Book Description
What are the most appropriate theories and methods for analyzing contemporary America cinema? This book answers this question by taking an innovative approach to writing about individual movies: in each of the main chapters the authors examine the assumptions behind one traditional theory of film (e.g. auteurism, narratology, psychoanalysis), distil a method of analysis from it, and then analyze a contemporary American movie. They then go beyond the traditional theory by analyzing the same movie using a more current theory and method (e.g. new media theory, deconstruction, cognitivism).
Customer Reviews:
A useful guide for students.......2002-10-08
Against the background of rising temperatures and shorter tempers among film theorists, 'Studying Contemporary American Film' sets out to pour oil on troubled waters. Between classical models of film interpretation and analysis (auteurist, structuralist, psychosemiotic) and the current plethora of contending paradigms (cognitivist, Deleuzian,
post-feminists, deconstructivist and hypertextual) it treads a
delicate, but determined path. The authors accept that film analysis is a matter of being wise after the fact, and being aware of open or hidden agendas. In order to be clear and consistent, you don't have to be dogmatic; being able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of certain critical positions doesn't mean that 'everything goes'. Although centered on close analysis of nine mainstream movies, this is not just another collection of essays on the authors' favorite films. The distinction classical and post-classical narrative, the Hollywood/Europe divide, the co-existence of linear narrative and videogame logic, and the differences between ontological realism and digital realism are all lucidly laid out and practically demonstrated. Highlights - to this reader at least - are the chapters on Die Hard, Lost Highway, The Fifth Element and Silence of the Lambs. The general movie buff may think the bullet points and numbered sub-headings rather too prescriptive; however, the authors tone is for the most part refreshingly dead-pan and descriptive, and students may be grateful for the many useful hints of how to ask the right questions and structure their papers accordingly. This is a guide in the best tradition of 'Teach Yourself Film Studies', of which 'Studying Contemporary American Film' could be seen as a welcome sequel.
Average customer rating:
- Engrossing, intelligent, and eminently readable
- Lighten up!
- Great reading! Academic and and informed.
- Insightful, readable, enjoyable--the ultimate Apes book.
|
Planet of the Apes As American Myth: Race And Politics in the Films And Television Series
Eric Greene
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Guides & Reviews
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
History & Criticism
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Genre Films
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Shows
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
1970's
| Shows
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
African-American Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Ethnic Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Animation
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0786426632 |
Product Description
How do political conflicts shape popular culture? This book explores that question by analyzing how the Planet of the Apes films functioned both as entertaining adventures and as apocalyptic political commentary. Informative and thought provoking, the book demonstrates how this enormously popular series of secular myths used images of racial and ecological crisis to respond to events like the Cold War, the race riots of the 1960s, the Civil Rights movement, the Black Power movement, and the Vietnam War. The work utilizes interviews with key filmmakers and close readings of the five Apes television shows to trace the development of the series theme of racial conflict in the context of the shifting ideologies of race during the sixties and seventies. The book also observes that today, amid growing concerns over race relations, the resurgent popularity of Apes and Twentieth CenturyFoxs upcoming film may again make Planet of the Apes a! pop culture phenomenon that asks who we are and where we are going.
Customer Reviews:
Engrossing, intelligent, and eminently readable.......2004-12-31
Greene also does the text commentary on the 35th anniversary DVD of the original PLANET OF THE APES movie, and you can see why he was chosen. His deep insights into that film, and the ones that follow, are an absolute joy to read. If only the producers of the dismal remake of PLANET OF THE APES had read Green's book, they'd perhaps have understood how deeply symbolic and profound the original was. Although this is a scholarly work, it is also just a whole heck of a lot of fun. Five stars.
Lighten up!.......2001-06-26
After reading this book and contemplating just how seriously Mr. Greene takes the Planet of the Apes movies, I can only say one thing: his premise would make for a great magazine article. :-)
Great reading! Academic and and informed........1998-09-11
Eric's book is a marvel of academic analysis. The way in which he relates the Apes series, in all its incarnations, to the political and racial strife of the day is nothing short of amazing. I highly recommend this book.
Insightful, readable, enjoyable--the ultimate Apes book........1998-05-20
From beginning to end this is the study of the Planet of the Apes series that everyone of the series' fans have dreamed of and that academics who never took the series seriously will learn from and hopefully teach.In addition to being an enjoyable read, Greene has a politically-minded scholar's insight that helps lift the series from trivia into concrete seriousness. I think it is a model for future works of film scholarship and appreciation.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent Read!
- A Real Conversation Starter
|
The 50 Most Influential Black Films: A Celebration of African-American Talent, Determination, and Creativity
S. Torriano Berry , and
Venise T. Berry
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
African American
| Regional
| History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Guides & Reviews
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
History & Criticism
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
African-American Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0806521333 |
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Read!.......2003-06-03
Great information presented in an entertaining manner. All about black films -- it answered questions I didn't even know I had.
A Real Conversation Starter.......2002-01-14
This is a great idea for a book. With roughly a century of black film history, it's about time that somebody documented it in terms of quality and relative importance.
The book starts with a discussion of the Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries heavyweight fight film. The U.S. Congress was apparently so threatened by the sight of Johnson beating up a white man, that they banned all film fights from interstate distribution.
This sets the stage so to speak of the book's discussion of fifty films which it deems important. Rather than rank them numerically, the book groups the films by decade (except for silent films which are grouped together). It begins with THE RAILROAD PORTER (1912) and ends with THE BEST MAN (1999). Also included is a special section on influential independent films.
Invariably in a book like this, there will be disagreement about the selection of films (for example, only three films from the 1950s are included as opposed to a whopping eleven in the 1990s). However, for every time that you scratch your head wondering why a certain film was included (or excluded), there'll be another film that you'll totally agree with the selection. This is the real fun of the book.
This book gives the black film fan ample fuel to promote discussions for hours about the merits of a particular film. Also included are interviews with key participants in several of the films. Some are very informative, some are down right amusing. One in particular is director Euzhan Palcy's interview regarding the making of A DRY WHITE SEASON. In it she talks about working with Marlon Brando (who received an Oscar nomination for his performance). You might be quite surprised by what she says about him.
Because it covers partically the entire span of film history, it's a great introduction for those who know little of black film prior to the 1970s. A wide variety of genres are covered from musicals to historical dramas. The book also provides a mix of commercial films and little seen independent ones. For most people, the book will remind you of some films and make you aware of new ones.
At just 312 pages, the book is a quick read. Unless you're a film scholar, you're bound to discover a wealth of information about a number of films. For the serious film buff, the entries might be too brief.
However, the regular movie goer should be right at home with this book. You'll find it written in plain English, free of technical jargon. If you have a party and things are getting a bit dull, put this book on the coffee table and see if things suddenly perk up.
The only way to find out is to get the book.
Customer Reviews:
Outdated.......2005-09-16
This book is very, very, outdated. If your serious about film school this book will do you no good.
Good Reference - but very dated.......2005-08-19
Pintoff has put together a very good reference of film schools and film programs around the nation
Unfortunately, it is now over 10 years old, and while many of the programs the book lists are still in existance, much of the info or data about them is too dated to be correct/relevant today
My biggest criticism though would be that the book only lists the various programs and gives contact info ---- other than that, there are no reviews or feedback of the programs
(...)
Despite the cynical vibe on LOAFS, it nonetheless, lists almost all the film programs available, and its completely free!
Happy reading!
Nice reference book: precise, yet informative............2000-05-31
This book lists all Film/TV schools and colleges by state. It has many-many different options listed: from community colleges to the grad schools. However, it does not provide more specific info about admission and local issues. As a general reference book, it is very uselful, if you are looking for all options possible. It does give you a brief idea about cost and access to the equipment for most institutions listed. This book is better than the ones I have seen on the subject so far.
Book Description
Dazzling, highly stylized, excessively violent and brimming with sex, Blaxploitation films enjoyed a brief and memorable moment in motion picture history -- and never before or since - have so many African American performers been featured in starring roles. Twenty-five years after they first thrilled audiences, Blaxploitation films are enjoying a robust renaissance. The genre, with its bevy of colorful, contemporary characters, irresistible soundtracks and catchy titles, has taken its rightful place among the entertainment industry's most enjoyed and influential films. Here's a new and appreciative look back at a distinctly American motion picture phenomenon, the first truly comprehensive examination of the genre, its films, its trends and its far-reaching impact, covering more than 240 Blaxploitation films in detail. This is the primary reference book on the genre, covering not just the films' heyday (1971-1976) but the entire decade (1970-1980). Includes: • film posters and ads
Book Description
A New Guide to Italian Cinema, with co-author Carlo Celli, is a complete reworking and update of Marga Cottino-Jones’ popular A Student’s Guide to Italian Film (1983, 1993). This guide retains earlier editions’ interest in renowned films and directors but is also attentive to popular cinema, the films which actually achieved box office success among the Italian public. The Guide introduces the Italian cinema not just as a 20th century phenomenon but as an expression of the deeper roots of Italy's historic, cultural and literary past. Chapters offer historical timelines and commentary on political and cultural events and trends, followed by discussion of the Italian cinema industry and key films. Appendices offer guides to writing about film, statistical data of Italian box office history and short biographies and filmographies of important directors. The aim of the book is to provide the cinephile, student, teacher, or fan with a guide where points of interest may be identified and studied with clarity.
Average customer rating:
|
The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Within Our Gates: Ethnicity in American Feature Films, 1911-1960 ... Pictures Produced in the United States)
American Film Institute
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Guides & Reviews
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
History & Criticism
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Bibliographies & Indexes
| Publishing & Books
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Art & Photography
| Bibliographies & Indexes
| Publishing & Books
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Culture
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Arts & Photography
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Entertainment
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Reference
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0520209648 |
Book Description
The American Film Institute Catalog has won great praise for its comprehensiveness, reliability, and utility. These volumes are an essential purchase for every library, and individual researchers will also find them indispensable.
The newest AFI Catalog volume contains over 2500 feature-length films with an emphasis on racial and national ethnic experience in the United States. Included are films from the 1940s and 1950s such as Giant, The Defiant Ones, Gentleman's Agreement, Bright Victory, and Broken Arrow. In addition to traditional "Hollywood" films, independent productions by African-American filmmakers and various ethnic and religious organizations are also given extensive treatments.
This is the first of the AFI Catalog series to include films from more than one decade. Along with the film entries are several indexes, including personal names, ethnic group, subjects, and genre. As with other AFI Catalog volumes, full production credits, cast, plot summaries, notes, subject headings, song titles, and bibliographic citations are provided.
Product Description
Here, assembled into one comprehensive volume, is a rundown of the year's most intriguing Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered films, a lavishly illustrated guide that's Out, Outrageous, Provocative, and Proud. A Defiant Challenge to Films Today, it gets sweaty with Gay Cowboys, Gay Nazis, Nude Marines, Ballsy Detectives, Hit Men, Porn Stars, and Women in Love...with each other. The Scent of Lavender, the Smell of Testosterone, and the Aroma of Velvet. IT'S ALL HERE!
Customer Reviews:
IT'S ABOUT TIME!.......2007-10-04
At long last there is a guide to current gay and lesbian films. We've come a long way, baby, from the days when homosexuality couldn't even be mentioned, much less depicted, on the screen. Here in one well illustrated and written book, is a guide that will occupy a permanent place in my library. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next edition. The book has strong points of views, humor and includes controversial opinions from the mainstream press that often differs from the gay perspective. It is comprehensive, and authoritative, but also fun--never academic. What I especially liked about it is that it provides a showcase for new gay filmmakers, even (perhaps), the Andy Warhol of tomorrow. Many of these films were either dismissed or ignored by movie houses, even in such big cities as New York or Los Angeles. Blood Moon's guide fill in the void. Already I am watching wonderful films made by gays and lesbians that I would never have heard about otherwise.
This is a groundbreaking book with tantalizing insights.
Comprehensive and Little Else.......2006-06-27
About the only positive thing one can say about this book is that it does provide a comprehensive list of gay and lesbian-related feature and short films of 2005. Each of these is generally given a page or two (many more in the case of "major" films like Kinsey, Alexander, The Aviator, etc.), comprised of a very badly written plot summary, a haphazard arrangement of publicity photos, and selected excerpts from media reviews. There are a few "special features", such as the editor's best of the year awards, a Brokeback Mountain section, and a Tigerbeatish series of photo montages of "Hollywood Hunks" Colin Farrell, Heath Ledger, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Aside from the cover, the entire enterprise is amateurish, especially the layout, which was done without any regard to the most basic principles of design, typography, or production. It's almost bizarre how poorly put together the book is, especially as even a modicum of design sense could have made it look at least somewhat presentable. So, use the table of contents as a checklist if you must, but if you're looking for a real guide to the gay and lesbian cinema of 2005, you need to look elsewhere.
Books:
- The Art of The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings)
- The Artist as Monster: The Cinema of David Cronenberg
- The Developing Person Through the Life Span (paper)
- The Devil's Candy: The Anatomy of a Hollywood Fiasco
- The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age
- The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue
- The Girl Who Walked Home Alone: Bette Davis, A Personal Biography
- The Hollywood Curriculum: Teachers in the Movies (Counterpoints (New York, N.Y.), V. 256.)
- The Honeymoon's Over: True Stories of Love, Marriage, and Divorce
- The Last Week: A Day-by-Day Account of Jesus's Final Week in Jerusalem
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Way of the Wild Heart: A Map for the Masculine Journey
- Owl Moon
- Masquerade
- Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico
- Only Make Believe: My Life in Show Business
- The City of Ember
- Randy Wayne White's Gulf Coast Cookbook: With Memories and Photos of Sanibel Island
- The Almanac of American Employers 2005: The Only Complete Guide to America's Hottest, Fastest-Growin
- How to Win When You Lose
- The Sun Still Shone: Professors Talk about Retirement
American Cinema/American Culture
Study Guide to Accompany American Cinema/American Culture
A Short Guide to Writing about Film (Short Guides Series)
Movie-Made America: A Cultural History of American Movies
Understanding Movies
