75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards

Book Description

75 Years of the Oscar, newly updated, revised, and expanded, is the official history of the Academy Awards written by film critic Robert Osborne in association with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It begins with a general history of the Academy followed by the author's lively, decade-by-decade overviews of the accomplishments, trends, and events that occurred during each ten-year period within the Academy and the film industry. The book also provides a year-by-year portrayal of the actual ceremonies, plus a complete listing of the nominees and winners in every category, making it the most comprehensive book on the subject. In addition to Osborne's text, there are personal remembrances of more than 100 Oscar winners, including Mickey Rooney, Mary Astor, Sir Laurence Olivier, Fred Zinnemann, Clint Eastwood, and Emma Thompson.

The 725 candid pictures from the evening's events, stills from the movies, and original posters for every best picture round out each section. Combining Osborne's extensive knowledge and the Academy's exceptional archives, including many rarely seen photographs, this book, ideal for scholars and film buffs alike, is unrivaled in illustration, accuracy, and scope.

Other Details: 725 illustrations, 60 in full color.

Customer Reviews:

great resource book.......2007-05-13

a great book to review past Academy Award winners and nominees
i really enjoyed the notes from previous award winners and their thoughts on receiving the award
i have given this as a gift to fellow movie lovers and it is a big hit
has also helped me in a few movie trivia contests too!!

75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards.......2006-03-07

This is a must-have of any film buff and is the most comprehen-
sive book of its kind that I have seen.

An all-inclusive encyclopedia of the Academy Awards .......2006-02-23

This book is not a history in the since of most history books. It does not detail how the academy began, or how it changed over the years, or give you any kind of insider view of its workings. Instead, it is a complete listing of every nominee and every winner in every category since the award ceremony's inception in 1927. There are plenty of photographs of the nominees and images of scenes from the nominated films for each year, so it is not dry in the way many reference books are. In fact, Mr. Osborne's love of film and its history really shine through in the book. It is interesting to look through this book and see what we consider to be films that have withstood the test of time versus which ones were rewarded by the academy at the time. For example, in 1939, the Academy did recognize that "Gone with the Wind" was the best picture of the year, which people were lining up to watch in movie theaters until its television broadcast premiere in 1976. However, in 1941, "How Green was My Valley" won best picture, which is a film that hardly anyone watches anymore, while "Citizen Kane" was completely ignored. It's also interesting to see how the Academy compensated for past oversights by awarding performances that were less than stellar in subsequent years. For instance, in 1934 Bette Davis was overlooked in her performance in "Of Human Bondage". This caused a huge public outcry. The following year the Academy gave her the best actress award for her performance in "Dangerous"- a move that has largely been seen over the years as a consolation prize for what happened the year before.
This book is full of little insights such as these, and it is a fun book that gives hours of entertainment for film history buffs. I bought my first copy of this history by Mr. Osborne back in 1987 when he was then detailing the 60 years of the Oscar, and I enjoyed it so much I have been updating my copy every time he releases a new edition. Highly recommended.

Just What I was Looking For.......2005-10-17

Over the years, I have picked up a few books about the Academy Awards. I did so primarily to get a list of winners but I have also been interested in knowing the nominees. In the early days of the award it wasn't unusual to have eight or nine nominees for a particular award. However, the inference was still that there was something special about this particular movie in regards to this particular awards. I like that "75 Years of the Oscar" lists not only each award winner but each award nominee as well. I espcially appreciate the listing of all nominees for the Best Foreign Language award. I hadn't come across that before in any of the books I'd found.

"75 Years of the Oscar" makes for a large tome and I did have to send back the first edition of the book that I received due to weak binding for a book this size. The book provides an overview of each individual year as well as each decade of the award. Over the years the Academy Awards have over-rated some turkeys and ignored some movies now considered classics. The Academy has had a tendency, over the years, to focus on five to eight movies a year for 95% of all nominees. It certainly seems that it is a popularity contest more than an artistic examination. However, it's still a fairly reliable source for finding good movies of the past and that's what I use it for.

An Educational & Interesting Read.......2005-09-16

This book is chock full of facts about everything to do with the Academy and it's evolving from nothing to what it is today. It tells how and who started it, and how the different categories for Oscars were added as the years went by. The first 2 chapters or so overwhelm you with dry details which make it tedious reading; at least that is how I felt about it.
The rest of the book's chapters go year by year telling you all the nominations and winners of Oscars in all the different categories, and show you dozens of good pictures of the stars. You can also read the acceptance speeches given in the book by the stars that won Academy Awards.
There also is a section that lists the names of all the stars that have won 2 or more Academy Awards. This is what I really liked. This is what I bought the book for.
It is a huge book to read, so just take your time and read a little bit at a time.
I'm glad I bought it because I am a movie fan and have learned from it; and can always refer back to it when I want to find something out.

Book Description

MASTERING MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS is a prescriptive, hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of music that revolves around basic "principles" that are explained and reinforced with problems to solve. The book will guide you through a visual step-by-step process that anticipates and answers your questions. A CD-ROM, packaged free with every new copy of the text, includes additional exercises to increase mastery.

Book Description

Music in Youth Culture examines the fantasies of post-Oedipal youth cultures as displayed on the landscape of popular music from a post-Lacanian perspective. jagodzinski, an expert on Lacan, psychoanalysis, and education's relationship to media, maintains that a new set of signifiers is required to grasp the sliding signification of contemporary "youth." He discusses topics such as the figurality of noise, the perversions of the music scene by boyz/bois/boys and the hysterization of it by gurlz/girls/grrrls. Music in Youth Culture also examines the postmodern "fan(addict)", techno music, and pop music icons. jagodzinski raises the Lacanian question of "an ethics of the Real" and asks educators to re-examine "youth" culture.

Book Description

(Foreword, by Lorin Hollander, concert pianist)

Eloise Ristad deals here with complex problems which torment and cripple so many of our most creative and talented people, and she does so with compassion, wisdom, and wit. The problem of stage fright, for instance, is a suffering of epidemic proportions in our society, and involves modalities of thought and projections that rob spontaneity and enthusiasm in artistic performance.

Those interested in creative education have long felt that an entirely new, holistic and nurturing process of allowing individuals to discover and express themselves is needed if our educational system is to avoid the neuroses and creative blocks of the past generation. This book illuminates through its conversational style the destructive inhibitions, fears, and guilt experienced by all of us as we fail to break through to creativity. This story is told to me day after day in conservatories and college campuses around the world. Indeed I felt at times that she was telling of my own most petty and debilitating fears.

But what is important, A Soprano on Her Head supplies answers and methods for overcoming these universal psychological blocks--methods that have not only been proven in her own studio, but which trace back through history to the oldest and wisest systems of understanding the integration of mind and body. The work bears scrutiny both scientifically and holistically.

This is a wonderful book. Read it. You are not alone.

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful Book.......2007-08-22

I bought this book because of the wonderful things everyone was saying about it. I am a music major, and being one, I have had many struggles. When you want to study music, no one doubts that you love it. A person has to become it. The struggle of learning the right techniques and harder and harder music is enough to make anyone forget why they loved music in the first place. This book is helping me to let the music flow, and use all of this knowledge that I have learned in college. I beleive that any one who has struggled with themsleves and their music should read this book. It is a beautiful part of any library, and should be read by any and all who come across it.

Writers need this book.......2007-07-13

Just as DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN is more than a book about drawing, so A SOPRANO ON HER HEAD is one of those life-enhancing books from which anyone can benefit. I plan to put this on the Suggested Reading list I hand out at my writing classes.

"In any art there must be movement . . ." she quotes Chaim Nahor, an Israeli painter. Ristad argues quite convincingly that in order to be truly touched by art in any form, we must be _moved_.

Brian Corrigan, one of my favorite fellow novelists, has said that he has a single word posted at the top of his computer monitor. It says "LINGER." Ristad shows us how to linger with every moving moment, and how, as artists in any medium, we can bring forth those moments from the deep well of creativity. We can dance ourselves onto the canvas, the printed page, the composition.

All life, in one form or another, is art. I suggest that we all use A SOPRANO ON HER HEAD to help us paint our lives more brilliantly. I refer to this book often as I'm writing my cat mysteries, and show it to people whose books I edit. This is a book that gives great value for the price and for the time spent reading it.

Helpful to all practicing musicians.......2007-01-03

Ms. Ristad has written a book that feels just like she knew me. It's refreshing to hear that we all have many of the same issues about confidence, performance anxiety and classical music in general. She has a nice way of discussing these issues in a way that values them while pointing out just how absurd the conservatory-style music education system really is. Soprano is a must-read, no matter what your instrument.

Tough to put down.......2004-04-04

The first chapter of this book was a reading assignment for my voice pedagogy class. I wasn't completely sold by the title (or the cover), but I was instantly hooked once I started reading. This book will be loved by all musicians as well as anyone engaged in any sort of practice. Through her exciting and light approach to dealing with "serious problems," Ristad shows us that our harshest critics are those "judges" within us, those inner voices to which we currently worship. When we are willing to put those voices aside momentarily and give ourselves permission to try, to experiment, even to fail once in a while, we actually give ourself permission to grow and excel. An inspiring message to all.

Quirky but worthwhile.......2003-10-02

The author suggests unconventional ways of dealing with musician's nagging problems, such as, self doubt or technical plateaus. Her approach and ideas are a bit quirky but useful. She challenges musicians to step outside the conventional pedagogy box to explore solutions in fresh ways. Hidden under this new way of addressing problems is the feeling of empowerment musicans will gain if they listen to her advice.

The Psychology of the Sopranos: Love, Death, Desire and Betrayal in America's Favorite Gangster Family

Average customer rating:

a neat little read on the Soprano family
Best Book I've Read About the Sopranos So Far!
What I've Waited For!!!
Analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death
For psychology and Sopranos junkies

The Psychology of the Sopranos: Love, Death, Desire and Betrayal in America's Favorite Gangster Family
Glen O. Gabbard
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0465027350
Release Date: 2002-07-09

Book Description

A renowned psychoanalyst takes a hard and humorous look at the psyches of America's favorite mob family--and our own.

Some have called it "The Sopranos Effect"--the quiet that descends just before a new episode of the hit TV series is aired. Stores are deserted, restaurants quiet--and for patients of distinguished psychoanalyst and author Glen Gabbard, desperate calls for help go unreturned. Why, Dr. Gabbard wondered, have the misadventures of a middle-aged thug won the largest audience in HBO history? What is it about the characters and their relationships that draws us in so completely? What can we learn about ourselves from going inside the heads of these outlaws from New Jersey?

In The Psychology of the Sopranos Dr. Gabbard draws on his vast professional experience (and his near-obsessive preoccupation with Tony's two "families") to delve into the psychology of the characters, the show's depiction of therapy, and how "The Sopranos" dramatically showcases the psychological ambiguities and conflicts in our own lives. Indeed, part of the show's popularity, he argues, is the spotlight it throws on viewers' psychological issues--from panic attacks and existential angst to codes of honor and moral indiscretions. With his tongue planted only lightly in his cheek, Gabbard poses the questions so many of us have pondered on Monday mornings: Is Tony's therapy working? And how is it possible for him and his "families" to reconcile the mundane and the monstrous? His answers will surprise and delight loyal fans.

This book was not prepared, licensed, approved, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the "Sopranos" television series.

Mafia don Tony Soprano, his family, his work "associates," and his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, have captured the imagination (and the fanatical devotion) of more than 11 million viewers. The show has garnered rave reviews for its writing and acting and has won a loyal following of educated viewers, who appreciate the sharp wit, the Machiavellian plot turns, and the Shakespearean character development of this extraordinarily well-crafted drama.

Find the answers in The Psychology of the Sopranos:

Is Tony a psychopath--or is he an American everyman putting bread on the table in the best way he knows how?

Is Livia a modern-day Medea or a victim caught in mob mentality?

Is Carmella an accomplice or an innocent?

Who's more corrupt, Tony Soprano or Father Phil?

Is Tony doomed to desire women who make him feel as bad as Mom did?

Can a man who commits bad acts still teach his children to be good?

Customer Reviews:

a neat little read on the Soprano family.......2003-08-30

This book is well written, but it is not much more than an extended newspaper article. Gabbard enjoys himself opening up some interesting lines of thought and giving an overview to the series. Well worth a look.

Best Book I've Read About the Sopranos So Far!.......2003-05-05

This book handles the psychology aspect of the Sopranos which I find the most complelling. It highlights why the psychology in the Sopranos is more realistic than anything seen before and elevates the series to a higher level. There are many shows and movies about Italian-American mobsters. This one is very special and rises above most. The show has its own style and consciousness. Psychology of the Sopranos highlights that style and enlightens us furthur.

What I've Waited For!!!.......2003-02-09

Like most Sopranos fans, I don't start Monday morning at work until my colleagues and I have thoroughly analyzed the episode of the night before. We all have some psych in our background and the discussions are lively and, not surprisingly, clearly include individual projection. Now, an insightful book by a psychoanalyst! Pinch me! This is one of the panel of psychoanalysts who critiques and analyzes on "Slate" after each episode. He provides understanding to story lines and characters that were previously debatable; that is, if you accept that his analysis is the final word! And you may not always.

Why didn't Tony "get" the rapist? Now I know. Why are we all so drawn to this series? Writing is great, sure, but the reasons are much more complex and personal. The relationships are examined and illuminated. Lines and images I've forgotten are brought back, and with clarification. Subtle inclusion of references to classic movies and literature in the lines or settings are examined. Our fascination with Tony is explained in context to what we struggle with personally daily. I now have a logical understanding of why I like this obviously psychopatic killer mobster!

My friends and I have a ritual of providing the best line of the night and we rarely mimic each other. The lines brought back in the book left a smile on my face. Some that I missed or forgot about were hilarious, and I even underlined passages.

This book was a gift from a fellow "Sorpranoette," Courtney Conlin. It fascinated and captivated me. If you are a Sorpranos fan, and especially if you are into analyzing the plots and characters, if you have unanswered questions, if you strive to learn more about human motivations, and most of all your own, you will not be able to put this book down!

Analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death.......2003-01-06

Mafia don Soprano and his associates have captured more than 11 million viewers in the HBO TV hit series; but what makes the series so fascinating ý especially to psychoanalysts? The Psychology Of Sopranos provides an intriguing survey of the characters and attractions of the series, using the gangster family as a foundation for analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death.

For psychology and Sopranos junkies.......2002-09-23

This entertaining book actually enhanced my viewing experience. I watch the Sopranos on videotape -- gulping down three episodes at a time -- and I gone back to Season 1 with the help of this book. Gabbard picks up nuances that eluded me on first viewing.

Most interesting is Gabbard's portrayal of the therapist, Jennifer Melfi. Not surprisingly, he is pro-therapy. While acknowledging Jennifer's mistakes -- especially her problems with boundaries -- Gabbard insists that Melfi does, after all, recover from those mistakes. And I'm glad he, too, found some of Jennifer's scenes "improbable," such as her visit to her own therapist with her ex-husband and son. He shed some light on the mystery of Carmela's therapist, the man referred by Dr. Melfi who told Carmela to take the kids and leave. Apparently this therapeutic style is based on input from a real therapist who informally consults with the show.

I'm a little puzzled by Gabbard's references to A.J., Anthony Junior, who appears to be in middle school. On the one hand, Gabbard seems a little too forgiving of the psychologist in A.J.'s school, a man who has trouble communicating with laypeople. Telling the parents that A.J. has "five out of nine" symptoms of ADD doesn't help anyone. And I think Gabbard misinterprets a scene where big sister Meadow, from her infinite wisdom as a college student, helps A.J. interpret Frost's famous poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Gabbard says the scene highlights the difference in their academic levels, but I've met few straight teenaged boys who were moved by poetry. If they understand symbolism, they're not willing to admit it.
Gabbard also picks up the verbal cruelty Tony inflicts on his young son: "If this is my male heir -- you want me to have a vasectomy?" Yet he ignores the father-and-son moments between Tony and A.J., such as the night they were squirting whipped cream directly from jar into mouth. And the family does get together for dinner just about every night -- more than a lot of households do.
Just the fact that I, like many readers, will be stimulated to argue and question Gabbard's book shows its strength: Gabbard's analysis is tough and thought-provoking. There was perhaps too much rehash of the Sopranos episodes (with some errors noted by other reviewers) and too little reflection on why television characters have so much influence.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Clinical Psychiatry News, published by International Medical News Group on January 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1177 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Fink! Still at Large: Shrinking 'The Sopranos'. (Opinion).(Column)
Author: Paul J. Fink
Publication: Clinical Psychiatry News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2002
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Page: 17(1)

Article Type: Column

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Hora de Juego "Linguistica," La
Ana Maria Soprano
Manufacturer: Fundacion Editorial de Belgrano
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

'The Sopranos' wins praise for portrayal of female therapists. (News).: An article from: CrossCurrent - The Journal of Addition and Mental Health

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'The Sopranos' wins praise for portrayal of female therapists. (News).: An article from: CrossCurrent - The Journal of Addition and Mental Health
Stephen Nicholls
Manufacturer: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from CrossCurrent - The Journal of Addition and Mental Health, published by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 996 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: 'The Sopranos' wins praise for portrayal of female therapists. (News).
Author: Stephen Nicholls
Publication: CrossCurrent - The Journal of Addition and Mental Health (Newsletter)
Date: June 22, 2003
Publisher: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Page: 5(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Masters' theses. Elementary Education
Jean W Soprano
Manufacturer: State University of New York, College of Arts and Science, Professional Studies Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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