5 comments about Drugstore Cowboy.

1. No one can accuse James Fogle of not having done his research. The man spent the majority of his adult life behind bars for apparently the exact type of lifestyle that he presents in DRUGSTORE COWBOY. I guess he took the lesson of writing what you know to heart.
   
   Despite my lukewarm rating, which I base on an objective reading of the book, DRUGSTORE COWBOY is actually an enjoyable read. The cowboy himself, Bob, has probably ripped off more pharmacies than anyone else on the West Coast. We follow Bob, his lady Diane, and his compatriots Rick and Nadine on a few such romps. The situations they get themselves into, or more appropriately, that Bob gets them into, are often quite amusing and I laughed several times throughout. The book is easy reading and even a slow reader will be able to get through it in a few days.
   
   What Fogle has in authenticity, however, is offset by the writing itself, which often feels contrived. This is particularly acute with respect to dialogue, which unfortunately often goes beyond contrived into flat-out cliched and even corny. The free-wheeling style of writing is usually not my thing but is probably appropriate for a novel such as this.
   
   I am a bit surprised that the book DRUGSTORE COWBOY (as opposed to the movie) was never more popular. It has that Jack Kerouac feel to it that would seem to straddle the line between popular novel and cult classic. It may not be highbrow, but it is fast and fun.



2. great charecter delvelopment, fast pace, exhilerating, amazing voice, interesting plot line, accurate vocabulary, beleiveable story of a genius junky who is neither good nor bad living a life that is neither good nor bad.
   recomended to everyone who's looking for a realistic somewart comical read
   you can really get into this novel



3. Drugstore cowboy is a novel about a crew of traveling junkies. the bands leader is Bob Hughes "one of the cleverest, ringiest, most notorious dope fiend drugstore cowboys on the entire West Coast, including Alska." It is an incredibly real examination of a dope fiends domain. Some how you can't help but fall in love with the charecters. They are portrayed acuratly without being betrayed or praised. James Fogle really knows what he's talking about.
   You may have noticed that this is a kids review and may be wondering why it is here seeing how this is certainly not a kids book. I am 12 years old and live in the city so,as you can imagine, i have had some run ins with dope. Drugstore Cowboy had an impact on my life, for better or for worse i can not say, but i am glad i read it because there is nothing more honest out there.
   i would recomend this novel to everyone at some point in their lives.



4. How many times have you seen a film and then read the book on which the film is based and said to yourself, "God, that film was awful - the book is so much better!"? Rare are the cases where book and film compliment each other and live in harmony. Drugstore Cowboy is one of those rare cases. If you like the film, you will love this book. The lovable junkies, hilarious adventures, and poignant mishaps of Bad Bobby Hughes and cohorts are further fleshed out and even more entertaining in print.



5. fun and exciting yet compelling and profound, beautifully written with a distinctive style that gives life to all the characters. plot is excellent and moving. (the movie by Gus Van Sant is excellent too)

No comments about Lorca Plays: One: Blood Wedding, Doa Rosita the Spinster, and Yerma (World Dramatists Series).

2 comments about Icons of Grief: Val Lewton's Home Front Pictures.

1. This is perhaps the most original book written about Val Lewton's famous horror movies in decades. Nemerov looks at four images from Lewton's movies, images that center on little-known character actors Nemerov then shows how these tie into Lewton's Russian background, Lewton's career as a novelist, and American pop culture during World War II.
   
   Rarely have I seen Lewton's films subjected to this kind of close analysis. While I might have wished that Nemerov focused on something from "The Seventh Victim" or "The Body Snatcher," I have to say that what he said made very good sense and placed Lewton in a broader context. (As opposed to the common idea that Lewton was such a genius that his films stand apart from everything else in the horror genre.) This is the rare book of which it can be said that I wish it were longer. Nemerov's enthusiasm for Lewton shines through, but he also has balanced judgment on Lewton's limitations as well. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in horror films or films of the Forties.



2. "Icons of Grief" is a fascinating critical study of producer Val Lewton's RKO horror films within a World War II context. Historian Alexander Nemerov examines the subtle power of Lewton's low-budget chillers (notably "Cat People," "I Walked With a Zombie" and "The Ghost Ship") and the cultural reflection upon wartime America. By providing new insights on Lewton and his work, Nemerov encourages the reader to seek out these remarkable films.

1 comments about Staging Musicals for Young Performers: How to Produce a Show in 36 Sessions or Less.

1. Wow! This book changed my life. Having dabbled in fly-fishing on a quiet weekend for many a year, I decided to change vocation, and became involved in staging a production of "Quincey: The Musical" with a bunch of effervescent, party-loving 12 year olds. I would have been truly stumped without this book. As a result of reading this informative and imaginative piece of literature (due credit to Ms Novelly and Ms Firth - I feel that national and international literary awards could be "forthcoming"!) I was able to approach the subject with an air of assurance and self-confidence that I could not otherwise have hoped to aspire to! Indeed our initial production was such a success, that our small theatrical group is now working on a new project, "Murder She Wrote: on Ice" with renewed enthusiasm and vigour. Needless to say we will once again be adhering strictly to the advice offered by this most delightful journal.

5 comments about For Keeps: 9Thirty Years at the Movies.

1. Although I disagree with her continually (See TENDER MERCIES as a shining example), I enjoyed reading all the reviews. The great thing about Kael is that she has an opinion and is willing to express it.



2. An important point to make here is that Kael understood this:
   
   To write interestingly about a film, you need a point of view, and an opinion about it.
   
   This she always, always had. And she expressed them with incredible wit and grace. I don't think she would have expected readers to always agree with her. How boring is that? No doubt Kael would love a spirited discussion of the good and bad points of cinema -- particularly with viewers who shared her true passion for cinema.
   
   If you rate this book down because you don't agree with Kael's opinions of films, you are missing the point.



3. At over 1,200 pages, covering 30 years (from the late 50s to early 90s)this book contains the best of America's most influential and acclaimed film critic's reviews.

   ...I refer to my book continually, and would be amazed if any film buff did not have this on their shelves, or was not planning to add it to them.

   A book that I feel deserves over 5 stars if Amazon.com allowed me to give it!




4. ...

   Paulene Kael took movie criticism to an entire new level.

   She was a sensational WRITER who used criticism of movies and pop culture in general as a tool to express deeply felt opinions about life, art and politics.

   She was at once intelligent, outrageous, caustic, and provocative and possesed with a sense of wit and irony most movie critics just dream of.

   Example, in her review of Frank Sinatra's tepid spy thriller "The Naked Runner," Miss Kael simply states: "this would be a good movie to read by if there were light in the theater."

   A neat phrase that could sum up every bad movie we've ever sat through (God knows that she'd think of "A.I." "Pearl Harbor" "Charlie's Angels" and "3,000 Miles to Graceland").

   Most of Kael's collections of movie reviews (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, I Lost It At The Movies, When the Lights Go Down, State of the Art et al), are out of print in America.

   Fortunately,Plume/Penguin has assembled the best of these collections in one compendium, "For Keeps."

   This anthology spans more than 30 years of the best of Kael and includes some of her historic essays: "Trash, Art and the Movies," and "Raising Kane"

   "For Keeps" is invaluable for anyone who loves movies or just has a keen interest in popular culture. ...it's a stunning collection worthy of a woman who turned movie criticism into an art form and who claims she retired in 1990 simply because she didn't want to have to sit through another Oliver Stone movie.




5. Pauline Kael and movie criticism was at its height when American and foreign movies were at their height. The two go hand in hand. The high quality of the movies of the time made for inspired debate. But even given the fortunate circumstance to be writing at such a time she still stands out because she brings to her criticism not just an appreciation of film but an appreciation of art in all its forms. She is one of the few critics who can discuss Lolita or Women in Love or Sheltering Sky or Unbearable Lightness of Being as both literary work and film. She never really limits herself to being an expert on film, she always seems to be coming from some other expertise (like literature) and so she brings an authority and perhaps legitamacy to film criticism by talking about films in a way usually reserved for books. She believes more than anything else in the potential for film to be great, perhaps as great as literature, and I think her reviews are attempts to do her part in lifting the art form. Her belief in Bertolucci as one of films geniuses for instance is undiminished by the fact that she doesn't seem to like many of his films(Last Tango excepted). She is at her best when reviewing a great film like Altman's McCabe and Mrs. Miller, or Truffaut's Story of Adele H. at which time one can only sit back and listen as she is nothing short of inspired, ecstastic, and it is infectious. It is dissappointing that film never achieved the status she had in mind for it and she was dissappointed at the direction the art form went. her later reviews are still good but really the spark was gone by 75 or 76. She presided over what might be films greatest period(67-75). While the great directors were producing their best work she was the one who understood them first, so she will always be equated with that period, not merely a critic but a champion of an art form.

5 comments about Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming.

1. The title says it all. Am I biased? Perhaps. But there is no doubt that the person who wrote this book was a true lady, in every way. There is none of the snobbishness, ego, lie and most of all, gossip, that may be expected from autobiographies like these. Myrna Loy was a very straightforward, candid and honest woman and this certainly shows through the pages. The only time she even comes close to "bad-mouthing" someone is when she expresses her disapproval of the person's political views. Yet she makes it clear that just because their views seem distasteful does not mean they are bad people. Some of these were her friends, and she says nothing bad about their characters. If anything, she has at least one positive thing to say about each person that has entered her life. If I had to pick the most remarkable thing about Myrna Loy, it would be her gift of instinct, which was what allowed her to be such a great actress and such an understanding friend to all those who knew her.
   
   The book is a truly fascinating read for anyone interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Myrna Loy was either close or acquainted with all the famous people you hear of - Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Carole Lombard, Jeanette MacDonald. She even recounts some stories of Greta Garbo, whose dressing room was next to hers. And that is not all. She was there since the very beginning days of film, and in this book you hear about the famous silent stars - Rudolph Valentino, John Gilbert, Dolores Costello, Conrad Nagel. Because she worked into the '80s on both film and television, she was also acquainted with some of the later stars like Doris Day, Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Lemmon, and even Catherine Deneuve. All these names can take your breath away and I really enjoyed reading about the whole span of Hollywood from its early years to its modern days. She is right in the midst of it all and the amazing thing is, these names are not evoked in a gossipy tone. It's just simply a part of her life. The names are inevitably there, when she and her first husband Arthur Hornblow lived in the Pacific Palisades, the home of the Hollywood elite, and when in her later years she moved to New York, a gathering place for all the playwrights and stage actors.
   
   Everyone who knows Myrna Loy also knows about her political activism. She was very active - like most other Hollywood stars - during WWII, and was concerned with the suspicion and framing that were prevalent in Hollywood prior to the Red Scare. She was part of the First Amendment Committee, an organization founded to counter the House Un-American Activities Committee, and later became the first actress to work for the UN when she joined UNESCO. Always fighting for justice, she questioned studio heads about the portrayal of African American actors in movies and fought against discrimination in housing. As the wife of a politician, she resided in Georgetown, D.C. where she socialized with other politicians and their wives, many of whom she admired. If the big names of Hollywood doesn't impress you, the big names of Capitol Hill may, for she was well-acquainted with them as well. Whoever thinks Hollywood and Washington cannot work together will be proven wrong in this book. Myrna Loy was a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, a favorite of FDR and well-acquainted with the Kennedys. Her political work was always in her mind, even when she worked in films, because she sought to help others instead of dwelling in her wealth.
   
   In conclusion, breathtaking - is the word that can sum up this book. Her life was indeed very rich, and today's youngsters could learn much from this lady.



2. This is an excellent autobiography. Myrna Loy is a woman ahead of her time. She discusses candidly and with amazing detail her life inside and outside the studio. It is refreshing to see a book that is not a scandalous tell all. She was very political and makes no bones about the fact that she is a liberal and she was very vocal in her involvement politically and on social causes.
   
   The difference between her and the "famous" now is she read about the cause or the political issue before getting up and talking to the public. The blithering that goes on now is amazing; Hollywood can take a lesson from Miss Loy on knowing your subject first then opening your mouth in an intelligent, classy manner.
   
   What a lady in the true sense of the word. Sadly she is gone, but her charm, grace and elegance lives on in her movies and her book. Bravo Miss Loy!



3. I couldn't put this book down from the moment I started reading it. It's written from Myrna's own point of view, and it's intresting to get in the mind of Ms. Loy just a few years short from when she died. It has great insight on her relationships with such legends as Clark Gable, William Powell, Lionel Barrymore, Jean Harlow, and even Alfred Hitchcock. It's a great read for anyone who is intrested in the Golden Age of film.



4. I can't say this about the other actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood, but I can say it about Myrna Loy, she was a Lady, anyone who wants to learn how to be a Lady, look at this woman, learn, watch and observe her movies, and read this book. She tells about her life, you can get a picture on what type of person she is. She doesn't tell every private thing of her life, but she tells just enough to get us to love her and see she's a lady, I wish she would of kids, she needs someone to carry on her name and carry on the legend. I have to say in my book, she consider one of the beautifuliest women in Hollywood, she had that rare, exotic beauty, and maintained it for years well into her 50s and 60s, a lot of actresses from that era drinked their beauty away, not Myrna. Myrna didn't want to be a bombshell, not a society type, not a glamour queen, she wanted to be all of it, be a lady, be tough, speak her mind, but still have class, dignity, and be a bombshell, high society type, glamour queen all together. She knew her limits as an actress, which a lot of actresses don't. I loved how I read about how she helped blacks and miniorities, and did it publicly, she was sick of the way blacks were treated, especially in movies, she once said, "Why Does Every Black Person Has To Be A Servant, Why Can't A Black Person Go Up The Stairs with A Briefcase or Doctor's Bag" she use to argue with the studio about this realizing that it could damage her career. She spoke her mind, She tells how she once was shy but overcame it, she was referring that to Greta Garbo, she didn't like the way Greta acted, and she said there was no reason for that, becuse she was once shy but worked on it. She talks about mostly all the Golden Age of Hollywood actors and actresses, tells the truth and tells what type of people they really were. She proved that you can be a legend and star and still be talked about and be good without scandals, without sleeping around, without heavy partying or falling out drunk to get publicity. She certainly is the Queen of Hollywood, and Lady of Hollywood. Rest in Peace Beautiful



5. Myrna Loy's career spanned the late silient films, through the beginning of talkies, then technicolor, and didn't end till the early 1980's. Anyone with an interest in American cinema will probably enjoy this book. If you are interested in gossip, this is not the book you want. Gossip is not her style.

   I was a bit overwhelmed by all the names in the book. She has mixed with so many people, that sometimes the famous names became a sort of mental blur as I read.

   My favorite thing about this book is that Myrna Loy expresses her Liberal Democrat point-of-view. She was a very politically active person in the second half of her life, and she uses the book to express her political ideals. People get this notion that everyone who lived through World War II ended up as Republicans. Loy makes it clear that her generation was not all conservative.

5 comments about Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back.

1. Alan Arnold had a first hand glimpse behind the scenes of what most fans consider the best Star Wars film out of the Six. From the difficulties of filming on a cold and icy snow blown glacier, to rushing through filming at the massive sound stages at Elstree Studios, Arnold takes us inside for a view that few were aloud to see...and hear.
   
   The price of this paperback book tells of its value and rarity. It is a one of a kind piece of literature that is quickly disappearing from the market. Get a copy while you still can.



2. Alan Arnold was the publicist on THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In this journal, Arnold takes you from the very beginning of principal photography to the end of production, detailing all the behind-the-scenes mishaps, adventures and difficulties associated with the filming. Included are interviews with Irvin Kershner, George Lucas, John Williams, all the cast and many of the crew. This is a treasure-trove for STAR WARS fans!



3. This book covers many aspects of the filming, and as Arnold has covered decades of movie making before writing this book, he is obviously genuinely impressed with the scale of the production. Good interviews with important members of the cast and crew; even includes Sir Alec Guiness. Especially illuminating chats with Lucas about the overall nine part structure of Star Wars. It's interesting to compare Lucas' initial ideas about the sequels and prequels with what was finally released. The highlight of the book is a transciption of a day spent following Irwin Kershner filming on the carbon freezing chamber set (Secrets revealed include the fact that Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett was actually desperate to use the lavatory throughout the whole day's shoot). As a collector of Star Wars related books, I have amassed over a hundred, but this remains my favourite.



4. This combined with The Making of Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Making of the Movie recreates for the reader EVERYTHING that went on during pre-production, production, and post-production and even months after! Excellent book for anyone who loves Star Wars, a must-have.



5. This combined with The Making of Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Making of the Movie recreates for the reader EVERYTHING that went on during pre-production, production, and post-production and even months after! Excellent book for anyone who loves Star Wars, a must-have.

5 comments about Savion!: My Life in Tap.

1. Hello to all those tappers out there - I love all of you - Including you Savion. My name is Vaughan and I am actually Australian. My mother taught me how to tap ever since I could stand on two feet. Now, I'm 19 years old. And I'm a professional tap dancing teacher in Japan. Let me just say that I could relate a lot with what Savion was talking about. His views on tap and the way he wants it to go.

   It's a fun book to read - with some great action tap shots of Savion throughout his life. The layout is very original, and very creative - it was nice to take my mind off my uni degree for a couple of hours and learn about this extremely successful tap dancer. Someone who I didn't know too much about, but now somehow believe that I've known him all my life.

   It's a great art - Tap Dancing. And I wish there were people who could indulge themselves in a couple of professional / guest classes. I go around all of Japan teaching in my holidays, and I try to get as many people involved. Maybe because not many people do it, thats what makes it so unique. Thanks Savion - for following your dreams and publishing this book. It was a great read.

   Your fellow Tap Dancer... Vaughan




2. I couldn't put this book down. As a tapper, who is into hoofing and rythm tap, this book was amazing. It explains not only Savin's life and his career but how he uses his shoes to do what he does. This book brings an element of percusion into the dance world that needs to be more widely used.



3. We've been hearing his wonderful rhythms for years, now we finally get to hear his voice. What a true inspiration! This book just makes you want to jump up and start moving your feet. Believe me, this book is not just for children. I used it as required reading for my advanced tap class at the local college.



4. Great design, photos, behind the scenes of one of the greatesttap dancers, Savion Glover! All the info on Savion in one quick read- great for all ages.



5. Thank you sir for sharing your wonderful inner world of rhythm with the world! You are an inspiration to all of us who make a living lacing up those tap shoes everyday. Your loving and pricelesss contribution to this wonderful artform are greatly appreciated and honored.

4 comments about Almost Famous (Screenplays).

1. As good as the movie. Well, okay, better. (Isn't the book always better?) This includes details the movie left out and tells the story just as well. Also includes interviews with Cameron Crowe. EXCELLENT Book.



2. Then this is the book you have to get! I loved the film, ALMOST FAMOUS (so much, that I went to go see it at the movie theaters towards the end of it's playing by myself - usually, I go to the movies with at least one other person). ALMOST FAMOUS is really the best film I've ever seen in my life. I can't believe it only won one Academy Award and didn't get nominated for Best Picture! Oh well, if you wanna see the exact Oscar-winning script from the film than this is the best thing you can get. I went out to the bookstore recently and bought this and I was not disappointed in the least! I loved every moment of it. In fact, I am trying to memorize the script so when I buy the video, I can repeat every single word they say in the film. This script captures all of the highlight moments from the film and if you missed a line or two while watching the movie, you can probably find it here in this book. Also, the intro written by the author is pretty cool, too. Also, the author has an interview with Cameron Crowe himself, and Crowe explains many parts of the film that were most confusing to you. Plus, there are some great memorable photos directly from the shooting of the movie (though they are all in black and white) to add to this true ALMOST FAMOUS collectors' item. A great read and a must have for all ALMOST FAMOUS fans! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.



3. After seeing the movie I couldn't wait for the book to come out. I got it the first day of November and read it in like one day. I am now reading it again and picking up more then I did before, not because I read to fast but because you just do. If you are a fan of the movie and want a little behind the story look then get this screenplay (book).



4. When a film becomes the darling of the critics and viewers alike, you can be quite certain a good script is at the core of the success. Almost Famous is no exception. The screenplay is remarkably close to the final edit of the film, with only a few scenes that will probably make it into the DVD release of the film. These scenes fill out the characters even more, and in at least one case, anchor a wayward reference in the final cut of the film.

   Several characters in the film will become immortalized by their dialogue, and savoring it in the context of the entire screenplay is a real treat. In addition to the screenplay, there is an interview with Cameron Crowe that covers many of the questions you or I would like to ask Crowe about this film. Yes, almost all of it really happened, and Crowe gives his take on a world and lifestyle that albeit passing and circumstantial, became real for the people who lived it. I recommend it highly.

No comments about Audition Speeches for 6-16 Year Olds.