The Movie Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained)

Product Description

Does Chinatown subvert the film noir genre? What is the effect of Pulp Fiction’s episodic plot? How do multiple points of view undermine notions of reality in Rashomon? 
 
Part of DK’s bestselling Big Ideas series, The Movie Book answers these questions and more as it chronicles the greatest movies ever to grace the silver screen. From the golden age of black-and-white films to international art-house and 21st-century sci-fi, this book uncovers the key themes and big ideas behind more than 100 of the world's most celebrated cinematic gems. 

Beginning with the iconic A Trip to the Moon (1902), immerse yourself in the world of film, from The Wizard of Oz (1939), Vertigo (1958), and Jaws (1975) to Spirited Away (2006), Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Boyhood (2014). Discover everything about your favorite movies, as well as celebrated classics and the films you need to see, through film stills, posters, biographies, movie memorabilia, and narrative timelines. Along with iconic quotes from the films themselves and key critics, this book brings cinema to life.

Whether you are a fan of comedies, romance, musicals, action movies, or thrillers, The Movie Book is essential for anyone with a passion for cinema.

Series Overview: Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses creative design and innovative graphics along with straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With over 7 million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject.

Top Reviews

Another fine Big Ideas work
by in1ear (John Row) (5 out of 5 stars)
January 5, 2016

I'm a fan of the concept of Big Ideas Simply Explained books by DK. This is a good general reference regards the topic of movie history in my opinion. There are chapters that cover a movie of note, headed by a relevant quote, description of genre, silent era, sci-fi, drama, etc., with brief suggestions of why the movie stands out. There is information on directors of each movie. Actors, cinematography techniques, importance of musical score if relevant.

In the back of the book lists of important movies not given a chapter of their own seem like "honorable mentions". With a follow up paragraph or so of insight into the relevance of that movie.

It did whet my appetite to learn more and see some of the movies covered that I may have missed.
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Lost some stars due to political correctness
by Alucard (3 out of 5 stars)
June 24, 2019

I am a film student (minor) so I KNOW that Birth of a Nation is a MAJOR film in the history of film but it isn't even mentioned. Everyone knows that having a film where the KKK is the good guys is a shocker but that film was the first film ever that was 2+ hours long and made 2 million dollars, a nickel at a time. When I noticed Intolerance being mentioned, I looked in the index for Birth of a Nation and no where in the book is it mentioned. This is clearly an act of militant political correctness. You CANNOT delete history to fit your agenda. 100% of every film student will know of Birth.... so censoring it out of the book made this book a little less. For that intellectual crime, it lost two stars. I wonder how many 'Big Ideas Simply Explained' books also censor facts they don't like.
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Fun and informative
by Robin Landry (5 out of 5 stars)
January 12, 2016

When I bought this book I saw that it was a series, and after reading this book, I'm sold. This book is so well set up that it's easy to go from movie to movie, starting with the 1902-1931 visionary movies. I have to admit that I haven't seen many of these but they are laid out on a time line that shows how the movies slowly built from a 46 second short to movies with talking in them, though the last movie of this series is the Charlie Chaplin hit silent movie City Lights.

Each movie is broken down to in context which gives you the genre, director, writers, stars and then some movies that have either come before, or after the title movie. There's a box where you learn a little something about the director and other movies he also directed. In large block letters above the title of the movie, there is whatever saying the movie might be famous for.

The book is broken up into these sections.

Visionaries 1902-1931

A Golden Age In Black And White 1931-1949

Fear And Wonder 1950-1959

Rebel Rebel 1960-1974

Angels And Monsters 1975-1991

Small World 1992-Present

There were many movies I'd never seen, yet with this book, I feel as if I can get the main theme of the movie, who was in it, who directed and why it's significant. There are even gems like Travis Bickle's(Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver) transformation, something you might not have realized or seen drawn out so clearly. With it's wonderful movie photos, this book reminds me of the books I used to buy for the kids(the Ripley's believe it or not). I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for other books in the series that have a subject that sparks my interest.
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Mistake in the summary of the movie "The Searchers".
by pipersmom (3 out of 5 stars)
December 19, 2018

The book, at least what I've read so far, seems so thorough. Imagine my surprise when he lists the part played by Natalie Wood (and her younger sister when the character is a child) is described as being played by Vera Miles. I think it's hard to explain a mistake like this one. I will say, though, I bought the ebook several years ago, and don't know if that error has been corrected.
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Makes A Great Gift!
by Stephanie Hernandez (5 out of 5 stars)
July 2, 2019

Just when you think you know all the facts, you don't. Made a great christmas gift for my brother who loves to view and critique films! This helped him learn a lot about the behind the scenes and in the making of many films!
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Not a good DK book.
by Claudia (2 out of 5 stars)
July 5, 2018

Not the best DK book I've bought, surprisingly basic content and poorly organized layout. Not a purchase I'm happy with.
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Great gift for a movie buff
by Collette (5 out of 5 stars)
August 13, 2019

My husband loved it! Cool facts about the filming of a lot of award willing movies.
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Wonderfully written book
by Miriem S Boss (5 out of 5 stars)
December 29, 2016

Wonderfully written book. Bought it for a friend who doesn't know much about movies but it on a city board of cinema. She thought it was great and comprehensive.
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Cool
by John R. Johnson (4 out of 5 stars)
January 14, 2019

Really cool book
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Disappointing
by caelta (1 out of 5 stars)
August 4, 2017

Disappointing in depth and content. Too much concentration on subjective favorites at the expense of many great classics overall. Maybe my expectations were too high. If this was a physical copy, would be destined for the donation pile.

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