Book Description
Lovelace's classic novel of Carnival. Carnival takes on social and political importance in this recognized classic. The people of the shantytown Calvary Hill, usually invisible to the rest of society, join the throng and flaunt their neighborhood personas in masquerade during Carnival. Aldrick, the dashing "king of the Hill," becomes a glorious, dancing dragon; his lovely Sylvia, a princess; Fisheye, rebel idealist, a fierce steel band contestant; and Philo, Calypso songwriter, a star. Then a business sponsors Fisheye's band, Philo gets a hit song, and Sylvia leaves the Hill with a prosperous older man. For Aldrick, it will take one more masquerade—this time, involving guns and hostages—before the illusion of power becomes reality.
Customer Reviews:
A Book With A Great Lesson (And one minor flaw).......2004-11-23
I picked this book by using the "pick a random book with your eyes closed" method at the library.
For an American this book can be tough to start. The "poor talk" that Lovelace used throughout the book can be a little tough to get through, but don't give up! It is too good of a book to let one minor flaw stop you. (And a little secret: As the book progresses, Lovelace seems to have trouble keeping up the "poor talk" and becomes a lot smoother to read).
Lovelace's use of description is almost without comparison. He has Hugo's gift of description without having to use chapters to describe a building, person, or general area. His one line descriptions hit so dead on that you almost feel as if you are standing in "the Hill".
The story itself is also an amazing read, but most reviewers seemed to have missed the biggest purpose behind this book (whether Lovelace intended it or not, it is the overall theme). The major theme is that we all judge people without knowing them fully. We hold people back because we don't like the partial picture we are presented. We never take the time to learn the whole story. As you read the book, you think to yourself how you want to be better. You don't want to judge. You vow to yourself that you will stop, when suddenly the last paragraph hits and you realize, "Wow, I am STILL judging without the whole story, maybe it's not possible to stop." If the last paragraph did not make you think this, I suggest you reread the book and think about each character and how you feel about them.
Overall, an amazing read. Lovelace writes an amazing book, with the only flaw being that the "poor talk" seems a little forced. As the book progressed, he seemed to get into a more comfortable area.
Definitely Recommended!
Good Not Great Story,.......2004-07-08
Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this story but in all honesty I thought it was a GOOD but not GREAT story. A little too stiff for me. I did like the characters but at times the reading got a little too much like work just trying to get to another part of the story that was a little more fun and not as much work. [I think I said that right], nothing personal just one reader's opinion.
A Luminous Portrait.......2003-09-28
In Earl Lovelace, without exception, we have the Master Storyteller of the Caribbean. Even years after its publication (1979 and 1998), "Dragon" remains peerless as an authentic, forceful voice of postcolonial Trinidadian society. Nowhere else have the intricacies of carnival been more profoundly explored and dissected than here by the artful mastery of prose in this defining portrait. Lovelace's stinging critique of race and politics is poignant and luminously presented. With heavy symbolism and sensitivity, the story reaches successfully beyond Caribbean life to touch the larger human condition itself. The central figure of Aldrick (whose "mission" is to performa the Dragon dance during carnival) embodies a entire people's frustrations and aspirations. This is an unexaggerated powerful tale by one my absolute favorite Caribbean writers. This story is timeless and one of Lovelace's best creations, far surpassing, in my opinion, his other wonderful novels like "The Wine of Astonishment", "The Schoolmaster", or even "Salt." Anyone sincerely interested in Caribbean culture and literature will find this novel indispensable reading.
Alan Cambeira
Author of AZUCAR! The Story of Sugar (a novel)
Double Vision in Carnival.......2003-04-26
The "double vision" of Caribbean life is portrayed in the life of Aldrick who is caught between generational and cultural conflicts. And all of this during Carnival! The Dragon Can't Dance was almost prophetic in the depiction of the commercialization of Mas. Change always brings choice and Lovelace's characters highlight the necessary pain that comes with any decision.
I felt as if I was back In TRINI.......2002-03-04
I loved this book so much that I recommended it to all my family and friends. Earl Lovelace captured everything that Carnival means for Trini people. The characters are so real that the faces that I chose to see them as, were faces of people that I actaully knew in my family. LOL. This novel will make all readers want to take a trip to Trinidad and experience life there. This book is just too sweet for words!!!!
Book Description
The CIA is on edge. All signs indicate that something is coming at the United States. Perhaps another 9/11, maybe bigger.
The body of CIA agent Louis Updegraf ends up on the steps of the US Embassy in Mexico. His last operation was to tap into the communications of the Chinese Embassy, but there is no record of why. He appeared to be freelancing and the Agency must scramble to get a clue as to what he was after.
Kirk McGarvey, serving as a visiting professor at the University of Florida, is once again longing for the action of the field. So when his old friend Otto Rencke asks him to help figure out the connection between China and the murdered agent, it takes almost no effort to get McGarvey up and running.
The only informant they can find is an enigmatic Iranian belly dancer—the dark and lovely Shahrzad Shadmand. But her story changes with the wind, and her knowledge of McGarvey’s past is uncanny. Kirk McGarvey must unravel her shattered mind to get to something that might resemble the truth.
Customer Reviews:
Not Up To Hagberg's High Standards.......2007-10-10
I love David Hagberg's Kirk McGarvey series. I've read them all and have always waited impatiently for the next installment.I found his latest, DANCE WITH THE DRAGON to be a disappointment.I have always been able to rely on McGarvey for some harrowing adventures and this one just doesn't measure up.The story moves at a snails pace and WAY too much time is devoted to McGarvey sitting in people's apartments and interviewing them.One of these interviews went on for 29 pages!It seems that Hagberg knew he had a weak story and spent too many pages on character background.There were 4 long interview/interrogation sequences in this book that took up about 2/3 of the story.The only real action came in the last 30 pages or so and even that was extremely weak compared with past McGarvey novels.Nothing really happens here. It seems that this entire book is just a set-up for the next McGarvey novel.
The whole "leave me alone, I'm retired," stuff is getting old, too.You know McGarvey is going to take the assignment so Hagberg should just give him a government job and skip all the tired angst. I can do without the worried wife and nosy daughter also.
Another Riveting Adventure.......2007-10-09
See storyline above.
Also one of my favorite series. Hagberg writes with depth and clarity. The plots are always topical and the action riveting. If you've read previous novels in this series you won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended.
Hagberg only gets BETTER! Kirk McGarvey ROCKS........2007-09-27
I have stated for quite some time that in a hand-to-hand combat, I'd pick Kirk McGarvey over James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan and maybe even Jack Bauer...not only that, but Kirk is by FAR the most REAL of any reluctant action hero in print (or movies for that matter). Yes, I know he is a fictional character, but David Hagberg has crafted a character that is instantly more relatable because of his flaws and self-doubt. He suffers (boy has he suffered...) and has bouts of depression and yet he see's through it all to the big picture. He basically despises what he has become (with help from good old Uncle Sam) and yet denying who he truly IS has its price, too.
Throughout the Kirk McGarvey novels (ALL of which are AWESOME), we have seen him work, grow, quit, come back again and save the day--even when he was set up by his superiors and by all rights should have just allowed certain events to just HAPPEN--he eventually stayed true to himself and thought he put his horrible past behind him as he became Director of Central Intelligence for the United States. Before long, events steered him back to what he does best: hunt down and kill bad guys.
Dance With The Dragon was in part everything I have come to expect from my favorite Techno Thriller author, and yet was crafted in an almost entirely different manner than pretty much most of his previous novels. In the past we discover truths and secrets right along with Kirk...and yet here the more that Kirk uncovers, the more confusing things seem to become. Oh, but don't worry, David Hagberg knows what he's doing.
I have to echo that in the past, Hagberg has been frighteningly prophetic with the storylines of several novels of his...how does he do it? I am sure that is one secret that he'll keep to himself, but I must say that I hope & pray that this is yet another plot that does NOT come true. For those looking for a thriller that has ALL the elements of what made Tom Clancy REALLY good back prior to his novels becoming stale and downright boring, you really OWE it to yourself to get to know Kirk McGarvey. But don't stop there. I haven't ready anything he has produced that I did not really enjoy.
As another reviewer has mentioned, the ONLY gripe I have with this novel is the length of time I will end up waiting for the next one to hit the shelves. Highly Recommended.
superb espionage thriller .......2007-09-23
Retired CIA director turned guest professor at the University of Southern Florida Kirk McGarvey is assigned to lead the investigation into the shooting death of CIA agent Louis Updegraf; who was murdered at the entrance to the American embassy in Chihuahua, Mexico. Louis' last operation was wiretapping into the Chinese embassy, but none of his superiors apparently know who assigned him or why.
Kirk quickly finds a link between Iran and China in Mexico, but the connection is the dead American spy. His clues lead him to Iranian belly dancer Shahrzad Shadmand, but her lies send Kirk down false paths. The former CIA head also follows clues that focus on Chinese espionage agent General Liu, who resides in his country's compound in Mexico City where he arranges for galas attended by North American diplomats who appreciate his juvenile whores. Still Kirk is unable to learn what Louis sought, but he knows the veteran agent would not go fishing unless something big is coming and besides the enemy would not murder him unless they need time to accomplish this big incident. With a creepy déjà vu premonition, Kirk fears another 9/11 level terrorist event is being executed.
This is a superb espionage thriller that will have the audience wondering along side of the hero what is going on as red herrings and triple crosses are the norm. The fast-paced story line grips the reader once Kirk begins to connect the Iranian belly DANCE WITH THE DRAGON from China, but is unable to figure out any of the whys. The climax is terrific as it provides closure yet sets up the next story; which is going to be the only complaint - waiting for the follow-up to this stupendous saga.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
It's Chinese New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year's dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Chinese New Year's parade! Introduce the customs of Chinese New Year to even the youngest readers with this festive new lift-the-flap book.
Illustrated by Benrei Huang.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful and fun way to learn about Chinese New Year.......2007-04-10
I love the illustrations and narrative of this book. It's a rare find amongst a sea of books attempting, but failing, to capture the spirit of this special, cultural event. Most books on the subject are patronizing, offensive, or downright inaccurate. This one is not. I like details, such as the photo of the ancestors on the table with the fruit and flowers--a tasteful way to display Chinese ancestral worship, not just during the new year celebrations. I like the Chinese astrology wheel at the back of the book and the 'make your own dragon puppet' how-to instructions. Those extra touches were a special bonus.
Nice Story about Chinese New Year.......2007-03-08
Read this story to my 2 year old twins this year, we are trying to learn about other cultures holidays, and they liked the story a great deal. We are not very familiar with Chinese culture so I am not sure how accurate it is but my kids loved the story. The pictures were colorful and clear, and information on the traditions was easy to understand. The kids were able to take what they saw in the book and use it in real life, we saw a Chinese dragon in a Thomas the Tank Engine video and they said "Chinese New Year".
Great for Young Kids.......2007-02-17
My daughter is 2.5 years and loves this book. The text is simple, with flaps, and covers the very basic ideas behind CNY.
Nice explanation of Chinese New Year.......2007-02-12
I bought this book for my nieces and nephews, and my daughter's school, to give the kids some background on Chinese New Year in advance of parties at our house and school. My daughter is too young to understand the words, but loves to lift the flaps and the bright colors of the book.
Chinese New Year Book for Kids.......2007-01-10
I am an elementary music teacher, and I used the story/picture book to supplement our music class activity on Chinese New Year and Chinese folk songs. The kids really liked the book in 1st and 2nd grade, and the pop-ups were well done. Since we have a non-Chinese population, but more Vietnamese at our school, the Chinese words didn't make sense to the students, but we figured it out--Happy Chinese New Year.
Average customer rating:
- Not a Good Tie In
- Dragon
- Disappointing
- I expected more
- this is completely not like the show
|
Dragon (Smallville, Book 2)
Alan Grant
Manufacturer: Aspect
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Similar Items:
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Hauntings (Smallville, Book 3)
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Curse (Smallville)
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Whodunnit (Smallville, Book 4)
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City (Smallville)
ASIN: 0446612146 |
Customer Reviews:
Not a Good Tie In.......2004-12-22
Smallville fans will buy this book because there isn't enough books on Smallville. However, you will be disappointed because there are tons of errors, misspellings, flawed characterizations. Lana screaming pathetically? For example, Lana's no superhero like Clark, but she has never been a wimp. The scenes of the freak Dragon killing off his victims are beyond family fare unlike the television series. Who is this author writing for? Not anyone who watches Smallville.
Dragon.......2004-06-22
After reading the Strange Visitors this was an up-lifting experience. This book moved much more quickly than the first and would have made an excellent episode. Another excellent job by the author in keeping the Lex Luthor character true to form. My only complaints would be the ages of the characters did not seem to match the television series nor the content of the book. I would have also liked to see a much more mature Clark Kent. Once again, probably too much history but if you are not familiar with the show then you might need it.
I envisioned the characters to be more like the TV show when reading and it created a great reading experience. A very good read for the Smallville fan.
Disappointing.......2004-04-26
This book is nothing like the series. My main complaint was the fact that for a book supposedly set in the first season, Clark already had his super hearing, something he doesn't discover till Season three!
I expected more.......2003-07-07
Going into this book I expected more from it. I was somewhat disappointed.
I did like the action present throughout the book.
I also found myself really enjoying the Clark/Lana aspect of the story when I usually find it sickening. I can't really pinpoint any specific problems with it, I just expected something with more substance.
Again I must say that folks reading these books probably are already aware of how Clark came to be in Smallville and it does not need to be explained in every book. It really slows the story down.
this is completely not like the show.......2003-05-04
smallville is the best show ever. but when i read this book, i found it very disappointing. it is nothing like the show. first off, clark is not that infatuated with lana! he's not constantly thinking of lana like he does in this book! secondly, this book is extremely sexist! it's always a guy who's saving the day! clark, jonathan or pete! When the creature attacks nell potter, lana just screams while clark and pete attempt to save nell. in the show, lana would at least try to do something, not just scream like a little sissy girl! and, lastly, what kind of girl do you think lana is anyways? no one spends one hour combing their hair! puh-leeze! Well, anyhow, I do not recommend this book to anyone who has ever watched Smallville for it will truly offend them.
Book Description
A is for Acrobats. B is for Balls. C is for Calligraphy. D is for Dragon Dance. From firecrackers to noodles, from red envelopes to the zodiac, young readers are introduced to the exciting traditions of the Chinese New Year in this accessible and visually stunning homage to the holiday.
Customer Reviews:
Lovely illustrations.......2006-03-17
From Acrobats to Zodiac, this is a book that uses the alphabet to introduce many different aspects of Chinese New Year to preK-K-aged kids (though my 8-year-old liked this one, too). Instructional for adults is the last page which contains notes from the author, such as "tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year," information about the Chinese characters that appear in the book, and a recipe for dumplings. A fun read!
A fun way for young readers to learn about Chinese culture and their ABC's at the same time.......2006-02-14
D Is For Dragon Dance is an alphabet picturebook about the theme of Chinese New Year's festivities, from the importance of connecting with family ("G is for Grandma and Grandpa") to New Year's customs ("O is for Oranges" - they are given as a sign of good fortune) to protections against evil spirits ("X is for Xylograph", a wood carving on the door meant to keep evil spirits out). Full-color illustrations by Yongsheng Xuan blend a feel for traditional Chinese art with vibrancy and energy bursting off of the page. A fun way for young readers to learn about Chinese culture and their ABC's at the same time.
A New Must have Chinese New Year Book!.......2006-01-12
D is for Dragon Dance is an absolutley beautiful book that has information on the Chinese New Year done so in an A to Z fashion.
Each page is a work of art because if you look at it you will notice that underneath each drawing is Chinese Characters, some represent a single word and others a saying. The characters where done in 4 different calligraphy styles 3 from the dynasty they where from and 1 in the cursive or grass style. On the last page of the book in the author's note, under the artist note you will see the word Dragon and how it looks in each of the 4 styles. With the characters underneath each painting, it give each page a textured look that makes fools your eyes and makes your hands go to feel each page, only to be disappointed that it feels paper smooth and not textured as you see. I love the way the artist draws, his children are beautiful!
Here is the break down of what each letter stands for.
A - Acrobats
B - Balls (shows a acrobat in a 2 person Fu dog / lion dancers balanced on a ball)
C - Calligraphy
D - Dragon Dance
E _ Evil Spirits
F - Firecrackers
G - Grandma & Grandpa
H - Haircut ( the author probablty didn't have the space to mention it, but one should only get their hair cut before the New Year and not during the New Year Celebrations because you'll be cutting off all of your good luck)
I - Incense
J - Jade
K - Kites
L - Lanterns
M - Moon
N - Noodles
O - Oranges
P - Peking Duck
Q - Quiz
R - Red Envelopes
S - Steamed Dumplings ( Yum!!)
T - Tradition
U - Unity
V - Veneration
W - Wish
X - Xylograph
Y - Yo - Yos
Z - Zodiac ( 12 year cycle) This one starts in the year 1981 the year od the rooster and ends in 2016 in the year of the monkey.
On the last page is both the author's and artists notes on the book as well as a receipe for New Year's Dumplings Delight and Soy-Garlic Dipping Sauce, which I can't wait to try.
COLORFUL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINING.......2005-12-11
It's a given that we can learn a great deal from other cultures, other customs, and there's not a better time to start than when we're young. "D Is For Dragon Dance" is both entertaining and educational as it tells about the Chinese New Year with all its color and unique traditions (my favorite is how youngsters greet the New Year by honoring their parents!)
An alphabet book, it begins with "A is for Acrobats," takes us through to K and L for Kites and Lanterns, then concludes with "Z is for Zodiac," explaining that the Chinese calendar is a 12 year cycle with each year represented by a different animal.
Yongsheng Xuan has created boldly colored full page illustrations in watercolor, acrylic and latex. They're all eye-poppers.
Also included is an author's note with tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year (clean the house before the New Year starts and light firecrackers to scare off evil spirits, etc.) Plus, there's a recipe for dumplings called "New Year's Dumpling Delight."
"D is for Dragon Dance" is a sure kid pleaser bound to elicit lots of interesting dinner table conversations.
- Gail Cooke
Book Description
Peggy Walsh, the teenaged daughter of Senator Dan Walsh, is kidnapped into a dangerous cult, the Church of Eternal Life. When the FBI tries to get her back and fails, the senator accepts help from super-psychic Dr. Armand Renascut. Renascut warns him that cult leader Stephen Farkas may possess real supernatural powers-that he and some of his followers may at least "believe" they are vampires-and that they can be defeated only by special weapons.
Although Walsh learns that Renascut was dismissed from a top-secret Pentagon program because of bogus credentials, he still hopes the mysterious psychic can help him mount another assault on the CEL compound and rescue Peggy. But can Renascut be trusted? Who is he, really, and just how much does he have in common with the cruel Farkas? Only one person knows-Kat Van Braam, Renascut's beautiful partner, who is risking her life daily to keep him "on the side of the angels."
Customer Reviews:
Action-packed Paranormal - Don't miss it........2003-08-01
I just finished Dance with the Dragon and see why Watkins has been getting such excellent reviews. It read very smoothly and kept me turning the pages. There was plenty of action and paranormal strangeness. Don't miss this debut novel by a wonderful writer.
"Dance with the Dragon" a scary ride........2003-04-24
Hold onto your seats! This modern-day vampire tale is one scary ride. It's a fun read, deftly plotted, and not for the squeamish.
Customer Reviews:
Essential.......2006-11-26
Simply put, if you're a fan of Asian films, or are interested in delving into the wild world of Eartern cinema, this book is a must-own.
To make things clear, this was originally intended solely as a guide to Hong Kong action films. But then the editors made a last-minute decision to include films from all East Asian countries. However, most of the capsules are for HK and Japanese films. There are some Korean, a few Taiwanese and maybe one or two Indian films covered here. The problem with a book like this is that it is virtually impossible to create a comprehensive guide. The world of Asian cinema (especially Hong Kong cinema) is as vast as that of America, meaning, there are tons and tons of titles that aren't covered here, even if they were on DVD at the time this book was written. I can name at least five to ten titles off the top of my head that should be in this book but aren't.
That said, what makes this book invaluable are the capsule reviews themselves. Besides putting to light some of the rarer titles (including some ultra hard-to-find kung fu movies from Taiwan that are nearly impossible to locate on the internet) the writers also provide incredibly detailed plot descriptions. This comes in handy, especially if you're the type of movie-watcher (like myself) who will go to the video store and pick out random titles off the shelf just because the artwork is cool. A lot of times the older kung fu movies are almost impossible to follow plot-wise, and I've spent many times in front of a film with this book on my lap, following along with the description as the actual film played out (this was especially helpful when I accidentally rented PEKING OPERA BLUES without English subtitles!).
So, overall, I'd say this is a great book. It's the only true movie guide to Asian films, and while I would have liked to have seen more Bollywood titles, I really can't complain.
Interesting for it's length..........2006-11-04
but quite often the asides in the book appear to be what is found on the internet.Many of the entries for director and sometimes actors are incorrect. This makes the cross referencing mentioned above useless.
How else could you ever know!.......2005-04-13
This amazing book is bursting at the seams with information both insightful and witty about the vast unknown world of asian cinema.
It is great to be able to find a film to fit any wacky mood.
The way you can search so many different criteria and be entertained by informed trivia make this guide indispensible to anyone looking expand their film horizons.
There is a genuine affection for the subject that clearly comes thru in the writing and in the reviews.
I highly recommend this resource.
Strangely lacking.......2003-10-08
Though I find the usual Videohound a good referance guide, that cannot be said of this book. Their selection process of what to include seems at best enigmatic and the reviews are often confusing and some down right misleading. I find the book oddly lacking as a guide to Asian cinema purhaps more so given the self-imposed limitation of scope.
Finally!.......2003-09-25
VideoHound has outdone itself. After giving us great books on Cult movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Foreign Films, they've finally given fans of Asian movies a smart, thorough, and utterly indispensable guide. The conceivable problems of cataloging Asian movies are handled with the utmost respect to the reader's intelligence. Asia, being the largest continent, presents it's own unique problems for the people at VideoHound in terms of content. For example, Russia, for the purpose of this book, is considered a European country, and will be included in the European guide to Action & Cult films. India is hardly represented, although VideoHound states that this is due to the fact that few Indian movies are available in North America with subtitles.
One potential problem is categorizing films as cult movies. This guide is silent on the criteria used to give cult status to movies, yet almost every movie I could possibly think of is included. Nearly every conceivable giant monster film from Japan is covered, as well as tons of horror movies from all over the continent. If a film is not included, it is usually because the movie is hard to find, and VideoHound wants to stick to reviewing movies that are attainable to people in English speaking countries.
As with any film guide, the amount you agree or disagree with the reviewer makes all the difference. VideoHound's reviews are done by people who are fans of these movies, so alongside obvious four bone movies such as Tampopo and Seven Samurai, movies like Gamera 3: The Revenge of Irys and Mr. Vampire are given top honors. (VideoHound rates on a bone scale to keep with the dog theme. Four bones is the best, and a "Woof!" is the worst.) There are tons of martial arts movies listed. They comprise the majority of the films reviewed in the book. I am not a big fan of martial arts movies, but I still do not feel cheated by the book's content. There is a good mixture of impossible to categorize movies to keep it interesting. Besides, the essays on martial arts stars and histories behind the films are enough to compel people who hate kung fu movies to check out a few titles.
VideoHound's indexes are what put this book far beyond the grasp of any other book on Asian movies. You can search by cast members, directors, writers, cinematographers, alternate titles (which is essential considering how many of these movies have different titles based on when and where they were released), and categories. The categories range from every film made in Hong Kong to hopping vampires, and of course your standard categories like horror movies, action/comedies and so on. The only drawback to the indexes is that they are too thorough. For example, under the Sumo wrestling category, the film Happiness of the Katakuris is listed. Having seen this movie, I can tell you that the sumo wrestler is a very small part of the movie, and someone searching for movies about Sumo wrestling would be disappointed if they took the information at face value. Also, a video distributor index would have been helpful. There is, however, an index called Dragon Connections in which books, websites, and a few online stores are listed. There is even a glossary at the front of the book, defining terms like Kowloon, Shaolin, kaiju, and so on, for the uninitiated.
The sidebars are amazing. There's a "Who's Who of Kung Fu movies", biographies on Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and others, essays on Godzilla, Gamera, hopping vampires, yakuza, subtitles vs. dubbing, and just about any other conceivable subject.
Anime fans be forewarned, very few animated movies are covered. The movies covered tend to fit either into the cult category (Barefoot Gen and the Vampire Hunter D movies), or are considered classics, (Akira, Spirited Away). The introduction of the book hints at a VideoHound Anime guide, so keep your fingers crossed.
In the past, I've bought so many other guides to Asian movies. They are now all worthless thanks to VideoHound's Dragon: Asian Action & Cult Flicks.
Average customer rating:
- Horrendously inaccurate
- This book is awesome ^^
|
The Making of Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie (A D&D(r) Art Book)
John Baxter
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0786917512
Release Date: 2000-11-01 |
Book Description
Outstanding special effects and exciting action bring to life the legendary Dungeons & Dragons(r) game.
This epic has a stellar cast that includes Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons and Thora Birch of the recent hit film American Beauty. The film also stars Justin Whalin of Lois & Clark, Marlon Wayans, Tom Baker of Dr. Who fame, and Richard O'Brien, the creator/writer/director/actor of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. See the magic behind the special effects and hear the stories of how the fabulous Dungeons & Dragons world was brought to life as told by cast and crew.
Customer Reviews:
Horrendously inaccurate.......2001-02-18
I happen to have first-hand knowledge of what went on in the making of this movie, and this book bears no resemblance to that. It's inaccurate to the point of being slanderous to some involved. This book is just ignorant gloss designed created in hopes of recouping some of the buckets of money that were lost on this film. The movie cost about $30-35 million and still hasn't earned half of that back in the US. Of course there's overseas, but unfortunately the film was pre-sold over there so there's no more money to be made. The descriptions of the live action shoot and of what went on with the effects displays more imaginative fantasy than there was in either the writing or (especially) the directing of the film. Save your money. But then I'm sure you knew that already. PS: If I were allowed to give this book 0 stars, I would have.
This book is awesome ^^.......2001-01-10
I got this book after I saw the movie for the 3rd time. I was interested in how they made the movie with all the cool stunts and stuff. I was surprised to learn that most of the actors did their own stunts and the two things about the making of this movie that had me the most surprised were the fact that the actor that played Ridley did all his own stunts, including the axe jumping sceen in the Thives Maze. Another part was in the part of the movie where the characters Elwood, Ridley, Snails and Marina went into the sewer under Sumdall that it was really a real sewer. The book also tells how they created the red and gold dragons and other stuff. This book is a diffent must have for any Dungeons and Dragons movie fan.
Average customer rating:
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Crystal and Dragon: The Cosmic Dance of Symmetry and Chaos in Nature, Art and Consciousness
David Wade
Manufacturer: Destiny Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
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Criticism
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| Arts & Photography
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General
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
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Metaphysics
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| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
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New Thought
| New Age
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| Occult
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Similar Items:
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Li: Dynamic Form in Nature (Wooden Books)
ASIN: 0892814047
Release Date: 1993-05-01 |
Book Description
We live in a universe of apparent dualities: light and darkness, reason and romance, order and chaos. Exploring the interplay of form and energy, David Wade takes the reader on a journey through the world of successive ages--from Plato's conception of the ideal form and the ancient Chinese philosophy of change to the modern scientific view of structure and indeterminacy as embodied in the laws of physics.
The author shows us how perceptions about the nature of the universe are reflected in the art of of a given period. He details the form and fluidity of prehistoric art, the crystalline order of Islamic patterns, and the subtlety and vitality of Chinese landscapes and calligraphy.
Customer Reviews:
The Title Says It All.......2007-03-08
I buy a lot of books about these current theories about the brain, consciousness, the cosmos...and how it all relates to art and creativity.
This book is especially good in bringing all of those together...following threads in many directions...and keeping them all connected by common idea of Symmetry. Definitely grounded on scientific information as well as knowledge of the symbolic, spiritual, mystical, and artistic associations. The author has an enthusiasm about this subject that is evident, and he wants to explain his insights and broad views in a way that will be clear and interesting. Excellent book.
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