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Get the Picture?: The Movie Lover's Guide to Watching Films
Movie lovers from school-age to seniors will enjoy the favorite classics, pop flicks, and lesser-known gems discussed in this lively introduction to film, which also details how different techniques have been used throughout cinematic history—and how modern filmmakers are adapting those traditions today. Avoiding technical jargon, the author clearly explains key aspects of film: shots, scenes, sounds, cuts, styles, setting, mood, and meaning. Covered are classic, popular, foreign, and independent films—most of which are available at local video stores. Filled with fascinating comparisons of movies and evocative still shots, this large volume will stimulate readers to watch movies with a new sense of understanding and enjoyment.
- GenresFilm
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 30, 2013
So back in college (years ago) I had this awesome professor who not only loved film but helped me discover how much I love film. One of the books he put on the syllabus was Get the Picture?. I remember my best friend and I devouring this book. It opens with Cinematics--the different camera shots, focuses, and perspectives.It talks about scenes, sounds, and cuts of a movie.
But here is something interesting me and my best friend discovered while reading the book. Maybe we are just big geeks, but we actually found a huge mistake in the middle of the book at the beginning of Chapter 11, titled Characters. Almost everyone has seen the movie Independence Day right? Well tell me what is wrong with this synopsis the author gives us:
What viewers probably remember most about [Independence Day] is the shadow of a colossal alien spacecraft creeping across the land and the blowing up of the White House. They probably don't remember--or don't want to remember--the comic-strippiness of the characters: Bill Pullman as the U.S. president who happens to be a decorated jet fighter-pilot. He saves Earth by flying computer whiz Jeff Goldblum into the guts of the alien mother ship so that he can upload something that explodes--after Bill and Jeff have safely rocketed away, of course.
Ummm...if I remember correctly, it was WILL SMITH who flys Jeff Goldblum into the mothership, NOT Bill Pullman, the president! What an embarrassing mistake and one we couldn't wait to show our professor! He laughed with us, of course. But it made us wonder how many other mistakes there were in the book.
Either way, the book was still informative and is a great beginners guide to learning the terms and ropes of watching and understanding film. It's kinda cool when you are watching a movie and you can point out the different angles and shots.
Mia @ The Muses Circle
But here is something interesting me and my best friend discovered while reading the book. Maybe we are just big geeks, but we actually found a huge mistake in the middle of the book at the beginning of Chapter 11, titled Characters. Almost everyone has seen the movie Independence Day right? Well tell me what is wrong with this synopsis the author gives us:
What viewers probably remember most about [Independence Day] is the shadow of a colossal alien spacecraft creeping across the land and the blowing up of the White House. They probably don't remember--or don't want to remember--the comic-strippiness of the characters: Bill Pullman as the U.S. president who happens to be a decorated jet fighter-pilot. He saves Earth by flying computer whiz Jeff Goldblum into the guts of the alien mother ship so that he can upload something that explodes--after Bill and Jeff have safely rocketed away, of course.
Ummm...if I remember correctly, it was WILL SMITH who flys Jeff Goldblum into the mothership, NOT Bill Pullman, the president! What an embarrassing mistake and one we couldn't wait to show our professor! He laughed with us, of course. But it made us wonder how many other mistakes there were in the book.
Either way, the book was still informative and is a great beginners guide to learning the terms and ropes of watching and understanding film. It's kinda cool when you are watching a movie and you can point out the different angles and shots.
Mia @ The Muses Circle
Displaying 1 of 1 review