Reading this took me more than I expected, but I've got my reasons. This is a terrific collection of essays, so rich and beautifully written. I went slow and quiet on every writing, leaving the book on my shelf for days at the end of each essay. Just to think about what I have been reading. The word
... (continue)
Reading this took me more than I expected, but I've got my reasons. This is a terrific collection of essays, so rich and beautifully written. I went slow and quiet on every writing, leaving the book on my shelf for days at the end of each essay. Just to think about what I have been reading. The words kept floating in my mind, pulling the right strings and connecting the right dots. There's something beyond Cinema in here. Criticism, though focused on film, gets stripped down to its principles and basis, to its very own shape. What is this shape made of? Language. And through a closer look to language, the authors explain how a critic instruments language to rethink cinema and rethink our position as film viewers. A precious book indeed for anyone moved by films enough to look for what they can truly reveal.
Arrivato all'ultima pagina non ci volevo credere. Ne volevo ancora, e ancora, e ancora. Mann scavalca il 900 tutto, gli bastano dieci pagine per papparsi il post-moderno. Parla al contemporaneo con la voce di un saggio che sa di non poter cambiare niente nonostante la sua esperienza abbia tantissim
... (continue)
Arrivato all'ultima pagina non ci volevo credere. Ne volevo ancora, e ancora, e ancora. Mann scavalca il 900 tutto, gli bastano dieci pagine per papparsi il post-moderno. Parla al contemporaneo con la voce di un saggio che sa di non poter cambiare niente nonostante la sua esperienza abbia tantissimo da insegnare. Storia, politica, religione, filosofia, amore, guerra e poi lo scontro fra l'uomo e la natura, fra l'arte e la scienza, fra il positivismo e il pessimismo. La trasformazione psicologica di Hans Castorp è indimenticabile, e sono convinto che al suo posto mi sarei ritrovato più o meno nelle stesse situazioni, con gli stessi dubbi e le stesse certezze. Un romanzo che non dimenticherò mai, pur essendo fuori dalla mia portata. Necessita altre letture e altre chiavi di lettura, ma intanto non si torna più indietro.
This is a good introduction to the wonderful world of Ishiro Honda. It's not everything that could be said about him and his works, but still the author manages to sum up what a novice needs to know to approach Honda for the first time. His major fantasy films are all well analysed, with much effort
... (continue)
This is a good introduction to the wonderful world of Ishiro Honda. It's not everything that could be said about him and his works, but still the author manages to sum up what a novice needs to know to approach Honda for the first time. His major fantasy films are all well analysed, with much effort of details about technics, soundtracks, acting and so on. There are few pages on Honda's life and his team. Despite some flaws and some spelling errors, consider this book a start. If you already know Honda, this is not a must-have. Otherwise, grab it and let yourself dream about the true fantasy films.
Not as nearly enthusiastic as the comments on the book cover. But reading it in India helped to understand a lot of details. What Adiga portraits is the dark India, the one without the amazing colors. The poor India, the dirty India. Just what I've seen in Delhi. Adiga digs deeply in the socio-polit
... (continue)
Not as nearly enthusiastic as the comments on the book cover. But reading it in India helped to understand a lot of details. What Adiga portraits is the dark India, the one without the amazing colors. The poor India, the dirty India. Just what I've seen in Delhi. Adiga digs deeply in the socio-political context, and that's where the book works very well. The main plot, with the assassination and the escape, failed to catch me. And I felt the last 20 pages a drag to the end, kind of like even Adiga was tired.
If you can get through Miles writing, if you don't mind his urge to repeat how white people and the police are always wrong and he never fails and if you skip the last chapter, you'll find this an amazing document to understand Jazz history. Don't get me wrong, I love Miles, his art keeps inspiring
... (continue)
If you can get through Miles writing, if you don't mind his urge to repeat how white people and the police are always wrong and he never fails and if you skip the last chapter, you'll find this an amazing document to understand Jazz history. Don't get me wrong, I love Miles, his art keeps inspiring me and I often find myself thinking like he did. All jazz fans should read this book once. And then stick to his music for the rest of their lives.
The Language and Style of Film Criticism
Reading this took me more than I expected, but I've got my reasons. This is a terrific collection of essays, so rich and beautifully written. I went slow and quiet on every writing, leaving the book on my shelf for days at the end of each essay. Just to think about what I have been reading. The word ... (continue)
Reading this took me more than I expected, but I've got my reasons. This is a terrific collection of essays, so rich and beautifully written. I went slow and quiet on every writing, leaving the book on my shelf for days at the end of each essay. Just to think about what I have been reading. The words kept floating in my mind, pulling the right strings and connecting the right dots. There's something beyond Cinema in here. Criticism, though focused on film, gets stripped down to its principles and basis, to its very own shape. What is this shape made of? Language. And through a closer look to language, the authors explain how a critic instruments language to rethink cinema and rethink our position as film viewers. A precious book indeed for anyone moved by films enough to look for what they can truly reveal.
La montagna incantata
Arrivato all'ultima pagina non ci volevo credere. Ne volevo ancora, e ancora, e ancora. Mann scavalca il 900 tutto, gli bastano dieci pagine per papparsi il post-moderno. Parla al contemporaneo con la voce di un saggio che sa di non poter cambiare niente nonostante la sua esperienza abbia tantissim ... (continue)
Arrivato all'ultima pagina non ci volevo credere. Ne volevo ancora, e ancora, e ancora. Mann scavalca il 900 tutto, gli bastano dieci pagine per papparsi il post-moderno. Parla al contemporaneo con la voce di un saggio che sa di non poter cambiare niente nonostante la sua esperienza abbia tantissimo da insegnare. Storia, politica, religione, filosofia, amore, guerra e poi lo scontro fra l'uomo e la natura, fra l'arte e la scienza, fra il positivismo e il pessimismo. La trasformazione psicologica di Hans Castorp è indimenticabile, e sono convinto che al suo posto mi sarei ritrovato più o meno nelle stesse situazioni, con gli stessi dubbi e le stesse certezze. Un romanzo che non dimenticherò mai, pur essendo fuori dalla mia portata. Necessita altre letture e altre chiavi di lettura, ma intanto non si torna più indietro.
Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men
This is a good introduction to the wonderful world of Ishiro Honda. It's not everything that could be said about him and his works, but still the author manages to sum up what a novice needs to know to approach Honda for the first time. His major fantasy films are all well analysed, with much effort ... (continue)
This is a good introduction to the wonderful world of Ishiro Honda. It's not everything that could be said about him and his works, but still the author manages to sum up what a novice needs to know to approach Honda for the first time. His major fantasy films are all well analysed, with much effort of details about technics, soundtracks, acting and so on. There are few pages on Honda's life and his team. Despite some flaws and some spelling errors, consider this book a start. If you already know Honda, this is not a must-have. Otherwise, grab it and let yourself dream about the true fantasy films.
The White Tiger
Not as nearly enthusiastic as the comments on the book cover. But reading it in India helped to understand a lot of details. What Adiga portraits is the dark India, the one without the amazing colors. The poor India, the dirty India. Just what I've seen in Delhi. Adiga digs deeply in the socio-polit ... (continue)
Not as nearly enthusiastic as the comments on the book cover. But reading it in India helped to understand a lot of details. What Adiga portraits is the dark India, the one without the amazing colors. The poor India, the dirty India. Just what I've seen in Delhi. Adiga digs deeply in the socio-political context, and that's where the book works very well. The main plot, with the assassination and the escape, failed to catch me. And I felt the last 20 pages a drag to the end, kind of like even Adiga was tired.
Miles
If you can get through Miles writing, if you don't mind his urge to repeat how white people and the police are always wrong and he never fails and if you skip the last chapter, you'll find this an amazing document to understand Jazz history. Don't get me wrong, I love Miles, his art keeps inspiring ... (continue)
If you can get through Miles writing, if you don't mind his urge to repeat how white people and the police are always wrong and he never fails and if you skip the last chapter, you'll find this an amazing document to understand Jazz history. Don't get me wrong, I love Miles, his art keeps inspiring me and I often find myself thinking like he did. All jazz fans should read this book once. And then stick to his music for the rest of their lives.