Video Books

Read this book some 20 years ago. Found it rare among this series in that -- A), it was at times critical of both Cooper and some of his films; and B), it was filled with both positive and negatives from critics at the time of each film's release. As I said, rare for this series. Recently went to purchase it for a friend, and found out it is unavavilable? Why!?!

I bought the"Films of Gary Cooper" some 30 years ago and still enjoy reading it. However, I find that Mr. Dickens underrated, at least in my eyes and more recent reviews, two of his finest films. Those are "Man of the West" and "They came to Cordura". Whereas, Mr. Dickens thought they should be relegated to that movie boneyard in the sky more recent consideration and mine too, consider them to be very good films.

Aside from this, I highly recommend this book. I would not part with my copy. It is, in most respects, a very good review of Gary Cooper's movies.

Read this book some 20 years ago. Found it rare among this series in that -- A), it was at times critical of both Cooper and some of his films; and B), it was filled with both positive and negatives from critics at the time of each film's release. As I said, rare for this series. Recently went to purchase it for a friend, and found out it is unavavilable? Why!?!

I bought this book in the fall of 1975 and after nearly 25 years, still find it hard to put down once I pick it up.

Writing a screenplay requires understanding specific formatting rules, especially if you intend to try and have that screenplay sold or produced. I have just ventured into writing screenplays and this book certainly helps answer a lot of basic questions of formatting. Beyond the basics, it also gives advanced and varied options to communicate ideas. The use of examples is very helpful. At the end, common errors are reviewed and corrected in various ways. It is a book that helps you use the format to most effectively communicate your ideas. Certainly good to have has a reference once you get acclimated to the structure.

This book is definitely the best screenwriting manual on the market, and anyone who dreams -- even in their wildest imagination -- that they might someday want to write a screenplay must have this book. It should also be part of the reference library for anybody who is currently in the script writing business.

I recommend this as a reference for anyone who wants to find answers quickly. I have several screenplay formatting books and this one is definitely one of my faves. I don't think that any one book is the be-all-and-end -all guide to writing screenplays, but this is a must have for you collection. It allows you to reference information without searching for hours and having to read all of the preceeding information.

I was in the process of writting a script and had lots of questions on the Hollywood format, almost all were answer by this excelent book.

Do not look in here for dramatical structure, this you need to look for somewere else.

Arts/Entertainment

An Insider's Tale
Book Review by Denise Cassino

Betty Jo Tucker is in love. She always has been. From early childhood, Betty Jo has been smitten with the silver screen. Her love started as an infatuation and grew into a mature study of film and renown as a world-class movie critic.

In her book, Confessions of a Movie Addict, Betty Jo takes us through those early childhood memories of movies, covering her eyes at the scary part, acting out the roles of her favorite stars. Then she landed herself some real jobs as a film critic which gave her a pass into all of the biggest movie events from premieres to the Academy Award Presentations.

This book takes us through many of the hilarious adventures of a movie critic, from embarrassing moments to dining with the stars. Betty Jo shares with her reader many of her best and most clever interviews, sometimes with animated characters! Betty Jo also includes a plethora of reviews on dozens of movies giving the reader a critical, but fun summation of everything from box office hits to cult sleepers. This is a real insider's tale of seeking, meeting and interviewing many of the hottest movie stars ever to flash across a marquee.

If you want to know what it's like to dish and dine with the Hollywood crowd, this book will do the trick. A great gift for any movie lover, Confessions will make you green with envy at Betty Jo's inside access to the stars.

Whether she be recalling a mishap at an X-rated film, admitting she laughed out loud during 'Cabin Boy', or taking an imaginary film festival trip, film critic Betty Jo Tucker's novel 'Confessions of a Movie Addict' will have you envisioning her tales of a life at the movies as if she were talking directly to you. Betty Jo's stories are vivid, enthralling, and quite often amusing. Not only does it provide one wonderfully detailed story after another, Betty Jo's book comes with several of her to-the-point film reviews, a collection of celebrity interviews, a photo gallery, an index of movie-related books and websites, and a checklist to see if you indeed are a movie addict. I have read 'Confessions of a Movie Addict', and as a critic myself, I can proudly assure you that Betty Jo Tucker is one of the finest critics out there and a person who flat-out loves the movies, from the good to the bad. 'CoaMA' is an excellent slice of cinema life.

Reviewed by Jill Cozzi,

Recently I received a press release announcing a Malcolm McDowell retrospective at the Walter Reade Theatre. I forwarded it to a friend, along with a message:

"Gee, do you think I should go to this, walk up to
Malcolm McDowell and say, 'I saw A CLOCKWORK
ORANGE at my college auditorium and three weeks later
was deflowered by a guy who looked an awful lot like
you did then?'"

Now, of course I would never do such a thing, because such an occasion would reduce me to a babbling idiot. But then, I'm not Betty Jo Tucker.

If I WERE Betty Jo Tucker, however, it wouldn't even be an issue, for she would just walk up, make her confession without batting an eye, and two hours later walk away with notes from a truly killer interview. That's just the way she is.

Tucker is arguably the most unique presence among the many film critics on the Web today. In a world dominated by snarky teenagers and twenty-something self-anointed cineastes, Betty Jo Tucker is a gleeful, unabashed movie-lover; not a film buff, but someone who loves the experience of filmgoing. At seventy-plus, she retains the same joy in moving pictures projected on a screen as she did that first time she walked into the "picture show" to see FRANKENSTEIN -- in its first run. A critic who came into the business late in life after raising two children, one divorce, one remarriage (to the same husband), and a distinguished academic career, she is an anomaly among Web critics in that she does NOT subscribe to the Alice Roosevelt credo of "If you can't say something nice, come sit by me."

In her new book CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT (Hats Off Books), Tucker shares her infectious joy in the moviegoing experience with the rest of us. It is truly "a life story with everything but the movies edited out." Written in a breezy tone, CONFESSIONS is truly a snark-free zone. Tucker, who has set herself up as the premier lobbyist for the Return of the Movie Musical has even managed to find the good in such crap-fests as the Britney Spears vehicle CROSSROADS. She doesn't love everything put on film, but you've got to love a critic who's eligible for Social Security but can still laugh her way through the likes of the surrealistically sophomoric CABIN BOY and who reacts to the ghastly THE PRINCESS DIARIES by remembering to call her granddaughters and tell them how terrific they are just as they are.

Where CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT falls short is in Tucker's underestimation of our interest in the journey of a woman through academia, homemaking, and into film criticism at an age when most of us have long since given up our dreams. This may be "a life story with everything but the movies edited out", but many of us would love to see what's left on the cutting-room floor.

As a recently retired college professor who can go to more movies now, I was delighted by this substantive insiders tale told with such happy and light-hearted grace, candor, and humor. The sophisticate and the novice, young and old, will find Betty Jo Tucker's "show-don't-tell" approach solid, informative, and entertaining. She charmed the socks off me! Betty Jo takes us into her fascination with this dimensional art form, with her life story deftly stitched into the background. "Because confession is good for the soul," she tells us, "I admit enjoying films mostly for their escapist entertainment qualities. But I also love to be enchanted by cinematic artistry, enlightened by a great story, and inspired by memorable performances." We grow together with this unpretentions, knowledgeable professional hooked on movies as she moves from going it alone, to being mentored by the best, including the famous "UK Critic" Ian Waldron-Mangani--who, she tells us, could have been her grandson. I found "Confessions" to be a great three-in-one deal: HerStory, terrific interviews, and crisp reviews. We meet some of the greatest names in film from the U.S.--directors David Lynch and M. Night Shyamalan, Oscar winners Anjelica Huston and Angelina Jolie, and the legendary Debbie Reynolds, along with top international figures, including British actor Sir Ian Mckellen, French actress Judith Godrech, Japanese filmmaker Masayuki Suo, and Oscar-winning Czech director Jan Sverak. Stellar interviews include those with Annette Bening, Willem Dafoe, Tony Shalhoub, and Aidan Quinn. Among her top reviews are "Chocolat," "Bridget Jone's Diary," "Mouline Rouge," "Planet of the Apes," "Legally Blond," and "Scary Movie." Along the way, she tells some delightful stories on herself: great gaffs--foot in the mouth, clear to the knee, as Josh Wise, one of my former students, once wrote. After enjoying "Confessions," you'll never read a review the way you used to!

This book uncovers the complexities of one of the greatest artists who ever lived, and reveals how human he was. The warm and conversational style with which it is written is so befitting to its subject, and it makes the reader feel as if they've spent many hours with a good friend. Thank you, Mr. Allen, for bringing such a legend alive for fans like me!

This book uncovers the complexities of one of the greatest artists who ever lived, and reveals how human he was. The warm and conversational style with which it is written is so befitting to its subject, and it makes the reader feel as if they've spent many hours with a good friend. Thank you, Mr. Allen, for bringing such a legend alive for fans like me!

This is a fantastic book for any fans of the greatest actor who ever lived. It is thick, informative and contains loads of photos. I would recommend it whole-heartedly, but then again, it is the only English biography of the man with the wicked eyes currently in print!

I was very impressed with the book and amazed how accurate the information presented was,A must readfor any of my fathers fans.Thank-you Mr. Allen a marvelous job.

Was hard to find, same interviewer that worked with Al Pacino on his book. Great intro and good conversations.

The interview that this book is based on was conducted before Brando filmed "Superman" but I can't imagine that Brando has changed much since. Grobel shows his skills as an interviewer by originally agreeing to only talk about the Native American cause with Brando but eventually teasing out anecdotes about acting, sex, stalkers, Brando's upbringing and much more. Grobel does not try to outsmart Brando, even while he is trying to sneak in forbidden acting/movie questions. He faces his subject head-on and when Brando chooses to speak about his hated profession, he is extremely entertaining. He shows Brando as a very complicated man who is hard to dislike - even if you don't agree with his politics, you come away from the book thinking that Brando is a charming, intelligent, thoughtful and super-talented individual who deserves all the praise for his acting skills. This interview could be considered his greatest performance - it comes from the same honesty that he invested his early screen and stage characters with.

I could not put the book, "Conversations With Brando," down once I began reading it. As a Marlon Brando devotee, I was so very pleased to open the book and find that the largest part of the book is composed of Marlon Brando's own words. I could have listened to this man talk all day long, every day of every week. And, in this book, he is at his incredible best -interesting, intelligent, witty, sensitive, idealistic, real, wise, inspirational, poignant, reflective, philosophical, poetic; humanitarian. I love his eccentric ways and I respect his principles of character - standing up for the causes of the voiceless in the world. I appreciate that he bowed to no one when the convictions of his heart and his conscience were at stake.

Most of all, when Marlon's children were in trouble, he made the kinds of sacrifices and suffered in ways that only a father whose children are his whole heart would have done.

What a beautiful man Marlon was and what an exemplary, praiseworthy piece of work Lawrence Grobel has done with "Conversations With Brando."

This expanded on the PLAYBOY interview it's adapted from. Brando is a good storyteller, and tells some good stories in here. Grobel does preface the interview with phone call transcripts of him talking to Brando, and his secretary. And I know someone close to Brando, and some in the Brando camp felt some annoyance that Grobel taped the phone conversations without saying they were being taped. A bit presumptuous. But an interesting interview nonetheless.

I've always suspected that writers would be the most interesting of all functionaries in the movies, as they're the ones who think it all up in the first place, and this book proves me right. Fascinating, probing glimpses into the hearts and minds of a marvelous collection of writers. Just buy the damn thing.

A marvelous book for writers-- I ordered copies as Christmas presents for all of my writing students.

OK, I'm prejudiced. I read many of these interviews in the versions that were published in the Writers Guild of America's magazine and thought they were terrific. I called up my editor at Heinemann and told her that she should get in touch with Susan Katz and collect them into a book. My editor (who is obviously quite smart) did and it makes a swell book indeed. Katz is a screenwriter talking to screenwriters about writing; she asks questions from the perspective of an insider and gets real answers as opposed to the surfacey stuff you tend to get in shorter newspaper interviews. My favorite? Probably the slightly testy interview with Mike Leigh talking about how he used improvisational input from his cast in creating SECRETS AND LIES. (But then, I'm particularly interested in improv used for writing.) There isn't an ounce of fat in this book. Smart, useful stuff.

This is a collection of interviews with famous screenwriters, such as David Mamet, Tom Stoppard, Callie Khouri, Horton Foote, Anthony Minghella, etc. If you want to really feel as though you, yourself, have had a wonderful conversation with these infamous screenwriters, this is the book for you. Ms. Bullington Katz has an extraordinary talent for asking just the right questions and truly listening to the answers, and I have never read such compelling, engrossing interviews in any book before. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves books, writing, movies, tv, and/or just reading a terrifically well written book! I can't wait until she has another book coming out!

I loved this movie even better than the first. This book showcases some amazing artwork and CGI images that shows how the various creatures and landscapes were created. A beautiful book with tons of pictures and art.

Great reference/inspiration for artists, some beautiful designs and color compositions. Well worth it if you are working in this genre and need some visual inspiration with a classy feel. Most are the artwork is brilliant.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2A0FB3MOO4FF The full title of the book is "The Crafting of Narnia: The Art, Creatures, and Weapons From Weta Workshop".

Weta Workshop is the Academy-Award winning special effects house that has also created the world for Lord of the Rings and King Kong. That's Middle-Earth and Skull Island. I've a book review on the World of Kong on my blog also. That book is very good.

Many books have been released in companion to the Narnia movies. If you're looking for the art book, this is the one.

This book contains the concept art done in preparation for the two movies, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

There are detailed photography, never before seen drawings, sculptures, props, minatures and paintings. All these are created for the characters, weapons, armour and the set. Movie stills are few.

Particularly interesting are the character designs because they show the evolution. Several designs are shown for each character, including sculptures. Weapons and armour designs are also heavily featured. The designs are intricate and many high resolution photos are provided of the actual weapons used on set -- the swords, shields, axes and the like. There are few drawings for the landscapes.

The commentary that follows along explains the ideas and background story relating back to the book. It works essentially like a tour guide explaining to the tourist in a new place.

Fantasy concept artists should like this book, and also fans of Narnia. It's an enjoyable read.

There are more pictures on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for my blog's link.

This book is a must have for fans of Narnia. There is alot in this book which cannot be seen in the movie and wouldn't otherwise be seen except in a book of this type. From prototype art to maquettes, to fine detail on props, it can be truly appreciated in this book and brings attention to the finer work that was undertaken in the movie. It brings about even more the appreciation of characters and design.

This book is a hybrid of interview collections and workbook exercises, designed to help filmmakers with their creative processes, not using the dumbed-down how-to-manual approach that so many filmmaking books employ, but in an intelligent and subtle way that engages and challenges the reader. These authors have assembled a formidable list of filmmakers -- the brains and souls behind The English Patient, Toy Story, E.R., Boys Don't Cry, many more -- and asked them more than the usual-suspect kind of questions, and by doing so have managed to go deeply into the creative process. The book interweaves the interviews with anecdotes, proverbs, and a group of creativity exercises which are several levels above the kind of artists' self-help books that have sometimes insulted our intelligence in the past. Ever wonder how Anthony Minghella thought of the opening shot for The English Patient? Or how Merchant Ivory get those stellar casts? This book actually tells you things you want to know, and then challenges you to go out and make a movie.

Inspiring! This book reminds you that the most important thing you have to contribute as an artist is already within you. Essential reading for anyone in any creative endeavor. Buy this book and fly!

I teach a seminar for teenagers in digital video. When I started designing the curriculum, it was mostly a "how-to" kind of thing. After reading this book, I changed the whole focus of the seminar. I asked the kids to look inside themselves and think about what they, personally, had to say. I said, "You are like kids who have been given a big box of crayons. Do you want to scribble on the wall, or do you want draw something special from your heart?" When they turned in their treatments for their video projects, they had taken the ideas of this book to heart.
This book should be required reading for anyone who teaches filmmaking or is starting out as a filmmker. It will get them on the right track!

"Creative Filmmaking From The Inside Out," is a brilliant book! This book utilizes industry experts, who through their own experiences and examples, explain the creative process of filmmaking from concept though completion.

At the end of each chapter, the authors outline suggestions and exercises to evoke the reader's own creativity and abilities.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is either interested in filmmaking or is already involved in a film career, as it is always fascinating to see how successful people approach their own creative problems. Creativity is the one commodity which Hollywood is always looking for, but for which there are no formulas.

One Day She'll Darken: The Mysterious Beginnings of Fauna Hodel

Here we are in July 2008...the film that Alix refers to in her interview with Tamar Hodel..is finally in the process of being bought out and completed...Pretty Hattie's Baby...based on the story of Fauna Hodel..cannot be hidden a day longer...the truth always comes out.note...prior to making the movie..due to George Hodel's acquital in the incest trial...errors and ommissions ordered we change the names..stay tuned for the authentic story as well.....Thank you Alix for the interview with Tamar..powerful...

This is a unique and fascinating book. Alix Lambert interviewed a wide variety of people, including gangsters, movie stars, writers, law enforcement officials, crime victims, writers, artists and others about their personal experiences and views of crime. Every time I tried to put it down, I find myself intrigued by the next subject and kept reading until I finished. I am not aware of any other book to look at the phenomenon of crime from so many different perspectives. A must for anyone interested in true crime and crime drama.

In CRIME, Alix Lambert merges her many talents(artist/photographer/journalist/documentarian)to create a truly remarkable work. Fifty (50) separate voices weighing in on the subject of CRIME. We hear from all of them. As fiction we listen to the authors and actors who write and imagine CRIME. As fact we hear from cops and victims who live and have suffered it. Then there are the voices of the USUAL SUSPECTS. Murderers, rapists, gangbangers. We listen as they describe their home, their universe.

A fine piece of journalism-- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Steve Hodel
Los Angeles, California

The size of this book was intimidating at first but once you open it up and start reading the mini stories, I found that the format totally works. It's also a good mix of insight into criminals and victims alike.

I also heard that there was an interview with Viggo Mortenson but had no idea whether it was all Hollywood types or what. In fact, there is a good slice of the known and the unknown, and in addition some conversations with people who have robbed or hurt others.

There aren't many illustrations to speak of - a few photos but don't go expecting to find full color photos of blood and gore. It's not that kind of book.

It's a great gift for someone who doesn't know they like crime and also for someone who likes mysteries and other pulp fiction and might enjoy some real life snippets. I was really psyched I bought it and would gladly suggest it to others.

This is one of the best books I have read on filmmaking in quite a while. It's doesn't dive into technicalities, which is good on some occasions, but "Dakota Epic" is more of a hands-on experience book. It's a good read from the point of view of an extra, and it's not too personalized, that it gets boring. And the illustrations in the book capture the feel of what is being read to tee. This is a great book about the making of a great film, and why the heart of that film didn't come from its big star and director, but from the native Dakota blood involved in its making. Great job!
-G. M. Collias

I liked this book so much that I ordered another one for my son, Mark Tapio Kines, who makes indie movies. It's a riotous look at a re-enactor who had to dress the part of a southern soldier at the start of this movie, then change his uniform and represent the North toward the end of the movie. The attitudes of the soldiers on the "other side" created a riot, as seen through Bill Markley's eyes. The set designers in the movie wanted the scene to look autumnal so they painted the leaves on the trees orange and gold. However, the soldiers had to be absolutely authentic. It's a nice comment on Hollywood at its best.

Bill Markley sheds light on many behind the scenes action that takes place in the filming of a major movie. His highly descriptive account of his days as a reenactor makes one feel as if one were actually on set. He also explains some of the tricks that were used to film the scenes, making them look highly authentic. The author tells of the boredom from long hours on the set and what cast and crew do to entertain themselves while waiting for their call. There are fantastic sketches by another reenactor, Jim Hatzell, which illustrate the book. The sketches were also done while on set.
Markley shares what it was like to meet and work with a famous actor, something most everyone dreams of but never gets the opportunity. The odds of a "Dakota" boy being cast in a Hollywood epic were one in a million, so dream your dream with "Dakota Epic!"

Enhanced with black and white illustrations by Jim Hatzell, Dakota Epic: Experiences Of A Reenactor During The Filming Of Dances With Wolves is Bill Markley's fascinating, first-hand, personal account of what went on behind the scenes of the award-winning 1990 movie Dances With Wolves. This is the revealing viewpoint of a hard-working extra who kept a journal during the filming of what was to become an acclaimed and successful major Hollywood movie. Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always fascinating, Dakota Epic is a superb, up-close scrutiny of the trials, tribulations, and successes of a great move and highly recommended reading for film buffs, aspiring actors, and anyone who sat in a darkened theatre and got completely caught up in the Kevin Costner's award-winning epic film.