In his astute and deeply informed film reviews and essays; Jonathan Rosenbaum regularly provides new and brilliant insights into the cinema as art; entertainment; and commerce. Guided by a personal canon of great films; Rosenbaum sees; in the ongoing hostility toward the idea of a canon shared by many within the field of film studies; a missed opportunity both to shape the discussion about cinema and to help inform and guide casual and serious filmgoers alike.In Essential Cinema; Rosenbaum forcefully argues that canons of great films are more necessary than ever; given that film culture today is dominated by advertising executives; sixty-second film reviewers; and other players in the Hollywood publicity machine who champion mediocre films at the expense of genuinely imaginative and challenging works. He proposes specific definitions of excellence in film art through the creation a personal canon of both well-known and obscure movies from around the world and suggests ways in which other canons might be similarly constructed. Essential Cinema offers in-depth assessments of an astonishing range of films: established classics such as Rear Window; M; and Greed; ambitious but flawed works like The Thin Red Line and Breaking the Waves; eccentric masterpieces from around the world; including Irma Vep and Archangel; and recent films that have bitterly divided critics and viewers; among them Eyes Wide Shut and A.I. He also explores the careers of such diverse filmmakers as Robert Altman; Rauacute;l Ruiz; Frank Tashlin; Elaine May; Sam Fuller; Terrence Davies; Edward Yang; Hou Hsiao-hsien; and Orson Welles. In conclusion; Rosenbaum offers his own film canon of 1;000 key works from the beginning of cinema to the present day. A cogent and provocative argument about the art of film; Essential Cinema is also a fiercely independent reference book of must-see movies for film lovers everywhere.
#834857 in eBooks 2009-10-20 2009-10-20File Name: B0031RS6IW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. CuteBy jeaIt is almost written as a teenager diary. short stories thru out. It was like a glimpse into her diary while growing up2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Oh KellyBy april beecherWhile I enjoyed Kellys honesty in this book. I didnt enjoy the recommendations all throughout the book. I didnt realize at the time of purchase that she for the most part geared this to her much younger fan base. But I am praying that she continues in her sobriety.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Well intentioned. ill conceivedBy WhatsInANameThis book was trying to be too many things and it seemed as if Kelly had no help writing this book and just rambled and rambled in places and then threw in tips and contacts for various disorders as she discussed them. It was a book where I said "Ugh. I just wasted my money on this book. May as well read it." By reading the sample first. I mistook the book for being worth reading. It was also written before her current gig on TV. before Amy Winehouse died. and before Sharon went on AGT. so if youre expecting anything about those two things you wont get those.
