Video Books


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Video Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

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Girl Director: A How-To Guide for the First-Time, Flat-Broke Film & Video Maker
Published in Paperback by Girl Press (2001-04-01)
Author: Andrea Richards
List price: $17.95
New price: $30.74
Used price: $0.15

Average review score:

It's not just for girls.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-05
This book offers an entertaining look at the history of women making films (it's been happening longer than you think!), plus the inside scoop on being an all-in-one, movie-making machine. More than a how-to guide or a historical overview, Girl Director is fun to read, great as a gift, and a must-have for the bookshelf of anyone (of any age) who aspires or loves to make movies. From where to buy a camera or how to develop stories, to entering a film into a festival or finding out where some of our beloved female directors got their start, this handy book will take you there.

Perfect for the Aspiring Filmaker!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-05
From the point of a young high school aged aspiring filmaker- this book is a total success! It is perfect for any girl looking for fun on a rainy day or a film career in her future. Its full of creative, colorful, and informative pages that are bound to inspire any young Girl Director!!

Fun and Informative
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-28
Andrea does a great job of simplifiying the world of film making. A+!

What every Girl (and boy) needs!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-06
FILLED with information and presented in a fun and entertaining book. Great interviews and profiles on women directors. The most interesting part to me is how much women were involved in the early days of film. As a filmmaker myself, I appreciate the "how to" details which are presented in an easy to understand manner. Great descriptions of all the basics of how to make your first film - or your second film. Photos and illustrations will help the kids enjoy it....

It's not just for girls.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-05
This book offers an entertaining look at the history of women making films (it's been happening longer than you think!), plus the inside scoop on being an all-in-one, movie-making machine. More than a how-to guide or a historical overview, Girl Director is fun to read, great as a gift, and a must-have for the bookshelf of anyone (of any age) who aspires or loves to make movies. From where to buy a camera or how to develop stories, to entering a film into a festival or finding out where some of our beloved female directors got there start, this handy book will take you there.

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Golden Images: 41 Essays on Silent Film Stars
Published in Paperback by McFarland & Company (2001)
Author: Eve Golden
List price: $39.95
New price: $39.95
Used price: $20.17

Average review score:

A Must Have for Silent Screen Lovers
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-05
This is a wonderful book. The author has done her homework and her picks from the famous to the forgotten were excellent choices. If she couldn't confirm a rumor, rather than speculate, or worse yet, sensationalize, she plainly stated the answer would probably never be found.

I recommend this book for all lovers of the silent era. I only wish that Ms.Golden could do full length bios on these people.

Golden showers us with excitement!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-24
Before I read Eve's books, I couldn't tell Buster Keaton from Michael Keaton. I kept confusing Anita Page and Doris Hill with Anita Hill. This woman knows more about Virgina Bradford than Bradford herself. Her book has opened my eyes to the wonderful genre that is The Silent Movie. Eve has taught me not to laugh at the name Richard Dix. She's explained that Charlie Chaplin doesn't wear that moustache and glasses because he's in the Witness Protection Program.

I could go on forever about this book, but I think I'll leave you all with a quote from my favorite silent movie: " ".

A great addition to the library of any film lover
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-04-25
Eve Golden as always does her homework on her subjects, and then brings them to life wth insight and warmth. A great collection of Hollywood's known and lesser-known characters-- briskly written, it's a good read.

Left You Wanting More
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-10-29
This book provides 4-5 page biographies of many silent film stars. Some are very familiar to film buffs such as Rudolph Valentino, the Talmadge Sisters, etc. but others are not as familiar such as Martha Mansfield, Milton Sills, etc. Golden's writing style is so easy to read and she has done a great deal of research. Many of the biographies left you wanting to read a great deal more about many of these people. I would recommend this for all silent film buffs!

Biographies of silent film giants and obscure actors
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-03
This wonderful book contains 41 short (5-6 pages each) biographies of silent film actors and actresses. Some like Clara Bow, William Haines, and Rudolph Valentino have been covered more in-depth by other biographers. However, there is no other book that covers the life and careers of Marie Prevost, Milton Sills, Arthur Johnson, Clarine Seymour, Harrison Ford (not Indiana Jones), Pearl White, and Wallace Reid. Even famous personalities who just made a few film appearances like May Irwin and Ormer Locklear are covered. Many of these performers died before the silent era was even over, which is why they are virtually unknown today. These essays were originally written for CLASSIC IMAGES magazine, but have been updated for the book. Ms. Golden's bios are well researched and very easy to read. If you are interested in silent film performers, you will want this book!

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Goldwyn: A Biography
Published in Paperback by Riverhead Trade (1998-10-01)
Author: A. Scott Berg
List price: $16.00
New price: $5.86
Used price: $1.99
Collectible price: $39.60

Average review score:

Extraordinary biography
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-22
Berg does a great job, and the subject is absolutely a fascinating one.

Rags to riches
Helpful Votes: 16 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-18
What a story! A remarkably easy to read account of Sam Goldwyn's rags-to-riches life. Did you know "Goldwyn" was not his real name? Did you know he was thrown out of the MGM company after a few years?! Goldwyn worked at some stage or other with just about every famous name in the business, and also fell out with just about everybody he ever met. A cantankerous and perverse character who loved contradicting people. When people quit because he made their lives intolerable, he sometimes felt personally attacked and betrayed. The book is full of colourful characters, and Scott Berg has done a wonderful job of using quotations and dialogues to really bring these people alive: Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Lillian Hellman, William Wyler, Billy Wilder, and the remarkable Hilda Berl. It reads like a movie! By tracing Goldwyn's history, the book also covers the story of many of the other famous movie companies that are still famous today: United Artists, Universal, Paramount, Warner Brothers, RKO and of course MGM. Goldwyn also came across many young actors and actresses before they were stars: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, David Niven, Marlon Brando, John Wayne, etc. And of course the famous Goldwyn malapropisms are here, though limited to the ones actually traceable (as far as possible) to Goldwyn himself: "Anyone who sees a psychiatrist should have their head examined! Include me out! A verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on," to pick just a few.

A remarkably well-written and well-researched biography that brings this vigorous, infuriating, yet oddly attractive ugly duckling to vibrant life. This must rank amongst the best biographies, up there with Ron Chernow's book about the Morgans. Anyone at all interested in movies and movie history will enjoy this.

Thorough, engaging, insightful
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-16
I picked this book up at the library not knowing what to expect and was amazed! Although it is indeed a biography of Sam Goldwyn, it is also a very well told piece about the studio system and Hollywood in the first half of the century (with an emphasis on the 20's) Not only insightful but entertaining; it makes for a read more gossipy than the trashiest celeb autobiography while maintaining class and style.

I recommend this book to anyone the least bit interested in the classic hollywood days. It is the best book I've read thus far on the era, and it will get you down to the video store hunting down old movies just to see the actors and actresses you've read about.

Great bio of a genius's life
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2000-08-25
Great book! I enjoyed reading about a man who literally came from poverty to be on of Hollywood's pioneer filmmakers. He was a rough man to work with no doubt, but knew what worked and lasted in an industry that is hard to last in! A. Scott Berg did a wonderful job of writing a respectful book about this man!

Exceptional Hollywood Bio - the best of the bunch
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 1999-01-07
A most compelling, intricate, mesmerizing, passionate, heartfelt and respectful account of Goldwyn's life! A. Scott Berg has created a profound work as equal an opus to any of Goldwyn's best stuff. The neat thing is that you feel as if you were there - the birth, growing pains and maturity of Hollywood - brutally recreated for our pleasure. Bravo!!

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Goodnight, Whatever You Are!: My Journey with Zacherley, the Cool Ghoul
Published in Paperback by Dinoship, Inc (2006-12-25)
Author: Richard Scrivani
List price: $14.95
New price: $8.92
Used price: $8.08

Average review score:

Long overdue book on the Cool Ghoul
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-27
What more can you say about a book that so lovingly & painstakingly paints a portrait of an underappreciated '50-'60s icon ? This book provides an enormously entertainingly look into Zacherley as a persona & a man. In amazing detail, it traces Zacherley through his TV start to Shock Theatre to Disco-Teen to FM radio DJ. I admit that I couldn't put this book down & finished reading it in 2 days. I even read this enjoyable book over again twice ( something which I have never done before ) ---Anyone who remembers or just wants to discover Zacherley & '60s music will love this book.---- This book was an obvious labor of love from a great author.-- I would love to see more books by Mr. Scrivani although it will be tough to beat this one...

A wonderful blast from the past!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-23
For anyone who is a John Zacherle fan and has lived through any of his incarnations, this book is a "must-have", a real blast from the past! The book covers the full scope of John Zacherle's broadcasting career, from how he initially got into broadcasting, his time as "Roland" in Philadelphia, his re-emergence as "Zacherley" in New York, the Disco-teen years, his years in radio, right up to recent years with his appearances at the Chiller Theater conventions. However, this is not a standard bio, as the author brings to it the unique perspective of someone who has personally known the subject and lived through many of Zach's experiences with him. A fascinating tome about a fascinating man. A good read, which should make for you a "Goodnight, whatever you are!"[Zacherle's Monster Mash PartyThe Zacherley ArchivesDr. Horror's Erotic House of Idiots[ASIN:B0007EKXMO Zacherley's vulture stew (Ballantine Books ; 417K)]]Zacherley's Midnight Snacks

A celebration of a very special time
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-19
GOODNIGHT, WHATEVER YOU ARE? is an intelligent, thoughtful and passionate account of growing up in the 60s, and could very well be the milestone of "Monster Kid" books, expertly capturing the spirit of a more innocent and hopeful era.

Buy this book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-12
Wonderful and heart warming to finally have a real book about about the
golden era of east coast TV and one of the brightest stars....Zacherley.

Zach fans this book is a must read!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-08
I would recommend this book for any "child" of the late 50's or 60's who considers him or herself to be a fan of Zacherley. It was a very fast and interesting read for those interested in Zach and the path his career took on TV and radio. The book also provides some valuable personal insights into John Zacherley the man as seen through the eyes of one devoted fan. It paints John as a kind man who was very greatful for the love and attention of his fans. The book also features three factual appendices for people who loved the old Universal horror movies and the successful run they had on New York television when hosted by Zach.

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Great Women of Film
Published in Hardcover by Billboard Books (2002-03-01)
Author: Helena Lumme
List price: $29.95
New price: $5.98
Used price: $2.05

Average review score:

Originally found this in the library, but it's the kind of book one should OWN
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-23
I've always been interested in theatre and movies, but when I was a kid and even in my mid-thirties, even though I've published books, getting involved in movies seemed like suddenly wanting to become President of the United States. So I bought this book and refer back to it whenever aspects of producing an indie film seem daunting. This book's beautiful and great. GIRL DIRECTOR is another fun book (although originally for little girls). So you should buy this book if you can afford such a beautiful hard cover photograph book, and support the authors so publishers know we're out here and interested.

Beautifully Intense
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-03
At first glance, it's a tasteful coffee table addition. Upon closer inspection, it gets intense. The photos, more than mere portraits, are actual tableaus of each subject acting out their careers (in all aspects of filmmaking) in a thought-provoking way. Either in a fantasy setting or an actual on-the-job setting-- sometimes whimsical, sometimes confrontational-- it's apparent that each subject worked with the photographer and author closely to create a unique representative visual statement. This, in union with the insightful written profiles and savvy graphical layout, make for a book that joyfully celebrates the previously little-known world and work of women in film production and the progress they will continue to make in the future.

Great Women, Great Words, Great Photographs
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-02
I just can't say enough about this book. It's inspiring on so many levels. For some, it will give a glimpse into what it takes to make it in the movie business. For others, the photos will serve as a reminder that art and beauty are all around us! I love that the authors didn't just focus on celebrities (although there are several of those, too), but they found great women in a variety of interesting fields. The photos are breathtaking, especially the great shots of Jodie Foster--amazing! I highly recommend this book, as well as the previous book by these folks, "Screenwriters: America's Storytellers in Portrait."

Inspiring, inspirational, and informational
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-13
As a woman who is about to embark on the exact same journey this book is all about, I found this text so encouraging. It has become my second Bible. Helena Lumme brings together a mix of inspiring women in tbe film industry. Their insight and experience in the film business is not only refreshingly honest, but inspirational as well. From the early days of film making to the present, women have been a major part of the moviemaking process. It makes me proud to not only be a woman but hopefully become a part of a wonderful legacy of a daring and courageous women. The information is all encompassing to the passion they each feel about not only their work but the journey they took to get there. Mika Manninen photography not only puts a face on most of these unseen women but also captures their very soul in the lens. My heartfelt thanks go to not only Lumme but the women she interviewed for this piece.

An invaluable 'how-to' book for PA's to Producers
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-25
As a woman in film school at USC, I craved books like this. Usually what I found was dry text giving me a history lesson, accompanied by some poorly reproduced photos. I opened Great Women of Film and discovered something completely different. This is a book that wants to inspire its readers, through its variety of subjects, presented in bold and evocative portraits, with interviews chock full of realistic advice and lessons learned. There are no stories of nepotism or unearned breaks, each of these women took risks, worked hard and fearlessly dedicated themselves to their crafts. These are woman in front of and behind the camera, directors, writers, set decorators, producers, cinematographers, and special effects artists. As I read, I wished each woman could be my mentor, then I realized that's exactly what this book offers--the advice, wisdom, and can-do encouragement of accomplished women who want to see more of us out there with them. The film industry may still be a male-dominated world, but I would pay double to see a movie whose crew was made up solely of these Great Women of Film. Oh, and the book concludes with an index of resources, from schools to non-profits to guilds and unions that exist to help women in film.

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Happiness
Published in Paperback by Faber & Faber (1998-10-01)
Author: Todd Solondz
List price: $13.00
Used price: $3.04

Average review score:

Good movie, good scpript.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-31
This is the exact dialog that's in the movie, Happiness. I have all of Todd Solondz's other script books, and if you (really) like his movies, this, (and the others, Welcome to the Dollhouse, Storytelling) are recommended, because it's fun to read the movie when you are unable to see the movie. The subject matter in Happiness is dark, but very funny, and at times very sad.
"I came."

OUTRAGEOUS,OFFENSIVE...HILARIOUS
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-21
Happiness is a masterpiece for Todd Solondz in writing and directing. With wonderfully real characters and actors this is truly a remarkable piece. Dialogue and situations will offend everyone at the Rainbow Coalition.

MOST ORIGINALLY SHOCKING, FUNNY, AND DISTURBING SCRIPT EVER
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1999-03-01
Todd Solondz's "Happiness" is so insane and enjoyable that it is, in my opinion, the best original screenplay since Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." The characters are so disturbed and conflicted that when they come together the scenes are so honest and filled with disparity. Not one word is out of place. Todd Solondz has a great ear for dialouge. A super terrfic screenplay.

"A comedy that cuts deep- hilarious and horrifying."
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1998-12-21
"Critically acclaimed at Cannes yet threatened with censorship abroad, 'happiness' deserves to do for Todd Solondz what 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Boogie Nights' did for Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson. Although it lacks some of the punch the stellar ensemble provided for the film, Faber and Faber' s screenplay allows you to focus on Solondz's prodigious talent as a screenwriter. Painstakingly funny yet deeply disturbing, alternative cinema at it's finest.

Better than Pulp Fiction
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-06-18
It was the Dan Clowes's artwork on the movie poster that first caught my attention. I had to watch the movie. But, alas, too much was censored. Fortunately, I managed to get a copy of the screenplay (plus the Dan Clowes cover as a bonus!).

In my opinion, I rank it above Pulp Fiction. While Pulp is intentionally made to be cool and stylish, Happiness is totally honest, minus the coolness and style. I know they're a totally different movie, but I can't help making the comparison because Pulp Fiction is mentioned in the blurp by Vogue on the back cover.

Well, I'm sorry if you're a Pulp's fan...

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HARRISON FORD: The Films
Published in Paperback by Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (2008-11-30)
Author: Brad Duke
List price: $39.95
New price: $39.95

Average review score:

The Definitive Filmography
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-17
Just the kind of book I was looking for. Being a huge fan of Harrison Ford films I wanted to read something to the point - the making of his movies. This is precisely what you get from Brad Duke's extremely well researched and complete book. Having this book along with my Netflix subsciption and I was in Harrison Ford film school. A book like this can add so much enjoyment to the movie watching experience. I would love to see more books exactely like this one for other great actors such as Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or any other you care to name. Duke's style is perfect for film fans who want to aquire a deeper knowledge of the films and actors they admire without the celebrity hoopla and nonsense and on the other hand without the over the top intellectualism of much film criticism that stuffs the shelves of most book stores. In conclusion, an excellent read and a very useful reference for the work of one of the finest actors of the last 40 years. A must for all fans.

Interesting book for Ford fans
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-07
This is truly very well documented book about Ford's life and his films. The author goes into great detail about his films (maybe too much detail) and you will learn something new about Ford and his films. That is a promise. I thought I knew almost all there is to know about man - I was mistaken. But I have two complaints. First is the fact that all the photos in the book are in black and white. Not a big issue but I would have liked to see some color photos. And the second and more important is that if you are not a true 100% fan of Harrison Ford, the author's method may get boring. Although an excellent book, the author doesn't use much variety. Each chapter is filled with the same kind of information. Why Ford accepted the role, how the director got involed, how the script got wriiten, some technical element and the location, what Ford thought of the project, how it was received by critics and how much money it made. Finally we have Ford's view on the project. And although great for us Ford fans, it will certainly be a bit boring for the average reader midway through the book. But nevertheless this is a very good book for Ford fans and the best thing about this book is that it tells much more about Ford and his views than the previous books about Ford. There are more Ford quotes than in previous books. Usually it is mainly what Ford's co-worker and old school friend said about him. This is more what Ford has said and those closest to him. Therefore I recommend this book for everybody who are interesting in books about films/actors but warn the average reader that it may get tiresome midway through the book.

Very, Very Informative Look at One of the Greatest....
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-23
Despite it being a tad pricey, this book is incredibly well researched - and if you're a true Ford fan - well worth the price. It truly reads like a textbook in that there's no fluff to get in the way of the facts. Mr. Duke tells the story of Ford's life chronologically and goes into - dare I say, graphic - detail into the making of his films.
Just when you thought you knew everything about the legend, it's time to think again...

Definitive Harrison Ford Filmography
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-27
'Harrison Ford: The Films' is infinitely detailed and exhaustingly researched in a way that other books simply are not. Fans and film students will find this to be a substantive and well written source for information on both Mr. Ford himself, and the trials and tribulations of film making. Moreover, Mr. Duke's work is absorbing and entertaining - not merely a bland list of the actor's acomplishments, but a witty and reverant discussion of Mr. Ford's career and life. The author graciously omits the cheap "gossip" that so often finds its way into such works, while including a well rounded look at Mr. Ford's origins and personal achievements.

In short, this book is a MUST for any Ford fan or film buff!

The most outstanding book about the most outstanding actor
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-09
Brad Duke's years of research, interviews and extensive travel have paid off in the biggest of ways in the form of 'Harrison Ford: The Films'. Duke's chronological peek at the stellar career of Harrison Ford is unarguably the most thorough, complete and compelling work that has ever come to the literary marketplace.
Commencing with Harrison's working class upbringing and intricately weaving it's way through years of legendary films, directors, actors, friends and business associates, 'Harrison Ford: The Films' could certainly be used as a textbook in a college course about Ford's life and career. This extraordinary book gives the reader a fly-on-the-wall look at the reclusive star's life, loves, personal passions, films and little-known philanthropic efforts. It is a rare feat when a Hollywood-themed book can manage to side-step gossip and innuendo and wind up with a true and accurate depiction of a man, an actor, a crazy business and the passion that fuels all three.
Utilizing little-known stories and interviews with industry big-wigs and insiders, the reader is "a-FORD-ED" with a rare glimpse of the movie industry and all it's workings and complications. Duke further encourages the reader with the use of easy-to-understand terminology and funny stories that, some of which, until now, have not been committed to print. You will certainly find this an easy read and an extremely insightful and funny look at the world's most popular movie star. Starting with Harrison's earliest work in television, the book faithfully chronicals the trials, tribulations and triumphs in such areas as co-stars, film budgets, script problems, studio clashes, risky stunt work and the toll that his work has taken on Mr. Ford himself.
I bought the book when it first came out and did not put it down until I was finished reading it. I found it poignant, interesting, insightful and absolutely charming. I'm sure you will too.

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Hellboy: The Art of the Movie
Published in Paperback by Dark Horse (2004-03-03)
Authors: Guillermo del Toro, Mike Mignola, Wayne Barlowe, and Ty Ellingson
List price: $24.95
New price: $15.52
Used price: $6.97
Collectible price: $30.76

Average review score:

Great art, great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-16
A must have for art, comic and production design lovers, has lots new designs by Mignola Barlowe and other great artists including the prop makers. Includes beautiful pages illustrating both concept and the picture of the final prop supported by the commentaries and thinkings of the artist involved in the creation of that specific prop. It also includes the final shooting script, and images from Guillermo del Toro's notebook which are nice sketches and annotations depicting the first idea behind the final design of each character. Great!!! one of the best, just do not read it before watching the movie.

Great art, great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-16
A must have for art, comic and production design lovers, has lots of designs by Mignola Barlowe and other great artists including the prop makers. Includes beautiful pages illustrating both concept and the picture of the final prop supported by the commentaries and thinkings of the artist involved in the creation of that specific prop. It also includes the final shooting script, and images from Guillermo del Toro's notebook which are nice sketches and annotations depicting the first idea behind the final design of each character. Great!!! one of the best, just do not read it before watching the movie.

Mignola and del Toro and Barlowe, oh my
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-16
Besides a complete shooting script and lots of commentary, this has tons of illustrations and concept art done by all the artists involved in the movie. It's wonderful to see Mike Mignola's and Wayne Barlowe's sketches following the development of all the various Hellboy monsters, characters and environments, and lots of stuff that didn't make it into the movie. A must for any fan of the film.

Excellent "Art of..." movie book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-05
I was unfamiliar with the world of Hellboy prior to seeing the movie. When I did and when I ordered this book, I was blown away by the wealth of visual richness that inhabit the Hellboy universe. Being a collector of "Art of..." books, I realized that the strength of Hellboy lies in the visual galore. The book is fully detailed with drawings from every level of production as well as the closeness of working atmosphere between the filmakers and the creator of the original material not commonly known in Hollywood.

My only gripe in this book is that the structuring is kinda messed up and confusing, since the book mixes up the art section with the script.

Great art, great book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-16
A must have for art, comic and production design lovers, has lots new designs by Mignola Barlowe and other great artists including the prop makers. Includes beautiful pages illustrating both concept and the picture of the final prop supported by the commentaries and thinkings of the artist involved in the creation of that specific prop. It also includes the final shooting script, and images from Guillermo del Toro's notebook which are nice sketches and annotations depicting the first idea behind the final design of each character. Great!!! one of the best, just do not read it before watching the movie.

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Hick Flicks: The Rise and Fall of Redneck Cinema
Published in Paperback by McFarland & Company (2004-11-30)
Authors: Scott Von Doviak and Scott von Doviak
List price: $35.00
New price: $35.00
Used price: $30.00

Average review score:

It's Not Easy Defining an Entire Genre...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-25
... but Von Doviak did it. Wow. This is the kind of pop culture read that I really like. Smart, funny, thoroughly knowledgeable. It was a fun and yet totally definitive exploration of a film genre that no one has really ever tackled. Maybe no one thought it was worth tackling? But Von Doviak braved the (swampy) waters beautifully. And being from Texas, I admit I was concerned that the book was going to rip apart my treasured Southern culture- but it didn't. This guy deserves a case of Lone Star.

Damn good book and fun too
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-06
You don't actually have to care much about redneck movies to like this book - I didn't, at least not much, but Von Doviak drew me into it, largely due to his amiable writing style and sharp sense of humor - he performed the impossible task of making a history of redneck cinema actually very personable. This must be what it's like to sit down and have a beer with Von Doviak and talk hixploitation. But the book is not some vanity piece meant to spotlight the author's personality at the expense of the subject - quite the opposite. Von Doviak covers his subject with a mix of knowledge and humor that reveals his understanding of the ridiculous nature of the films he has set about to cover, while at the same time treating their history with respect and providing context that deflects the possible cliched insults that could be lobbed at these movies..

We need more people like Mr. Von Doviak writing about popular culture - he presents an unusual take on a subject that is never over the top. The book is fresh, lively, unstudied in the best possible meaning of the term, and laced with a self-deprecating sarcasm that many more critics could take cues from as they get to know their subject.

Better Than A Bottle Full Of Bootleg Shine
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-25
I'll say it loud and drunkenly: Hick Flicks is a brilliant analysis, defining the genre and subgenres of movies by and about Redneck-Americans, or, as we prefer, "Sons of the Soil."

Von Doviak starts us with an Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow (www.drafthouse.com), as Scott canoes downriver, encountering hillbillies both planted and au naturale (that means "nekkid" or, in this case, "not planted"), to a riverside viewing of Deliverance. This experience sets Mr. Von D to wondering: "Is that banjo kid available for weddings? Failing that, should I write an in-depth analysis of redneck movies?" The answer, as Scott reveals in a surprising twist, is (brace yourselves for maximum shock value) yes.

Somewhat in the tradition of Jackass, Von D subjected himself to more movies about and by rednecks than is legal in 27 states. Von Doviak divides these into subgenres: trucker movies, stunt driver movies, chicks seeking revenge for what was done to them movies, hillbilly horror movies, documentaries about rural folk, and the like. In fact, in one of the more astounding segments of masochistic horror ever to emerge from scholarly film criticism, Von Doviak undertakes 24 hours of hillbilly horror flicks, starting with the Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which shortly emerges as one of the more intelligent and sensitive movies on the line-up. The guy deserves a Purple Heart.

Anyway, it's fun to laugh at rednecks, especially if, like me, redneck blood courses through your veins (and only occasionally coats your rage-filled hands of justice), but thinking about rednecks and the mysterious ways of redneck culture is hard work and usually limited to slightly contemptuous, brilliantly smart-assed novelists like Harry Crews. Von Doviak leads the way in thinking about an underappreciated segment of film history, one that mostly exists only in documentaries and on the USA Network now. This book's a hoot and a holler and has been scientifically proven to be more fun than a semi full of monkey sidekicks. Go buy it.

Southern Fried Cinephilia
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-09
We all now know that the 1970s was the period of the American movie Renaissance, when such artists as Coppola and Scorsese and Altman broke free to strew masterpieces across the landscape. But for some of us, in certain parts of the country, it was also the time when we huddled together on the playground or at the back of the school bus to trade rumors, in awestruck whispers, about what brand of violent justice was meted out by Buford Pusser in "Walking Tall" and what wiseguy putdown Gator McCluskey said to the sheriff in "White Lightning" and what horrors were to be seen in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and just how real "The Legend of Boggy Creek" was supposed to be. It was the era of Earl Owensby and Hal Needham and a time when both Jan-Michael Vincent and Jethro Bodine could be seen playing violent rednecks. Scott Von Doviak brings it all back, in such a way as to provide an alternative film history of the period, a free-wheeling period of creative ferment, countercultural experimentation and demented hucksterism as seen through the bottom of a corn likker bottle. It also happens to be the funniest book I've read in ages.

Good stuff
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-08
Hick Flicks is a fantastic and fun read. It's a bit like a walk down memory lane - summers of bad movies at the drive-in. God do I miss a good drive-in.

I did have some disturbing dreams about Bigfoot and the dude from The Hills Have Eyes, but I blame that as much on my cold medicine as I do on the book.

Scott Von Doviak's voice is clear and true, with enough astute observations to border on an entry for the Cahier du Cinema. I would have liked more Maury stories, but that's me. I'm a sucker for a dog.

Now you may question the relevance of a book like Hick Flicks. Hillbilly exploitation films died out with gas rationing (more or less). But I'd argue that with all this Red State/Blue State nonsense they're probably more relevant than ever.

Hollywood marketed 30 years ahead of where politics moved in the past two elections. Put that in yer corncob pipe and smoke it.

Video
Hillbilly Hollywood
Published in Hardcover by Rizzoli (2000-07-07)
Author: Debby Bull
List price: $39.95
New price: $10.00
Used price: $10.00

Average review score:

beauty & brains & cool, cool, cool
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-04
The swoon-inducing, jaw-dropping photo of young Johnny Cash at the Hollywood Bowl alone is worth the price of this book. But don't just look at the beautiful pictures (and there are many) - read the words. Well-written, insightful, and often funny, the stories from the mouths of the stars sparkle brighter than the rhinestones on the cover. Hillbilly Hollywood motivated me to search out and find the music of artists unfamiliar to me before, and I will forever be grateful to the author for introducing me to the wild brilliance of the almost-forgotten Maddox Bros. & Rose, and others like them. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves music, whether it be country-western, punk rock, or anything in between.

Beautiful in Every Way.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-19
Debby Bulls book "Hillbilly Hollywood" gives us a great look at the almost-forgotten flashy country and western artists of radio and early western movies. We get a thorough insiders look at the glitz and the true 'ART' of rhinestone cowboy and cowgirl wear by the country artists of the '40's and 50's. There are wonderful color images and historical photos of my favorite country legends. The book itself would be at home on Elvis's coffee table. Yum! Yum! This book is a "Five Star" ten course feast for the eyes and soul for us wannabe cowboy and cowgirl types. A true collectors item.

Hillbilly HEAVEN!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-14
I'm a very hard girl to buy for (and a music snob to boot)but my sweetheart did a very good thing when he purchased Hillbilly Hollywood for me as an early Valentine's Day gift!
It's just GORGEOUS,well-written,and chock-full of stunning color images of several historic pieces of country couture including rare photos of artists that I just adore like Johnny Cash,The Flying Burritto Bros.,and (gasp!) Rockabilly Goddess CHARLENE ARTHUR!!!
It's very difficult these days to find any information on the designers Nudie and Manuel but this book covers it ALL!!!
SO SATISFYING!!!
Always,
Grey DeLisle (wife of Murry Hammond:)

Great book, for cowboy and cowgirls
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-23
Who are into western wear.
I'm a cowgirl living in The Netherlands and books about westernwear are hard to find. 100 years of western wear by Tyler Beard was the one I found in Holland. Also a great book!!
Tyler send Hillbilly Hollywood to me, and I love every page of it! It's about stars and their love for the garb.

Does Hillbilliness Proud
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-10
Debby Bull's HILLBILLY HOLLYWOOD is an astonishing book. Her writing is never tainted by nostalgia. It's fresh, original and cleverly surmised. The physical book is about as extravagant as Nudie's glorious Western regalia--complete with rhinestones on the cover. It's a tribute to a strange phenomenon--the gone, but not forgotten completely, country-western artists of the '40s who were (regrettably) bumped from the spotlight by rock 'n roll and leftist politics. It's great to see the spirit of this era so well communicated. As a native born hillbilly and the author of THE BEAUTIFUL AND ENDURING OZARKS and co-author with my wife Crystal of 3 books on Branson (often dubbed "the hillbilly Las Vegas") I feel credentialed to endorse this book. I'm going to order a six-pack later in the year for Christmas presents. I suspect there is a bunch of closet hillbillies out there that will get a real kick from this neat book.


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