The Rough Guide to Film Musicals 1 (Rough Guide Reference) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As part of the expanding Rough Guide series covering the entertainment field, Empire Magazine film critic and historian David Parkinson has done a smart, admirable job documenting the history of the film musical genre within the book's 326 pages. The key to its success is the way he divides the volume, first with a cursory look at the stage shows and minstrel revues that preceded film, the concept of silent musicals before talkies arrived, and tracking how the musical film has evolved over the last century. Parkinson spotlights iconic figures both in front of and behind the camera. The usual suspects are here - Astaire, Kelly, Garland, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein - but also "underused" figures like the Nicholas Brothers and Ethel Waters.

The most interesting section describes how musicals work in terms of plot devices and visual style. Obviously, no guide is complete without a list of the fifty essential cinematic musicals, a relatively sturdy list that combines indisputable classics (Singin' in the Rain, Swing Time, the 1936 version of Show Boat) with long-forgotten gems (Summer Holiday, The Love Parade) and films of a more recent vintage (Chicago, Evita). There is a quick rundown of international musicals broken down by country, as well as lists of the best soundtracks, genre Web sites and books for further reading on the subject. My one overriding criticism is the overly jaundiced comments Parkinson makes about musicals he considers essential but obviously detests (High Society, West Side Story). Regardless, this is a fun read for aficionados of the genre.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Rough Guide to Film Musicals 1 (Rough Guide Reference)

Product Description:
The perfect companion to cinema"s most spectacular genre, The Rough Guide to Film Musicals reveals how an escapist entertainment became Hollywood"s most ingenious art form. From such enduring classics as Singin" In The Rain and West Side Story to recent successes like Evita and Chicago, this book reviews 50 essential musicals, including several forgotten gems. There are profiles of musical icons such as Fred Astaire, Judy Garland and George Gershwin and details of musicals from around the world. Complete with a list of the best soundtracks, websites and books for further reading, this Rough Guide takes a behind the scenes look at this magical movie genre.

Get 25% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Rough Guide to Film Musicals 1 (Rough Guide Reference) now ?

Screen World: 2000 Film Annual: Volume 51 Expanded Format With Over 1,000 Photographs Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Tracing all of the releases of 1999, this superb book of films released that year is a perfect resource for those who enjoy film. Tracing the best and most popular, to the most obscure. Including pictures of most of the films released that year, including "The Sixth Sense", "The Green Mile", and one of my favorites "Anna And The King". Superbly sectioned by release by year, Foreign films, etc. A perfect companion to the previous books in this series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Screen World: 2000 Film Annual: Volume 51 Expanded Format With Over 1,000 Photographs

Product Description:
John WillisÕ Screen World, since 1949, has been the essential, comprehensive pictorial and statistical record of each yearÕs movie season. Volume 51 provides an illustrated listing of American and foreign films released in the United States in 1999, all documented with more than 1,000 photographs. The 2000 edition of Screen World includes such notable movies as American Beauty, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Being John Malkovich, The Blair Witch Project, Boys DonÕt Cry, The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Hurricane, The Insider, The Sixth Sense, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and hundreds more. As always, Screen WorldÕs outstanding features include photographic stills and complete credits from the films, biographical notes on selected individuals, full-page shots of Academy Award-winning actors, and a look at the yearÕs most promising new screen personalities.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Screen World: 2000 Film Annual: Volume 51 Expanded Format With Over 1,000 Photographs now ?

Screen World 1993, Vol. 44 (John Willis Screen World) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Hardly a day goes by that I would check out any of the volumes in this essential series that gives as much info on any movie you have or may have not seen. A perfect guide for any movie lover, and as one, would recommend collecting all of them, starting in 1949.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Screen World 1993, Vol. 44 (John Willis Screen World)

Product Description:
John WillisÕ Screen World has become the definitive reference for any film library. Each volume includes every significant U.S. and international film released during that year as well as complete filmographies, capsule plot summaries, cast and characters, credits, production company, month released, rating, and running time. YouÕll also find biographical entries - a prices reference for over 2,000 living stars, including real name, school, place and date of birth. A comprehensive index makes this the finest film publication that any film lover could own.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Screen World 1993, Vol. 44 (John Willis Screen World) now ?