Book picks similar to
James Bernard, Composer to Count Dracula: A Critical Biography by David Huckvale
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Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life
Sam Staggs - 2009
In a passionate and witty behind-the-scenes expose, the author of 'All About All About Eve' takes on the classic 1959 Douglas Sirk film, Born To Be Hurt, starring Lana Turner.
Let the Right One In
Anne Billson - 2010
"Twilight," "True Blood," "Being Human," "The Vampire Diaries," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Blade," "Underworld," and the novels of Anne Rice and Darren Shan--against this glut of bloodsuckers, it takes an incredible film to make a name for itself. Directed by Tomas Alfredson and adapted for the screen by John Ajvide Lindqvist, The Swedish film "L't den r?tte komma in" (2008), known to American audiences as "Let the Right One In," is the most exciting, subversive, and original horror production since the genre's best-known works of the 1970s. Like "Twilight," "Let the Right One In" is a love story between a human and a vampire--but that is where the resemblance ends. Set in a snowy, surburban housing estate in 1980s Stockholm, the film combines supernatural elements with social realism. It features Oskar, a lonely, bullied child, and Eli, the girl next door. "Oskar, I'm not a girl," she tells him, and she's not kidding--she's a vampire. The two forge an intense relationship that is at once innocent and disturbing. Two outsiders against the world, one of these outsiders is, essentially, a serial killer. What does Eli want from Oskar? Simple companionship, or something else? While startlingly original, "Let the Right One In" could not have existed without the near century of vampire cinema that preceded it. Anne Billson reviews this history and the film's inheritence of (and new twists on) such classics as "Nosferatu" (1979) and "Dracula" (1931). She discusses the genre's early fliration with social realism in films such as "Martin" (1977) and "Near Dark" (1987), along with its adaptation of mythology to the modern world, and she examines the changing relationship between vampires and humans, the role of the vampire's assistant, and the enduring figure of vampires in popular culture.
Reel Terror: The Scary, Bloody, Gory, Hundred-Year History of Classic Horror Films
David Konow - 2012
From The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to Paranormal Activity, Konow explores its all-time highs and lows, why the genre has been overlooked, and how horror films just might help us overcome fear. His on-set stories and insights delve into each movie and its effect on American culture.For novices to all out film buffs, this is the perfection companion to this Halloween’s movie marathons.
Superman Sampler 2013
J. Michael Straczynski - 2013
Combined with the strong moral values from his adoptive parents, he became Superman. Created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, Superman has become a worldwide icon and relevant cultural touchstone. This summer, the world’s first superhero will be bigger than ever in the highly anticipated blockbuster film Man of Steel, coming to theaters June 14th. Please enjoy this sampler of DC Comics’ standout Superman graphic novels, showcasing a few of the great stories featuring the characters in Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan’s new movie epic.
Disney Frozen: Breaking Boundaries
Joe Caramagna - 2019
A wild animal loose in the village and destruction in the nearby Arendelle woods causes Queen Elsa to miss an important meeting with a neighboring monarch and she sends Princess Anna in her place. When Anna learns that this particular king will only speak to her sister, she begins to question her role in the kingdom. But when she learns that the king's daughter, the adventurous Princess Mari, is frustrated--with her father's overprotective ways--and would dearly love to find something purposeful to do, Anna is incredibly keen to help Mari to find a job that fits her perfectly! So as both princesses explore the variety of occupations that the kingdom has to offer, Elsa must address the problem in Arendelle's forest with Mari's father--who happens to be the unknowing source of the trouble! Elsa, Anna, and Mari will join together to resolve the confusion over the woodland and to find a purpose for Mari that she will love and her father will find fitting for his cherished daughter.The continuing story of Arendelle's sister rulers, Elsa and Anna, is chock full of snow flurries of fun and unfrosted heart with writer Joe Caramagna (DuckTales, Zootopia, Avengers Assemble) and art by Kawaii Creative Studio from the Frozen film graphic novel adaptation.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History
Andrew Farago - 2014
Bringing together the rarest art and artifacts from three decades of TMNT comics, TV shows, and films, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no shell unturned!
The Art of Ranma 1/2
Rumiko Takahashi - 2001
The book includes paintings and designs that show why this martial arts/teenage romance/sex comedy was one of the most popular shows ever.
PunisherMAX by Jason Aaron Omnibus
Jason Aaron - 2014
But Fisk decides he quite likes his new position...enough to kill his bosses to keep it. Suddenly, the Punisher finds himself in a one-on-one war with a deadly threat...and he must decide how far he is willing to go to take the Kingpin down! Contending with dirty cops, battling the Kingpin's henchmen Bullseye and Elektra, and suffering through a stint in prison, Frank Castle is brought lower than he has ever been. But as the Kingpin of Crime will soon find out - all that means is that Frank has nothing left to lose! COLLECTING: PunisherMAX 1-22, Punisher MAX X-Mas Special
Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How "The Graduate" Became the Touchstone of a Generation
Beverly Gray - 2017
. . The book as a whole offers a fascinating look at how this movie tells a timeless story.” —The Washington PostMrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you? When The Graduate premiered in December 1967, its filmmakers had only modest expectations for what seemed to be a small, sexy art-house comedy adapted from an obscure first novel by an eccentric twenty-four-year-old. There was little indication that this offbeat story—a young man just out of college has an affair with one of his parents’ friends and then runs off with her daughter—would turn out to be a monster hit, with an extended run in theaters and seven Academy Award nominations. The film catapulted an unknown actor, Dustin Hoffman, to stardom with a role that is now permanently engraved in our collective memory. While turning the word plastics into shorthand for soulless work and a corporate, consumer culture, The Graduate sparked a national debate about what was starting to be called “the generation gap.” Now, in time for this iconic film’s fiftieth birthday, author Beverly Gray offers up a smart close reading of the film itself as well as vivid, never-before-revealed details from behind the scenes of the production—including all the drama and decision-making of the cast and crew. For movie buffs and pop culture fanatics, Seduced by Mrs. Robinson brings to light The Graduate’s huge influence on the future of filmmaking. And it explores how this unconventional movie rocked the late-sixties world, both reflecting and changing the era’s views of sex, work, and marriage.
Vampire Stories
Richard DalbyJohn Wyndham - 1992
These undead beings, possessed of supernatural powers of metamorphosis and hypnotism, stalk the night for the blood of the living. They have fascinated and terrified generations of writers and readers. Here are 18 bone-chilling tales of these bloodsucking creatures of the night, written by some of the most distinguished writers of the genre. From premier writers including Anne Rice and Bram Stoker, the stories in this collection represent some of the finest horror writing spanning the past two centuries. Here are gothic melodramas set in Russia and Germany, as well as more modern twists on the vampire legend that take place in contemporary England and the United States. These are tales of decadence, lust, and loathing; they capture the dark side of the human psyche, dead and undead. Making few concessions to the squeamish, the tales in this collection will keep readers awake at night.Stories include:• "Dracula's Guest" by Bram Stoker• "Phantoms" by Ivan Turgenev• "The Lovely Lady" by D.H. Lawrence• "The Master of Rampling Gate" by Anne Rice• "The Undead" by Robert BlochEach of these finely-crafted tales is guaranteed to leave readers with goosebumps. A foreward from the late actor Peter Cushing, who starred in numerous vampire and horror films, is a fitting introduction to this collection of horrifying and captivating tales.Prepare to be terrified as you enjoy some of the best vampire stories ever written ... if you dare.
James Dean
George Perry - 2005
This candid portrait of one of the greatest stars of all time tells the story behind the making of an American icon, uncovering new details about the man behind the legend, with in-depth commentary from his closest friends and family, including his cousin and executor of his estate, Marcus Winslow and his best friend and roommate, William Bast. Loaded with features that chronicle his life and times, this book is a must have for fans of the man, the movie star--the legend.
The X-Files: Season 10 #3
Joe Harris - 2013
Meanwhile, Mulder uncovers more of the truth than he can handle when an old, cigarette-smoking "friend" pays him a visit.
Fathom Vol. 1 #1
Michael Layne Turner - 1998
The one we know, and the one below. Aspen Matthews has always been drawn to the sea, that is why she became a marine biologist. But when an underwater experiment goes horribly wrong, Aspen discovers her connection to life under the sea is far more than scientific. She Discovers that she is a water nymph - able to live and thrive beneath the sea.
Dragon Age: Blue Wraith #2
Nunzio DeFilippis - 2020
If they are lucky, they can recruit Fenris—the Blue Wraith—whose vendetta against his former master has put him on a similar path.
Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years
Keith Badman - 2010
Dispelling some of the most pervasive beliefs as well as bringing light to others, Badman reveals that: • Monroe had a one-night stand with JFK at Bing Crosby’s house, but the rumors about her on-going affairs with JFK and RFK were untrue • Her father was not Martin Edward Mortensen but a man named Charles Stanley Gifford, who abandoned Marilyn’s mother when she was three months pregnant • Monroe was tricked into admitting herself into a psychiatric institute where she was treated like a prisoner in a mental asylum until Joe DiMaggio pulled strings for her release • A drunken Monroe was sexually exploited by mobsters at a Lake T ahoe hotel co-owned by Frank Sinatra, who had photos of the incident destroyed Badman sifts the truth from the gossip to provide a perfect companion to the hugely successful book, Fragments. For those who think they know the truth about Marilyn Monroe, think again.