Stanley Kubrick, Director: A Visual Analysis

Book Description

Alexander Walker's Stanley Kubrick, Director is the only book ever written with Kubrick's cooperation. This new edition, revised and expanded to discuss all of Kubrick's films--including Eyes Wide Shut--again received the approval of the reclusive director, who before his death allowed the use of illustrations taken directly from his films' frames. The result is a frame-by-frame examination of the inimitable style that infuses every Kubrick movie, from the pitch-perfect hilarity of Lolita to the icy supremacy of 2001: A Space Odyssey to the baroque horror of The Shining. The book's beautiful design and dynamic arrangement of photographic stills offer a frame-by-frame understanding of how Kubrick constructed a film. What emerges is a deeply human study of one remarkable artist's nature and obsessions, and how these changed and shifted in his four decades as a filmmaker. Black-and-white illustrations throughout, 8 pages of color.

Customer Reviews:

Great book on a complex genius.......2002-03-17

"Stanley Kubrick, Director" is probably the best book I have read yet on this great, but often debated about, filmmaker (I have yet to read Ciment's book, though, which I hear is much better) Kubrick was known for making controversial movies being "harsh" to his actors. The films examined in this book are his most well known and cover his various themes about humanity: "Fail Safe" machines going haywire (Dr. Strangelove), the dehumanization of men into machines and vice versa (2001, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket) and man in collision with destiny and the past (Barry Lyndon, The Shining).

To date, this is the only major book made with the cooperation of Kubrick himself. The photographs in each chapter are taken from still frames from the actual films. The author provides brief summaries for each photograph, showing its use of lighting, camera placement or relation to another Kubrick film (Slow Motion shots, light used is from the light source one would expect at the actual location).

According to the author, anything in Kubrick's movies has symbolism or some meaning to it, and this is where the book's only flaw is. Camera angles, lighting, set design and decoration even phrases numbers and placements of objects can be interpreted to have some meaning. He also has interesting ideas about the movies (One of my favorites is his belief that the soldiers in Full Metal Jacket's boot camp are lab mice being experimented and reconditioned on). However, this can also be very, very helpful to understand the films more. The author shows that each Kubrick film can have more depth than meets the eye (If you still think "2001" is only about boredom, you need this book). Just make sure you have seen the movies before reading for there are major plot spoilers.

Not definitive but still intriguing.......2001-08-31

This is an interesting book, with a huge number of photographs detailing most of Kubrick's films. (The only ones not examined in depth are 'Fear and Desire,' 'Killer's Kiss,' 'The Killing,' 'Spartacus,' and 'Lolita.') The book is organized chronologically, with a small section in the middle of the book about Kubrick's use of color and an epilogue detailing Walker's personal encounters with Kubrick at the end. It is fun to read about Walker's stories about Kubrick, which shed some all-too-needed light on the personal life and motivations of the reclusive filmmaker.
On the whole, Walker's analyses of Kubrick's films are good, not great: I think he is really off-base in praising Tom Cruise's acting in 'Eyes Wide Shut' and in denigrating Kubrick's use of the occult in 'The Shining.' However, his analyses of 'Barry Lyndon' and 'Full Metal Jacket' were astute, and he successfully links certain themes and motifs throughout all of Kubrick's films.
Finally, although normally I don't like a huge amount of pictures in a book because of how they always jack up the price, here the pictures are well-chosen and either help jog your memory about the films or help you understand them if you haven't seen them. I will say that some of the pictures were much larger than they needed to be - I didn't need a full two-page spread of the atomic bomb exploding in 'Dr. Strangelove' - but that's a minor criticism.
All in all, a generally fun book.

Full Paper Jacket.......2000-11-07

This may be, as the notes above claim, the "most
comprehensive" book yet written on Kubrick. And it's clear the
author's personal relationship with him enhances understanding of his
films. But it's also obvious that the book was rushed onto the shelves
to capitalize on the publicity surrounding Kubrick's last film and the
director's death -- unless, of course, the typos and printer errors
are an artistic statement about mankind's pointless quest for
perfection...

The strongest part of the book is in finding subtle
similarities among the films, both in style and content, and in
tracing the evolution of the director's ability to put his ideas
onscreen.

But the writing is occasionally overblown, presenting
obvious points as if they were major revelations. The section on
'Kubrick's Use of Color' is almost laughable, looking like a
four-color decoy for the rest of the book's cheaply done b/w. its
analysis pretty much boils down to 'He used a lot of red.'

An
editorial description above refers to 'frame-by-frame' analysis, but
that's pretty misleading. There is some detailed technical insight,
but not for every film. And in sections that discuss particular
sequences, the accompanying photos are often on different pages. The
section on EWS is pretty splapdash.

But there is also some really
interesting stuff here. It's just too bad they didn't spend a little
more time sealing the cracks.

Uma Análise Visual.......2000-04-22

O melhor livro sobre Kubrick se você pretende ter uma visão mais acurada das imagens e intenções de seus filmes. Bem mais gratificante do que ler a biografia feita por LoBruto. Walker analisa o trabalho de Kubrick para esplicar o autor e não o contrário, como o acima citado autor. Só na análise das cores nos filmes é que o livro é um tanto rasteiro, pedindo por uma ampliação. Mesmo assim, é melhor do que nada, visto a escassez desse tipo de discussão em outros livros sobre o autor.

good, but not as exceptional as Cimet's book.......1999-12-10

This book doesn't quite stand up to Michael Cimet's long out of print book on Kubrick from the 80s, but it does a fine job. The analysis of the films are in-depth, but lack a true piercing analysis that would otherwise make it a masterpiece. Most of the book is in black and white, with a lone color section providing stills from 2001, Barry Lyndon and Eyes Wide Shut. The accompanying essay about Kubrick's color use is somewhat shallow and could use a lot more detail. This book is also loaded with pictures from the films, many of them behind the scenes, about 90% of them individual frame enlargements. Although they are black and white, they are clearly printed. If you've read other Kurbick books, you already how most of them use the same stills over and over and over. Since the subject is a film director, they took the time to gather together a ton of photographs.

Stanley Kubrick, Director - A Visual Analysis

Average customer rating:

Stanley Kubrick, Director - A Visual Analysis
Alexander - Sybil Taylor and Ulrich Ruchti Walker
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OSB1WE

Book Description

This original graphic novel written by screenwriter/director, Kevin Smith (Mallrats, Clerks) bridges the gap between two of his most popular films, Chasing Amy and Dogma. Featuring Smith's popular film characters - Jay and Silent Bob, Chasing Dogma is a film on paper and is sure to appeal to movie buffs and Kevin Smith fans everywhere. Rack it in the film section and watch it fly off the shelves.

Customer Reviews:

Must Have.......2006-08-02

I absolutely loved these stories and how they connect the dots between the two films. A lot of the things used in these stories are seen in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. When Jay and Silent Bob meet Suzanne the Orangutan in the comics, it plays just like the scene from the movie when they meet Suzanne, even the scenes of Jay's grim look into the future Planet of the Apes. There is another scene in here that was cut from J&SB strike back when they are kicked off the bus for smoking weed in the restroom on the bus.

What I love most about these stories is that it explains how Jay and Silent Bob ended up wearing the different clothes that they wear in Dogma. That was the coolest part of this, everthing about their clothes in Dogma is explained in these stories; from Jay's Forked Tongue T-Shirt to Silent Bob's Mooby's cap. Overall, these stories are a must have for any fan of Kevin Smith. They are funny and should be included as canon (except for the monkey scene that was later used in J/SB Strike Back). If you want to know what happened to the dynamic duo between films, get this

snoochie boochies.......2004-04-27

this can be described it two words hi-larious

Between the films.......2003-11-27

What happened to Jay and Silent Bob between "Chasing Amy" and "Dogma"? How did Jay get the idea of going to Shermer, Illinois? Where did he get that hat? And why were they hanging out in the parking lot of a birth control clinic?

This book WILL answer those questions...and make you laugh out loud in the process!

Brilliant tie-in to almost all the movies........2003-11-27

Not only does this tie Chasing Amy, Mallrats, and Dogma together, but it also sort of spoils J&SBSB.

So it's a must for a Kevin Smith fan with a broken VCR.

Funny Book!.......2003-05-21

I got this book to fill in the history between Chasing Amy and Dogma. I loved it! Loved the jokes! Loved the laughs! However, given that it was to fill a space, there was an awful lot of discontinuity between it and the later movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. It seemed almost like a first draft for that movie. But aside from that, I got a great many laughs.

Amazon.com

When You Oughta Know and the other singles from Jagged Little Pill first came blaring out of radios in 1995, their raunchy, confessional lyrics and hard-driving music suggested the arrival of another angst-ridden rock diva--no doubt with history of psychic dysfunction and substance abuse fueling her art. On the contrary, Canadian music journalist Paul Cantin's respectful biography tells us, Alanis Morissette is a consummate professional who wrote her first song at age nine and released a chart-topping Canadian pop album at 16 (in 1991). She had a happy childhood in a close-knit family, growing up in Ottawa, Canada's famously wholesome and dull capital.

Instead of yet another saga of individual excesses vented into a microphone, the real story here proves to be the more interesting drama of a serious, dedicated artist working to make her music more personally meaningful with the same discipline and drive that made her early commercial success possible. Detailed accounts of her collaborations with a slew of songwriters and producers show a maturing Morissette learning to trust her own instincts and stop trying so hard to please her mentors. The result, ironically, was a platinum-selling CD (Jagged Little Pill) that pleased almost everyone. Cantin's circumspect text doesn't offer much for gossip junkies, but his close focus on the creative process is ultimately more satisfying ... though I still want to find out who inspired the jealousy-crazed "You Oughta Know." --Wendy Smith

Book Description

Just two years ago Alanis Morissette was a former teen pop star, dismissed by some as a footnote in Canadian pop history. Then her album Jagged Little Pill sold over 13 million copies worldwide, and a new queen of alternative rock was crowned.

Here Paul Cantin tells the tale of how Morissette transformed herself from failed teenage star into an artist whose work speaks to an entire generation. With multiple Grammys and MTV Awards under her belt; this singer/songwriter has achieved what none thought possible. This is the story of that rare second chance.

Included in this book are: Morissette's own account of her songwriting inspiration, exclusive interview material, a front-row account of the 1996 Grammy Awards, and never before-seen photos. This is the one book no Morrisette fan will want to be without.

Customer Reviews:

Best Alanis bio!.......2002-07-03

... I've read a few Alanis Morissette biographies but this one takes the cake! Paul Cantin gives us an indepth look into Alanis's life in a professional and wonderfully written way, unlike that so-called bio "Ironic: The Story of Alanis Morissette". If you're interested in an Alanis bio, get this one!

a must for all Alanis fans!.......2002-03-06

I deeply enjoyed it. very informative. you get her whole life story written in a very enjoyable way. I loved it. I bought it and recommended to all her fans.

interesting.......2002-03-01

she had a very interesting life she could have been what ever she wanted to and she chose to be a singer...good for us!

Not bad.......2000-06-16

This a pretty good bio of Alanis but it is pretty boring. It mostly talks about Klovan, Morgan and her family, not much about her. So it's not bad, but if you're an Alanis fan, don't buy it.

The best Alanis bio around!!.......1999-01-23

This is the best Alanis bio around. This book deserves so much more than just five stars! I have three different books about her and this one is the best. While the pics may be a little lacking the content is unbeatable. Anytime I need to look back on something in Alanis' life I use this as my sort of encyclopedia of her life. Paul has written numerous newspaper articles about Alanis, so we know what he says is the truth. If you want to know about Alanis' life, don't touch "Ironic", or "Death of Cinderella", get this one instead!

Alanis Morissette/Jagged Little Pill (Guitar Tab)

Average customer rating:

Needs Work
Awesome!
Perfect

Alanis Morissette/Jagged Little Pill (Guitar Tab)
Alanis Morissette
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Jewel: Pieces of You

ASIN: 0793558832

Book Description

Notes and tab for all 12 songs from Alanis' megahit record: All I Really Want * Forgiven * Hand in My Pocket * Head over Feet * Ironic * Mary Jane * Not the Doctor * Perfect * Right Through You * Wake Up * You Learn * You Oughta Know.

Customer Reviews:

Needs Work.......2002-04-13

This book of SHEET MUSIC from Alanis' first album, Jagged Little Pill, offers stirring renditions of the fabulous songs included on her CD. Or, they would be stirring if they weren't all so bad.

While classic soft-rock songs like "Perfect," "Forgiven," "Mary Jane" and "You Learn" are relatively good, the harder songs like You Oughta Know, Not the Doctor and even Ironic aren't very good copies of Alanis's songs.

Sadly, this is the only sheet music to Jagged Little Pill, so even while lacking in some places, I suppose it's better than trying to figure the songs out for yourself.

Awesome!.......2002-03-06

Amazing. that's all i can say about this book. A must for all alanis fans.

Perfect.......1999-09-12

Wonderful book! It provides correct information for the songs. Great for any musician/singer.

Average customer rating:

Alanis Morissette Jagged
Paul Cantin
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Smash Pop Hits, 1999-2000: Alto Sax
Smash Mouth , Lonestar , Madonna , Celine Dion , Backstreet Boys , Aerosmith , Britney Spears , Alanis Morissette , and Santana featuring Rob Thomas
Manufacturer: Warner Bros. Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 076929314X

Average customer rating:

Alanis Morissette - So-Called Chaos
Alanis Morissette
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0634084925

Book Description

Matching folio to her 4th album, which the All Music Guide calls her best since the blockbuster Jagged Little Pill. 10 songs, including: Eight Easy Steps * Everything * Knees of My Bees * Spineless * This Grudge * and more.

Average customer rating:

First Album is NOT Jagged Little Pill
Amazing life, amazing singer.
Outstanding Pictures .... too brief text
Wanna Get to know Alanis herself then get this book
interesting, informative, feel closer to Alanis

Alanis Morissette: Death of Cinderella
Coles
Manufacturer: Plexus Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0859652580

Book Description

This is the first book to explore the rollercoaster life of the talented singer/songwriter whose versatile voice and uncompromising lyrics propelled her first album, Jagged Little Pill, to multiplatinum sales and four Grammy awards.

Stuart Coles focuses on the events that transformed her from a teen pop idol in Canada to an icon of alternative music and figurehead for 'angry young women' everywhere. He also examines her unusual anti-star beliefs and opposition to drugs and alcohol as well as assessing the controversy which surrounds her success, with critical claims that she is a 'record company invention'.

Customer Reviews:

First Album is NOT Jagged Little Pill.......2002-06-07

I have not read this book but by the review of it I realize I don't want to. If it states in the book that her first album was "Jagged Little Pill" then it's incomplete and fictional. She not only put out 2 other albums but also has music videos (inclduing one which co-stars Matt LeBlanc).

Amazing life, amazing singer........2001-10-02

The best female singer, Alanis morissette. this is her life story, she didnt have an easy life. but that what made her the person she is today. if u are a fan/love her music u have to read what's behind it.

Outstanding Pictures .... too brief text.......2001-07-15

The pictures in the bio of Alanis are outstanding, and may be worthy of purchase. However, the text is too brief - and the author melds facts about Alanis with his opinions about her work and life in a rather unsettling way. I don't think this account of Alanis's life should be given too much weight.

Wanna Get to know Alanis herself then get this book.......2000-01-04

If you are a fan of alanis morissette like me then you shall definitely like this book as it gives you an insight of what happened in her life right from the time she was born to the time she did her world tours of Jagged Little Pill..

I am sure that you shall like this book and I consider it a very good buy....it also has alot of nice pictures on good qualitly pages, the print color is also very good.

So go ahead click the Buy button you shall not regret it.

interesting, informative, feel closer to Alanis.......1999-10-07

This is a great book! There was however one big mistake that I saw. It mentions that on her 21st birthday she sang infront of a crowd of 300 people. I was at that concert June 1st 1995. There was more like 20,000 people!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Love the woman
Absolutely Beautiful

Alanis Morissette - Mtv Unplugged

Manufacturer: Warner Brothers Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Love the woman.......2004-07-24

Every time me and hubby have a drink we play Allanis music. The first concert our daughter seen was her in Edmonton. Never read any book but we love her music. One wish in life would be to share 2 bottles of wine and talk about her lirics, with her of course. I worked with a womans shelter for 7 years and used her music as an instruntment. 47 years old and I think she is so informntivated. Anyways if she ever wants to come to the mountains, she is welcome to stay at my house. Bare bone people.

Absolutely Beautiful.......2000-07-18

I'm a big fan of Alanis Morisette. I think she has incredible talent. But I especially like this book because it is Mtv unplugged, so it contains the more melodic songs, and even more melodic versions of some of the great ones like "You Oughta Know". All in all, I think it is an excellent choice for any pianist/Alanis fan.

Alanis Morissette - Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie

Average customer rating:

exquisite and deliciously complex
a great go-along for any alanis fan

Alanis Morissette - Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
Alanis Morissette
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Sheet music
ASIN: 0634001973

Book Description

The matching folio to her long-awaited second album, including the hit "Thank U" and 16 more: Are You Still Mad * Baba * Can't Not * The Couch * Front Row * Heart of the House * I Was Hoping * Joining You * One * So Pure * Sympathetic Character * That I Would Be Good * Unsent * UR * Would Not Come * Your Congratulations. Includes photos.

Customer Reviews:

exquisite and deliciously complex.......2002-03-06

One of the reasons why i'm a true alanis fan is that i relate to her on different levels. I love the fact she's a complex human being, (not to mention a truly gifted musician)and the way she writes her thoughts are truly poetic. Her true fans understand what i'm saying. She's a unique individual. I hope to hear her music for a zillion years to come.

a great go-along for any alanis fan.......2000-03-28

the must-have for anyone who loves the music of alanis. very heart-opening, energizing, and creative. not only about alanis, but about her passion for the world around her.

You Live, You Learn: The Alanis Morisette Story

Average customer rating:

Number 1 Fan
You Live You Learn was Great
Excellent read on a popular star
You Live, You Learn
Alanis Morissette: You Live You Learn

You Live, You Learn: The Alanis Morisette Story
Craig Tomashoff
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0425164144

Book Description

Alanis Morissette is one of those rare artists who boasts the deeply devoted fan base of a cult figure as well as the sales figure of a major pop star.

In this bio, journalist, Craig Tomashoff eason.

Customer Reviews:

Number 1 Fan.......2001-05-10

I have to say that this book was very informative and told me loads of things about Alanis that i though i already knew. This is a must have for any fan as you get to understand Alanis as a normal person rather than just another million selling artist. This book shows that Alnais is true and as devoted to her life as we are to her

You Live You Learn was Great.......1999-03-12

When my communications teacher assigned a 5-8 minute informative speech, I thought what better time than now to talk about Alanis. I thought I knew just about everything on her, and what I didn't know I figured I'd be able to find on the internet and in magazines. When my professor said no magazines or internet addresses allowed, I about died. I had some trouble finding a lot of information other than magazine articles on Alanis, but after I found this book I had all I needed. It was not only informative, but extremely interesting and something I actually enjoyed reading. I found that I knew very little of Alanis and her past, and after reading it I had gained a great sense of respect and admiration for her. She is truly an amazing, talented person both musically and in her personality. She really enjoys her music, and lives through it, which is clearly evident after reading this book. I would definately reccommend it to anyone wishing to learn more about her.

Excellent read on a popular star.......1998-08-24

Alanis Morrisette keeps on winning new fans, I'm included. Even though her album Jagged Little Pill was played continously on the radio, this book helped me realize what a talented and devoted person she is to her music and songwriting. With her new single, "Uninvited," this book came out at the right time... letting me in on her upbringing, background and early years as a songstress in Canada. If you're a fan, read this book!

You Live, You Learn.......1998-08-24

Besides Paul Cantins book of Alanis Morissette this is the very best Alanis book. Well, it is definately among the best. If you need Up To Date information on Alanis this is the book to read. It is the most recent written Alanis book, and has info on both the Tibetan Freedom Concert and Bridge School Benefit. It has eight pages of color pictures. If you would like to view the cover, it has the same picture as "Death Of Cinderella" except smaller, and the backround is of Alanis facing up like praying or something. The pictures are all black and white, however they are beautiful RARE ones (like Alanis and Madonna and Alanis running in the triathalon in mid summer 1997.) The review I wrote before is fiction. I hadn't even taken one look at the book, however now I have it. It is an awesome Alanis book. I think that any Alanis fan MUST!!!!!!!!!! have it.

Alanis Morissette: You Live You Learn.......1998-08-06

I think that this book goes a lot along with Death Of Cinderella (by Stuart Coles). It has a lot of the same text. The pictures are not your regular Alanis Morissette pictures, but they are good. There are a few mistakes on this book (Like on page 37) I would really recommend Paul Cantin's book as #1 though. You may be impressed. JpnOldMan

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books