterious of Halo 2 Easter eggs, the skulls. The author continues by showing you how to find some more interesting Easter eggs. Next, he introduces you to interesting things that you can do in the Halo 2 universe. Then, the author covers some interesting anomalies in Halo 2. He continues by showing you the best software tools available for changing the way Halo 2 functions. Then, he shows you how you can create your own weapon variations. The author continues by covering mods that can be made to Halo 2 vehicles. Next, he introduces you to some mods that alter the Halo 2 environment. Then, the author covers mods that relate to the presentation of Halo 2. He continues exploring mods that affect the Halo 2 game engine. Finally, he introduces you to some of the best modded maps that have been produced to date and gets you started on making your own.

In this most excellent book, each hack stands on its own. This book has been written with the same goal in mind, that is, to give you afresh way to enjoy your Halo universe.

He was a little disapointed with the item. He thought it was a book not a magazine

Halo 2 Hacks is a very well written book and easy to understand. The pictures and "visual aids" are very helpful. A definate must for EVERY Halo 2 fan! The section on modding is really well done too. A good introduction to modding, a good source for "how-to" find/use gameplay secrets. A well done book. 5 Stars.

It took me a second to adjust my antenna to this latest work by IMP. Television of the 1950's appeared in black & white, but this EXCELLENT true crime collection of that decade appeared to me in black and blue highlights, underscored by copious amounts of blood red.

Reaching to the archives of collected TRUE stories from police magazines of the time, this book presents the cream of the crop.

A must have for fans of the 1950's and true crime!!!

Two things are evident in IMP's newest volume of mid 20th century carnage:
Mr. Jacobs, in selecting the cases for this collection, proves without a shadow of a dought that sociopathic killers are not a modern day phenomenon, and, their senseless and hateful crimes are as gripping and powerful today as they were years ago when the first drop of innocent blood was shed. Those without a strong constitution proceed with caution.

A good book with many intriguing and terrifying police cases. I loved the `50s no-nonsense approach to police work... breakout the roitguns, set up the roadblocks and round up the sex offender. A welcomed change from the many CSI inspired true crime books.

Meet, up close and personal, a legion of menacing rogue males. They will steal to support a drifter's lifestyle. They will rape to defile virtue and kill just for kicks. While robbing a house, one of them came in contacted with a 2-year-old boy, who he gleefully strangled to prevent his cries of pain and terror. When caught, he told the detectives "I always wanted to kill somebody" but had no reason why he stripped naked the boy's body. He is just one of the lowest scum the 1950's had to offer.

This book would have been grim reading if wasn't for an army of police officers and law enforcement professionals, who, dedicated to the principles of justice, sent these misfits to the morgue or the electric chair; a perfect ending for most of these stories.

When taking into consideration the level of crime that is reported day after day in the news, I am left to wonder if things are "getting worse."

After reading Hoodlums, HopHeads & Hepcats, I feel fairly confident that while crime is probably reported more today, the criminal element has always existed in the shadows, ready to STEAL what they want, and MURDER anyone in their way!

From the case files of this book, readers will be shocked to read the exploits of the pot-smoking juvenile who killed for loose change, the acid-throwing maniac who was intent on blinding a journalist, and even a "misguided human missile" that killed a 22-month old child for the thrill of it.

If you have the strength to look into the heart of darkness, take a glimpse at this work of criminal reality from the 1950's...

Bob Burns is the foremost collector of sci-fi and horror memorabilia, and it's all kept in his basement. This book is a guided tour through Bob's remarkable collection of props, costumes and other items that Bob has collected for nearly 50 years with anecdotal stories by Bob about how he acquired the items, as well as Bob's life long experiences both in front of and behind the cameras of Hollywood.

There's a pair of Frankenstein's boots worn by Glenn Steele, the Captain America costume worn by Dick Purcell in the Captain America serial, costumes from Flash Gordon...There's models of the rockets from George Pal's "Destination Moon" and a replica of The Time Machine. Latex props from Alien and The Terminator..space helmets and laster blasters from 50's era TV and films. A marvelous collection and the object of envy of baby boomers everywhere.

in addition we'll learn of Bob's background as a makeup artist and the films he worked on as well as his short-lived career as a horror magazine publisher who went head-to-head with Famous Monsters of Filmland. We'll see Bob's long career playing a gorilla in appearances on shows like The Lucy Show as well as the short-lived Saturday morning show Ghostbusters.

From there Bob takes us through the many years of putting on some of the most elaborate Halloween displays and shows to ever show up in suburban America with help from guys who would go onto become some of the most famous special effects gurus in Hollywood like Dennis Muren.

This is a fun and utterly engrossing travel through time as we tour Bob's collection and see items that he saved from the garbage heap. Highly recommended!

This book is a lot of fun. Bob Burns is one of the greatest collectors of movie memorablia. After reading this book, I've decided I want to hang out in his basement.
The anecdotes make this a fun read and the pictures are fantastic.

It Came From Bob's Basement is one of those books that I look at over and over again. Not only are the images terrific, but the writing is exceptional. Apart from Bob Burns' incomparable passion for these icons of science fiction culture, what really emerges for me is a very accurate portrayal of Mr. Burns' big heart and generosity. Bob's intention was never to make money from his collection but rather to be a museum director and caretaker of priceless relics that millions of people have seen in many of the world's greatest films. Now, with the publication of this book, everyone has an opportunity to see these items first hand and I would highly recommend they do so!

This is a man who shows his love of film in every word of this book. Lots of photos ( still I want more shots ) of props that you would never think would have ever been saved. Lots of good stories and things you never knew about many of the films. Great read, I just sat down and didn't stop until the end.

Why doesn't some one with some Big Hollywood bucks open a place where the props and and seen and perserved.

Come on George and Steven... special effects and movies made you millions give something back and perserve the past.

Bob Burns has written a wonderful little book titled, "It Came From Bob's Basement." This book is chronicle of a moment in time that has long since passed from our lives, but we can always take a moment to revisit. Bob grew up in the 1930's when many things, which we now take for granted, were in their infancy. Before video games, and a color television in every home, a child was more innocent; their imaginations were fueled more by a sense of wonder in discovering the world around them.

We seem to lose that innocence much earlier every generation, Bob has never lost it. He chronicles his awe as he discovers movies such as King Kong, which so captured his imagination that it set a path for his life's destiny, and became part of a lifelong fascination with science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Bob has worn many hats in his life, follow him as he changes from Major Mars, a live matinee host for children, to Bob Burns the contributor to many memorable horror movies of the 50's and 60's. Bob's fascination with movies has led him to many strange roads, and contributed to his ever-growing list of friends, some of whom are very well known. Over the years Bob has collected a multitude of movie props, many of which were given to him by his friends in the industry, a lot of these appear as gorgeous photographs in Bob's Book. A movie that I loved as a boy growing up in Southern California, was the Time Machine. This movie was so special to me, that when I see it today, I still see it through the eyes of the child that I was back then. Bob has the fully restored Time Machine prop in his collection, he not only includes photographs, but he tells the fascinating tale of how the studios put it on the auction block, and sold it to the highest bidder. Despondent, Bob told his good friend George Pal, (The man who directed the Time Machine, and many other excellent films.), who assured him that he would one day find it, since he was meant to have it. Many people over the years have had the opportunity to visit Bob's Basement, and view not only the "Time Machine," but all of his other movie props and memorabilia, and listen as he tells the stories behind each one of them. For those of you who have never had this wonderful opportunity, Bob has created this book for you, as he invites you to come in, sit down, and visit with him in his basement.