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Savini: The Biography
**Now with better quality paper!! The paper stock and ink have been updated since the reviews were posted about the quality.
What can you say about Tom Savini? Well, the facts work just fine for this multi-hit wonder. He created the zombies and all of the iconic special makeup effects for the mother of all zombie movies, DAWN OF THE DEAD. He created Jason, one of the most prolific movie villains of all time, for the movie franchise FRIDAY THE 13TH and for the mega-hit video game. He created Leatherface in the much-loved fan favorite TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART TWO. He created the crate creature Fluffy, the grave-rising cadaver Nate, and all of the twisted, cockroach-filled, water-soaked zombies for the five horrific chapters of the movie CREEPSHOW and continued to dazzle audiences with his work on a dozen other horror movies in his career as a special makeup effects magician. He played the crotch rocket-wearing character Sex Machine in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and mesmerized movie-goers with his many other standout roles as an actor, including those in GRINDHOUSE, MACHETE, and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. He directed three of the most memorable episodes of the television series TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and the much loved and respected remake of the movie NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and most recently he was called upon by his pal Greg Nicotero to direct an episode of the new Creepshow television series for AMC's Shudder.In this beautiful picture book, Tom, in his own unique writing style, tells his life story, discusses his movies, shares anecdotes, give his opinions, and of course, talks about the movies in a way only Tom can.
What can you say about Tom Savini? Well, the facts work just fine for this multi-hit wonder. He created the zombies and all of the iconic special makeup effects for the mother of all zombie movies, DAWN OF THE DEAD. He created Jason, one of the most prolific movie villains of all time, for the movie franchise FRIDAY THE 13TH and for the mega-hit video game. He created Leatherface in the much-loved fan favorite TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART TWO. He created the crate creature Fluffy, the grave-rising cadaver Nate, and all of the twisted, cockroach-filled, water-soaked zombies for the five horrific chapters of the movie CREEPSHOW and continued to dazzle audiences with his work on a dozen other horror movies in his career as a special makeup effects magician. He played the crotch rocket-wearing character Sex Machine in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and mesmerized movie-goers with his many other standout roles as an actor, including those in GRINDHOUSE, MACHETE, and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. He directed three of the most memorable episodes of the television series TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and the much loved and respected remake of the movie NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and most recently he was called upon by his pal Greg Nicotero to direct an episode of the new Creepshow television series for AMC's Shudder.In this beautiful picture book, Tom, in his own unique writing style, tells his life story, discusses his movies, shares anecdotes, give his opinions, and of course, talks about the movies in a way only Tom can.
- GenresBiographyFilmNonfiction
212 pages, Hardcover
Published August 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 14, 2019
Tom Savini is a personal hero of mine (check my profile pic). Hell, when I was a kid I wanted to BE the man. He could craft gore and monsters that would blow your mind, he could perform stunts, he could ride a motorbike and woo women - possibly at the same time! I watched every movie he was involved with and loved them all, with a deep adoration for his work with George A. Romero.
Time passed and I eventually had the great honour to work with the man on a film I wrote called Inhuman Resources (for you Americans) and Redd Inc. (in Australia). Needless to say it was a life-changing experience and now I proudly call the man my friend.
SAVINI: The Biography is a wonderfully frank, and beautiful-looking coffee table book that takes the reader on a journey through Tom's fascinating, occasionally frightening, always interesting life. Expect observations on existence, love, movies, gore, monsters and more.
If you have the misfortune not to know Tom, then reading SAVINI is a close second and an insight to a man who will always be a hero to many, and especially a misfit like me.
Time passed and I eventually had the great honour to work with the man on a film I wrote called Inhuman Resources (for you Americans) and Redd Inc. (in Australia). Needless to say it was a life-changing experience and now I proudly call the man my friend.
SAVINI: The Biography is a wonderfully frank, and beautiful-looking coffee table book that takes the reader on a journey through Tom's fascinating, occasionally frightening, always interesting life. Expect observations on existence, love, movies, gore, monsters and more.
If you have the misfortune not to know Tom, then reading SAVINI is a close second and an insight to a man who will always be a hero to many, and especially a misfit like me.
September 9, 2023
Awesome pictures, but this thing was definitely filled with a ton of…filler. Also, while I still greatly respect/am in awe of what Savini has accomplished film-wise, I’m thinking he might have a raging case of short man syndrome going on, and while he literally has a whole chapter dedicated to why he doesn’t think he’s really a dick...yeah, I kind of disagree now.
April 30, 2020
Really enjoyable. I've followed his career since the 80's and always been fascinated with his craft and how he executes his effects but knew very little about the man himself! He covers every aspect of his life and doesn't hold back. I loved all the photos as well, loads I hadn't seen before. I may well go back and re-read his earlier book now!
March 29, 2021
Grande Delusions
I like Savini's effects. I'm not sure after reading this that I would like the man.
Besides being in dire need of an editor, this book makes the special effects icon seem like part gee-whiz kid mixed with being stuck on himself and being kind of a womanizer. It's disappointing, and when he writes a chapter on how people think he's a dick, you realize just how out of touch he is when it comes to that sort of thing.
I wish I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed his other work over the years. Part of me thinks he can be a nice guy, but I'm also very happy I never met him. This book has some wonderful insights into his life and the films he's done, but those insights leave a lot you be desired when it comes to the man. Honestly, I wish i would've never read this.
I like Savini's effects. I'm not sure after reading this that I would like the man.
Besides being in dire need of an editor, this book makes the special effects icon seem like part gee-whiz kid mixed with being stuck on himself and being kind of a womanizer. It's disappointing, and when he writes a chapter on how people think he's a dick, you realize just how out of touch he is when it comes to that sort of thing.
I wish I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed his other work over the years. Part of me thinks he can be a nice guy, but I'm also very happy I never met him. This book has some wonderful insights into his life and the films he's done, but those insights leave a lot you be desired when it comes to the man. Honestly, I wish i would've never read this.
July 1, 2021
Great pix and anecdotes, but the journals at the end were too long and best kept as diaries. One of the masters of prosthetic makeup.
February 6, 2023
I really wanted to like this book, but it left me bored and I ended up just powering through until the end. I'm not sure if the book wants to be an auto biography or a coffee table book, but almost all of the pictures included have been available for years. I will still check out his older books, which I hope will focus more on his movie making and less on his sexual conquests, but I do not see myself revisiting this one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews