Customer Reviews:
winner of the National Book Award (Arts and Letters, 1974).......2000-06-20
Pauline Kael's third collection of film reviews from The New Yorker magazine covers the period September 1969 to March 1972. Kael's anti-intellectual stance (she is fond of cursing) and wicked sense of humour makes her probably the most accessible of the critics. Her desultory reviews can be often more entertaining than the complimentary ones. In this volume she praises (among others) The Sterile Cuckoo, La Femme Infidele, They Shoot Horses Don't They, M*A*S*H*, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Last Picture Show, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and The Godfather. She pans The Arrangement, Hello Dolly, Topaz, The Honeymoon Killers, Ryan's Daughter, Love Story, Carnal Knowledge, Dirty Harry, and The Boyfriend. As for most of her writing, one can read the reviews simply for the pleasure of her craft, without having to or even wanting to see the film she is discussing. A few things gave me a giggle. Her list of deterrents to movie-going. Keir Dullea at the premiere of de Sade getting applause for a closeup of his face, then the next shot being a closeup of his horse's face and the horse getting applause, too. Her constitutional aversion to movies about beautiful women whose souls have been lost, stolen or destroyed, especially when it isn't clear - and it never is - whether the heroine had a soul in the first place. And how in Nicholas and Alexandria, the actor playing Lenin is photographed like the statues of Lenin and he behaves like a statue.
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Deeper Into Movies
Pauline Kael
Manufacturer: ATLANTIC MONTHLY * PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WE3T6G |
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Deeper into Movies
Pauline Keal
Manufacturer: Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 History & Criticism
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ASIN: 0714507539 |
Book Description
Education is about developing minds that are ready to thrive in the complex uncertainties of the postmodern world: minds that are curious, confident, critical and collaborative. But how is that to be achieved? What are the implications for schools and teachers of rethinking education in this way?In Learning for Life in the 21st Century, a collection of distinguished international educators and researchers bend their minds to this problem - and come up with solutions and suggestions that are practical, challenging, and sometimes surprising.The book starts from the premise that the most significant factors in shaping minds are the cultural setting in which learning takes place, the activities in which participants engage, and the discourse among them. Underlining the wide acceptance of this perspective, the contributors are drawn from a range of countries: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and the US . Each chapter explores the ideas and challenges that a sociocultural perspective raises for different aspects of schooling and lifelong education.What emerges is a coherent and comprehensive picture of what education needs to become in the context of escalating relativism and diversity in the world. The contributions are written in a thoughtful, engaging style, free from unnecessary technological jargon, and the volume is structured clearly to correspond to the chronological organization of education.
Book Description
Dazzle friends, family, and acquaintances with a series of mind-blowing psychic feats that will have them demanding an encore. Robert Mandelberg--comedian, magician, puzzle master, and author of Mind Reading Card Tricks and Mystifying Mind-Reading Tricks, among others--presents the topic as no one else can. With a distinctively wild and wacky humor, he reveals the secrets to 17 blockbuster mind-reading demonstrations, all with presentation tips and techniques, plus ratings to help would-be mind readers determine which ones are right for them. He also shows how to build an entertaining repertoire--and finish the show with an "earth-shattering, mind-blowing trick."
Customer Reviews:
Best buy for the money........2007-03-03
I have just finished reading Robert Mandelberg's Easy Mind-Reading Tricks and, as there are no reviews posted, I would like to air my thoughts. I have been actively involved in magic and mentalism for over 40 years, and I have read much of the published literature in the area. For the average amateur, I firmly believe this book is the best, and most reasonably priced, source of material I have ever encountered. Authors of similar books are generally content to merely list various methods of performing effects, without any discussion of performance. This is similar to telling someone who wants to learn to play a piano solo, "Well, you could produce a nice melody using these chord progressions." Mandelberg, on the other hand, gives the reader a series of fully routined and tested effects which involve mystery, humor, and suspense. In short, each and every one of the mysteries he presents is fully routined and orchestrated such that the resulting performance will be entertaining. While the quality of the material he presents varies, as does the impact on the audience and the amount of work involved, he discusses these factors with the reader. Typically, he offers a simple presentation, then discusses extra touches which enhance the overall effect if you are willing to do the work. In summary, all of the effects presented in this book are fully routined, entertaining, and discussed in detail. Several of the effects are used by some of the top performers in mentalism. There is more usable material here than is to be found in most "professional" publications at ten times the price. If you do what he says, you will not be in danger of boring your audience with a lot of geeky tricks. You will entertain and mystify them instead. Bravo!
Book Description
I know exactly what you are thinking! These mystifying mind reading tricks are more spectacular than magic; more enticing than card tricks; and much more fun than sleight of hand. Delight and amaze friends, family, and acquaintances with your mastery of these spellbinding techniques. From simple icebreakers to dazzling demonstrations, this assortment of crowd pleasers will convince even skeptical spectators that you have the power to read their minds. Once you learn the basics, a little practice and touch of showmanship will make you the hit of any party. Work alone or with a partner; ham it up or play it cool. Perform these incredible feats and leave them wide eyed and slack jawed wondering "How did he do that?" One dozen top-quality, high-impact insider tricks--guaranteed to leave your audience flabbergasted and ready for more!
Customer Reviews:
Great things often come in small packages.......2007-07-12
Sure, this book isn't a thick, hard-back tome complete with leather binding, but it packs some pretty amazing effects into its pages. Though some of the tricks might sound pretty simple, the effects can be quite astonishing, especially if you work up a good patter (comical or spooky). One thing I find very helpful about this book is that Robert includes his estimated level of presentation difficulty along with its overall impact for each demonstration. Plus, he mentions right off if a partner or any level of set-up is required. Buy this book and get your nose into it. It's a whimsical, easy read with some real gems to add to your repertoire.
A Reader.......2005-10-11
This book is extremely elementary. Nothing you can't figure out without a little thought. I've got to think the other reviewers are friends of the author, because I can't see how they can possibly think this book is that great.
Truly an excellent book.......2004-10-09
I have read through the many pages of countless magic books only to find myself frustrated with the lack of high impact, hard-to-figure-out tricks. This book, however, was different. A few minutes after reading the first couple of pages I decided to try what I just learned of some of my friends. I blew them away, and they told me I should quit my job and start performing in Las Vegas. If you were to buy this quality of material in a magic store, it would cost around $50. This is a 'must have' for anyone interested in astounding their friends or family.
AMAZING!.......2003-02-18
This is the "War & Peace" of Mind Reading! Robert Mandelberg takes you through the basic steps of mind reading with an uncanny brilliance and a great sense of humor.
He will make you feel like the new Kreskin!
AMAZING!.......2003-02-18
This is the "War & Peace" of Mind Reading! Robert Mandelberg takes you through the basic steps of mind reading with an uncanny brilliance and a great sense of humor.
He will make you feel like the new Kreskin!
Average customer rating:
- Made me an expert at ESP (Extra Special Performances!)
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Mind-Reading Card Tricks
Robert Mandelberg
Manufacturer: Sterling
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Binding: Paperback
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Easy Mind-Reading Tricks
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Mind Magic: Extraordinary Tricks to Mystify, Baffle and Entertain
ASIN: 140270948X |
Book Description
Any magician worth his wand can pull an ace of clubs from a deck of cards, but how many can consistently predict which cards will be chosen by audience members-before the trick has even begun? And just how many can make that audience shake their heads, rub their eyes and recoil in shock at the magician’s stupefying powers of mind control? Learn the secrets behind these mind-blowing card tricks with this fun how-to. The tricks are rated for difficulty, impact upon unsuspecting audience members, and the type of setup and preparation required. Techniques include Sleight-of-Hand, Forcing, False Assumption, Preset Decks and Evil Mathematics, along with the most amazing technique of all: the incredible One Ahead.
Customer Reviews:
Made me an expert at ESP (Extra Special Performances!).......2005-10-06
I am an overgrown kid (37 years old) and I've always been tinkering with card tricks of one sort or another. Recently, I've become interested in doing them again for friends and family. I bought a few card trick books, and they all had some pretty good tricks, but this book has got a few that'll rattle some brains for your unsuspecting audience (be it one person or 100 people!)
Mr. Mandelberg has included fourteen tricks (or "demonstrations" as I like to call them. When you say a card "trick" it automatically puts the audience on guard. They'll be watching you twice as closely) in this book, and they are all very well explained and easy to follow. I also love his writing style, often making me laugh out loud, as Mr. Mandelberg is also a gifted comedian. He gives performance tips and hints that help spice up the tricks, and before long you can absolutely stun an audience as if you hit them with a taser gun!
I of course will not give any secrets away (buy the book!), but following are some of my favorite tricks from the book:
1. Behind the Back: A very simple trick that will amaze whoever sees it. Like Mr. Mandelberg suggests, you can also let someone in on the solution and play it up very funny.
2. Under the Table: Again, very simple, and done with an ordinary deck with no setup. It will amaze those who witness your "mental power" (except you, who will be amazed at how easy it is to trick them! ::devious grin::)
3. Seven Up: With a little acting, this trick is very simple and has a good effect.
4. How Did I Do That? This trick is really so simple it's laughable, but your audience will never figure it out, and the effect is astonishing! Mr. Mandelberg also has a fabulous suggestion for the banter on this trick. He has put a lot of thought into it, and if you carry it out right, the audience will end up believing that they themselves must be psychic!
5. Switcheroo!: Takes a little more practice than some others, but the payoff is worth the practice!
6. What's Your Number? Mr. Mandelberg says that this trick alone is worth more than the price of the book. After watching the results, I can say it's worth five times the price of the book! (I'm sure if you mailed Mr. Mandelberg the other four times the purchase price, he'd really thank you! Plus, maybe he'd let me have a cut?) In magic shops, I've paid up to $30 for card tricks that aren't near as effective as this one trick you can do with an ordinary deck! I've performed this trick among the most cynical, card-trick hatingest people, and after they see it, they just shake their head in utter bewilderment. I seriously wish I had a camera to record the priceless looks on the faces of those I pull this one on! And, with just the right banter, even the most skeptical will have to agree that they've witnessed something miraculous!
7. Neighborhood ESP: I haven't had the opportunity to perform this one yet, but I relish the day I do! Like the "What's Your Number" trick, this one will have people utterly shocked!
Those tricks are some of my favorites, but all of them are good! I prefer tricks that are a bit more interesting than your run-of-the-mill card trick. To me, the best tricks are very visual-oriented, ones that have an interesting twist, and this book has some good ones. And, best of all, they are easy to learn and perform, and when you pull them on somebody, you just sit back and bathe in the adulation they are going to throw your way!
Also, I would be remiss without mentioning the ultra-cool illustrations by Ferruccio Sardella. Props!
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Mind Reading Magic Tricks
Bob Longe
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub Co Inc
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ASIN: 080693896X |
Book Description
Powerful development and design tools require thorough and authoritative technical advice and documentation. When it comes to Macromedia Flash, no one is more authoritative than Macromedia Development and writing teams. Now their official documentation is available to you in printed book form. As you work, keep this guide by your side for ready access to valuable information on using Flash. We’ve designed it so that it’s easy to annotate as you progress.
Learning ActionScript 2.0 for Macromedia Flash 8 shows you how to write proper ActionScript syntax to create useful and interactive Flash applications. This book includes examples of object-oriented programming, and teaches you how to write custom classes for your Flash applications. Learning ActionScript 2.0 for Macromedia Flash 8 also includes numerous hands-on examples on how to apply expressive and interactive features to your files using ActionScript code, such as file upload, filter effects, scripted animation, and anti-alias text using the FlashType font rendering engine.
In Learning Actionscript 2.0 for Macromedia Flash 8, learn how to:
• Write proper ActionScript syntax using the fundamentals of the ActionScript language.
• Use object-oriented programming techniques to build Flash applications.
• Use ActionScript classes to add interactivity and expressive features to your Flash applications.
• Use best practices and coding conventions to optimize, structure, and write consistent ActionScript.
Customer Reviews:
Good but Boring.......2007-06-08
This is a good comprehensive subject but can be boring for a more advance programmer, it is just like the syntax for a lot of other languages but is not as exciting to read as other programming languages I have read up on, but to know what is needed this is a good book to get.
What is in the Flash sample files on my C:// drive anyway? .......2007-04-01
Learning ActionScript 2.0 for Macromedia Flash 8
Jen deHaan, peter deHaan
Macromedia Press
copyright 2004-2006
ISBN:0-321-39415-1
This book is very comprehensive and thorough. It covers anything you might want/need to know in Flash. It is always good to learn about a software by seeing what the creators of the software have to say about it. They seem to have access to ideas that are overlooked in other books.
For example, how many times have you been coding something you have done according to strict coding standards and you get that wonderful code hint box coming up and opps just as you are reading what it says it disappears. Well, you don't have to put up with this anymore!! This wonderful book tells you how to access the code hints anytime anywhere--- just press the parenthesis with the thought bubble next to it or even access it from the pop up menu in the upper right hand corner of the actions pane. This is the kind of detail that this book contains (well it is 848 pages!!). It seems as the authors had some omniscient ability to answer all the questions in Flash that were frustrating me.
As is always true in Flash there are always many ways to do just one thing -- another thing you could do would be to put your cursor in the actions pane and press ctrl + u (PC) This brings up preferences where you can set the delay on code hints to the maximum 9 seconds and if that isn't long enough for you just hit the thought bubble.
One of the more useful sections is an explanation of each element of Flash, which explains the use of the element. You will find this under a title such as "Using ActionsScript 2.0 Classes" p. 250. This is the only place where I have really encountered a section on "using" something and believe me I have read a lot of books on ActionScript 2.0 Classes.
Reading this book gives you an amazing opportunity to get input from people who have incredible background and experience with the authoring tool. This description of what a function should comprise is a good example. "A well written function is like a "black box". If the function contains carefully placed comments about it's input, output and purpose the person using the function does not need to understand exactly know how it works." Believe me this was really good news for someone who has looked through other developer's code and didn't understand exactly how it worked. This book gives you the confidence and ammunition you need to code in just about any scenario. It tells you how to cope if you encounter code that wasn't written according to best practices, or in a prior version of Flash.
Here is a secret that nobody really let's you in on: the Script Navigator. Yes, the Script Navigator is your friend. It is a fast way to view all the code and to preview and become familiar with how to trouble shoot someone else's code.
Another section that really prepares you for working with ActionScript is the section on page 350 regarding event handler scope. This details how the same code would differ if it were written on a button or in the first frame of the timeline. This section is very good real world preparation.
The material on Bitmap Caching is very comprehensive. It explains what goes on with this new feature and how to use it as with the sections on filters, blend modes, drop shadows, blurs, etc. The section about programmic animation is also a must read.
The best feature of this book is that it introduces you to the sample files on your C drive. There is a very good tutorial on sound with a jukebox. There are tutorials for every feature that the program offers. As a developer this is a killer source to have, if someone quick springs a jukebox project on you. It at least gives you a starting point. It also is a help to quickly review something you may not have done in a while.
There is also extensive info on the File Reference Class. This a new feature that allows you to upload and download files.
The section on security and how it has changed in Flash over the versions is also very important.
When I mentioned to someone that I was reading this book, this person said that it would be interesting to compare it to what info is given in the help files. Well, I compared one of the sections - functions and it is word for word the same as the help files. Using your help files in the authoring tool is even better than reading a book if your are working for someone who doesn't like it if you refer to a book (I have heard of other Flash developers being berated by this type of employer). Now you have the whole deal right in your authoring tool help files and a bit less awkward to refer to than a book. If reading the help files is a problem for you, you can always buy the book which lays it out in a more easy to find manner. After reading this book you have no excuse for not being prepared for any Flash problem that may be thrown your way. This is an important point. as many employers now have stooped to giving us Flash developers tests, consequently you can't be too prepared. Read this book. You will be glad you did.
Good Reference for Serious AS Programmers.......2006-07-11
"Learning ActionScript 2.0 for Macromedia FLASH 8" is an official Macromedia Press publication and was written by Jan and Peter deHaan, both of whom are clearly ActionScript experts. The book is targeted at individuals with at least some Flash development experience. However, as mentioned later in the book Action Script 2.0 should be primarily of interest to intermediate and advanced Flash programmers.
The authors state that ActionScript will seem familiar if you have previous scripting language experience (i.e. JavaScript), but if you have no programming background ActionScript basics are easy to learn. This may be true. However, I found that this book really requires that readers already have a good foundation of programming background -at least in terms of concepts, syntax, and scripting language structure. For example in Chapter 4: Data and Data Types, I found the code examples to be too abstract without some working knowledge of programming languages and a description of what the code syntax is supposed to be doing.
This book is well organized for topical reference, but is intended for linear reading (though I doubt anyone would actually do this) since many chapters build off of the previous ones. The topical structure of this book is actually its best feature, with each of the 19 chapters addressing a specific Flash feature and how ActionScript 2.0 drives and controls it. Chapter 5: Syntax and Language Fundamentals, however, seems out of place for those of us unfamiliar with scripting languages. This chapter should be moved up front to at least precede the previous chapters on "Writing and Editing AS 2.0" and "Data and Data Types."
The chapter topics are outlined below to show how the book is organized:
o Chapter 1: What's New in ActionScript 2.0
o Chapter 2: Writing and Editing AS 2.0
o Chapter 3: About ActionScript
o Chapter 4: Data and Data Types
o Chapter 5: Syntax and Language Fundamentals
o Chapter 6: Functions and Methods
o Chapter 7: Classes
o Chapter 8: Inheritance
o Chapter 9: Interfaces
o Chapter 10: Handling Events
o Chapter 11: Working with Movie Clips
o Chapter 12: Working with Text and Strings
o Chapter 13: Animation, Filters and Drawings
o Chapter 14: Creating Interaction with AS
o Chapter 15: Working with Images, Sound and Video
o Chapter 16: Working with External Data
o Chapter 17: Understanding Security
o Chapter 18: Debugging Applications
o Chapter 19: Best Practices and Coding Conventions for AS 2.0
o Extensive Appendices
The book is equally well structured and written at the chapter-level. Each chapter starts off with a brief definition and explanation of the topic to be covered and contains references for locating more detailed or additional information elsewhere in the book. Highlighted "Notes" and "Tips" are used extensively throughout the book to emphasize key points and best practices. I often found these to be good 'knowledge nuggets' that broadened my overall understanding of Flash and ActionScript.
The real focus of this book is on the 'nitty gritty' of working with ActionScript. Each chapter contains extensive topical examples and associated ActionScript 2.0 code. Many of the code examples are nicely presented in the form of step-by-step exercises. The authors do a nice job of describing what the code is doing as at key points along the way and also have you modify and test the code as you work through their examples and exercises.
There are literally hundreds of ActionScript programming examples and exercises contained in this book. The breadth and depth of these highlight an incredibly wide range of useful ActionScript programming features and capabilities. The trick here is to dig through all of this and figure out how to apply it to your particular needs. However, if you are already an experienced AS programmer, the very granular topical structure of this book should make it very usable for you.
Having no scripting language background, I found the handful of AS programming examples that I worked through difficult to understand. For me, this was due to the fact that many of the examples and exercises in this book illustrate abstract programming concepts, such as the manipulation of various code properties then testing the movie and analyzing what the ActionScript is doing via the Output panel. Having more concrete examples for applying ActionScript and seeing how content on the stage responds would be helpful for non-programmers like me. It would also be helpful if some of the examples focused on working with Flash 8's pre-scripted behaviors, which provide a lot of nice functionality.
If you are an experienced programmer you should be able to find the AS samples and exercises very useful in your day-to-day workings with Flash. One thing that this book does not have that would be helpful is a companion CD that contains the ActionScript examples covered in the book. Many of the code samples are fairly long and being able to cut and paste many useful code samples directly into Flash would be nice.
In summary, this a good reference book for creating and manipulating lots of ActionScript functionality within your Flash applications. It will be most useful to those already familiar with ActionScript or if you at least have a good understanding of scripting language programming fundamentals. It is well laid-out for easy topical reference and probably should be used as such, rather than as an end-to-end read through. As a new Flash programmer, I will be looking for additional ActionScript books that focus more on learning ActionScript basics, as well as scripting language fundamentals. However, I will certainly keep my copy of "Learning ActionScript 2.0 for Macromedia FLASH 8" handy. It does contain quite a bit of good material relevant to any new Flash developer who is serious about learning ActionScript.
Okay, but not the best.......2006-03-19
The is the second book I bought from Macromedia Press dealing with Action Script. The first one I bought was Flash MX Professional 2004 application development.
ISBN 0-321-23834-6
I would by that versus this one if you are looking for a well written intermediate read for Application Development for Flash.
This book is disjointed and it references itself in places you haven't read yet. I also have found a number of code typos, so if you are new to Action Script, pay close attention.
OK, but could be better.......2006-03-10
It's an alright book that teaches you some great pieces of actionscript, but it doesn't neccesarily show you how to put the pieces together. It sometimes seems like it was written for people that have a grasp on AS already, not someone who is just starting out.
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