Product Description

Consolidating major figures and film movements into their decade of greatest influence or prestige, this “no-nonsense” book offers a generously illustrated, concise, and very readable history of fiction movies with an emphasis on American cinema. Eclectic in methodology and written in a plain English style that audiences can relate to, it examines the full scope of traditional film history and criticism, viewing film as both an art and an industry– as it mirrors popular audience values, social ideologies, and historical epochs. Film discussions include titles such as Forrest Gump, Jurassic Park, There's Something About Mary, Face Off, the Lion King, Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting, Pulp Fiction, Choosing Amy, The Piano, Menace II Society, Sweet Hereafter, The English Patient, Sense and Sensibility, Shakespeare in live, The Full Monty, The Crying Game, Life is Beautiful, and like Water for Chocolate. For anyone who enjoys going to, and thinking about, the movies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #424376 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-07
• Format: Student Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 574 pages

From the Publisher
Consolidating major figures and film movements into their decade of greatest influence or prestige, this "no-nonsense" book offers a generously illustrated, concise, and very readable history of fiction movies with an emphasis on American cinema. Eclectic in methodology and written in a plain English style that students can relate to, it examines the full scope of traditional film history and criticism, viewing film as both an art and an industry as it mirrors popular audience values, social ideologies, and historical epochs.

From the Inside Flap
Preface

WE SET OUT TO WRITE A REALLY BRIEF BOOK. Just the basics, no frills. After considerable deliberation, we finally decided on a mechanical form of organization by decade. We then proceeded to cheat left and right, cramming major figures and film movements into their decade of greatest influence or prestige. Here, then, is a bare-bones history of fiction movies, copiously illustrated with photos, many of them rarely reprinted. Since this book was written primarily with an American audience in mind, we have emphasized the American cinema. Eclectic in our methodology, we have adhered to a broad consensus tradition of film history and criticism; except for a humanist bias, we have had no theoretical axes to grind. Nor have we attempted to dazzle the reader with a fresh array of jargon; the text is in plain English, with essential terms in boldface to indicate that they are defined in the glossary. Our main concern has been with film as art, but when appropriate we also discuss film as industry and as a reflection of popular audience values, social ideologies, and historical epochs. History books are filled with value judgments, and this one is no exception. We have not hesitated to call a bomb a bomb. On the whole, however, our attitude has been similar to that of Andre Breton, the founder of the surrealist movement, who said, "The cinema? Three cheers for darkened rooms." Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the input received from the following reviewers of the manuscript: Marilyn K. Ackerman, Foot Hill College; Susan Scrivner, Bemidji State University; Jack Riggs, Dekalb College-Gwinnett Campus; and Davis A. March, Rowan Cabarrus Community College.

Others who have helped us include Jonathan Forman of Cleveland Cinemas; Dave Wittkowsky of the Cleveland Film Society and International Film Festival; and the CWRU Observer. Mary Araneo performed her customary miracles in her layout design, Lisa Sloane went beyond the call of duty in designing the cover, and Phil Miller of Prentice Hall expedited matters by being sane and rational. We thank them all.

LOUIS GIANNETTI
SCOTT EYMAN

From the Back Cover
Consolidating major figures and film movements into their decade of greatest influence or prestige, this “no-nonsense” book offers a generously illustrated, concise, and very readable history of fiction movies with an emphasis on American cinema. Eclectic in methodology and written in a plain English style that audiences can relate to, it examines the full scope of traditional film history and criticism, viewing film as both an art and an industry— as it mirrors popular audience values, social ideologies, and historical epochs. Film discussions include titles such as Forrest Gump, Jurassic Park, There's Something About Mary, Face Off, the Lion King, Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting, Pulp Fiction, Choosing Amy, The Piano, Menace II Society, Sweet Hereafter, The English Patient, Sense and Sensibility, Shakespeare in live, The Full Monty, The Crying Game, Life is Beautiful, and like Water for Chocolate. For anyone who enjoys going to, and thinking about, the movies.

Customer Reviews

An indispensable film resouce
A survey of both American and International cinema, the text provides a thoroughly illustrated history of film ranging from the early works of the Lumiere brothers to the recent Magnolia. Authored by an English professor, the writing is organized, concise, and most importantly, interesting.

Upon finishing the book, I garnered a certain respect and appreciation for film and filmmakers, something that had not occurred to me with others texts. For example, it details the struggle of the German cinema during the time of the Third Reich. The reasons such acclaimed artists such as Fritz Lang and Leni Riefenstahl were being exploited for their abilities, and conversely how other talents were being suppressed for their rebellion. As I read more, I learned how political figures and movements often parallel cinematic output, and the awesome power that the silver screen can have on influencing the masses.

I highly recommend Flashback to anyone who has even the slightest interest in film. The copious amounts of photographs breaks up the text nicely, and there is certainly something for everyone.

Good Purchase
I paid a great price for this book, which would have cost $60 at the school bookstore. Arrived before the class started in the condition described. Thanks.

Flashback: A Brief History of Film(5th Edition)
This book is great and in a great condition. I bought this used book and turn out to be a new book condition which surprise me. The price of the book is the most cheapest I can found on any of the website. This book fits the need of my classroom needs and I will definitly come back again. I will come back to this website again when I need to seel back my textbook.