10 Best Movie Guides & Reviews Books

Collect your own one-of-a-kind keepsake replica of the Quidditch trunk, complete with bludgers, quaffle, and snitch! Set includes: * 1 Quaffle * 2 Bludgers * 1 non-removable Snitch * 16 x 24-inch full-color poster * All packaged in a Quidditch trunk which doubles as a keepsake box, complete with lock and key

In this one-of-a-kind Hollywood history, the creator of Instagram’s celebrated @ThisWasHollywood reveals the forgotten past of the film world in a dazzling visual package modeled on the classic fan magazines of yesteryear. From former screen legends who have faded into obscurity to new revelations about the biggest movie stars, Valderrama unearths the most fascinating little-known tales from the birth of Hollywood through its Golden Age. The shocking fate of the world’s first movie star. Clark Gable’s secret love child. The film that nearly ended Paul Newman’s career. A former child star who, at ninety-three, reveals her #metoo story for the first time. Valderrama unfolds these stories, and many more, in a volume that is by turns riveting, maddening, hilarious, and shocking. Drawing on new interviews, archival research, and an exhaustive library of photographs, This Was Hollywood is a compelling and visually stunning catalogue of the lost history of the movies.

Showcasing 52 Essential films from the silent era through the 1980s, Turner Classic Movies invites you into a world filled with stirring performances, dazzling musical numbers, and bold directorial visions that mark the greatest moments in film history. Since its inception on Turner Classic Movies in 2001, The Essentials has become the ultimate series for movie lovers to expand their knowledge of must- see cinema and discover or revisit landmark films that have had a lasting impact on audiences everywhere. Based on the TCM series, The Essentials book showcases fifty-two must-see movies from the silent era through the early 1980s. Readers can enjoy one film per week, for a year of stellar viewing, or indulge in their own classic movie festival. Some long-championed classics appear within these pages; other selections may surprise you. Each film is profiled with insightful notes on why it’s an Essential, a guide to must-see moments, and running commentary from TCM’s Robert Osborne and Essentials guest hosts past and present, including Sally Field, Drew Barrymore, Alec Baldwin, Rose McGowan, Carrie Fisher, Molly Haskell, Peter Bogdanovich, Sydney Pollack, and Rob Reiner. Featuring full-color and black-and-white photography of the greatest stars in movie history, The Essentials is your curated guide to fifty-two films that define the meaning of the word “classic.”

Star Wars exploded onto our cinema screens in 1977, and the world has not been the same since. After watching depressing and cynical movies throughout the early 1970s, audiences enthusiastically embraced the positive energy of the Star Wars galaxy as they followed moisture farmer Luke Skywalker on his journey through a galaxy far, far away, meeting extraordinary characters like mysterious hermit Obi-Wan Kenobi, space pirates Han Solo and Chewbacca, loyal droids C-3PO and R2-D2, bold Princess Leia Organa and the horrific Darth Vader, servant of the dark, malevolent Emperor. Writer, director, and producer George Lucas created the modern monomyth of our time, one that resonates with the child in us all. He formed Industrial Light & Magic to develop cutting-edge special effects technology, which he combined with innovative editing techniques and a heightened sense of sound to give audiences a unique sensory cinematic experience. In this first volume, made with the full cooperation of Lucasfilm, Lucas narrates his own story, taking us through the making of the original trilogy―Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI Return of the Jedi―and bringing fresh insights into the creation of a unique universe. Complete with script pages, production documents, concept art, storyboards, on-set photography, stills, and posters, this is the authoritative exploration of the original saga as told by its creator. About the series TASCHEN turns 40 this year! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping bookworms around the world curate their own library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. In 2020, we celebrate 40 years of incredible books by staying true to our company credo. The 40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program―now more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same commitment to impeccable production.

A guide to fifty-two examples of must-see cinema, The Essentials Vol. 2 — based on the Turner Classic Movies series — is packed with behind-the- scenes stories, illuminating commentary, moments to watch for, and hundreds of photos spotlighting films that define what it means to be a classic. Since 2001, Turner Classic Movies’ The Essentials has been the ultimate destination for cinephiles both established and new, showcasing films that have had a lasting impact on audiences and filmmakers everywhere. In this second volume based on the series, fifty-two films are profiled with insightful notes on why they’re Essential, a guide to must-see moments, and running commentary from Essentials hosts past and present: TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz and the late Robert Osborne, as well as Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Molly Haskell, Carrie Fisher, Rose McGowan, Alec Baldwin, Drew Barrymore, Sally Field, William Friedkin, Ava DuVernay, and Brad Bird. Enjoy one film per week for a year of stellar viewing or indulge in your own classic movie festival. Spanning the silent era through the late 1980s with such diverse films as Top Hat , Brief Encounter , Rashomon , Vertigo , and Field of Dreams , it’s an indispensable book for movie lovers to expand their knowledge of cinema and discover — or revisit — landmark films that impacted Hollywood forever.

This comprehensive visual dictionary is the perfect Star Wars (TM) book for getting to know the galaxy far, far away. Packed with more than 1,500 stunning images, it showcases major and minor characters (such as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker), creatures, vehicles, weapons, props, and items of tech in unparalleled detail. Beautiful photography and engaging text written by Star Wars experts examines the finer points of Padme Amidala’s costumes, displays Boba Fett’s array of weaponry, studies Darth Vader’s armor, and reveals the lesser-known background stories to many of the characters. Find out who Poe Dameron’s idol is, discover the tech behind BB-8’s rolling motion, and much, much more! Fully updated to include the latest installments of the Skywalker saga– Star Wars The Force Awakens and Star Wars The Last Jedi –this invaluable reference guide incorporates all the latest stories and characters. The definitive companion to the Star Wars movies, Star Wars The Complete Visual Dictionary is a must-buy for the beginner and the die-hard Star Wars fan alike. (c) & TM 2018 LUCASFILM LTD. Used Under Authorization.

Turner Classic Movies presents a bucket list of the best and most beloved holiday films of all time, complete with spirited commentary, behind-the- scenes stories, and photos spanning eight decades of Christmastime favorites. Nothing brings the spirit of the season into our hearts quite like a great holiday movie. “Christmas films” come in many shapes and sizes and exist across many genres. Some, like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story , are perennials, while others, such as Die Hard , have only gradually become yuletide favorites. But they all have one thing in common: they use themes evoked by the holiday period – nostalgia, joy, togetherness, dysfunction, commercialism, or cynicism – as a force in their storytelling. Turner Classic Movies: Christmas in the Movies showcases the very best among this uniquely spirited strain of cinema. Each film is profiled on what makes it a “Christmas movie,” along with behind-the-scenes stories of its production, reception, and legacy. Complemented by a trove of color and black- and-white photos, Turner Classic Movies: Christmas in the Movies is a glorious salute to a collection of the most treasured films of all time. Among the 30 films included: The Shop Around the Corner , Holiday Inn , Meet Me in St. Louis , It’s a Wonderful Life , Miracle on 34th Street , White Christmas , A Christmas Story , National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation , Home Alone , Little Women , and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

A collection of reviews for the 1,000 most important, popular, and influential movies of all time. While critiques of beloved Hollywood milestones from Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and Orson Welles are all included, this book is notably a resource for the modern cinema buff and student. Nowhere else can one find this curated collection of reviews with such special features as lists of best films by category and year, as well as unique recommendations and sidebars for the modern viewer–including what to watch and how: from DVD and Blu-Ray to streaming platforms. In an era when most students and fans of film simply rely on the Internet for information, this category killer will prove its worth as a relevant and indispensable gift and reference.

Covering more than 2,500 characters, creatures, planets, vehicles, Droidsâ„¢, weapons, technology, and more from the Star Wars â„¢ universe, this visual tour is the ultimate compendium for the epic saga and beyond. Take a stunning visual tour of Star Wars with DK’s comprehensive pictorial guide to the galaxy far, far away! From lightsabers to beasts to food and clothing, Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia is a virtual museum in a book. Explore beautiful galleries with more than 2,500 images, and discover facts about Star Wars culture, science, and geography. With a full history of the galactic politics, the Jedi Council, and the Empire, Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia walks fans through the entire timeline of Star Wars. See the blasters of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope â„¢, look at the stormtroopers of Star Wars: The Force Awakens â„¢, and study the geography of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story â„¢. Each section of the book focuses on different topics to dedicate special attention and detail to every part of the universe, no matter how small. From the planets in the outer rim to Padme’s bridal wear, nothing is missed. A celebration of all things Star Wars , this compendium is the perfect addition to any fan’s bookshelf. (C) & TM 2017 LUCASFILM LTD. Used Under Authorization.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE NEWEST 2019 EDITION (FIFTH) – the date above is wrong. The Filmmaker’s Handbook is the authoritative guide to producing, directing, shooting, editing, and distributing your video or film. Whether you aspire to be a great filmmaker or are looking for a gift, this comprehensive guide is the first step in turning a hobby into a career. Widely acknowledged as the bible of video and film production, and used in courses around the world, The Filmmaker’s Handbook is now completely updated with the latest advances. For students and teachers, professionals and novices, this indispensable handbook covers all aspects of movie making. * Techniques for making dramatic features, documentaries, and short videos and films. * Shooting with DSLRs, video, film, and digital cinema cameras. * In-depth coverage of lenses, lighting, sound recording, editing, and mixing. * Understanding HDR, RAW, Log, 4K, UHD, and other formats. * Learning the business aspects of funding and producing your project. * Getting your movie shown in theaters, on television, streaming services, and online