Movies and American Society (Blackwell Readers in American Social and Cultural History) Review

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(More customer reviews)I read this book for a history and gender studies class in college. I learned so much about American history, film history, and the history of gender roles and portrayals. It is an easy read with engaging articles and extensive bibliographies for further reading.

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This outstanding collection of the best film history scholarship gathers recent essays and supporting documents to illustrate the power of movies to change, and be changed by, American society.

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Representing: Hip Hop Culture and the Production of Black Cinema Review

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(More customer reviews)I highly recommend this book. It is very enjoyable and informative reading that is right on target for insight into the Black Urban Culture, the rise of Hip Hop and it's influence on Black produced American film. It was used as a main text for a Rap and Black Cinema university course successfully. Although very sociology based, it was understood by college students of other majors who appreciated the book's honesty of a much maligned topic.

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In this engaging and provocative book, S. Craig Watkins examines two of the most important developments in the recent history of black cinema—the ascendancy of Spike Lee and the proliferation of "ghettocentric films." Representing explores a distinct contradiction in American society: at the same time that black youth have become the targets of a fierce racial backlash, their popular expressive cultures have become highly visible and commercially viable."Watkins is at his most sophisticated and persuasive when he explains the surprising success of hyper-talented, entrepreneurial, and energetic black artists."—Archon Fung, Boston Book Review

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The Big Picture: Money and Power in Hollywood Review

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(More customer reviews)An excellent book revealing a small portion of the creative financing, empty promises to investors and talent, and complex tax structures that go into the entertainment machine. A very good work on the subject.
But sadly, it missed a chance to explain why unsound financial decisions are made on some projects: Sexual favors. It is well documented that many of those with gatekeeper access to the business demand sex for career advancement. The casting couch is sadly not a myth. Epstein's book would have been enhanced by at least mentioning this detestable subject.
This book contains significantly more information that the newer work (2010), and I would suggest not buying the later book as it is more of an addendum and adds no new significant insights.

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In this unprecedented, all-encompassing, and thoroughly entertaining account of the movie business, acclaimed writer Edward Jay Epstein reveals the real magic behind moviemaking: how the studios make their money.Epstein shows that in Hollywood, the only art that matters is the art of the deal: Major films turn huge profits not from the movies themselves but through myriad other enterprises, from video-game spin-offs and soundtracks to fast-food tie-ins, and even theme-park rides. The studios may compete for stars and Oscars, but their corporate parents view wth one another in less glamorous markets such as cable, home video, and pay-TV. Money, though, is only a small part of the Hollywood story; the social and political milieus–power, prestige, and status–tell the rest. Alongside its remarkable financial revelations and incisive profiles of the pioneers who helped build Hollywood, The Big Picture is filled with eye-opening insider stories. If you are interested in Hollywood today and the complex and fascinating way it has evolved in order to survive, you haven' t seen the big picture until you've read The Big Picture.

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Storyboards: Motion In Art, Third Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)... I'm an illustrator myself with 23 years of storyboarding experience. This book is an excellent tool for both the novice and the seasoned, old grizzled vet like me. For the novice it explains the process, offers guides to how to approach a board, what's important, staging, mood, the different types of boards markets, billing, promotion... the whole gammut. For the vets, it jogs our memory. We tend to fall into patterns of how we do things and it gets comfortable and perhaps a bit common place... or even sloppy. The book reminded me that there's more than one right way or any single solution and maybe the 1st and easiest way isn't the best. There are some great samples of different styles of boards from different artists and a good focus on thinking before drawing. It's a good, usefull addition to my ever expanding library and anyone in the field or wanting to be in the field should consider getting a copy. Make sure it's the 2nd edition... a far more extensive and complete book than the earlier edition. (I now have both)

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The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies: Featuring the 100 Greatest Sports Films of All Time Review

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(More customer reviews)I AM TAKEN AWAY BY A GOOD SPORTS MOVIE. AFTER READING THIS BOOK, I WAS TAKEN AWAY WITH THE BOOK. THE AUTHORS, RAY DIDINGER AND GLEN MACNOW PUT THESE MOVIES IN THERE PROPER PRESPECTIVE WITH A GREAT ANALYSIS OF EACH MOVIE. THE SIDE COMMENT FROM WELL KNOWN ACTORS AND SPORTSTARS PROVE TO BE WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.

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Guys love movies. Especially sports movies, where every underdog has his day, every team achieves glory, and every hero gets his moment of redemption. Next to watching Monday Night Football, there's nothing more enjoyable than plopping down on the couch with the remote and a bottle of beer and firing up the special-edition DVD of Rocky, Hoosiers, Caddyshack, or any other fan favorite.
Now, two nationally renowned sports media personalities take on the task of ranking the top 100 sports movies of all time, including entertaining and informative lists, special features, and contributions from over 75 top sports figures. From drama to comedy to tragedy to documentary, all the greatest sports films are here, brought to life through detailed summaries, fun facts and trivia, behind-the-scenes revelations, plus images from the greatest moments in sports film history.

Original comments from some of the top personalities in sports and entertainment—including Peyton and Eli Manning, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, James Gandolfini, Bill Parcells, Dennis Quaid, Arnold Palmer, and many more—provide further insight and marketing punch.

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