Spike Lee: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series) by Cynthia Fuchs

This book gave me more insight into the man behind some of my favorite films of all-time. There are a lot of his films I have not seen yet, but after reading the many interviews and getting more out of Lee than ever, I’m motivated to own all of his films. It was cool to see how he comes up with his scripts, some of the challenges he faced in bringing them to life, and some of the criticizing he gets constantly about him, and not his work. He seems to be very aware of who he is and is also aware of the fact he cannot do this alone. He gives props to people throughout the interviews, from the woman who plays Nola in “She’s Gotta Have It” to Ernest Dickerson, to Jada Pinkett Smith, to John Singleton, and so on. The one thing I gained more than anything though is he really makes people think when you watch his movies and when you hear or read what he has to say. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of his work and to people who may not know much about him other than what is seen in the media.

Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About the Magic of Cinema by George Alexander

Flashback to 1974. That was the year movie critic Donald Bogle wrote his seminal book, “Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies & Bucks”, and suggested that these five African-American stereotypes were used everyday in the mass media and in particular in the cinema. Bogle’s five main stereotypes were based on his research of the images that white Hollywood directors and movie audiences advanced about African-Americans. Now fast forward to 2003. Today many of these same images are still reinforced, reshaped and even rewind by black filmmakers, many of whom were interviewed in George Alexander’s fine book, “Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About the Magic of Cinema.” Still I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding the philosophies and perseverance strategies of this creative colony of artists, activists and scholars. Lots of war stories. And for the most part, they did not shy away from discussing racism in Hollywood. The book is easy to read, and although not billed as a scholarly treatise, wears very well its key words of film and African American/African studies. In fact media and communication scholars will have little problem finding examples of agenda setting theory, propaganda, social responsibility theory and spiral of silence. But even more important, laypersons, movie goers and aspiring filmmakers will enjoy Alexander’s ability to present these filmmakers and artists as approachable and genuinely a part of the larger African world community. I am an “index person” and “summary person,” therefore, I think these two elements would have added greatly to this book. But I appreciated the fact that whenever a movie was mentioned, the date was included. Journalist George Alexander likes movies and his book provides us with a nice snapshot of many of the industry’s black participants as scholars, mainstream filmmakers, documentarians and just plain old entertainers - flaws and all.

Hilary Duff: All Access by Matthew Rettenmund and Keith Munyan

My father works for Barnes and Noble and pulled strings for an advance copy on July 1st for this item considering the Hil addict I am. Matthew Rettermund and Keith Munyan have certainly done it with the book! This is certainly the most pleasing, informative,best picture-covered book on Hilary. The rarest pictures, the best information and everything. If you are tweens and teens that are Hilary fans, this will rock your world and if you are parents that want a good biography on your daughter or son’s favorite celeb, Hilary Duff this is the best way to please their faces Three words, America: Buy this book!

“… with Hilary was a Disney’s California Adventure two-day trip with Kyla Pratt and Shia LaBeouf. …”

Sports Cinema - 100 Movies: The Best of Hollywood’s Athletic Heroes, Losers, Myths, & Misfits of the Silver Screen by Randy Williams

Ok, so I know that references ‘On the Waterfront,’ but I think this book could really be huge. Any time someone publishes a top 100 list, critics are sure to disagree. But whether you agree with him or not, Randy Williams did an excellent job of highlighting some of the best sports movies ever. Everything from ‘College’ to ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ to ‘Million Dollar Baby’…movies like ‘Breaking Away’ and ‘Brian’s Song’ that my parents had me watch when I was little (I still love the music from Brian’s Song) bring back the memories. Tons of pictures, a throrough yet brief synopsis for each flick, and some cool stuff at the back (actor’s comments on their favorite sports movies, trivia, and an Academy award list) make this a great ‘anytime’ book. Wondering what to get the sports fanatic in your house for Christmas? Problem solved!!!

“… Zeke McCall; Debbi Morgan Nona McCall; Harry Lennix Nathan Wright; Kyla Pratt Young Monica; Glenndon Chatman Young Quincy; Christine Dunford Coach Davis; …”

The Blueprint for My Girls in Love: 99 Rules for Dating, Relationships, and Intimacy by Yasmin Shiraz

” -Kyla Pratt, actress “This book is a beautiful tool for the continuation …”

The Teacher’s Calendar, School Year 2003-2004 : The Day-by-Day Directory to Holidays, Historic Events, Birthdays and Special Days, Weeks and Months by Editors of Chase’s

“… Harlem: A Poem), born Mar- tinsburg, WV, Aug 12, 1937. Kyla Pratt, 15, actress (Dr. Dolittle, “The Baby-Sitters Club”), born North Kansas …”

I am the principal of a small Catholic school, and I use the information in this book to write the morning announcements. The kids love to hear a little piece of history, or a snippet of trivia, or important holidays in foreign countries. It has inspired some off the wall celebrations, such as Hoodie Hoo Day which I celebrated with my 8th graders when I taught.