Average customer rating:
- A compelling triump
- Nice, But Lacking
- Vivid
- I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK
- An Intimate View
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Pictures in My Head
Gabriel Byrne
Manufacturer: Wolfhound Press (IE)
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ASIN: 0863277098 |
Book Description
A fascinating look into the life of one of Hollywood's hottest film stars.
For twenty years Gabriel Byrne has been to the forefront of Irish actors and producers internationally. From his appearance in John Boorman's Excalibur in 1981 via Miller's Crossing in 1990 through to Stigmata and End of Days in 1999 and 2000 he has turned his diverse skills and brooding good looks to many different roles.
With Stigmata and End of Days, his appearance on Broadway and the new NBC sitcom, Madigan's Men, which he produced and in which he stars he has hit a new high point in his career.
In vivid cinematic sketches this absorbing memoir presents a series of fascinating glimpses into his public and private life. He leads the reader through his career on stage and screen as both producer and actor. Along the way he shares his impressions of Hollywood, New York and his native Ireland and takes us behind the scenes of his many films.
He has worked with many of the cutting edge directors of international cinema including Jim Jarmusch, Wim Wenders and the Coen bothers and with many of the finest actors of the late twentieth century-Liam Neeson, Kevin Spacey, Gerard Depardieu, John Turturro, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon and Christina Ricci to name a few.
Gabriel Byrne's unique narrative style colors every page, mixing colloquial dialogue with evocative descriptions. The result is a frank, intimate account that reveals the man-and the writer-behind the actor's many faces.
Customer Reviews:
A compelling triump.......2007-07-04
"Pictures in My Head" demonstrates Gabriel Byrne's uncanny ability to convey the essence of time and place with an economy of words. This slim volume of vignettes from Mr. Byrne's life transports the reader from his early childhood through his success in Hollywood as an adult until 1995.
Mr. Byrne's writing is unique and lyrical. His style of writing mimics the disjointed, natural flow of internal thinking, jumping from one fragment of an idea to another. For that reason, in addition to vocabulary and cultural references unfamiliar to the American reader, the text is sometimes difficult to digest upon first reading. Many passages require a second pass, but upon re-reading I found myself effectively transported into Mr. Byrne's world. The title of the book "Pictures in My Head" perfectly embodies the essence of what this book is about.
The stories from the early part of Mr. Byrne's life are particularly enthralling. The retelling of events of his early childhood in Ireland include incredible detail. Mr. Byrne has the rare talent of recalling small details that most people wouldn't notice, much less recall. Rarer still is his ability to then take those small details, recount them and essentially capture a moment with words. However, I agree with another reviewer who found the second half of the book less satisfying. In addition to seeming a bit more rushed, Mr. Byrne's desire to protect the privacy of his friends, family and himself in the second half of the book unfortunately hinders his ability to write with the same freedom and compelling detail that made the first half of the book so captivating.
Despite this criticism, the same honesty, intelligence and sensitivity that contribute to Mr. Byrne's success as an actor translates well into his foray as an author. "Pictures in My Head" is a compelling triumph. Gabriel Byrne's capacity for conveying the beauty and poignancy of life as a human being is remarkably gripping. I sincerely hope Mr. Byrne will continue to write.
Nice, But Lacking.......2002-09-24
This is a very sweet book, written by a wonderful actor. Sadly, it lacks a few things. Details, for one. It's very good in some places, and then it seems to rush on when you want to know more. And it jumps around like "Pride and Prejudice"...I had a hard time keeping track of where he was in his life.
All in all, it's a nice story. However, if you read this and "Angela's Ashes" right tight together, you realize something. You realize that even though you thought at first that Gabriel had it kind of bad growing up, he is almost a spoiled little rich kid, compared to Frank McCourt. Let's see some real life, here!
Vivid.......2001-04-04
I get the impression that Mr. Byrne is superbly sensitive to his surroundings and absorbs everything. I envy his photographic memory and ability to live completely in the moment. :o) This is the perfect book to curl up with under your favorite green soft blanket.
I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK.......2000-11-24
I must say this book really surprised me! I got it as a Christmas present last year, and I never expected it, because I had only been a Gabriel Byrne friend for about three months or so, but after I had read it, I felt I knew Gabriel personally. I have never met him, but I am longing to see him. The book is very well written, so I wonder why he doesn't write more. Probably because he doesn't have time... I'm awaiting his new film or book. Whatever it is, I'll buy it. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed. If you're a Byrne fan, it's a must! If you're not, after reading the book, you will be!
An Intimate View.......2000-08-10
This was a wonderful book, beautifully written by a magnificent actor. The stories and the memories were so real, and honest. I could only have hoped that the book was longer and that Gabriel would have shared more with all of us. Then again, everyone needs to keep some memories their own. Thanks for sharing your touching and humorous look at life.
Book Description
Oscars for Daniel Day Lewis and Brenda Fricker for their roles in My Left Foot (1989) and Neil Jordan's original screenplay Oscar for The Crying Game (1992) are the tip of a large iceberg including other films such as Michael Collins (1996), and The General (1998) that have confirmed the growing reputation of Irish cinema. This energetic film activity has inevitably generated a considerable critical debate in Ireland and outside about the kinds of films that are made and the representation of Ireland and the Irish they promote. This book explores the dominant images of the Irish found in the cinemas of the United States and Britain and considers the ways in which recent Irish-made films might be said to offer a response to them.
The bulk of the book offers detailed readings of a wide range of key films including The Butcher Boy (1998), Patriot Games (1993), and Angela's Ashes (2000). It discusses the full range of Irish cinematic production from the low budget work of indigenous filmmakers like Comerford and Breathnach, to the bigger Hollywood productions like Ron Howard's Far and Away (1992), and the "second" cinema of a number of directors such as Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan where medium-sized budgets allow for greater creative control in Ireland.
Feeding into wider debates about national and cultural identity, postnational cinema, and the role of the state, this book provides a unique overview of how a relatively small film culture such as Ireland's can live successfully in the shadow of Hollywood.
Average customer rating:
- Worthwhile Profile of Hollywood's Leading Irishmen
- Insightful interviews.
- Great Look at the Lives of Some of Hollywoods Finest Actors
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Hollywood Irish: In Their Own Words : Illustrated Interviews With Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn and Patrick Bergin
Manufacturer: Roberts Rinehart Publishers
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Pictures in My Head
ASIN: 1570981094 |
Customer Reviews:
Worthwhile Profile of Hollywood's Leading Irishmen.......2001-12-10
_Hollywood Irish_ is a fantastic collection of interviews and photographs of six handsome and talented actors: Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn and Patrick Bergin. The simple introduction provided by Áine O'Connor sets the mood for the rest of the book well. As she mentions, the interviews do reveal insightful, private information: "Liam Neeson reveals how he considered leaving acting and how he found the confidence to continue; Pierce Brosnan, simply and openly, shares the painful story of his wife Cassie's death; Stephen Rea discusses the relationship between acting and politics; Aidan Quinn talks about the Irish identity and its many paradoxes; Patrick Bergin reveals the temptations of an actor's life and the difficulties of doing love scenes; Gabriel Byrne tells us about the risks and illusions that surround fame." In a nutshell, that's the book. Each actor discusses his beginnings, both in life and as an actor. Each discusses, in some capacity, how being Irish has impacted him. Each actor's profile comes with several b/w photos from childhood, movies and family collections. At the end, one can find each actor's filmography. The only complaint I would have regarding the book is that the material is dated (only current to 1997) and I wish an updated version could be compiled. That criticism aside, though, this is certainly a title worth owning.
Insightful interviews........2000-05-03
Aine O'Conner manage to capture the cadences of the various actors very well. While reading the text, I could almost hear the men speaking their words. I suspect that she didn't edit the tapes very much, save for verbal pauses (the usual "uhs" and "you knows") and for length. Ms. O'Conner also included several photographs (many were candid) that were sprinkled throughout the various sections.
While Ms. O'Conner asked many insightful questions, she didn't follow through on many. Indeed, at times I was a little disappointed that she failed to follow up on specific points; however, that point is trivial compared to the overall effort of the book.
If you are a fan of any or all of the actors listed, or simply are curious to see how contemporary Irish actors are dealing with the joys and disappointments of Hollywood, then you should enjoy this book.
Great Look at the Lives of Some of Hollywoods Finest Actors.......2000-03-26
This book provides a facinating, indepth journey into the lives of six very capable and successful actors. Many humourous and sometimes tradgic tales of life in Ireland and struggles to make a name for themselves there and in America. Each actor tells of personal hardships that they have battled throughout their lives and how they have created such prominent status in today's Hollywood scene. Each story is spoken first hand which adds to the richness of these beautiful retold memories. This book provides a greater sense of who these men are by recalling tales from childhood, adolecence and adulthood which explain their journeys to becoming the great actors they are.
Book Description
Screening Ireland examines a century of screen representations of Ireland from a cultural studies perspective. Skillfully analyzing historical and contemporary examples from both film and television, this innovative book provides a clear, theoretically-informed synthesis of the most influential research on Irish audio-visual culture in the last decade.
Book Description
A look at the life and work of Daniel Day-Lewis, one of this generation's most complex and brilliant actors.
Customer Reviews:
Irish Eyes Are Smiling.......2000-11-13
A worthy subject a bit too 'worthily' approached. Lots of the writing in this book of essays edited by James Mackillop is stodgy and pedestrian. Shining exception is Harlan Kennedy, whose article 'Shamrocks and Shillelaghs' is full of colour, wit, detail and revealing connections. He also covers an ambitious swathe of Irish film history: a four-star effort that alone makes the book worth looking at. A shamrock to him. A shillelagh to everyone else!
Jill Smith
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Cinema and Northern Ireland: Film, Culture and Politics
John Hill
Manufacturer: British Film Institute
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ASIN: 1844571343 |
Book Description
John Hill's groundbreaking study is the first book to focus solely on the cinema from and about Northern Ireland. Based on detailed archival research, Hill's comprehensive account traces the history of film production in Northern Ireland from the beginnings of a local film industry in the 1920s and 1930s, when the first Northern Irish 'quota quickies' were made, through the propaganda films of the 1940s and 1950s and on to the cinema of the Troubles.
Hill carefully examines the relationship between films and the political tensions within Northern Ireland, identifying the ways in which films have both reinforced and challenged social divisions. He considers the moral and religious controversies that have surrounded cinema in the North and describes the political censorship of films held to be seditious such as Ourselves Alone and The Plough and the Stars. He assesses the role of filmmaking in Northern Ireland during and after the Second World War and considers how Northern Ireland's relationship with Britain and the rest of Ireland figured in feature films such as Odd Man Out as well as in government propaganda films and informational shorts. He also traces the controversies surrounding the history of government policy in Northern Ireland and assesses the cultural and industrial impact this has had on local film. He then turns his attention to how the cinema has represented the Troubles. Tracing the history of Troubles cinema as it proceeds through the height of the conflict and into the 'peace process', Hill provide a fresh perspective on a variety of films, ranging from Resurrection Man and The Boxer to Divorcing Jack and Mad about Mambo. Both original and authoritative, Cinema and Northern Ireland is destined to become the standard work on the subject.
Book Description
At the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp, communist prisoners organized resistance against the SS and even planned an uprising. They helped rescue a three-year-old Jewish boy, Stefan Jerzy Zweig, from certain death in the gas chambers. After the war, his story became a focus for the German Democratic Republic's celebration of its resistance to the Nazis. Now Bill Niven tells the true story of Stefan Zweig: what actually happened to him in Buchenwald, how he was protected, and at what price. He explores the (mis)representation of Zweig's rescue in East Germany and what this reveals about that country's understanding of its Nazi past. Finally he looks at the telling of the Zweig rescue story since German unification: a story told in the GDR to praise communists has become a story used to condemn them. Bill Niven is Professor of Contemporary German History at the Nottingham Trent University, UK.
Book Description
Celebrating John Ford's Oscar-winning film The Quiet Man (1952), this guide offers the details of the movie's background, its stars, the shooting, the influences, and the many legends and stories surrounding it. A thorough history, it features the shooting locations with detailed maps; a comprehensive cast and crew profile, including background information about the electric partnership of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne; hundreds of professional and amateur photographs; an in-depth analysis of the screenplay; video timings of all the scenes; and the inside story and discussion of the phenomenon of this classic movie.
Customer Reviews:
THE QUIET MAN Movie Book...Homeric!.......2007-05-22
John Ford's cinematic valentine to the land of his ancestors is lovingly and critically explored in this charmingly written book by Irish author-scholar Des MacHale. Widely regarded as one of Ford's masterpieces, THE QUIET MAN has pretty much captured the title of everyone's favorite Irish movie. If you're one of those fans, look no further for a magical trip back to Inisfree and Sean and Mary Kate.
MacHale traces THE QUIET MAN saga from the original story by Maurice Walsh - which is included in its entirety - to Ford's purchasing the rights in 1936, the movie's long gestation before Republic picked it up, filming in Ireland in 1951 and subsequent events. The main part of the book is a detailed and insightful scene-by-scene breakdown of the movie enlivened by MacHale's Irish wit; for instance: "If Red Will Danaher were a house, he would be a bungalow - nothing upstairs."
This book simply wouldn't have been as interesting if the author hadn't been Irish himself. MacHale's knowledge of Irish history, language and culture elevates this book beyond the usual movie book, supplying, as he does, so many fascinating details that provide a back-story to the movie.
Reading MacHale's book will bring a smile to your face as he discusses the many memorable scenes and characters in the movie. Wayne and O'Hara made a wonderfully real couple. Who would have thought that the crusty, cantankerous Ford could direct such gentle yet passionate scenes! Though some say Barry Fitzgerald stole the show, Maureen O'Hara's performance is incredible. And what an entrance she had!
Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool QUIET MAN fan or just a movie lover, you will want to read this book. It brings to life, like few books have, the story of a memorable movie and the talented people who helped create movie magic.
Great for QUIET MANiacs.......2007-01-27
We are big fans of the movie and I recently managed to see some of the movie sites when in western Ireland recently, which is what inspired my wife to get me the book for Christmas.
If you are a fan then just go ahead and get this book - you can't go wrong. Great pics and insights abound.
Excellent book.......2005-08-23
If you like the movie, you will love the book - so much information
The Quiet Man Book by Des MacHale.......2003-10-28
Des MacHale book about "The Quiet Man" movie is a book that drew its information and sources from an earlier book written in 1990, about the same subject, written by Gerry McNee, ISBN 1851583211, "In The Footsteps of The Quiet Man". MacHae's unprofessional and unkind remarks and comments in several pages through out the book about the American Actors performances demonstrates his contempt and bias feelings towards these great American Actors, (ie Ward Bond and Francis Ford). Although it contains information about this movie, it is over priced and poorly written. After all anyone can reprint information word by word concerning a movie script. It lacks depth, and historical review of several important facts about the movie and factural information about the actors, the cast and crew that played in it. It has no references and draws the majority of its information from his review of the movie viewed several hundred times. Detail and attention are lacking.
Great Book!.......2003-10-10
This is a wonderful companion to the movie, "The Quiet Man". Des MacHale has done a painstaking job analizing and commenting on the entire movie. The script is included as well as the original story on which the movie is based. There are interviews with the cast and crew, photos of scenery, trivia about the movie as well as explinations for the Irish idioms within the movie! Read this book and you will learn just what "There'll be wigs on the green tonight" means!
Average customer rating:
- long winded and inaccurate
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Colin Farrell: Living Dangerously
Jane Kelly
Manufacturer: John Blake Publishing, Limited
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1844541711 |
Book Description
A candid account of the career and off-screen antics of Ireland's hottest young cinematic export.
Colin Farrell is one of Hollywood's A-list actors, but it's not just his box-office success that he's known for. Charming, quick-witted, and rebellious, the Irish lothario has filled a staggering number of column inches with his love of booze, women, and the L.A. party scene. The magnetic young actor first turned heads in the BBC television series Ballykissangel, establishing himself as a talent to watch, and it wasn't long before he was approached by the movie industry. He's since gone on to garner film credits that include Joel Schumacher's Phone Booth, Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, and Oliver Stone's Alexander, and his star will no doubt continue to rise with his upcoming role as Sonny Crockett in Michael Mann's much-anticipated film remake of Miami Vice.
Customer Reviews:
long winded and inaccurate.......2005-11-08
Jane Kelly attempts to pad her book with long drawn out explanations of the plot of every film Farrell has done. Page after page of plot and character descriptions that have little to do with the subject at hand. At other times she pads this book with long winded descriptions of some of the characters to enter in to Farrell's life. Do we need to read three pages about a soapopera star he had a two week affair with?Then there are the times she plays arm chair psychologist disecting farrell's childhood and relations with women with the insight of someone who has just completed their first week of psych 101. To top it all off there are glaring mistakes, most notably a caption reads "Colin is worried about his hair on the David Letterman show in 1993", yet it is Jay leno sitting at the desk in the picture. There are several misquotes that distort Farrell's intentions. This is a piss poor attempt even for a tabloid level biography. Save your money and read about the guy on the web if you are really that curious. All the quotes from him are from old interviews anyway.
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