Category: Books

STARSTRUCK: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood – The New Memoir From Legendary Film Critic Leonard Maltin Available October 12th

STARSTRUCK: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood – The New Memoir From Legendary Film Critic Leonard Maltin will be available October 12th from GoodKnight Books (https://www.goodknightbooks.com/) – the award-winning boutique publisher of books about Hollywood’s Golden Era 

A warm and intimate portrait of contemporary Hollywood history and a fascinating read for any pop culture addict, Starstruck is a love letter to the magic of film and television and a testament to the singular contributions Maltin – who recently celebrated his 70th birthday – has made to American entertainment.

The book includes dozens of fabulously entertaining and illuminating stories featuring no shortage of bold-faced names (George Clooney to George Lucas, Ava DuVernay to Elizabeth Taylor, Hugh Hefner to Charles M. Schultz, and many more) and also provides a notable first-hand account of the evolution of the entertainment industry, from the birth of megaplex blockbusters like Star Wars and Titanic to the emergence of Netflix and the streaming generation.

WARRIOR: Audrey Hepburn – New Book by Robert Matzen Focuses on the Iconic Actress’ Final Chapter – Available September 28th

WARRIOR: Audrey Hepburn, to be published September 28, 2021, is the follow up to biographer Robert Matzen‘s 2019 international bestseller Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II and the first book to focus on the iconic actress’ final chapter, which surpassed the plot twist of any movie.

Warrior: Audrey Hepburn completes the story arc of Robert Matzen’s Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II. Hepburn’s experiences in wartime, including the murder of family members, her survival through combat and starvation conditions, and work on behalf of the Dutch Resistance, gave her the determination to become a humanitarian for UNICEF and the fearlessness to charge into war-torn countries in the Third World on behalf of children and their mothers in desperate need. She set the standard for celebrity humanitarians and–according to her son Luca Dotti–ultimately gave her life for the causes she espoused.

Decades before it became cool to care, Audrey Hepburn walked away from Hollywood and used her fame to capture the media attention as she charged into the most dangerous places on earth, facing bullets, bombs, criticism and cynicism as she drove herself mercilessly on a quest that would ultimately kill her.

Hepburn’s son Luca Dotti – who has written the foreword to Warrior – says “UNICEF expected that Audrey Hepburn would be a pretty princess for them at galas. What they really got was a badass solider.”

A must-read at a time when income inequality, racial justice, climate change, women’s rights and the global refugee crisis have never been more newsworthy, Warrior is an original and gripping work of celebrity biography that will turn the world’s perception of this film and fashion icon on its head, and inspire a new generation of fans.

Robert Matzen is the internationally bestselling author of Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II, Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe, and six other books. He has appeared on broadcast programs around the world and his byline has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Luca Dotti is the son of Audrey Hepburn and Italian psychiatrist Professor Andrea Dotti. Luca is co-author (with Luigi Spinola) of the New York Times bestseller Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen and two other books. He has long been involved with the Audrey Hepburn’s Children’s Fund, which helps children in need around the world.

CRAZY 4 CULT : CULT MOVIE ART – Book Review

If you are a fan of cult movies and really fun art work, then you are going to love CRAZY 4 CULT: CULT MOVIE ART!

CRAZY 4 CULT started as an art show at Gallery 1988 in 2007. Now, the gallery is getting ready to do their 5th installment (July 8th) of the show. The show has become so popular that people will line up by the thousands to see it on opening night.

The book, and the art work itself, are not your typical “fan art” pieces. Are these done by movie fans… certainly! The devil is in the details.  These pieces are more than that though. They are carefully selected works of art. These are crafted pieces that are hand selected, just like any other gallery in the country. The only difference is that the subject matter happens to be based on some of the greatest cult films of all times.

For those of you that do not know, this movie lover went to college for art (I have my BA in Art Therapy)… so when I received this book in the mail I was STOKED! What a great way to combine my two greatest loves!*

*If you didn’t guess “art” and “movies” then we are breaking up!

This book is 176 pages of stunning, creative, witty, and sometimes just down-right funny art pieces. Sure, these are fun, but they are also very detailed and well thought out.

Take Dave MacDowell’s painting “Appetite For Veruca”, for example. MacDowell’s painting seems like a twisted take on WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, but there is more to it than that. The painting is actually more of a Wonka themed interpretation of Robert Williams piece “Appetite For Destruction” which was originally made for, you guessed it, Guns N’ Roses. The piece was considered too graphic for the album cover and banned. In MacDowell’s piece, he brightens the colors to a more “Wonka” friendly palette, and makes the images seem more personal, including all of their faces. I applaud his use of everlasting gobstoppers instead of the skulls protruding from the red beast… clever! He still chose to keep the creepy factor in tact, which is more than fitting. I mean, WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is one of my favorite movies, but it’s still creepy! All I am saying is that I wouldn’t jump in a boat with Gene Wilder if I had the option…

Dave MacDowell “Appetite For Veruca”

(If you want to check out the inspiration for “Appetite For Veruca“, the famoous “Appetite For Destruction” by Robert Williams, just click on the thumbnail below)

Another favorite of mine has to be the Film Family Portraits of Kirk Demarais. (You can see his portrait “The Torrances, inspired by The Shining” below). Demarais takes all of our favorite cult movie families and gives them the family portrait moment that they deserve… and that are worthy of that coveted spot above the fireplace!

Kirk Demarais (www.kirkdemarais.com)

Kevin Smith lends his voice to the introduction of the book, which is a nice bonus to the already hi-five worthy book. Smith has been involved with the show in the past, and it seems only fitting for such a fun cinephile to write the introduction.

I could talk about this book all day, but instead… I am going to tell you to go out and pick up a copy! My only regret is being too poor to buy some of these pieces for my house!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Mike Mitchell (www.sirmikeofmitchell.com)

Nic Cowan (www.niccowan.com)

SUCKER PUNCH: THE ART OF THE FILM Book Preview

Spectacular limited edition book signed by Zack Snyder – now available for pre-order!

Titan Books and director Zach Snyder have a treat for you! Not only do they have a book called SUCKER PUNCH: THE ART OF THE FILM based on the upcoming film SUCKER PUNCH, but they are offering a limited number of autographed copies with exclusive slipcovers!

Remember to stay tuned to WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS too! I will be reviewing this book for all of you fun-loving kiddos!

From Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by Zack Snyder (“Watchmen”, “300”), “Sucker Punch” hits movie  screens in March 2011. To celebrate the release of this extraordinary epic action fantasy, Zack Snyder and Titan Books are offering fans an unprecedented opportunity to secure a spectacular limited edition of the official tie-in book ahead of the release of the eagerly awaited film.

In Sucker Punch: The Art of the Film, Zack Snyder takes you on a personal journey through the many worlds and memorable characters of the film, offering a unique insider’s look at amazing concept and design art, as well as a wealth of stunning on–set photography by world-renowned Clay Enos (Watchmen: Portraits).

This limited numbered run of only 750 copies is presented in an exclusive slipcase, and signed, on a special tipped-in sheet,by Snyder himself!

Already bursting to the seams with eye-popping art, each Limited Edition will also boast its own breathtaking exclusive giclée print, created and signed by Alex Pardee, the acclaimed artist who has brought his unique style to the film.

“I saw the book as a visually interesting way to deconstruct the process of designing and prepping a film- peeling it apart layer by layer,” said Snyder. “So much amazing artwork is generated throughout the development process of a film, especially one that occupies so many different worlds and environments. I wanted to be able to share that in a meaningful way, beyond what’s captured on screen.”

Available for pre-order from today, those lucky enough to get their hands on this sought after book will be amongst the first to peek behind-the-scenes of the most highly anticipated film of 2011. The Limited Edition can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/suckerltd

Sucker Punch takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl, whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her but her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary…with potentially tragic consequences.


Review: THE ART OF DREW STRUZAN

For those of you who don’t know anything about Drew Struzan, you are about to be impressed. Actually, you might not recognize his name, but you should recognize his work. He has illustrated some of the most impressive and stunning movie posters over the years. Over 150 actually!

The book, THE ART OF DREW STRUZAN, shows us stunning works such as posters for HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, THE THING, BACK TO THE FUTURE, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, E.T. and HOOK. It touches on his feelings about the death of creativity in the film industry, which he does have a point, and even showcases never before seen works. The thing that I found most interesting about the book is that he is honest. He talks about his opinion on photo-shopped movie posters, studio executives, and all aspects of the industry. Not to mention that it is a beautifully written lament to his career.

I really can’t say enough about how beautiful his posters are. They aren’t just posters. They truly are works of art. The details and accuracy are wildly impressive. I love his enthusiasm as he talks about the most successful times of his career. By the end, he does get real, and quite bitter about the transition from artist rendered posters to the photo-shopped, creative-lacking posters that are around today, and the way the industry has turned more toward mass marketing than actual creative expression. In a way, he really is right! For example, his art for PAN’S LABYRINTH was rejected for being too artsy. Really? A ridiculously strange movie like that rejected an artistic poster? RIDICULOUS!!!

He illustrated some of my favorite films. Heck, I would be proud to drench my walls with his artwork. Maybe it’s my art therapy degree talking, but I think he is brilliant.

I could tell you over and over how AMAZING this book is, but I would rather you get off your hindquarters and go pick it up. You will be blown away.

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars