Film is considered by some to be the most dominant art form of the twentieth century. It is many things; but it has become above all a means of telling stories through images and sounds. The stories are often offered to us as quite false; frankly and beautifully fantastic; and they are sometimes insistently said to be true. But they are stories in both cases; and there are very few films; even in avant-garde art; that dont imply or quietly slip into narrative.This story element is important; and is closely connected with the simplest fact about moving pictures: they do move.Even the older meanings of the word film - a membrane; a covering; a veil; an emanation - now seem to have something to do with moving pictures. Many people believe films are an instrument of illusion; an emphatic way of seeing what is not there; and this capacity has been both celebrated and condemned. Like a movie mostly means like some sort of fairy-tale. But what about the reverse proposition: that more than any other invention film brings us close to the world as it actually is?Photography is truth; a character says in a film by Jean-Luc Godard. And cinema is the truth twenty-four times per second. The same claim is made every day; albeit less epigrammatically; by newsreels and surveillance cameras.In this Very Short Introduction Michael Wood provides a brief history and examination of the nature of the medium of film; considering its role and impact on society as well as its future in the digital age.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts; analysis; perspective; new ideas; and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
#3394825 in eBooks 2011-11-15 2011-11-15File Name: B006H6KUNI
Review
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A MUST HAVE!!By wnkiiiThis is great!!! As good as the other Consiglio classic. "Of Course Youre Still Cool. Honey". Will be a perfect gift for anyone. Hysterical!!!!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Funny and Thought-provokingBy B. G. M.As a teacher. parent. and now grandparent. I am well aware that one never asks a child "What is that?" about a drawing; instead one should say. "Tell me about your picture." By disregarding this advice completely. the author has created a book that is both funny and thought-provoking. In usurping the childs right to tell us about the pictures. Mr. Consiglio manages to skewer pretentious art critics with hilarious. over-the-top commentary while maintaining the integrity of the tiny artists. Childrens paintings by themselves are full of imagination and help us see life in new ways. Even when he purposely misses the point. Mr. Consiglio spurs us to look at these paintings - as well as those of the children in our own lives - with new understanding and appreciation for their depth. The child artists. unlike their adult counterparts. will not in the least be bothered by the authors misinterpretation of their work. I can hear one of them giggling now and saying. "NO. silly. Thats not an Angus bull. Thats my Grandma!" The best thing about the book is the joy we share with the author in a childs self-expression.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Funny. Light and Surprisingly Brilliant!By jxnholeWho would think that a book about other kids art could be interesting? Most parents are only interested in their own kids work. but turning each page. its not the art work thats mesmerizing. its the "critique" that the author gives each piece that has you sometimes bursting in laughter. gasping in horror. or shaking your head in disbelief! Who thought these could be reactions to a stick drawing by a 5 year old. or painted porcelain sculpture by a 7 year old!As an art dealer myself. I find this book HILARIOUS. Poking fun at the art world. the way we react to art. its subjectivity.....its pretty brilliant.Trust me. pick up a copy. read it. and enjoy it. Then leave it in your guest room. or coffee table. and let others leaf through it and wait to hear their laughter. I in fact have to hide it from my employee who takes breaks all day long just to read another page and explode in laughter :)
