501 Movie Stars || a memory book of celluloid moments...
Written: Jan 05 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Diversity of 'stars', quality production values, varied 'voices', high entertainment value.
Cons: Hmmm. This on a DVD/website with interactive links would be to die for...
The Bottom Line: 501 Movie Stars is an excellent reference book or simply an enjoyable read in small or large bites, whether you are a film 'snob' or a film 'newbie'.
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| sleeper54's Full Review: 501 Movie Stars |
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The history of motion pictures runs from the kinetograph of Dickson and Edison to today's 100 percent CGI films. That history moves inexorably from the silent films of the early 1900s to the impossible visions made 'real' by the computer technologies of today.
Along the way millions of men and women (and more than a few children) have shared their talents and skills making the films we all eagerly anticipate, watch, and fondly remember. The work of writers, directors, producers, make-up artists, costumers, cameramen, and many more all coalesce to create the movies we see on the 'silver screen'.
But always at the forefront of the motion picture industry have been the actors and actresses that we love ...or love to hate. Their faces, their voices, their screen images bring stories and characters alive and draw their viewers into an often all-too-brief escape from everyday life.
501 Movie Stars is nothing if not a memory book of our lives, of our parents' and grandparents' lives. The evolving reality and enduring dreams of our lives and culture are captured and reflected by our movies and shared by all of us at the flickering communal 'campfires' of our darkened theaters.
501 Movie Stars tells the history of those who have brought these stories and these characters to life. The book is rich in full color photographs, quotes, and blunt commentary about the stars captured here. It is important to note that actors and actresses from around the globe are featured; in no way is it 'Hollywood-centric'.
Entries are listed by decade and more finely ordered by date of birth. The earliest decades feature those born in the 1860s and 1870s. Edmund Gwenn (Miracle on 34th Street) and Sydney Greenstreet (The Maltese Falcon) are two stars memorable to this reader. Fast forwarding to today presents us with the likes of Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted) from the 1970s and the only 1980s entry, Natalie Portman (Closer).
Each actor/actress draws at least a full page. A small portrait picture, birth name, and date/location of their birth lead each star's page. A short entry titled Star qualities lists a few of the traits and features that describe each star's unique persona. For instance, identify this 'movie star':
Immensely versatile actor; renowned for taking on difficult and less glamorous roles; youthful looks; extensive playing range; a diligent, and often perfectionist, character actor who carefully researches his roles.
Each entry includes a mini-biography of the individual's acting career: how they got started, unusual circumstances/events in their career, notable qualities they brought to their various roles and other factors that helped make them a 'star'.
Each entry also has a "Top Takes" list of their most important and memorable films. These lists also highlight nominations and wins in the various acting categories of the Academy Awards.
Even within a constellation of stars there are superstars: Chaplin, Bogart, Stewart, Olivier, Bergman, Hepburn, Poitier, Newman, Brando, Nicholson, Taylor, Dean, Eastwood, Streep, De Niro, Roberts. Superstars so bright, so enduring that one name recalls them immediately.
Some of these once burned brightly, leaving behind many magical movie moments. Others still shine, are still producing memorable moments. All are recognized here with more text, more information, and more photos.
The individual entries for each star are written by 30-plus different film critics, film teachers, and authors. The wide variety of voices and 'formats' keeps the entries from feeling repetitive or boring. Indeed, each essay seems unique, informative and interesting. I found lots of new information, anecdotes, and 'fun stuff'.
The Bottom Line
With a table of Contents that lists all entries, a comprehensive Index of all the people and topics mentioned in the essays (Alfred Hitchcock, for example, draws 28 separate mentions...) and a seemingly endless number of quality photographs, 501 Movie Stars works both as an excellent film reference book and as an enjoyable read in small or large bites, for the film 'snob' or the film 'newbie'.
A certified 'lean-n-mean' review
Recommended:
Yes
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sleeper54
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