Few books on film have met with such critical acclaim as How to Read a Film. Since its original publication in 1977, this hugely popular book has become the definitive source on film and media. Now, James Monaco offers a completely revised and rewritten third edition that brings every major aspect of this dynamic medium right up to the present day. Looking at film from many vantage points, Monaco discusses the elements necessary to understand how a film conveys its meaning, and, more importantly, how the audience can best discern all that a film is attempting to communicate. He begins by setting movies in the context of the more traditional arts such as the novel, painting, photography, theater -- even music-- demonstrating that film as a narrative technique is directly comparable to these older mediums. He points out that much of what we see and experience in film can be traced directly back to other art forms. Accordingly, as film is a technology as well as an art, he examines the intriguing science of cinema and follows the development of the electronic media and its parallel growth with film during this century. A new chapter on multimedia brings media criticism into the late 1990s with a thorough discussion of such topics as virtual reality and cyberspace and their relationship to film. Monaco goes on to show how film operates as a language, describing the various techniques and concepts responsible for the often visceral reactions that only film can elicit. Lavishly illustrated with over 350 halftones and seventy-four original diagrams, as well as discussions on the development of the art of movies and the major theoretical developments of the last seventy-five years, How to Read a Film is an exciting and definitive behind the scenes look at the complex world of film.
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*Praise for previous editions:
"This book is a compliment to the reader....Monaco's spirit is gracious; he has a gift for making accumulations of detail relevant and uncluttered. His manner is modest and undidactic, and he is painstakingly scrupulous."--Samson Raphaelson, Film Comment
"An astute and thoroughgoing analysis....Monaco is cuts above the popular 'criticism' of Reed, Kael, et al. He is lucid and sophisticated."--Publishers Weekly
"This book is a compliment to the reader....Monaco's spirit is gracious; he has a gift for making accumulations of detail relevant and uncluttered. His manner is modest and undidactic, and he is painstakingly scrupulous."--Samson Raphaelson, Film Comment
"An astute and thoroughgoing analysis....Monaco is cuts above the popular 'criticism' of Reed, Kael, et al. He is lucid and sophisticated."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
James Monaco is a writer, publisher, and producer. His books include American Film Now, The New Wave, The Encyclopedia of Film, and The Connoisseur's Guide to the Movies. He lives and works in the New York City area.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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If poetry is what you can't translate, as Robert Frost once suggested, then "art" is what you can't define. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
If poetry is what you can't translate, as Robert Frost once suggested, then "art" is what you can't define. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew Reid
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a seminal paper or book. It's easy to read but engages you in how films have been made and the hidden sub-text or meaning that comes through via everything from the use of symbols, camera angles, choice of actor, lighting, sound, etc. It provides a historical context too, so that you can see how film making and the stories told through film have evolved with the changes in technology, society and culture... from the variety shows that spun off from the early vaudville traditions and theatre to today's evolution of reality TV concepts that have emerged as a result of the web and technology bringing the audience closer to the production. I sense it was written for someone who wants to study the art of film making and the orgins of the Art BUT, even if you are simply a film buff or want to have a better appreciation of the art and the hidden meaning in films (whether for TV or the big screen) it's a rewarding read... it can make a dinner conversation more interesting.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am just writing this to 'adjust' the rating and earlier review written for this book, as I find it can be quite misleading.
This is indeed a great read on film analysis, full of interesting examples and insightful comments. The chapter on Film Language is very well articulated and has been used as reference text in many film seminars, not only by myself.
Describing a book that addresses constructing meaning in cinematic language as "too dense", like another reviewer has done, is missing the point altogether.
The product description is spot on.
If you like cinema, you will like this book!
If want to know more about "How to Read Films" this is an excellent book and you will like it!
This is indeed a great read on film analysis, full of interesting examples and insightful comments. The chapter on Film Language is very well articulated and has been used as reference text in many film seminars, not only by myself.
Describing a book that addresses constructing meaning in cinematic language as "too dense", like another reviewer has done, is missing the point altogether.
The product description is spot on.
If you like cinema, you will like this book!
If want to know more about "How to Read Films" this is an excellent book and you will like it!
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By didkomir
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great and important book!
Its a must for film students!
It contains everything you have
to know about film making...
Its a must for film students!
It contains everything you have
to know about film making...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Thanks!!
The delivery was fast an the book was like untouched.
This book was recommended to me by my tutor in the university and indeed I found it very helpful for my... Read more
The delivery was fast an the book was like untouched.
This book was recommended to me by my tutor in the university and indeed I found it very helpful for my... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Co
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
very good book, got a lot of use out of it on the final year of my course!
Published on 23 Sep 2010 by BOOM!
3.0 out of 5 stars
A useful guideline for those having to do critical analysis
I would consider this book a good enough guideline on how to critically analise films. It is a bit dense at times, but it is a good quick-reference guide about what to look for... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2001
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