Showing titles in History & Criticism

Celebrating over 200 films from the greatest decade of horror – the 1980s – In Search of Darkness is the definitive guide to this iconic era in genre filmmaking. In Search of Darkness will allow listeners to immerse themselves in the history of their favorite horror movies and discover hidden gems from this iconic time period.

The Bridgertons are by far the most prolific family in the upper echelons of society, both in deed and word, and now, for the first time, their most indelible quips and barbs have been gathered here for your pleasure. From Anthony’s arrogance to Hyacinth’s hijinks, the family has long been fodder for society gossips … and indeed even for This Author, who has come out of retirement to pen thirteen new columns, each more delicious than the last.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia, the definitive story of the creation and legacy of Parks and Recreation, with exclusive interview content from its cast, crew, and creators More than fifteen years after Parks and Recreation premiered, it has become a streaming staple...

Award-winning actress Drew Barrymore shares funny, insightful, and profound stories from her past and present told from the place of happiness she's achieved today. Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of...

The untold, intimate story of how three young visionaries—Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg—revolutionized American cinema, creating the most iconic films in history while risking everything, redefining friendship, and shaping Hollywood as we know it. "Shaun...

What does it mean for someone to “turn to the dark side”? Discover a profound real-world interpretation of the Star Wars saga, exploring the seminal story of how a good person can lose themselves and what it takes to bring them back. Through a close analysis of Episodes I-VI, the parallel arcs of Anakin and Luke Skywalker reveal how someone who feels too deeply can either surrender to fear and unresolved anger or rise above them.

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes the New York Times bestselling account of the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy...

Actor Rob Lowe's memoir presents a wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye. A teen idol at fifteen, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at twenty, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles...

A poignant, heartfelt, and funny memoir about how, in 1985, Michael J. Fox brought to life two iconic roles simultaneously—Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and Marty McFly in Back to the Future. Read by Michael J. Fox, this program features renowned clips from Back to the Future, plus interviews...

Read by the authors and stars of the show! The actors who played Topanga, Shawn, and Eric on Boy Meets World expand on their hit podcast, Pod Meets World, in a nostalgic behind-the-scenes history of the much-loved 90s sitcom, featuring untold stories and never-before-seen photos. Boy Meets World...

For years, Akira Kurosawa resisted writing about himself. The memoir he finally started serializing in 1978, Something like an Autobiography, ended with Rashomon, the film that launched him on the world's stage in 1950. Long Take, first published in Japan shortly after Kurosawa's death in 1998, at last tells the story of the rest of his life.

What is the smartest, most celebrated game show of all time? In this insider's guide, discover the rich history of Jeopardy! -- the beloved game show that has shaped our culture and entertained audiences for years. Jeopardy! is a lot of things: record-setting game show, beloved family tradition...

In Life Lessons from Memorable Movies, executive coach and storyteller David Langiulli reveals the surprising depth hidden in iconic film moments—from The Godfather to Step Brothers, from Star Wars to Forrest Gump. With warmth, humor, and hardearned insight, he shows how unforgettable movie lines can become powerful tools for resilience, courage, authenticity, and personal transformation.Across multiple films, Langiulli uncovers the deeper meaning behind scenes we quote for fun but rarely examine.

Blending film criticism with creative nonfiction, each book in the Timecodes series focuses on one film, exploring it minute by minute beginning with minute one, and ending with the final minute before the closing credits. This book uses a close study of Dazed and Confused to tell three interrelated stories of adolescent development: the filmmaker's, the film's characters, and the author's own.

When first published to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, Live from New York was immediately proclaimed the best book ever produced on the landmark and legendary late-night show. In their own words, unfiltered and uncensored, a dazzling galaxy of trail-blazing talents recalled three turbulent decades of on-camera antics and off-camera escapades.

In this eloquent and persuasive book, Neil Postman examines the deep and broad effects of television culture on the manner in which we conduct our public affairs, and how "entertainment values" have corrupted the very way we think. As politics, news, religion, education, and commerce are given less and less expression in the form of the printed word, they are rapidly being reshaped to suit the requirements of television.

This is the Commemorative Edition of one of the most trusted and respected nonfiction books about Walt Disney ever written! Includes 4 commemorative essays and an endnotes section with insightful passages from 15 Disney historians and authors to provide further context for modern audiences. Walt...

From the publisher who brought you Slash of the Titans: The Road to Freddy vs Jason comes an all-new retrospective on one of the greatest horror franchises of all time! Join author Lowell Greenblatt for a nostalgic trip back to Elm Street to revisit the original Nightmare and its sequels. Featuring original story analyses and new production info, Nightmare Autopsis is a must-listen for Freddy fans. The book notably features exclusive new interviews and reflections by cast and crew from every entry.

Most people think genres are simply categories on Netflix or Amazon that provide a helpful guide to making entertainment choices. Most people are wrong. Genre stories aren’t just a small subset of the films, video games, TV shows, and books that people consume. They are the all-stars of the entertainment world, comprising the vast majority of popular stories worldwide. That’s why businesses—movie studios, production companies, video game studios, and publishing houses—buy and sell them. Legendary writing teacher John Truby provides a guide to understanding the major genres of the story world.

To millions of fans, All About Eve represents all that’s witty and wonderful in classic Hollywood movies. Its old-fashioned, larger-than-life stars - including Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, and Celeste Holm - found their best roles in this movie, and its sophisticated dialogue has entered the lexicon. But there’s much more to know about All About Eve. Sam Staggs has written the definitive account of the making of this fascinating movie and its enormous influence on both film and popular culture.