Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook

Book Description

Finally, a book about the ever-popular genre of samurai film. Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves provides essential background on the samurai warrior in Japanese culture to help explain what makes these tales of loyalty, revenge and explosive swordsmanship so watchable. It covers top directors and stars and has over 50 original reviews of a wide variety of films, from classics like Samurai Trilogy and Yojimbo to influential films like Lady Snowblood, plus newly released hits like Takeshi Kitano's Zatoichi. With American directors like Quentin Tarentino increasingly influenced by Japanese films, this book is as much a guide to style as it is a solid film reference.

"Galloway's thoughtful and personal touches make this book much more than just a vital reference for samurai film fans." -- The Asian Reporter

"Galloway's contextualization of the genre is masterly, one of the clearest and most succinct explanations I have read on teh whole historical samurai phenomenon." -- The Daily Yomiuri

"Without a doubt, Galloway knows his stuff." -- Yellow Menace

From the publisher: Check out Patrick Galloway's latest book, Asian Shock: Horror and Dark Cinema from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, & Thailand

Customer Reviews:

Perfect reference book for Samurai film fans.......2007-04-23

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/07)

At the recommendation of a lab assistant that used to work for me, I started watching samurai movies. My interest in this genre stemmed from years of training in the Japanese martial arts. These movies are fun to watch, incorporate aspects of Japanese history and culture and are a nice break from the current pop culture movies available today. When my assistant moved away to go to a four-year college, I lost my source for samurai movie recommendations. Well, Patrick Galloway has saved the day for me with his book, "Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook."

More than just recommending a list of samurai films to watch, Mr. Galloway also provides a chapter on the world of the samurai. He also discusses the samurai film genre and also the artists involved. I found all of this background information to be interesting and informative because it provided me with a wealth of information that will enable me to enjoy the movies even more.

Mr. Galloway breaks the movie reviews down into sections separated by time. He covers the beginning, middle and end of the 60's, all of the 70's and then runs through the 80's and beyond. I like how much background information he provides because it enriches my enjoyment of the films. I truly appreciate the amount of work that he put into writing this book. He also combines an extensive glossary and cross index reference in the back of the book. Based upon the wealth of information that Mr. Galloway provides, he gave me a whole new list of movies that I want to watch. The best part is that I found many of these films available on Netflix, so I actually have a way to access them!

I definitely recommend "Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves" to martial movie fans and think that it would also make a great gift.

Great source to find your next rental.......2007-04-20

As a fairly new Chambara/Samurai film fan, I've found this book to be a great source to help know where to look. The writing is fun and informative, definetly from a fan's point of view. It is heavy on plot details with interesting history details mixed within, but this is in no way a critical/academic book. Its much more of a fan saying "Let me describe to you about some great films and why I found them interesting."

The book is nicely organized by time frame and one can watch the evolution of the genre. An index is in back if you prefer to track down a particular actor. There are also plenty of aside facts about actors/studios and glossary terms that I found added a nice spice to the mix.

This probably won't be of much interest to the already hardcore fan, but definetly a great starting point for the novice.

A handy handbook.......2006-03-04

This book is an absolute must for chambara fans, both newbies and fans seeking new films to explore. This is a handbook - a "practical reference" book, as Galloway states right at the beginning [7]. The first three chapters provide a nice overview for the "detailed plot synopses that follow" (although, as Galloway also states, he never gives away an ending) [47].
In fact, Galloway is explicit about the purpose of this reference book. It "provides historical background, cultural insights, production anecdotes, actor and director bios" [47] and the aforementioned plot synopses. Those looking for a more Leonard Maltin-like review guide should probably look elsewhere.
Unlike another reader, however, I was not disappointed by a lack of reviews - it is quite clear that Galloway picked his films carefully and that he's an enthusiastic booster for each film in the book.
As for misinformation, film budgets and the financial equations used to calculate them are always arguable. What is not arguable, however, is the depth of research Galloway undertook with regard to the information about directors, actors, scripts, and Japanese language and history. I would be amazed if Tatsuya Nakadai would allow his name to be attached to a book that misrepresented the genre or the creative people who produced these films (Nakadai is a well-known Japanese actor who appears in several of the films described in the book and provides a "thumbs up" review blurb on the book's back cover).
I think it is evident that the films chosen for inclusion are the result of Galloway's belief that these particular films are important for aesthetic as well as historic reasons and, well, because he enjoys them and wants to share his enthusiasm for these films with other viewers.
Similar to a list of last year's "best movies," one can always argue for the inclusion or exclusion of a particular film. However, Galloway is explicit about his desire to whet appetites for Japanese film (and not just chambara or jidai-geki, either) by providing an entertaining and highly readable guide to a selection of films he considers representative of the best in the genre. This is not meant to be an exhaustive or encyclopedic survey of every chambara produced.
This is a handbook for those movie fans who want more background on an already-loved genre and, more importantly, this is a must-have book for those who are beginning to explore the wonderful world of Japanese samurai films. Buy the book and begin expanding your cinematic world!

Strictly for newbies.......2006-02-18

It's thin compared to the other, much better, Stone Bridge Press books about Japanese cinema, coming in at 235 pages with only 150 pages dedicated to samurai film reviews. The first 3 chapters did a pretty good job giving a brief overview of samurai, the samurai film genre, the studios and talent behind the films.

Sadly, the reviews deal more with plot synopsis than review or how the film fits into the big picture of the genre and leaves much to be desired. Many titles aren't covered. Only 2 of the Sleepy Eyes of Death series warrant reviews. Only one Wicked Priest entry is covered and only 3(!) of the Lone Wolf and Cub film are included. These seem to be some HUGE gaps, and were the films I was most interested in reading about.

Galloway starts his Forward by stating that "the samurai film genre is woefully underrepresented in film criticism,..". and on page 21 mentions how film snobs hold genre films in low regard. I can relate to a beloved film genre not given the credit it's due, but Galloway takes every chance he gets to put down Godzilla and kaiju films. Putting down another genre isn't going to elevate the genre you champion.

-"...it should be noted that Japanese films in general tend to adhere to a fairly high quality standard(unless we're talking about sweaty guys in rubber suits...)" p26

In the review of Daimajin the author claims "Daiei always did quality work and you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how good a kaiju-eiga can be when done right. No Cheesy monster mash this;" What about Daiei's 1960s & 70s Gamera movies? Are they quality work? Hell no!

In the review of Seven Samurai the author claims that it "was the most expensive Japanese film ever made, costing 210,000,000 yen(some $560,000)". And that it was at least 5 times the average Japanese film budget. But in David Kalat's Critical History of Toho's Godzilla Series it lists Gojira, which was released the same year as Seven Samurai, as costing "60 million yen", "3 times the budget of the average Japanese film" and "cost $900,000 at 1954 yen to dollar rates".

Misinformation and conflicting information, like the above examples, make me wonder what other information in areas I'm not familiar with may be skewed.

Good source for Samurai films..........2005-11-30

Do you like a certain actor? Look him up. Like a cetain director? Look him up. Want films from a certain decade or wish to know some of the plot before buying it? Look it up! This book is FAR from the complex list of Samurai films, but it hits on the major ones and the people who brought them about. I had a few films I truly enjoyed, such as RoninGai, The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo to name a few. But with this book I was able to expand my library to include such titles as Lone Wolf and Cub and Zatoichi. A must for ANY library on film or Japanese culture.

Book Description

ISIS is the best-selling, longest lasting, most highly acclaimed Dylan fanzine. This ultimate Dylan anthology draws on unpublished interviews and research by the ISIS team together with the best articles culled from the pages of the definitive Bob magazine. New updated edition.

"Astounding . . . Fascinating . . . If you're more than mildly interested in Bob Dylan, then this is an essential purchase."-Record Collector

Customer Reviews:

Buyer Be Wary.......2003-04-30

The review above sounds a LOT like a review of the book by Isis magazine reviewer Jim Gillian, which is posted on the Isis site... maybe should be signed "brown nose"...?

ISIS: A Bob Dylan Anthology.......2002-09-03

This is a CRACKERJACK book. Hugely enjoyable and one that I hope is on everyone's wish list.

Excluding the appendices (which include an opinion on "historic" live shows and on "essential" bootlegs), the anthology comprises thirty-three pieces, of which, twelve are either written by Derek alone, or in collaboration with others. And whilst most of the content has of course been drawn from past issues of ISIS Magazine, there are five entirely new essays. Of those that have appeared before, the earliest comes from ISIS #22 and the most recent from ISIS #96.

The structure of the anthology broadly follows Bob's progress through the years, which gives it something of a biographical feel, albeit a particularly selective one. The text is interspersed with photographs of Bob in concert and elsewhere, as well as being liberally sprinkled with "passport" sized photos of others; poster/ticket reproductions; cartoons; band signatures and so on. Collectively these give a good overall impression of Dylan and some of his world.

Derek also writes the introduction, which moves pretty briskly from what the book is about to Derek's own reasons for being "completely captivated" by Dylan. So although he states that "it is (about) a best of selection...arranged in chronological order...(which) can be read as a potted biography... or ...as individual essays," it gets its flavour from Derek's own enthusiasm for and perspective on Dylan. The result is that "ISIS A Bob Dylan Anthology" has a particular coherence that somehow accommodates the inevitably different styles of the other contributors, who, equally inevitably, have their own take on Bob. What emerges is a book drawn from a very rich mix indeed. A bit like Grandma's secret recipe fruitcake, which is stuffed full of goodies, yet is wonderfully digestible. And you always want more...

It helps enormously that Derek writes well. His style is accessible, engaging and inclusive of others. He brings rigour and considerable expertise to bear. This produces pieces that are informed, accurate (or as accurate as anything about Bob Dylan ever can be) and stimulating. At the same time, there is a total absence of malice about his writing, as well as an utter lack of arrogance. This is in marked contrast to some of the recent(ish) works by one or two "world authorities" on Dylan, where what they said was much diminished by how they said it.

Somehow (though I guess careful editing on Derek's part has a lot to do with it), the essays from the other contributors are pretty consistent with Derek's approach. Hence the general coherence of it all. By way of an analogy to illustrate this, it's a bit like listening to a "various artist's" CD, one where the tracks are based on a distinctive theme, rather than one intended to reflect the broad company catalogue.

Turning now to some of the pieces themselves. The opener, "Interview With Abe and Beatty Zimmerman" is prefaced with an introductory note by Ian Woodward. Even for people pretty familiar with the background to the interview and to Shelton's relationship with Dylan, this provides a really helpful context, one that encourages the reader to look at it as though present in the room all those years ago, rather than with the benefit(?) of over thirty years hindsight.

Shelton opens with some questions about the family background and how Abe and Beatty met. They talk about Bob's early years, his childhood ambitions and behaviour and, later, his growing success. To me at least, both Bob's parents, though especially Beatty, come across as pretty open. Oh sure, we know that some things were held back and that others had some sort of "spin" on them, but in general it feels very natural. Perhaps the most poignant, most eloquent moment comes towards the end, when Shelton asks if they think Bob will come back to Hibbing. Abe, who seems to have been looking at pictures of Bob in camp in the summer of 1954, does not answer and, even when prompted, remains silent. Maybe he was reflecting on what had been lost, rather than what had been gained. But who really knows? Three weeks later he died.

It's a fascinating piece that sets the stage for those following, which variously look at (amongst other things) Bob's background and early forays into music making; where the name "Dylan" might have come from; Dave Whittaker's recollections and observations; and early days in London. Then there is "A Chat With Martin Carthy," the other party being Matthew Zuckerman, and a fine job it is too. Carthy seems to enjoy talking about Dylan. He does so without any hint of envy but with a considerable body of knowledge about musical tradition, a real feel for the culture, environment and tensions of the whole early sixties "folk" thing and a lot of affection for a fellow performer, who happens to be Bob Dylan. I could go on but space dictates. The only piece that I did have a bit of difficulty with was, "Robert Johnson and Street Legal," though that was entirely of my own making.

Book Description

Bob Dylan changed the face of music in the 1960s with his poetic lyrics and raspy voice, and 40 years later, he continues to be a respected songwriter and musical force. Isis, the premier Dylan magazine, has covered the movements of this cultural icon for 20 years, and this anthology combines the best interviews and articles culled from the magazine's archives. Coupled with previously unpublished photographs, these chronological essays provide a unique take on Dylan-related events such as tours and new albums. Both casual and hardcore fans will appreciate this treasure trove of Dylan information.

Customer Reviews:

An enjoyable read!.......2006-01-18

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays by a variety of authors, as it gives different views of Dylan and is at times very funny. This book covers some great topics and tells some fantastic stories of Dylan not previously covered in other books. Not only does this book span Dylan's career, but also the 20 years of ISIS. Derek Barker has lovingly put this collection together and it is an enjoyable read for any Dylan fan.

Best of the Best.......2005-12-12

This book is really great, WoW, WHAT A READ! I'd consider it a MUST for all Dylan fans, veterans or newcomers. It was impossible to put down. I'd give it 10 Stars if I could. This Volume, like Volume 1, is even beyond great, as is the magazine it comes from, ISIS, which has been publishing informative, thought provoking articles and opinions about Dylan for twenty-years. This book is the place to come if you're a thinking Dylan fan who wants to read the finest, most creative and most interesting Dylan writing on the planet.

ISIS Anthology 2.......2005-12-09

I've just finished reading the new ISIS Anthology book and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I brought the fist ISIS Dylan book a few years back and although it was a fantasic read this one surpasses it! As with vol 1, the essays about Dylan make great reading but Vol 2 has the edge because it's more than just essays and interviews. This vol is closer in content to the wonderful long running magazine from which the Anthology is complied and therefore it contains many great asides, anecdotes and interesting facts that help create just the right balance. This is a must for all fans of Bob Dylan.

Book Description

What's Your Pop Culture IQ? lets readers gauge their entertainment savvy with quizzes like "Are you a fanatic?" "Who's your inner movie star?" and "Are you a boy band brain?".

Customer Reviews:

Fun, Fun, Fun!.......2001-10-10

This is an amazingly fun book! Not only does it test your knowledge of pop culture, it also included quizzes to tell you things like, "If Your Life Were a Teen Movie, What Would It Be?" SHare it with your friends, and you'll have a blast.

Fun, Fun, Fun!.......2001-10-10

What's Your "Mad About You" Iq?: 601 Questions and Answers for Fans

Average customer rating:

The fact that this book exists makes me happy to be alive.
This is a Great Book!
What's Your Mad About You IQ?
Fun!
Great book!!

What's Your "Mad About You" Iq?: 601 Questions and Answers for Fans
Stephen Spignesi
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Mad About You - The Complete Third Season

ASIN: 0806516828

Customer Reviews:

The fact that this book exists makes me happy to be alive........2007-01-03

Perfect for any trivia fan, whether they've ever seen Mad About You or not (if they haven't, the answers are in the back, they can memorize them and then impress their friends with their staggering Mad About You knowledge). With six hundred and one questions, that gives you, at the rate of one a day, six hundred and one days worth of daily questions to quiz your friends, coworkers, children, spouse, lover, servants, or cab driver with. You'll be the talk of the town with your copy of "What's Your Mad About You IQ?"

This is a Great Book!.......2004-09-05

I loved this book! I loved how the author focused on details that the average fan might miss, like what Jamie's middle name is or what Paul yelled at Lisa. (Note - this is a question in the book and the answer is "Chicken a La King) I will warn fans that this book focuses on miniscule details instead of the main ones. You answer questions and see what your I.Q is. The awards range from the "Murray Good Boy" award to the "Jamie Buchman award"
Good luck to all who buy this book

What's Your Mad About You IQ?.......2002-04-25

Great book for any Mad About You fan.

Fun!.......2001-06-01

This book is a lot of fun. Especially if you love trivia and/or if you are MAD about Mad About You. I am a big fan of this show and I thought I knew a lot about the characters... when I read this book I found out I did not know as much as I thought. The questions in this book are very detail oriented and to get them correct you really do need to know a lot about the show! I now know a lot more than I did previously! This is surely a book for Mad About You lovers and probably would be borrowing for most anyone else. Personally, I found the book completely entertaining and a lot of fun! I am thrilled with my purchase.

Great book!!.......1999-01-27

This book is really only for people who love Mad About You. But if you do love it, then it's awesome! I also have the Jamie Buchman Award! And also, in the book summary it says their last name is "Buckman", but it's "Buchman".

What's Your "Frasier" IQ: 501 Questions and Answers for Fans

Average customer rating:

Scrambled eggs all over my face, what is a boy to do?
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

What's Your "Frasier" IQ: 501 Questions and Answers for Fans
Robert W. Bly
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0806517328

Customer Reviews:

Scrambled eggs all over my face, what is a boy to do?.......1999-11-18

Dear God, how could you summarise this remarkable fine piece of art of which you slavishly call a paperback book.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!.......1998-12-14

This book is wonderful! I have been a Frasier addict since it came out. I'm getting good Frasier-wise!

What's Your Gay & Lesbian Entertainment IQ : The Show-Biz Quiz About What's 'In'--And Who's 'Out'

Average customer rating:

Covers it all
Read about them
Amuses and informs
A hoot

What's Your Gay & Lesbian Entertainment IQ : The Show-Biz Quiz About What's 'In'--And Who's 'Out'
Ed Karvoski Jr.
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1575662957

Customer Reviews:

Covers it all.......1998-10-01

"In WHAT'S YOUR GAY & LESBIAN ENTERTAINMENT I.Q.?, Karvoski pretty much covers it all: queer film quotes, drama queens, video trivia, movie kisses, and who done what with whom and where in what medium. This is the kind of book you just HAVE TO OWN, not only to wow your friends with your Hollywood knowledge, but as a great resource when pondering all those baffling questions like, 'Was so-and-so REALLY queer?' And, 'Who DID so-and-so kiss in that movie, and what was the name of it again?'" -- Andrea L.T. Peterson, UPDATE

Read about them.......1998-10-01

"You can't spend ALL your time seeing movies, renting videos and watching television -- sometimes you'd rather read about them. ... WHAT'S YOUR GAY & LESBIAN ENTERTAINMENT I.Q.? [is] great for long drives, poolside or the beach." -- Belissa Cohen, IN LOS ANGELES

Amuses and informs.......1998-10-01

"WHAT'S YOUR GAY & LESBIAN ENTERTAINMENT I.Q.? will tax readers' trivia knowledge to the utmost while it amuses and informs. ... Even the most learned of gay trivia buffs are certain to exclaim, 'I didn't know that!' to some of the brainteasers that Karvoski poses. He hasn't made things easy, but that's half the fun of the book." -- J.S. Hall, DALLAS VOICE

A hoot.......1998-09-27

"Karvoski's a hoot and so is his book. Check it out." -- Archie Rothman, 4-FRONT MAGAZINE (Los Angeles)

Who's Your Inner Movie Star? What's Your Music IQ? Are You Desined for Fame?

Average customer rating:

Who's Your Inner Movie Star? What's Your Music IQ? Are You Desined for Fame?

Manufacturer: Puffin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 014131317X

Product Description

Test yourself with 20 pop culture quizzes. This book of celebrity and entertainment quizes will help you figure out how much you know about Music, Movies, TV, and even YOURSELF!

Book Description

This book describes the major aesthetic image elementslight and color, space, time-motion, and soundand how they are used in television and film. Zettls comprehensive coverage of aesthetic theory and his inclusion of effective visuals and examples place this text in a class by itself.

Customer Reviews:

5 stars.......2005-10-10

The book is totally new and under very good condition, and the dilievery time is much earlier than i expected.

Best in field.......2004-12-28

This text thoroughly explains the intricacies of applied media asthetics in a concise and completely accessible way. It is a well organizied text that ehances its presentation through the use of many illustrations. I believe that this is the best text on the subject and that it has been since its first edtion.

motion graphics professor.......2002-06-04

"Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics explains the WHY of film and video production. If you're looking for HOW then turn to another book."

I would disagree with the above review. Only by learning WHY first, can we learn HOW later. This book is more than a cookie cutter approach to film and video. If you want to "click and drag" your way through an editing program, then true, this book is not for you. Add this to your collection if you want a book that teaches how to see and create film. Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics has staying power.

Fundamental book on the theory of the moving image.......2001-05-20

This was the assigned textbook for my digital video 2 class, and it is simply wonderful. Zettl is a very knowledgable man on the subject of creating images for film, video, and even new media. (Zettl's text Video Basics 3 was used in my digital video 1 class as well) This book lays a solid foundation for the theory behind how and why the viewer perceives the moving image, and how the filmmaker and video producer can create more pleasing and coherent productions.

While the biggest complaint I've heard about this book is it's over-reliance on theory, it still does a good job of contextualizing theory into practical application. Thus the title of the book: APPLIED Media Aesthetics. Although I haven't read any of Eisentien's theories behind filmmaking, I suspect that Zettl's treatment would compete rather well, and is probably more accessible for a modern reader.

This book covers all the bases from color and light, time and space and structuring audio to image. Zettl succintcly deconstructs the intelligent mind behind the images and sound of our cultures film and television productions.

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics explains the WHY of film and video production. If you're looking for HOW then turn to another book.

The Filmmaker's Bible of Aesthetics or What Works and Why.......2000-11-04

This is probably the most important textbook a film production student can have on his/her shelf. NOT for how to work with actors or how to light a scene, but for understanding the underlying reasons of why things work due to our learned aesthetics and Western sensibilities.

Professor Herbert Zettl has written the most concise manual on why we has film viewers percieve things the way we do. He explains in detail (and layman's terms) how our aesthetics have been formed to interpret the dynamic medium of film and television.

How editing of action from shot to shot creates the illusion of continuous motion. How stagelines work so not to give the effect that your actor is jumping around from one side of the scene to the other. How to crop your shot BETWEEN the bodies natural cut-off points (i.e. neck, elbow, waist) to prevent the actor from looking like a disembodied head or torso.

This book is cover-to-cover insights into what we as viewers take for granted when we watch a good filmmaker's work, but may not consider when faced with the daunting task of mounting a film production and the on-set "reality" problems that dominate the filmmaker's mind when shooting a film.

I first read this book when I was in film school twenty years ago. Since then I have directed many professional film productions and I still review it before starting a new one to refresh myself.

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