Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Wednesday, 11 January 2017

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novelisation and colouring book reviews

Can't wait till Star Wars: Episode VIII finally arrives later this year?

Haven't had a chance to see Rogue One in cinemas yet?

Seen Rogue One more than once and really want to spend a few more hours with the characters before you get the opportunity to purchase the DVD?

Well I've got a couple of books that might just fill the Star Wars shaped hole in your lives for the next eleven months.

Over at Starburst Magazine, I've reviewed the novelisation of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Alexander Freed and I've also reviewed the Art of Colouring book for Rogue One as well.




Here's a snippet of my review of the Rogue One novelisation:

"For those who criticised Rogue One for bland characters or a lack of character depth, you might find more to like in Freed’s novelisation. He does an excellent job in balancing multiple character viewpoints, offering a little more insight into many of the characters’ decisions and mind states. Ben Mendelsohn’s villain Orson Krennic is best served, with his character being an endless source of fascination throughout the book.
We also get more details about Jyn’s backstory with Saw Gerrera which had to be dealt with far too quickly in the film. Most of the book treads very literally on the toes of the film, but there are a few extended or new scenes that Freed includes with mixed results. These new parts, including more of Galen and Orson in the prologue, and more of Jyn in a cell at the labour camp that she is rescued from at the beginning of the film, add little, but are not jarring with their presence..."


Here's a snippet of my review of the Rogue One Colouring book:
"Have you ever wanted to brighten up Darth Vader’s none more black costume? Well here’s your chance. Unless you really like using your black and grey crayons, the Rogue One colouring book is an outstanding chance to bring some much needed colour to the dark side, and make Darth Vader into Darth Fabulous.
Unfortunately, of the 100 images contained within to ‘inspire creativity’, there is only 3 pages where you actually get to tackle the Sith Lord himself, but elsewhere you have plenty of opportunities to colour in the many other characters of Rogue One. The drawings range from the wonderful (Jyn Erso, Chirrut Imwe) to the ever so slightly strange (Saw Gerrera). Countless characters are included in a variety of poses, but more Vader would have been much appreciated..."
Read more of the review here.

Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Books of 2015: Found Footage, Film Studies for Dummies, Shock Value

I made a determined effort to read more film-related books this year. That started off very well with the first few books, but then petered out by the end of the year. This must also be the first year ever where every book I've read was non-fiction. Here's the books I read in 2015:

Found Footage Horror Films: Fear and the Appearance of Reality by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Just brilliant. Not many people are so devoted to studying these often very frustrating films. As I'm in the final year of my thesis on this subject, I read this at almost the perfect time. I managed to reference it a great deal in my thesis and I found it fascinating from cover to cover. I WISH I had read it before completing my book on The Blair Witch Project as Heller-Nicholas' analysis of that film would have given me a lot more to write about. The analysis of Paranormal Activity is also excellent and the detailing of how Highway Safety Films have influenced found footage was also something that I had not considered in my own thesis.

If you like found footage, or are just interested in its appeal, this is an absolute must read. Buy it here.


Film Studies for Dummies by Dr James Cateridge

I'd never read one of these 'for Dummies' books before and I thought that after 14 years of studying and teaching film studies, it would probably cover little that I didn't already know. Wow was I wrong. This book has been absolutely essential reading for me. It has clarified some of the most complex ideas in film studies, it has given me new ways to teach certain topics, it has broadened my knowledge of areas where I had little.

In short, it is a brilliant overview of the subject. I would recommend it for any student who is about to embark on Film Studies A level or a degree course. I think I learned more from this one book, than in much of my studies. Somehow it is perfectly pitched for both beginners and people who have been studying film for some time. Buy it here.


Shock Value by Jason Zinoman

Another must read for horror fans. Covers all the big classics from the 70s and the guys behind getting them made. It was especially timely to read this, as soon after I finished it, Wes Craven sadly passed away. Even though films like Texas Chainsaw, Halloween and The Exorcist have been written about to death already, Zinoman still manages to make this feel like a pretty fresh look at some of the greatest films ever to be unleashed from the genre. It would have been a good book to have around while writing my dissertation on the representation of the family in 70s horror. Buy it here.



12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

I saw this in a shop for something like £3 and as it was my favourite film of 2014, had to pick it up. A quick read and well worth it, even if you have seen the film. There are many harrowing parts and a quite a few memorable moments that were not included in the film. Overall, a story that deserves to be told and retold and retold.


Revolution by Russell Brand

Just a massive brain-fart really. I like Russell Brand and I like his outlook, but this came across as hopelessly naive in places. Still, there's lots of good stuff here and I hope Brand continues his crusade to try and change the world. I'm still listening.


The Hell of it All by Charlie Brooker

A collection of Brooker's columns for The Guardian. I laughed out loud a lot. After a whole book of reading Brooker's miserable ramblings, it can get a bit much. But he's still a brilliant writer and a lot of fun to read.


I'm also half way through Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey which is frankly, just bonkers.

What did you read this year? Any recommendations?

Friday, 3 January 2014

Best books I read in 2013

I read quite a few books this year ranging from film studies analyses to the far less academic 50 Shade of Grey trilogy. I also made a start on the Song of Ice and Fire/ Game of Thrones books and hope to get through the rest in 2014. I even got to do quite a few book reviews at both Starburst Magazine and Filmoria. Click the titles to check out my full reviews.



Saw by Benjamin Poole

I'm writing a book on The Blair Witch Project for the Devil's Advocate series published by Auteur and in order to get a better sense of what they are looking for, I read this analysis of Saw from the same series of books. It's a fascinating read and gave me an even greater appreciation for the film.

Studying Fight Club

Seeing as I spend 9 weeks of every year doing exactly what the title says with my A2 Film Studies students, I though it best to read this from cover to cover and make notes on it. Again, a brilliant read for fans of the film!


The Art of Epic

'The Art of Epic does not simply look pretty. Bennett’s prose is also a joy to read; the input from the Blue Sky team being expertly woven into the text and enlightening and inspiring throughout. The Art of Epic is luscious in its level of detail; in short, it’s epic.'

 
Boy Nobody

'Boy Nobody is an easy read and hard to put down from the brusque opening to the explosive climax. It contains a few surprises and a character that has the potential to become more and more interesting as the series continues. It’s not a great piece of literature but it knows its audience and hits the target precisely.'

The Hobbit

I didn't particularly like this book as a child and I didn't particularly like it that much when I read it again this year. That said, there were a couple of moments that Peter Jackson did not include from the book in The Desolation of Smaug that I was not happy about him dismissing. Firstly the way the dwarves enter Beorn's house and secondly the way the dwarves are led off the path in Mirkwood by the wood elves. It's a shame that Jackson felt the need to change these parts as they were two of the most memorable bits from the books.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by James Rose

'Highly recommended for fans of the film or anyone with an academic interest in horror.'

Are You Talking To Me? A Life Through the Movies

'This was much more biography than I expected with author Walsh detailing his youth in London as he was growing up and the films that helped him make it through to adulthood.'

Green Zone: Imperial Life in the Emerald City

'A depressing look at what happened after America invaded Iraq, tainted by the infrequent promise of what could have been.'

A Game of Thrones

'The dialogue is so brilliantly written that I found myself wanting to talk like the characters all the time.'

Middle Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of theRings: On Screen, On Stage and Beyond

'Middle-earth Envisioned is not for readers who are only interested in Peter Jackson's films or casual Tolkien fans. It is an exhaustive illustrated history of all those who have attempted to bring Tolkien's writing to life. Unless you are already a Tolkien know-it-all who speaks Elvish, you are bound to find plenty here that will leave you inspired to search the internet for further evidence of the weird and the wonderful adaptations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.'


A Clash of Kings  

Even better than the first, I just cannot get enough of these books. New characters, more bloodshed and a bloody great battle to top it all off. I can't wait to get started on A Storm of Swords next.


50 Shades of Grey
50 Shades Darker

 I'm only reading these so I can contribute to Yahoo on the upcoming film versions. Please don't think any less of me. Here's what I've written so far:
Why aren't more men reading 50 Shades of Grey?
How much sex can 50 Shades of Grey movie get away with?
Do women really love 50 Shades of Grey's Christian Grey?
Will 50 Shades of Grey lingerie make a kinky killing at Christmas?
Why Jamie Dornan must go full frontal in 50 Shades of Grey 

To top it all off, I'm about half way through 50 Shades Freed and have read the first chapter of A Storm of Swords.

My reading for the year sorted!

What have you read in 2013?

Why don't you stay awhile? More 2013 lists from I Love That Film:

TV in 2013: Breaking Bad, Dexter, The Walking Dead, Homeland and more

World Cinema in 2013

Top Documentaries of 2013

2013 List of Shame or 25 films I should have seen this year

2013 Top 10 Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction

2013 Top 10 So Far (written in July)

Best British Films of 2013

Top 25 Films to see in 2014

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Middle Earth Envisioned book review and Insidious Chapter 2 DVD review

This month at Starburst Magazine I have been contributing more than ever. I have written a review of the book Middle Earth Envisioned, reviewed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and contributed to the 2014 movie preview that went in the December issue which you can purchase here. I also contributed a DVD review of Insidious Chapter 2 and am very optimistically in the process of trying to secure an interview with director James Wan. There is a very tight deadline for this interview and James Wan is extremely busy with Fast and Furious 7 so perhaps I should not be so optimistic but I can't help hoping that I'll get to have a quick chat with the guy who made Saw.



Here is a snippet from my review of the Middle Earth Envisioned book and please be sure to check out my full review here and consider adding this to your Christmas list if you are a Tolkien fan.

"Middle-earth Envisioned is not for readers who are only interested in Peter Jackson's films or casual Tolkien fans. It is an exhaustive illustrated history of all those who have attempted to bring Tolkien's writing to life. Unless you are already a Tolkien know-it-all who speaks Elvish, you are bound to find plenty here that will leave you inspired to search the internet for further evidence of the weird and the wonderful adaptations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings."

 As for Insidious Chapter 2, here is a snippet and click here for my full review:

"It is an admirable attempt to tell a deeper story and reward fans of the first film but by the end it's sadly lacking in the scare department."

It was a shame as I really quite liked the original but this one was a bit of a mess. It will be an eve greater shame if this really is James Wan's last horror film. Here's hoping he returns when he gets finished with the Fast and Furious franchise.

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Holiday Reading 2013: Books for Movie Buffs

Wondering what books are worth reading at the moment? Here's what I read on holiday in Thailand and my brief thoughts on each book. All are movie related in some way so please read on if you are a movie buff that needs some books to read.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Devil's Advocates) by James Rose

This is one of the latest of the Devil's Advocates series that critically analyse classic horror films. I'm writing the Devil's Advocate book on The Blair Witch Project as we speak so thought I'd give this a read for inspiration. I've also read Benjamin Poole's Devil's Advocate book on Saw and both are insanely detailed and wonderful to read. I studied TTCSM as part of my dissertation and there was still plenty of material that I found fascinating in Rose's lively, detailed and thoughtful analysis of the film. Highly recommended for fans of the film or anyone with an academic interest in horror. It's a quick read too if you like little books!


Are You Talking to Me? A Life Through the Movies by John Walsh

This was much more biography than I expected with Walsh detailing his youth in London as he was growing up and the films that helped him make it through to adulthood. It's full of the the stuff of youth which should be terribly boring such as Walsh's first kiss but the author mostly keeps it lively and entertaining and he has made me want to watch all the films he discusses in the book from Cabaret to Mutiny on the Bounty. It reminded me a bit of The Film Club which I read on holiday last year but that book was much more emotional. However both made me want to seek out old films that I have not yet seen.


Green Zone: Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekran

Meticulously researched account of the first year after the (mostly) Americans occupied Baghdad and tried to rebuild it in their image. Made into a film starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass, this book is all non-fiction and therefore is filled with facts, figures, names and places being recited by an author who clearly did his research. For the most part it does not overwhelm in detail and Chandrasekran has found a way to tell his story fluently and clearly. People call it a black comedy but I often failed to see the funny side. It made me frustrated and angry mainly despite not being completely unsympathetic to the occasionally noble causes of the Americans flown in to sort out the new Iraq. Still, a depressing look at what happened tainted by the infrequent promise of what could have been.

 
A Game of Thrones

I never thought I was going to get through the above 3 books but I did with about a week of holiday left so I wandered into a used book shop on the island of Ko Lanta and found they had weathered copies of the first two books of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series so I snapped them both up despite them adding an enormous amount of weight to my already stuffed backpack. But boy was I glad I did. I got gastroenteritis towards the end of the holiday and so spent even more time sitting around the pool or on the beach reading. Despite the fact I have already seen series 1 of HBO's Game of Thrones, I loved every minute of this book which covers the same ground. The dialogue is so brilliantly written that I found myself wanting to talk like the characters all the time. I swear the writers of the show must have it pretty damn easy as the book is so well written with the characters being so clear from their wonderfully crafted dialogue. I'm now about 100 pages into the second book A Clash of Kings and will soon be catching up with where I am in the TV show. I can't wait to get ahead so I won't have to worry about spoilers any longer!


What have you been reading recently? Any recommendations for a fellow film buff?

More book reviews from I Love That Film:

Holiday Reading: Mark Kermode, Film Club, Robopocalypse

Book Review: THE ART OF EPIC - Starburst

Boy Nobody Book Review - Filmoria