Great Films

I this book I explore 1939 and its movies which most critics believe is the best year of cinema ever. I include discussion of the films of that year as well as a discussion about what 1939 and it’s movies might say about the state of the world at that time.

Some 2,000 quotes from more than 100 of the top film noirs: snappy, insightful, memorable. Plus several essays on the meaning of film noir.

America’s most trusted and best-known film critic Roger Ebert presents one hundred brilliant essays on some of the best movies ever made. Roger Ebert, the famed film writer and critic, wrote biweekly essays for a feature called "The Great Movies," in which he offered a fresh and fervent...

“The Twelve Films of Christmas: Stories, Surprises, and Secrets from Holiday Cinema’s Greatest Hits” is a gripping journey into the emotional heart of December—told through the movies people cannot stop watching. This book uncovers why Christmas films strike so deeply, exposing the private hopes, fears, and longings people carry into the season. Through vivid storytelling and powerful reflections, it reveals why snow feels like memory, why candlelight feels like healing, why music feels like home, and why certain films become emotional lifelines when life grows heavy. Drawing from ...

For fifty years, the big screen has mirrored the world — reflecting our dreams, fears, heroes, and obsessions. Top 10 1975 to 2025: Revisiting the Hits That Defined Every Year takes you on a year-by-year journey through five decades of cinematic history, celebrating the stories that shaped pop culture and connected generations. From Jaws and Star Wars to Titanic, The Dark Knight, and Barbie, this is a vibrant look at the blockbusters, breakthroughs, and cultural moments that made audiences cheer, cry, and come back for more. Each chapter highlights the top ten defining hits of its year ...

We have entered an age where we now have instant, unlimited, free access to the history of recorded music. We have the ability to listen across genres and eras. This is a world-wide phenomenon. This book is a guide to taking advantage of this astonishing new power. This book is also a way to appreciate one of our great cultural legacies; one that is very alive today. It is about American popular song and the body of work referred to as the Great American Songbook. These tunes are appreciated and treasured by listeners all over the world. This book is an effort to introduce you to the songs,...

Nineteen-year-old Greg Sestero met Tommy Wiseau at an acting school in San Francisco. Wiseau's scenes were rivetingly wrong, yet Sestero, hypnotized by such uninhibited acting, thought, "I have to do a scene with this guy." That impulse changed both of their lives. The Disaster Artist is Greg Sestero's laugh-out-loud funny account of how Tommy Wiseau defied every law of artistry, business, and friendship to make "the Citizen Kane of bad movies" ( Entertainment Weekly), which is now an international phenomenon.

Discover the extraordinary life and legendary films of John Ford, the director who defined American cinema. John Ford: A Complete Guide to the Life, Films, and Legacy of One of America’s Greatest Directors explores the career of the four-time Academy Award winner whose iconic works shaped how the world sees the American West, family, community, and national identity. From his Irish immigrant roots to his rise in Hollywood, Ford’s journey reflects the story of America itself, captured through unforgettable films like Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, The Searchers, and The Quiet Man. This...

America’s most trusted and best-known film critic Roger Ebert presents two hundred brilliant essays on some of the best movies ever made in this two-book collection containing THE GREAT MOVIES and THE GREAT MOVIES II. Roger Ebert, the famed film writer and critic, wrote biweekly essays for a...

From the award-winning author of Five, Six, Seven, Nate! and Better Nate Than Ever comes “a Holden Caulfield for a new generation” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Quinn Roberts is a sixteen-year-old smart aleck and Hollywood hopeful whose only worry used to be writing convincing dialogue...

In this thrilling, no-holds-barred memoir that shows why he is “an inspiration to millions of WWE fans around the world” (Triple H), WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tells the incredible roller-coaster story of his life, from a small village in Ayrshire, Scotland, to the bright lights of WWE. From...

In the early 20th century, World War I was the most devastating event humanity had yet experienced. New machines of war left tens of millions killed or wounded in the most grotesque of ways. The Great War remade the world's map, created new global powers, and brought forth some of the biggest problems still facing us today. But it also birthed a new art form: the horror film, made from the fears of a generation ruined by war. From Nosferatu to Frankenstein's monster and the Wolf Man, the touchstones of horror can all trace their roots to the bloodshed of the First World War.

The story behind the making of one of the greatest films ever created. Elia Kazan, was the genius behind On the Waterfront, one of Hollywood’s most timeless and unforgettable films. Less than 108 minutes long, Waterfront would win ten Academy Awards, gross over $100 million dollars and define Kazan’s career. But he was a causality of his time and a victim by his own design. And s a result, it all happened in less then 48 minutes. It happened at the worst possible time. It always does. Elia Kazan, an artist who had always sought greatness and approval, was riding higher than he had ever ...

From the very first book publication in 1920 to the recent film release of Death on the Nile, this investigation into Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot celebrates a century of probably the world’s favourite fictional detective. This book tells his story decade-by-decade, exploring his...

A Modular Guide to Terror, Trauma, and Cinematic Legacy From haunted houses to cosmic voids, VHS static to pagan shrines, this book is a scream-by-scream descent into horror’s most unforgettable visions. Curated for students, creators, and genre obsessives, each entry delivers: 🎬 Spoiler-free synopsis – crisp, eerie, and emotionally resonant 🎭 Cast & crew highlights – the faces and forces behind the fear 🧠 Nightmare fuel moments – the scenes that scarred us 🏆 Legacy & influence – how each film reshaped horror history 🧪 Production trivia – behind-the-scenes secrets...

I can hardly believe that it is more than half a century since I first stepped on to the stage of the Old Vic Theatre and into a way of life that has brought me the most rewarding professional relationships and friendships. I cannot imagine now ever doing anything else with my life except...

50 Greatest Science Fiction Movies takes you on a journey through the most groundbreaking, thrilling, and imaginative films ever made. From silent-era visions like Metropolis to modern masterpieces like Arrival and Everything Everywhere All at Once, this book explores how filmmakers have shaped our dreams of the future and our fears of the unknown. Each entry dives into the movie’s story, its cultural impact, and why it stands as a milestone in science fiction. Packed with trivia, iconic moments, and insights into the artistry behind the spectacle, this is a celebration of the films that ...

Step into the dazzling and dreamlike world of Federico Fellini, one of cinema’s greatest visionaries. From the heartbreaking simplicity of La Strada to the surreal brilliance of 8½ and the iconic glamour of La Dolce Vita, Fellini reshaped the art of film forever. In Federico Fellini: A Complete Guide to the Films, Vision, and Legacy of Italy’s Greatest Director, readers will discover the stories behind his masterpieces, the evolution of his unique style, and the collaborations that defined his extraordinary career. This comprehensive guide takes you through Fellini’s life and work ...

Comedian and musician Reggie Watts shares his story of growing up in Montana as a biracial oddball struggling to navigate life, girls, drugs, and his own identity in America’s heartland—and having a blast doing it. Reggie Watts is weird. But you knew that. Anyone who’s seen his...

“Look for the contradictions in every character, especially in your heroes and villains.”– Elia Kazan “When we tell a story in cinema, we should resort to dialogue only when it’s impossible to do otherwise.”– Alfred Hitchcock “Often the personalities in my scripts don’t want the same thing I want. If I try to force them to do what I want them to do, it will always be an artistic catastrophe.”– Ingmar Bergman How do the great filmmakers approach writing for the screen? How were the best screenplays written? Where did the spark of creation come from? What makes a great ...