Learn Film Studies with The Movie Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
The Movie Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained (2016)
If you are a movie lover who wants to learn more about the rich history, artistry and diversity of cinema, then The Movie Book is a must-read for you. This book is part of the Big Ideas Simply Explained series, which tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. In this article, we will introduce you to this amazing book and show you why it is a valuable resource for anyone who loves movies.
The Movie Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained (2016) obelix camion epson
What is The Movie Book?
The Movie Book is a comprehensive guide that covers more than 100 of the greatest movies ever made, from the early pioneers of the 1900s to the 21st-century sci-fi. Each movie is presented with a summary, a poster, a quote, a still, a timeline, a biography, a trivia fact, a critical analysis and a connection to other movies. The book also explores the key themes, concepts and theories that inform film studies, such as film form, genre, narrative, culture and criticism. The book is organized chronologically into eight chapters, each focusing on a different period or movement in film history. The book also includes an introduction, a glossary, an index and a list of further reading.
Why read The Movie Book?
There are many reasons why you should read The Movie Book, whether you are a casual viewer or a serious cinephile. Here are some of them:
You will discover new films that you may not have heard of or seen before, from different countries, cultures and genres.
You will learn about the context, background and significance of each film, as well as its artistic vision and technical achievements.
You will gain insight into how films communicate meaning and emotion through various elements and techniques, such as cinematography, editing, sound, music, acting and more.
You will appreciate how films reflect and influence social, historical and artistic trends and issues, such as politics, ideology, identity, gender, race and more.
You will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills by comparing and contrasting different films and perspectives.
You will enjoy the beautiful design and layout of the book, which features stunning images, graphics and typography.
How to use The Movie Book?
The Movie Book is designed to be easy to use and navigate. You can read it from cover to cover, or you can dip into it whenever you want. Here are some tips on how to make the most of it:
Start with the introduction, which gives you an overview of the book's structure, content and purpose.
Choose a chapter that interests you, or follow the chronological order of the book. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that sets the scene for the period or movement it covers.
Pick a movie that catches your eye, or use the index to find a specific title. Each movie is presented on a double-page spread that contains all the information you need to know about it.
Read the summary, which gives you a brief synopsis of the plot and the main characters.
Look at the poster, which gives you a glimpse of the visual style and tone of the film.
Read the quote, which gives you a memorable line or dialogue from the film.
Look at the still, which gives you a snapshot of a key scene or moment from the film.
Look at the timeline, which gives you a chronological overview of the film's production, release and reception.
Read the biography, which gives you some information about the director or another important figure behind the film.
Read the trivia fact, which gives you an interesting or surprising detail about the film or its making.
Read the analysis, which gives you a deeper understanding of the film's ideas, themes and techniques.
Look at the connection, which gives you a suggestion of another film that is related or similar to the one you are reading about.
Repeat this process for as many movies as you like. You can also use the glossary to look up any unfamiliar terms or concepts.
The history of cinema in The Movie Book
The Movie Book takes you on a journey through time and space, exploring the evolution and diversity of cinema from its origins to its present day. Here is a brief overview of each chapter and some of the movies it features:
The early pioneers (1900-1919)
This chapter introduces you to some of the most influential and innovative films and filmmakers of the silent era, who experimented with storytelling, special effects, editing and camera work. Some of the movies in this chapter are:
A Trip to the Moon (1902) by Georges Méliès - A whimsical fantasy adventure that uses trick photography and theatrical sets to create a magical world.
The Great Train Robbery (1903) by Edwin S. Porter - A thrilling western that uses cross-cutting and close-ups to create suspense and action.
The Birth of a Nation (1915) by D.W. Griffith - A controversial epic that uses parallel editing and panoramic shots to depict the American Civil War and Reconstruction era.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) by Robert Wiene - A horror masterpiece that uses expressionist sets and lighting to create a distorted and nightmarish atmosphere.
The golden age of Hollywood (1920-1949)
This chapter showcases some of the most iconic and popular films and stars of the classical studio system, who mastered genres such as musicals, comedies, dramas and noir. Some of the movies in this chapter are:
Singin' in the Rain (1952) by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen - A joyful musical that celebrates the transition from silent to sound cinema with dazzling songs and dances.
Citizen Kane (1941) by Orson Welles - A groundbreaking drama that uses deep focus, flashbacks and montage to tell the story of a powerful media tycoon.
Casablanca (1942) by Michael Curtiz - A romantic drama that combines war, politics and love in a exotic setting with memorable characters and dialogue.
Psycho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock - A horror thriller that uses shocking twists, suspenseful music and innovative editing to create a masterpiece of terror.
The rise of global cinema (1950-1969)
This chapter showcases some of the most diverse and groundbreaking films and directors from around the world, who challenged the conventions and boundaries of cinema with their personal visions and styles. Some of the movies in this chapter are:
Rashomon (1950) by Akira Kurosawa - A philosophical drama that uses multiple perspectives and unreliable narrators to explore the nature of truth and justice.
Bicycle Thieves (1948) by Vittorio De Sica - A neorealist drama that uses non-professional actors and location shooting to depict the harsh reality of post-war Italy.
Breathless (1960) by Jean-Luc Godard - A new wave film that uses jump cuts, improvisation and references to pop culture to create a fresh and playful style.
8 1/2 (1963) by Federico Fellini - A surreal comedy-drama that uses fantasy, symbolism and metafiction to portray the creative crisis of a film director.
The rebel era (1970-1989)
This chapter showcases some of the most daring and influential films and filmmakers of the new wave movements, who challenged the status quo and experimented with new forms and themes. Some of the movies in this chapter are:
The Godfather (1972) by Francis Ford Coppola - A crime saga that uses epic storytelling, complex characters and operatic music to depict the rise and fall of a mafia family.
Jaws (1975) by Steven Spielberg - A blockbuster that uses suspense, special effects and a memorable score to create a thrilling adventure about a killer shark.
Star Wars (1977) by George Lucas - A space opera that uses spectacular visuals, sound design and mythology to create a timeless fantasy about a galaxy far, far away.
A Clockwork Orange (1971) by Stanley Kubrick - A dystopian film that uses satire, violence and music to explore the themes of free will, morality and social control.
The digital revolution (1990-2015)
This chapter showcases some of the most innovative and spectacular films and technologies of the modern era, who pushed the boundaries of cinema with their imagination and skill. Some of the movies in this chapter are:
The Matrix (1999) by The Wachowskis - A sci-fi film that uses bullet time, wire work and philosophy to create a mind-bending reality about a computer simulation.
The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) by Peter Jackson - A fantasy film that uses motion capture, CGI and epic storytelling to bring to life a beloved literary saga about a quest to destroy an evil ring.
The Social Network (2010) by David Fincher - A biographical drama that uses rapid dialogue, nonlinear structure and digital cinematography to tell the story of the creation of Facebook.
Boyhood (2014) by Richard Linklater - A coming-of-age film that uses real time, naturalism and improvisation to follow the life of a boy from age six to eighteen.
The big ideas behind The Movie Book
Besides introducing you to some of the most amazing films ever made, The Movie Book also helps you understand some of the main concepts and theories that inform film studies. Here are some of them:
Film form and style
Film form refers to how films use various elements and techniques to create meaning and effect. Film style refers to how films use distinctive or characteristic features to express their vision or identity. Some of the elements and techniques that films use are:
Mise-en-scène: The arrangement of everything that appears in the frame, such as setting, lighting, costume, makeup, props, actors, etc.
Cinematography: The use of the camera, such as framing, angle, movement, focus, etc.
Editing: The process of selecting and arranging shots, such as continuity, rhythm, transition, etc.
Sound: The use of sound, such as dialogue, music, effects, silence, etc.
Film genre and narrative
Film genre refers to how films use conventions and structures to create expectations and emotions. Film narrative refers to how films use events and characters to create stories and meanings. Some of the genres and structures that films use are:
Action: A genre that features physical conflict, danger and excitement, such as chases, fights, explosions, etc.
Comedy: A genre that features humor, laughter and amusement, such as jokes, irony, satire, etc.
Drama: A genre that features serious or realistic situations, emotions and issues, such as love, loss, conflict, etc.
Horror: A genre that features fear, terror and disgust, such as monsters, violence, gore, etc.
Three-act structure: A structure that divides the story into three parts: setup, confrontation and resolution.
Hero's journey: A structure that follows the stages of a protagonist's quest or transformation.
Nonlinear narrative: A structure that uses flashbacks, flash-forwards or other devices to disrupt the chronological order of the story.
Film culture and criticism
Film culture refers to how films reflect and influence social, historical and artistic contexts and perspectives. Film criticism refers to how films are evaluated and interpreted by various criteria and methods. Some of the contexts and perspectives that films relate to are:
Politics: The relation of films to power, ideology and governance, such as propaganda, censorship, activism, etc.
Identity: The representation of films to selfhood, difference and belonging, such as gender, race, class, sexuality, etc.
Aesthetics: The relation of films to beauty, taste and expression, such as realism, formalism, expressionism, etc.
Authorship: The relation of films to the creative vision and personality of the filmmaker or a group of filmmakers.
Reception: The relation of films to the audience's response and interaction with the film.
Conclusion
The Movie Book is a wonderful book that offers you a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the world of cinema. It covers more than 100 of the greatest movies ever made from different periods, movements and genres. It also explores the key themes, concepts and theories that inform film studies. Whether you are a casual viewer or a serious cinephile,The Movie Book will enrich your knowledge and appreciation of cinema. So what are you waiting for? Grab your copy today and enjoy the magic of movies!
FAQs
Where can I buy The Movie Book?You can buy The Movie Book from various online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Book Depository. You can also find it in your local bookstore or library.
How many pages does The Movie Book have?The Movie Book has 352 pages in total. It is divided into eight chapters plus an introduction. Each chapter covers a different period or movement in film history. Each movie is presented on a double-page spread.
Who is the author of The Movie Book?The Movie Book is written by DK Publishing. DK is a global publisher of illustrated reference books for adults and children. DK is known for its high-quality design and visual presentation. DK also publishes books on various topics such as art, science, history and more.
and illustrations that help explain complex concepts and ideas.
What are some other books in the Big Ideas Simply Explained series?Some other books in the Big Ideas Simply Explained series are: The Art Book, The History Book, The Philosophy Book, The Psychology Book, The Science Book, The Sociology Book and more. You can find them all on the DK website or on Amazon.
71b2f0854b